Easy Overnight Oats

Whether I'm making classic oatmeal or the ever-popular blended baked oats, versatile oats continue to be a favorite breakfast staple of mine. But, when busy mornings hit, nothing beats overnight oats. They’re an easy, no-bake version of the classic breakfast that only takes a few minutes to prepare. Prep them the night before, tuck them into your fridge to soak, and you’ll have a chilled, creamy, on-the-go breakfast waiting for you in the morning.

The best part? Because these are so fast, you can easily change them up with different flavors and toppings every time you make them. Read on for our tips to make your overnight oats turn out great every time, then have fun making them your own.

How To Make Overnight Oats

INGREDIENTS

• The Oats: I call for readily available rolled/old-fashioned oats for this recipe. They're the best choice for optimal texture here. Quick oats are already broken down and will turn out much soggier—not ideal for your breakfast! On the contrary, steel-cut oats take much longer to soften and even overnight won't break them down enough to enjoyably eat. Reserve your steel-cut oats for cooking in your Instant Pot instead.
• The Chia Seeds: Chia seeds are mild and nutty and complement lots of dishes, whether they're savory or sweet. When you soak chia seeds in liquid, they become gelatinous, which helps hold your overnight oats together without ever having to cook them. Additionally, chia seeds add nutrients and protein to your oats. Win-win!
• The Cinnamon: Use more than I call for or omit it completely if you don't have any on hand. But in my opinion, cinnamon's sweet and smoky notes are perfect for these overnight oats.
• The Milk: Use any type of milk you like, from 2% to non-dairy! I use oat milk most often, just to keep on theme. If you do go non-dairy, try and find an option that is made of as few ingredients as possible (for example, just oats and water with no added oil or gums), so it doesn’t interfere with the texture of your overnight oats.
• The Yogurt: After testing with and without yogurt, I really preferred how the yogurt thickened the oats. Greek yogurt is my preference (can’t say no to the added protein), but regular yogurt can be used as well. Feel free to sub for non-dairy yogurt or leave it out entirely to keep your oats dairy-free.
• The Honey: To balance it all out, a touch of sweetness completes the meal. I highly suggest including this to make breakfast seem like a treat.
• The Toppings: This is the fun part! Once you’ve got your base down, you can feel free to add additional toppings and mix-ins. Some of my favorite toppings include peanut butter and raspberry jam for a PB&J vibe, classic banana and walnuts (à la banana bread), or even a little espresso powder stirred in for an extra pick-me-up, but get creative! Here are some guidelines:

STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS

Overnight oats really couldn't be easier to make and take a few simple steps. First, combine the dry ingredients: oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, and salt.

Then add the liquids. I call for milk, honey, and yogurt for the perfect combo of creamy and sweet.

Mix it all together, spoon into jars, bowls, containers, whatever's convenient, then cover and refrigerate until you're ready to enjoy for breakfast!

And have fun with the toppings!

Full list of ingredients and instructions can be found in the recipe below.

Recipe Tips

• The perfect ratio. My ideal overnight oats ratio is 1:1 of oats to milk, then half the amount of yogurt. So in this recipe, I use 1 cup oats, 1 cup milk, then 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt. This gives me the perfect Goldilocks consistency I'm looking for: not too thick, and not too thin. Once you've got the ratio down, the possibilities are endless when it comes to getting creative with your milk, mix-ins, and toppings.
• The seasonings. Cold foods like overnight oats need a little added oomph, so the honey and pinch of salt go a long way here. You can feel free to swap the sweetener for something else, but don’t skip them!
• Save the mix-ins for the morning. Anything that you want for crunch or texture—like fresh fruit or nuts—should be added into your overnight oats in the morning. Pull your oats from the fridge, give 'em a good stir, then go to town with your toppings.

Storage

Oats—without toppings—will keep in the fridge for around 5 days, making this a perfect make-ahead breakfast you can store in the fridge all week, then grab when you need it!