Basic Overnight Oats are the perfect healthy breakfast that can be easily made ahead of time, and they are so delicious; it’s almost like you are eating a creamy, sweet dessert for breakfast.
Learn how to make the basic overnight oats then you can add whatever toppings you prefer; this overnight oatmeal has limitless flavour options and toppings.
For more healthy overnight oat recipes, check Nutella Overnight Oats and Peach Overnight Oats.
Breakfast is an important meal even if you always start your day in a hurry. These basic overnight oats are your best choice for having a healthy breakfast because they will be ready for you in the morning. So, make it easy for yourself and start your day with these delicious overnight oats.
Why this recipe?
This Basic Oats recipe is made with whole grains, full of protein and fibre, easy to prepare for 2-3 days ahead of time, good for meal prep, and it is so healthy. This recipe is also totally customizable; you can make it vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, or even sugar-free.
Jump to:
- Why this recipe?
- What are Basic Overnight Oats?
- What's in these Basic Overnight Oats?
- How to make Basic Overnight Oats?
- Top Tips:
- What are the different oat types?
- What are the topping and adds-in options?
- Recipe FAQs
- What is the best jar for making overnight oats?
- More breakfast recipes
- Recipes you may like
- Recipe
- Comments
What are Basic Overnight Oats?
Overnight Oats are when you soak the oats all night in milk instead of cooking them; they absorb quite a lot of the liquid and become soft and chewy. Until this stage, you have made basic overnight oats. To give these oats some flavour, add any toppings you like. I usually add a little honey or maple syrup along with some chopped up fruits (anything I have).
What's in these Basic Overnight Oats?
Rolled oats: In this recipe, we will use old fashioned rolled oats.
Vanilla extract: It gives a lovely flavour to the oats.
Whole milk: But you can use almond milk, coconut milk, or oat milk instead.
Greek yoghurt: (I prefer to use plain Greek yoghurt; however, you can use any flavour you like).
Honey: I like to use honey or maple syrup to give a bit sweetness to the oats.
Pinch of Salt: I like to add a pinch of salt to balance the sweet flavour.
How to make Basic Overnight Oats?
Combine all the ingredients in a medium-size glass jar or container. Mix well, then cover and put in the fridge for overnight. For breakfast, stir well then add your toppings and enjoy.
Top Tips:
- These oats will get softer the longer they remain.
- Adding a tablespoon of chia seeds helps to thicken your oats and make them creamier. (They also have lots of health benefits.)
- You can add the toppings or adds-in to the oats to soak overnight, or you can add them fresh before serving. For me, I like adding them before serving.
- If you choose to make this recipe with Quick-cooking oats, I suggest reducing the amount of milk by a quarter cup.
- The liquid amount is very important for the oat’s consistency; this recipe will give you a thick, creamy, and slightly chewy oats. If you like it to be a little liquidy, you can add more milk (about a quarter cup more).
- You can use plain yoghurt instead of Greek yoghurt and if you are not a fan of yoghurt at all substitute it with ¼ cup milk and 1.5 tablespoons of chia seeds to thicken your oats.
What are the different oat types?
There are three types of oats which are slightly different in texture.
Quick-cooking oats: They cook much faster than rolled oats, but it ends up with a texture more like a porridge.
Rolled oats: Absorb water or milk quickly and have a thick and creamy texture. They are the best option for this recipe.
Steel-cut oats: This type of oatmeal is higher in fibre than the other two types. Sometimes they called Irish oatmeal. It is made of the whole grain oats from the oat plant. And it usually needs much more liquid to be ready for eating. The final result of using it in making overnight oats will be a bit chewier than using rolled oats.
What are the topping and adds-in options?
Feel free to mix in and top your Basic Overnight Oats with any topping you fancy. Below are some suggestions:
Fresh fruits: Top your oats with some chopped strawberries, blueberries, bananas, or any fresh fruits you like.
Instant coffee powder: Add in a teaspoon of instant coffee powder such as Espresso to get a caffeine boost in your oatmeal breakfast.
Whey protein powder: Add in more protein to your oatmeal breakfast by adding half scoop of pure whey protein powder.
Flavour extracts: Add more flavours to your oats by adding ⅛ teaspoon of any extract you like such as lemon, peppermint, almond, or orange.
Chia seeds: Not only are chia seeds a good source of fibre, omega-3, and high-quality protein but they also it help to thicken your oats. Add one tablespoon of chia seeds.
Spices: To have lovely fall flavours, add ½ teaspoon of cinnamon and ⅛ teaspoon of nutmeg to your Basic Overnight Oats.
Nut butter: Add a tablespoon of smooth peanut butter or almond butter.
