For me, oatmeal is one of those foods that I just plain forget about. I’ve pretty much always loved oatmeal. It’s warm, easy to customize cereal. Who doesn’t love cereal? And once I learned that oatmeal can actually be quite good for you, I was even more sold on it as a breakfast option. The one draw back is prep time. You can easily make oatmeal on the stove top or in the oven (yay for baked oatmeal!). Neither option takes much time. But when you’re the kind of person who waits until the last possible moment before leaving your house to think about breakfast, well, your options get pretty limited fast. That’s why I was so excited to try out overnight oats.I am happy to report overnight oats are awesome! You can quickly put this together the night before and you have a ready to go breakfast in the morning. You could easily pop this in the microwave too, if the weather is super cold where you live right now (we just got more snow yesterday!). So, how do you make overnight oats? Here are a few of my favorite combinations so far. Very Berry Oats, serves one.
2/3 cup oats
2/3 cup coconut milk (or almond milk)
1 tablespoon blueberry jam or 1/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
fresh or frozen berries for the top
The night before combine the first three ingredients in a small jar. Give it a good shake with the lid on. Place in the refrigerator. This variation isn’t very sweet, the only sugar being whatever is in your particular blueberry jam (you could use any fruit jam you prefer).Banana Nut Oats, serves one.
2/3 cup oats
2/3 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy milks both work great in these)
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
banana slices and chopped pecans
The night before combine the first four ingredients in a small jar. Give it a good shake with the lid on. Place in the refrigerator. Top with bananas and pecans the next morning just before eating.Pumpkin Spice Oats, serves one.
2/3 cup oats
2/3 cup milk
2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
a big pinch of cinnamon
a small pinch of nutmeg
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
granola or chopped nuts for the top
The night before combine the first seven ingredients in a small jar. Give it a good shake with the lid on. Place in the refrigerator. In the morning top with crunchy granola. Oats on oats. Then, go ahead, it’s good I tell you. 🙂Tropical Oats, serves one. (Exotic sounding, no?)
2/3 cups oats
2/3 cup coconut milk (or almond milk)
1 tablespoon brown sugar or maple syrup
sliced mango
chopped almonds
The night before combine the first three ingredients in a small jar. Give it a good shake with the lid on. Place in the refrigerator. In the morning top with sliced mango and chopped almonds. I also think a little toasted coconut would be wonderful in this one. The morning I made this I found I did not have any coconut left though. Oops. Before adding the toppings in the morning be sure to give the oats a taste and add a little more sweetener or even a pinch of sea salt to boost the flavor. Try it! You’re gonna love it. xo. Emma
Note: If you are enjoying these as part of the WeekDay Weekend Challenge be sure to use non-dairy milks and natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey. Yum!
Credits // Author and Photography: Emma Chapman.
Overnight Oats
Ingredients
Very Berry Oats
- 2/3 cup oats
- 2/3 cup coconut milk or almond milk
- 1 tablespoon blueberry jam or 1/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- fresh or frozen berries for the top
Banana Nut Oats
- 2/3 cup oats
- 2/3 cup milk dairy or non-dairy milks both work great in these
- 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- banana slices and chopped pecans
Pumpkin Spice Oats
- 2/3 cup oats
- 2/3 cup milk
- 2 tablespoons pumpkin puree
- 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
- a big pinch of cinnamon
- a small pinch of nutmeg
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- granola or chopped nuts for the top
Tropical Oats
- 2/3 cups oats
- 2/3 cup coconut milk or almond milk
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar or maple syrup
- sliced mango
- chopped almonds
Instructions
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The night before combine the oats, milk, jams, syrups, and any extract or spices in a small jar. Give it a good shake with the lid on. Place in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning add additional toppings. Or warm in the microwave (or oven) before serving.
115 Comments
I HAVE to try that Pumpkin Spiced Oats oatmeal…what a cute idea!
I love the idea of overnight oats, life has just kicked up a gear for me recently and being able to grab an easy breakfast in the morning will make a massive difference, really want to experiment with some flavour combinations too!
What a wonderful idea! How long do you microwave, just until warm? I’ve been making leftovers from the previous night’s dinner to take as breakfast. Check out my Frilly Cheesesteaks! (http://briannabrumfield.wordpress.com/2014/01/06/menu-frilly-cheese-steak/)
Ohhh I’ve always wanted to try this! Living in a dorm overnight oatmeal sounds perfect!
xo, Juliette Laura
http://juliettelaura.blogspot.com
http://www.etsy.com/shop/InfiniteStyleShop
These are great….and I seem to have heaps of empty jam jars…for some reason! 😉
http://vodkaandarose.blogspot.co.uk
Looks yummy! 🙂 Especially the berry one!
ANDREA
Yum! I eat oatmeal everyday but never as fancy as this, will definitely give these a try! Xox
How clever! I didn’t know you could let it soak in the fridge like that overnight! Thanks for sharing and can’t wait to try! ^_^
love everything about that tropical oatmeal, deliciousness in a jar.
http://semiweeklyeats.blogspot.com/2014/01/out-to-dinner.html
I needed this. Thank You. As hard as I try I can maybe pre plan breakfast once a month. Horrible! I think with this trick I may be upping that number.
