Here’s a step-by-step primer on how to make overnight oats, including 5 different variations you can try.
Today, my busy lovelies, I’m going to teach you how to make overnight oats for breakfast so you can actually get up, get out, and not be running late on an empty stomach for once.
Because that’s always my stress on a busy morning- getting us out the door fed, clothed, with everything we need, and with as little yelling as possible.
I mean, I’m not a saint. I’m definitely been known to roar “I said get your SHOES ONNNNN” to a lackadaisical kid once or twice.
Ok, maybe a lot more than once or twice.
But our morning struggle is always the same. So I love keeping something quick and flavorful on hand that I can shove into my kids and feel better than the days when they eat a piece of toast wrapped in a paper towel.
I mean we’ve all been there, right?
Overnight Oats has joined the chat
I’m sort of neutral on overnight oats, if I’m telling the truth, but my son LOVES them so I make them pretty often for him to eat in the mornings.
They’re easy to make.
They’re easy to prep.
And they’re incredibly easy to store in the fridge, just one microwave session away from warming up.
Plus, they keep a busy kid full for a long time, with the slow-release energy that oats have in the body.
Oats take on the flavor of whatever they’re seasoned with, and there’s something so comforting about the texture of them.
I love adding various textures to our oats, like creamy peanut butter of crunchy nuts.
READ: 19 Healthy Grab-and-Go Breakfasts
How do you store overnight oats so they don’t get soggy and gross?
- Take one part steel cut oats (which are better for overnight oats since they’re ‘sturdier’ than quick oats)
- Combine with double the liquid (milk, water, even bone broth if you like your oats savory)
- Shake
- Sit, overnight if possible
- Add toppings (nuts, peanut butter, coconut flakes, etc)
- Enjoy!
Here are 5 easy variations you can try:
READ: 25 Overnight Oats Recipes for Busy Mornings
Overnight Oats, 5 Ways
Ingredients
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- 2 cup milk dairy or plant based
- 1 pinch salt (about 1/4 teaspoon
Instructions
Optional toppings:
- “Maple Walnut” (toasted walnuts, maple syrup)
- “French Toast” (cinnamon, vanilla extract, maple syrup)
- “Peanut Butter and Jelly”
- “Nutty Delight” (hazelnut cold brew coffee, whole almonds)
- “Bananarama” (bananas, vanilla extract, raisins
Make it fresh:
- Combine oats, milk, and salt in a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid, seal, and shake to mix thoroughly.
- Refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Top as desired and enjoy!
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Ruthy Kirwan
I replace the liquid (milk or water from the original recipe) with cold brew coffee, and then when I’m ready to eat I stir in almonds. Sometimes I use those chocolate dusted almonds, but usually, they’re just regular plain almonds!
Shayla
How do you make the nutty delight oats??
Ruthy Kirwan
Oh my gosh! It’s a stupid mistake; I always use a 2:1 ratio when making overnight oats as I find they soak up tons of liquid while in the fridge, and I like them soft. I’m going to amend the post- I was wrong there- but not the recipe. So sorry for any confusion.
Sherry
You mentioned 1 Part Oats + 1 Part Liquid, which is what I’ve used in the past, but the recipe says 1 Part Oats + 2 Parts Liquid. Confused.
Echo
I love oatmeal and my son (10 months) also loves oatmeal. I haven’t tried overnight oats yet though. I am really interested and I love these different recipes. I think I will make some. I’ve also heard you can do overnight oats then in the morning add an egg and make them into pancakes, I want to try this too.
Ruthy Kirwan
Sometimes I’m not in the mood for them cold, either- but they heat up super quick in the microwave!
Ruthy Kirwan
The french toast is my favorite one! Let me know if you give them a shot.
Julie
I love making oatmeal for breakfast. Two out of three of my girls loves oatmeal too. Love your flavored options. Pinning it for later!
Neha Gupta
These are so delicious and healthy ! Haven’t tried overnight oats but this is such an awesome idea for an healthy breakfast.Loved the combinations also especially the french toast
Kimberley
I’ve never tried overnight oats before but this recipe makes it so simple I’ve no excuse not to try them now!
Brittney
I love overnight oats!! They are so easy and you have so many flavor options!
Cassie
I’ll be honest, I’ve never made overnight oats before but these all look DELICIOUS! I think my picky husband would even like them so I’m DEFINITELY adding them to my list! THank you so much for sharing. I’m most excited for the french toast. 😉
Lacy
These are fantastic and so helpful! What a great way to have a healthy breakfast ready to go in the morning!
rebecca
I live off of overnight oats! I’ve gotta try your french toast oatmeal! it looks delicious
Corina Blum
These sound delicious and I would especially like the bananarama one! I’d happily try the others too though!
Edyta at Innocent Delight
Nice tutorial for overnight outs. I have never made them as I had the same feeling, that cold outs are not my thing. But maybe I will convert. Will need to try it 🙂
Felesha
Such a great idea!!! Love the simplicity of it all. Thanks for sharing!
David @ Cooking Chat
I need to give these a try! I do like oatmeal but don’t motivate to make it too often.