The fact that you can mix like five things together and wake up to breakfast all ready to go is the best thing since sliced bread. For whatever reason, the concept of overnight oats perplexes people. Do you cook the oats? Do you eat them warm? Do you eat them cold? WHAT IS THE DEAL HERE.
How to make overnight oats
You all love my Cookie Dough Overnight Oats, Strawberry Overnight Oats, Vegan Overnight Oats and Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal, which actually does involve some cooking. The simple answer is that the ball is in your court. The marbles are in your jar. Errr…the oats. Jars! You should totally make these in a cute little mason jar so you can legit just grab it in the morning when you woke up on the wrong side of the bed twenty-eight minutes later than you wanted to and you don’t know where your right shoe is let alone what the hell you’re gonna eat for breakfast. Not like that ever happens to me. Overnight oats basically “cook” overnight in the liquid, AKA they soften up so there’s no need to ever actually cook them. All you do is combine some pantry staples in a bowl and let it sit overnight to thicken. If you don’t like cold oats, feel free to heat them up on the stove or in the micro till they’re warmed through.
Ingredients in overnight oats
Overnight oats are typically made with yogurt, which is a delish tangy option as well. Vegan versions often call for chia seeds as the thickener, which I love for a dose of fiber and brain-boosting fats.
old-fashioned oats: good ol’ rolled oats, not instant or steel cut. Oats create a nice nutty base for the recipe. banana: this is our natural sweetener, plus it makes the oats take on a delish banana bread flavor. zucchini: yep, we’ve got vegetables joining the party, too! You won’t even know it’s there. non-dairy milk: you can use whatever creamy liquid you’d like here—oat, almond, coconut, soy, whatever. chia seeds: to help thicken the mixture and add fiber and healthy fats. cinnamon: for that amazing sweetness, spice, and baked good flavor.
Topping ideas
I love topping this baby with toasty walnuts (just bake at 350F for 10 minutes), coconut, more banana, and a drizzle of pure maple syrup. Almond butter makes quite a terrific topper as well.
toasted walnuts flaked coconut chocolate chips (try mini!) almond butter pure maple syrup
How long do overnight oats last
Overnight oats typically last 3-5 days in the fridge, but you’ll want to enjoy this recipe by the next day since the banana will oxidize and brown quickly. Alternatively, you could add a splash of lemon juice to keep the color in tact. If the brownish hue doesn’t bother you, you can definitely eat them a couple days later! Now who on God’s green earth wouldn’t be a fan of sneaking a serving of veggies into their breakfast routine? Hip hip, zucchini!
