Easy Overnight Oats 4 Ways

This recipe and photos were provided by Sally Roeckell of Table and Dish and were originally published at 365Barrington.com.

Overnight oatmeal is a healthy breakfast option that can be easily prepared the day before. It’s even good in just a few hours if you can’t wait. Today I’ll show you how to make overnight oats and share four of our favorite overnight oats recipes!

Overnight oats keep well in the refrigerator for up to five days. So, prepare your oats on Sunday night and you’ll have breakfast covered for the workweek.

It’s not too often that I prepare something for a recipe post then make it again the very next day. These jars of goodness are a hit in my house. My gang has a clear favorite – Banana Chocolate Chip. What’s not to like? This time I made a few extra. Not only are they good for breakfast, but they also make a great afternoon snack.

These no-cook, mix-it-up-and-you’re-done recipes couldn’t be easier. There are thousands of ways to enjoy overnight oats. Mix and top it any way you like. Fruits, nuts, nut butters, jam, even shredded carrots + cream cheese and cinnamon for a carrot cake-flavored oats.

The basic recipe includes a few ingredients that you might not want to skip:

• Chia Seeds are not only a great source of antioxidants, fiber, and Omega-3s, but they help thicken your overnight oats and make them extremely creamy and satisfying.
• Greek Yogurt is such an amazing, tangy add-in for overnight oats that really enhances the flavor and makes them extra creamy. Bonus: it’s a great boost of extra protein.
• Vanilla Extract We almost always add a teaspoon of vanilla to all overnight oatmeal recipes!
• Honey or Maple Syrup Natural sweeteners are key when it comes to overnight oats. Ditch the table sugar or brown sugar.

Make it sugar-free: Drop the sweetener and add 1/2 mashed ripe banana.
Make it gluten-free: Use gluten-free oats.
Make it vegan: Use plant-based milk, plant-based yogurt, plant-based cream cheese and maple syrup for sweetener.

Basic Overnight Oats

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup (heaping) rolled oats
• 2/3 cup unsweetened milk of choice
• 1 Tbsp. chia seeds or ground flax meal
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 0-2 Tbsp.  honey or maple syrup

Instructions

1. Whisk together all ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Spoon into a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
2. Close and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before eating.

Click Here to Print the Recipe for Basic Overnight Oats.

Banana Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup (heaping) rolled oats
• 2/3 cup unsweetened milk of choice
• 1 Tbsp. chia seeds or ground flax meal
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 0-2 Tbsp. honey or maple syrup
• 1/2 ripe banana, chopped or mashed
• 2 Tbsp. chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Whisk together all ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Spoon into a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
2. Close and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before eating.

Click Here to Print the Recipe for Banana Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats.

Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup (heaping) rolled oats
• 2/3 cup unsweetened milk of choice
• 1 Tbsp. chia seeds or ground flax meal
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 0-2 Tbsp. honey or maple syrup
• 1/4 cup fresh strawberries, chopped
• 3 Tbsp. softened cream cheese
• Zest and juice of 1/2 lemon

Instructions

1. Whisk together all ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Spoon into a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
2. Close and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before eating.

Click Here to Print the Recipe for Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats.

Chocolate Coconut Overnight Oats

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 cup (heaping) rolled oats
• 2/3 cup full-fat coconut milk (in the can)
• 1 Tbsp. chia seeds or ground flax meal
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 0-2 Tbsp. honey or maple syrup
• 2 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup unsweetened flaked coconut

Instructions

1. Whisk together all ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Spoon into a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
2. Close and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before eating.

Click Here to Print the Recipe for Chocolate Coconut Overnight Oats.

By Heinen's Grocery Store

In 1929, Joe Heinen opened the doors of a small butcher shop on the east side of Cleveland, Ohio, aiming to establish himself as the city’s purveyor of quality meats. As customers came into Heinen’s new shop for their meat purchases, they began asking him to carry groceries as well. Joe added homemade peanut butter, pickles and donuts and by 1933, business had grown enough to include a line of produce and canned goods. Heinen’s Grocery Store was born.