Chocolate: If you want your oats to be chocolaty, add to it one tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder.
Lemon and poppyseeds: Add to your basic overnight oats a lovely tangy flavour and more crunchiness by adding one tablespoon lemon juice, one teaspoon lemon zest, and two tablespoons poppy seeds.
Nuts: Add to your oats some chopped nuts such as pecan, walnuts, or toasted almond.
Coconut: If you love coconut flavour, you can replace whole milk with coconut milk and add a tablespoon of shredded coconut to your basic overnight oats.
Other topping options: Chocolate chips, raisins, and cranberries.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can use almond milk or coconut milk instead of whole milk.
To store your basic overnight oats, just put them in a glass jar or container, seal, then place in the fridge. They will stay fresh in the fridge for about 2-3 days.
It is best to soak them at least for 7-8 hours. However, if you are in a rush, you can just soak them for 3-4 hours.
Of course, you can. Although only use one tablespoon of honey or maple syrup in this recipe, you can substitute it with any sweetener you prefer such as Erythritol or Swerve.
Yes, you can. Quick-cooking oats will work as well. It may be a bit mushy but will stay delicious and has a lovely chewy texture.
Unlike a warm oatmeal bowl, this recipe meant to be eaten cold. It is so delicious when it is cold. However, you can warm it if you like.
Yes, you can. Just make sure to buy a gluten-free rolled oats.
Yes, oats are good for weight loss because they are 100% whole grain and a good source of fibre, making you fill full for a long time.
Of course not. If you don't make oats regularly, don't rush to buy those fancy overnight oatmeal jars. You can make them in a small bowl or any small glass container you have.
I recommend using a ratio of 1 part liquid to 2 parts oats as a base for the overnight oats. However, you may like it thicker, so you need to adjust the thickness to your liking.
You can use milk, or non-dairy milk, such as almond, soy or coconut milk. You can also use yogurt if you like.
What is the best jar for making overnight oats?
These oats will fit in a half-litre jar. Below are some suggestions:
Weck 742 Mold Jar: These are absolutely wonderful, but they are expensive. It is worth it if you make oats regularly.
Ball Mason "PINT" Jars: These jars are good quality, affordable, and look amazing.
More breakfast recipes
- Peanut butter pancakes
- Oat and honey granola bars
- Healthy lemon and blueberry baked oatmeal
- Healthy pumpkin pancake recipe
Recipes you may like
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Recipe
Basic Overnight Oats
Equipment
- Jar
Ingredients
- ½ cup Rolled oats
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ½ cup Whole milk
- ¼ cup Greek yoghurt or vanilla yoghurt
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Pinch of Salt
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a medium-size glass jar or container. Mix well, then cover and put in the fridge for overnight.
- In the morning, stir well then add your toppings and enjoy.
Notes
- These oats will get softer the longer they remain.
- Adding a tablespoon of chia seeds helps to thicken your oats and make them creamier. (They also have lots of health benefits.)
- You can add the toppings or adds-in to the oats to soak overnight, or you can add them fresh before serving. For me, I like adding them before serving.
- If you choose to make this recipe with Quick-cooking oats, I suggest reducing the amount of milk by a quarter cup.
- The liquid amount is very important for the oat’s consistency; this recipe will give you a thick, creamy, and slightly chewy oats. If you like it to be a little liquidy, you can add more milk (about a quarter cup more).
- You can use plain yoghurt instead of Greek yoghurt and if you are not a fan of yoghurt at all substitute it with ¼ cup milk and 1.5 tablespoons of chia seeds to thicken your oats.
Nutrition
Pin it for later!
sun
before I decided to try overnight oats, I thought it would be extremely bad but I gave it a go. while I was making it I saved some for later so I could taste, to see if it's the real deal. so bomb, I'm loving it (*U*)-'
Naomi
I made this recipe, and it was so good. I have a question, can I replace yoghurt with coconut cream?
Radwa
Yes you can!
Mia
All my family loved this overnight oats recipe. My son liked them on breakfast with peanut butter and some berries. Also, adding maple syrup gives these oats a lovely sweetness. My elder daughter likes it a bit warm, so I microwave it for 1 minute. Thank you for sharing this perfect recipe!
Caroline
I’ve been making overnight oats for a long time, but I like this particular recipe because it is so basic and tasty at the same time. For making it more delicious. I add to it some fresh fruit and some shredded coconut.
Anna
I loved this oats recipe because it is so easy to customize. For me, I love it with a tablespoon of almond butter and some banana slices.
Madelyn
Recently, I have been trying to make a healthy breakfast and have made these overnight oats for about seven days. Love them! I also use almond milk, and I add a handful os chopped nuts. Delicious!