Best Overnight Oats (6 ways)
Posted Aug 23, 2024
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This is the best overnights oats recipe, made with 5 ingredients in 5 minutes, plus 6 delicious flavor combinations (with endless possibilities). Learn how to make overnight oats for an easy, meal prep breakfast perfect for busy mornings.
Overnight oats are a quick and tasty breakfast that will keep you full all morning long.
Old-fashioned oatmeal is mixed with yogurt, chia seeds, and your choice of toppings for a protein and fiber packed breakfast that’s as nutritious as it is delicious.
In this post, you will learn how to make overnight oats six different ways. Be sure to let me know which is your favorite.
Overnight Oats Ingredients & Substitutions
- Vanilla yogurt. I suggest Greek or Icelandic yogurt for the best flavor and texture. You can use plain yogurt, or any flavor of your choice (strawberry, chocolate etc.) depending on which flavor you choose to make. You can also use a dairy-free yogurt.
- Milk. I recommend whole milk, but almond milk, coconut milk, or 2% are also good choices.
- Old-fashioned oatmeal. Steel cut oats or quick-cooking oats are good substitutes.
- Chia seeds. ground flaxseed works in place of chia seeds.
- Toppings & Flavor combinations. See the recipe card and post for more information on toppings and flavor combinations.
How to Make Overnight Oats
Let’s walk through this overnight oatmeal recipe step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video.
Begin by whisking together yogurt, milk and honey in a large bowl (preferably one with a handle and spout like a batter bowl).
Then, add the oats chia seeds, cinnamon and sea salt and stir to combine.
Let the mixture set in the fridge for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
Next, divide the oatmeal mixture into 2 to 4 jars depending on your preferred serving size.
To Make Different Flavors
If you’d like to make different flavors of overnight oatmeal, add the mix-ins/toppings, either before or after chilling. I like to mix some into the oats and put some on top. Here are some suggestions:
Peanut Butter Banana: Add 1 Tablespoon peanut butter and half of a banana, sliced or diced. (Also try this peanut butter overnight oats recipe or chocolate peanut butter overnight oats)
Apple Cinnamon: Add ½ cup finely diced apples and an extra sprinkle of cinnamon.
Berry: Mix in ½ cup fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.) and 1 Tablespoon jam of choice.
Chocolate: Stir in 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder and 2 TBS mini chocolate chips into the overnight oat mixture. Top with additional mini chips! (Also try this chocolate overnight oats recipe).
Almond: Add 1 Tablespoon almond butter and 2 Tablespoons sliced almonds (or candied almonds).
Serve
Serve the overnight oats chilled with your favorite toppings (as discussed above). Some people prefer to warm them slightly, which is ok too!
Store/Freeze
Store overnight oats in a glass jar with a lid (airtight) in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before eating.
Overnight Oats Recipe FAQS
The secret to thick and creamy overnight oatmeal is the chia seeds (which thicken the mixture) and yogurt.
Yes, you can easily double or triple this recipe.
I suggest refrigerating them for at least 6 hours so they are chilled all the way through and perfectly thickened.
Chia seeds both thicken the overnight oats by absorbing moisture and add nutrition (fiber, protein, etc.).
I suggest whole milk for creamy oats. For a dairy-free version, use full-fat coconut milk.
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Best Overnight Oats Recipe (6 Ways)
Ingredients
- ½ cup vanilla yogurt*
- 1 cup milk
- 1-2 Tablespoons honey (to taste)
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 Tablespoon chia seeds
- Dash of cinnamon up to 1/8 tsp
- pinch sea salt
Flavor Combinations
Peanut butter & banana
- 1 Tablespoon peanut butter
- ½ banana sliced or diced
Apple Cinnamon
- ½ cup diced apples
- Sprinkle of cinnamon
Berry
- ½ cup fresh berries strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.
- 1 Tablespoon jam of choice
Chocolate:
- 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
- 2 Tablespoons mini chocolate chips
Almond
- 1 Tablespoon almond butter
- 2 Tablespoons sliced almonds
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together yogurt, milk and honey.
- Then, add oats chia seeds, cinnamon and sea salt and stir to combine.
- Let the mixture set in the fridge for about 5 minutes to thicken slightly.
- Divide into jars and chill overnight.
- To make different flavors. Add the mix-ins/toppings, either before or after chilling the oats overnight.
- Serve. Serve with your favorite mix-ins or toppings.
Video
Notes
Ingredient Substitution Notes
- Vanilla yogurt. I suggest Greek or Icelandic yogurt for the best flavor and texture. You can use plain yogurt, or any flavor of your choice (strawberry, chocolate etc.) depending on which flavor you choose to make. You can also use a dairy-free yogurt.
- Milk. I recommend whole milk, but almond milk, coconut milk, or 2% are also good choices.
- Old-fashioned oatmeal. Steel cut oats or quick-cooking oats are good substitutes.
- Chia seeds. ground flaxseed works in place of chia seeds.
Toppings & Flavor Combinations
Peanut butter & banana- 1 TBS peanut butter
- ½ banana, sliced or diced
- ½ cup diced apples
- Sprinkle of cinnamon
- ½ cup fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.)
- 1 TBS jam of choice
- 1 TBS cocoa powder
- 2 TBS mini chocolate chips
- 1 TBS almond butter
- 2 TBS sliced almonds
Store/Freeze
Store overnight oats in a glass jar with a lid (airtight) in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before eating.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
