7 easy overnight oats recipes for healthy breakfasts

Starting your day with a nutritious breakfast is key to having energy, focus, and wellbeing.

But mornings can be hectic, leaving little time to prepare a healthy meal from scratch. That’s where overnight oats come to the rescue!

With a little prep the night before, you can wake up to a delicious, wholesome breakfast that will fuel your day.

Here are 7 easy overnight oats recipes to try for healthy breakfasts all week long.

The Basic Overnight Oats Recipe

Before diving into variations, here’s the foundational overnight oats recipe:

• ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• ½ cup milk of choice
• ¼ cup yogurt (optional)
• 1-2 tsp sweetener like honey or maple syrup
• Pinch of salt

Simply stir together the ingredients in a jar or container, cover, and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, add your favorite toppings and enjoy cold or warmed up. Now onto the tasty variations!

1. Classic Strawberry Banana Overnight Oats

Ingredients:

• ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• ½ cup milk of choice
• ¼ cup plain or vanilla yogurt
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
• ¼ cup diced strawberries
• ½ a banana, sliced

Instructions:

Mix together the oats, milk, yogurt and sweetener. Layer half the fruit on the bottom of a jar, pour in the oat mixture, then top with remaining fruit. Refrigerate overnight and enjoy in the morning.

2. Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

Ingredients:

• ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• ½ cup milk of choice
• ¼ cup plain or vanilla yogurt
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
• ¼ cup diced apple

Instructions:

In a jar or container, combine the oats, milk, yogurt, cinnamon and sweetener. Mix well. Stir in the diced apple. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Enjoy cold or warm in the morning.

3. Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Ingredients:

• ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• ½ cup milk of choice
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1-2 tsp maple syrup or honey
• 1 tbsp peanut butter

Instructions:

Mix together the oats, milk, cocoa powder and sweetener until well combined. Swirl in the peanut butter. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Enjoy as a sweet treat for breakfast!

4. Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

Ingredients:

• ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• ½ cup milk of choice
• ¼ cup yogurt
• 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• ⅛ tsp nutmeg
• ¼ cup grated carrot
• 1 tbsp raisins
• 1 tbsp chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions:

In a jar or container, stir together the oats, milk, yogurt, sweetener, cinnamon and nutmeg. Mix in the carrot, raisins and chopped nuts. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Wake up to carrot cake for breakfast!

5. Tropical Coconut Mango Overnight Oats

Ingredients:

• ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• ½ cup coconut milk
• 2 tbsp shredded coconut
• 1 tsp honey or agave nectar
• ¼ cup diced mango

Instructions:

Combine the oats, coconut milk, shredded coconut and sweetener. Mix well. Layer half the diced mango into a jar, add the oat mixture, then top with the rest of the mango. Refrigerate overnight for a tropical breakfast treat.

6. Blueberry Almond Overnight Oats

Ingredients:

• ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• ½ cup almond milk
• ¼ cup plain or vanilla yogurt
• 1 tsp honey
• ¼ cup fresh or frozen blueberries
• 1 tbsp sliced almonds

Instructions:

Stir together the oats, almond milk, yogurt and honey. Fold in the blueberries. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Top with sliced almonds before eating.

7. Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats

Ingredients:

• ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• ½ cup milk of choice
• 2 tbsp pumpkin puree
• 1 tsp maple syrup
• ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tbsp pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

Instructions:

In a jar or container, mix the oats, milk, pumpkin, maple syrup and pumpkin pie spice. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Sprinkle with pepitas before serving. Enjoy the flavors of fall!

FAQ

Can I make a big batch of overnight oats for the whole week?

Yes! Overnight oats will keep well in the fridge for 3-5 days. Make a larger batch in individual jars or containers for easy grab-and-go breakfasts all week long.

Can overnight oats be heated up?

Absolutely. While many people enjoy eating overnight oats cold, you can certainly warm them up if you prefer. Just microwave your jar or pour the oats into a saucepan and heat on the stove until warm.

What are the health benefits of overnight oats?

Overnight oats are rich in fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals thanks to the oats, milk or yogurt, fruit, nuts, and seeds. Oats are particularly high in a type of fiber called beta glucan which can help lower cholesterol, balance blood sugar, and promote healthy digestion. The combination of fiber, protein, and healthy fats will keep you feeling full and energized.

Can I use steel cut oats instead of old-fashioned rolled oats?

Steel cut oats are less processed than rolled oats and have a chewier texture. They require a longer soaking time to soften – if using them for overnight oats, let soak for at least 24 hours and use a 1:2 ratio of oats to liquid to ensure they absorb enough moisture.

What’s an easy way to meal prep overnight oats for busy mornings?

To streamline your mornings, prep several jars of overnight oats at once. Line up jars or containers, add your oats, liquid and any mix-ins, cover and refrigerate. You can either add toppings the night before or quickly add them in the morning before eating.