Portable, insanely delish, made in one bowl, packed with nutrients and super easy to make…what’s not to love about overnight oatmeal that taste like dessert?! Plus, they’re actually filling. If you’re as obsessed with oatmeal for breakfast as I am, you must try my cookie dough overnight oats, blueberry overnight oats, and carrot cake overnight oats.
Ingredients
Old-fashioned oats: Also known as rolled oats, this is the base of our overnight oats recipe, which are not meant to be eaten hot. We don’t want instant, quick cook or steel cut oats here (save those for overnight steel cut oats!). Almond milk: I love this for the liquid base, but you can use any milk you like or have on hand, like oat milk, cow’s milk, or coconut milk for extra decadence. Greek yogurt: You can use nonfat, 2% or whole. I like 2% for a bit of fat which improves the texture and mouthfeel. I use unsweetened, but vanilla works too. Have you tried my Greek Yogurt Oatmeal Bowl?! Chia seeds: To thicken the mixture and add a dose of filling fiber and healthy fats. Peanut butter: The star of the show for peanut flavor and creamy texture. I like salted peanut butter with just peanuts and salt for the ingredients. Honey or maple syrup: I tested this recipe with both sweeteners and they both work great to add a light pop of sweetness. You can use more or less depending on your taste buds! Cocoa powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder that you’d use for baking or raw cacao powder (here’s why I love raw cacao) both work great for mega chocolate flavor. Vanilla extract: Vanilla is a must for bringing out the delicious chocolate flavor to set these oats apart from the rest! Salt: Salt is so important for flavor yet so many overnight oat recipes don’t include it. A key ingredient for rounding out the flavors!
See recipe card below for full ingredient list.
Substitutions and dietary preferences
Dairy free: You can omit the yogurt and replace with dairy free milk, or use dairy free yogurt. Gluten free: Use certified gluten free oats. Nut free: Use oat or soy milk and tahini or sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter.
How to make
Flavor variations
Chocolate peanut butter strawberry: Add a cup of diced strawberries. Mocha: Add ½ tsp instant espresso powder or use ¼ cup brewed coffee in place of that much milk. PB&J: Add a tablespoon of strawberry or grape jam. Protein oats: Add a scoop of protein powder or 1 tbsp hemp seeds for even more staying power.
What makes these healthy?
You know the dietitian in me loves perfecting healthy, tasty, accessible breakfast options!
Oats are loaded with beta-glucan soluble fiber, which improves satiety, increases diversity of the gut, and helps fight constipation. Try my pumpkin overnight oats for even more fiber! Oats also pack 6g plant protein in ½ cup plus a wide variety of micronutrients like manganese (190% of daily value in ½ cup), iron (20%), phosphorus (41%), magnesium (34%) and zinc (20%). Regular consumption of polyphenols in cacao help reduce risk of heart disease. With nearly 8g protein per ounce, peanuts are the highest protein nut!
How to store
Store oats in the fridge for up to 4 days in an air-tight container. Did you know you can freeze overnight oats, too? Totally doing this postpartum! Freeze portions in a greased muffin tin. Once frozen, place in a freezer baggie and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and top as you would normally!
I hope you’re as obsessed with this fun recipe as I am!
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