Lately, I’ve gotten a few more comments and e-mails than usual about one of my breakfast staples, overnight oats. While I by no means “invented” this method for eating oatmeal, it has been one of my favorite go-to (and on-the-go!) meals for several years now. It’s been especially convenient to bring to work and school early in the morning, when I don’t have time to have a sit-down meal at home.
There are many different variations you can make to it, but the basic recipe really only calls for three ingredients: oatmeal, water and yogurt.
I included peanut butter in the photo because while it’s not absolutely necessary, it does makes the dish so much better!
If you have a container of peanut butter, jam, lemon curd, or any other jar of goodness that’s almost done but has just enough that you can’t bring yourself to throw it out, this is perfect! I happened to have an empty peanut butter jar on hand, but it’ll work just as well with an empty bowl.
So here’s what you do:
Combine 1/3 c. oats, 1/3 c. milk, and 1/2 c. yogurt. I find Greek yogurt to work the best, because it gives the mixture a great “cookie dough” quality! I also usually add a bit more yogurt to the mi
I like my breakfast to be very thick and creamy, so I also add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds to the mix. Chia seeds are a great source of Omega-3 fatty acids, and when combined with liquid, they plump up and thicken whatever you’re mixing them into! They have no taste, but create fluffy, voluminous oats.
If you’re planning on taking your breakfast on-the-go in the morning, you can go ahead and mix in your toppings now. I like to use goji berries , another ingredient that adds both volume and chew, and plumps up nicely when combined with liquid.
When I have them, a half or whole banana is always included in the mix. Again, when I’m making overnight oats to eat at home I’ll slice the banana on top of the bowl in the morning, but when I’m going to school or work, they get tossed in the night before.
Mix it all up, and store it in the fridge overnight! If you used a near-empty condiment jar, you’re going to want to make sure that you scraped down all of the sides. It’s a lot tougher to get the peanut butter out when it’s been sitting in the fridge all night, and I don’t want you to miss out on nutbutterygoodness!
In the morning, you’ll have a thick, creamy and hearty breakfast that will hold you over for hours.
Feel free to add toppings in the morning, too! Here are some of my favorite things to add to overnight oats:
- sliced banana
- nut butter
- goji berries
- cinnamon
- shredded coconut
- canned pumpkin
- diced apples
- granola
Because the mix is so thick, it travels really well. Just make sure you’ve got the top screwed on tight and you bring extra napkins!
What’s your favorite on-the-go breakfast?
I have so many near empty jars of nut butter at the moment and that is so calling my name! Overnight oats is my on the go breakfast of choice, nothing else is so easy to use grab and go. I used to try and have a stash of home made fuel bars in the freezer – they were pretty useful too!
Favorite on-the-go breakfast = cereal!
Love the step by step tutorial! I’ve been reading about overnight oats forever, but really wasn’t sure how to make them. So easy and sounds delicious!!! When I finish my current jar of nut butter, overnight oats it is!
Question: Have you ever tried overnight oats with steel cut oats?
Love Overnight oats! I was just thinking of making them tonight. But the best part about making them the night before is being able to lick the spoon.
Love overnight oats! Another favourite on-the-go breakfast = breakfast cookie!
Love overnight oats. One of my favorite food blog discoveries. I almost always put medjool dates in mine!
I keep meaning to make overnight oats…but every night, I forget!
I have NEVER done overnight oats in a jar – I always do HOT oats in a jar. I need to try this.
I usually do a more traditional overnight oats. I usually mix oats, milk, rasins, TONS of cinnamon, vanilla. I need to start integrating some yogurt into the mix. The protein bonus is a good idea!
Overnight oats are a favorite of mine too—especially on early mornings!
i make not so overnight oats – with instant oatmeal – b/c i find whenever i make breakfast the night before i’m never in the mood for it the next day!
Katie, you just changed my life! My whole morning is freed up. Muchachas gracias!
It’|s honestly a fantastic and valuable piece of data. I?|m satisfied that you shared this useful information and facts with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.