These look amazing – definite must try! Thanks ladies! -Iva
Mmmm! Looks really good! Love these oats variations 🙂
These look so yummy! Definitely adding to my “to try / to do” lists! Thank you!
Sounds great! I´ve always wanted to make oatmeal but where I live many people don´t even know what oatmeal exactly is….. So thank you for these easy recipes!!
I am the queen of “wake-up-last-minute-grab-a-granola-bar” and I think that’s probably why I don’t like breakfast.
I will be sure to try this…it’s really good for grabbing and taking to the office to eat there! Hah!
These look delicious!
http://www.heavenlyclutter.blogspot.com
xo
It’s looks yummy and healthy, we sure are gonna try 🙂
I may start with the tropical one, as the weather here in Paris in still amazingly warm for the season.
Nope, no snow in Paris…
LOVE overnight oats!! Angela over at Oh She Glows makes the coolest dishes with them 🙂 They’re so easy to make!
Yum! What a sweet idea! Mason jars seem to make any meal a bit more fun! 😉
http://sometimesgracefully.com
I’m going to try this when I get back home from the holidays…if I ever am able to live the midwest. Breaking records here. LOL. So warm oatmeal sounds delicious!
Yumm, I love oatmeal and these are great ideas. Looks great. 🙂
Je suis L’amour et Aquarius
Cuuute idea! I like oatmeal, but my boyfriend LOVES it. And he eats the store kind with tons of sugar in it, unfortunately. Maybe some yummy homemade oatmeal will convert him!
http://cuddlyasacactus.wordpress.com/
Great idea! As a student in full exams, every minute counts! And i love oatmeal! (:
I tried overnight oats long ago and couldn’t deal with the texture, but I think I’d like to give them another go. These look like great flavor combinations!
Emma
Great ideas! But quick Q- I get that you just refrigerate overnight- but then what do you do in the morning? Pop in microwave for how long? Do you need to use instant oatmeal for this?
Thanks!
Chrissy
These all look delicious, and since I just happen to have lots of jars and lots of oats, it will be at the top of my “to try” list! Do you have a preference between regular (old-fashioned) oats or quick oats? Thanks for the great breakfast idea!
http://www.kaje-designs.com
Looks delicious- am going to try it!
Have you been warming them in the AM or eating cold? I’m used to hot oatmeal- not sure the cold texture would be something I enjoy but worth a shot.
Looks nice! <3
Tomorrow morning’s breakfast resting right now in the fridge. Yey!
(We had coconut milk, oats and brown sugar, topping-to-be bananas and chocolate, yummy!)
Since I discovered overnight oats not too long ago I have never looked back!
It’s so simple, and you wake up to an already made and ready to go breakfast, which gives me more time to hit the snooze in the morning =)
{Teffy’s Perks} X
I totally have to try that pumpkin spice oatmeal – perfect for a chilly Vermont morning!
Meghan xo
http://www.fancypantsandsugarshacks.com
this looks soooo good!
thanks for the recipes going to try to make one now for tomorrow morning ^^
i always forget to make oatmeal, but these sound absolutely fantastic!
will definitely be giving them a try 🙂
Molly {Dreams in HD}
http://dreamsinhd.blogspot.com
I love this idea! I’m definitely going to try a couple of these recipes 🙂
The banana one sounds so good! I usually just have the instant oatmeals for breakfast but this is so much better!
Krystals
I love it !
These all sound so yummy! Must try this! xx
http://www.creativityandchocolate.com
overnight oats became my most favourite breakfast last year!! Not everyone is into eating cold oatmeal, but I really got into it. I add 1/2 tbsp of chia seeds as well, for more omegas! I love the texture it adds, too. 🙂 Love the idea of adding jam, hadn’t thought of that!
Funny how hard it is to come up with mixing ideas on my own sometimes. Thanks for the suggestions!
These ideas look super yummy. I often make overnight muesli, but normally stick to the apple juice/milk combo. Time to branch out!
Claie xx
somewhere… beyond the sea
Overnight oats are my favourite! Xx
I am learning to love oatmeal again, and this is just what I needed! Thanks so much 🙂
Great recipes! I’m always running out the house at the last minute. I’m also liking that you included almond milk in the recipes – great for my milk-hating tummy 🙂
I was just thinking that I needed a new breakfast routine and this sounds perfect. I would definitely heat them up in the morning. I’m from Toronto and the snow and cold is in full force here right now.
It cooks on it’s own in the fridge??
xo
Kristina
TweeValleyHigh.com
Yes, overnight oats are the best. I always use vanilla almond milk in mine!
This was the perfect post for me right now! Great ideas. 🙂
♥ Naomi Starry Eyes + Coffee Cups
mmm! these are great ideas. I love cold oatmeal! And i forget that it’s an option, too…I always seem to grab for a bagel, the obvious choice.
thanks for these ideas!
http://www.alwaystoastyournuts.blogspot.com
In Scandinavia where I’m from we eat a LOT of oats in the form of porridge, but it’s not as sweet as it seems to be elsewhere. I eat porridge every morning though, it’s so easy – just pop 1dl of oats in a bowl with 2dl of water, microwave for 2mins and you’re done! I usually put frozen fruit in the warm porridge so that they melt a bit but at the same time cool it down, or sometimes cinnamon which is lovely too!
This sounds like a great idea! I will have to try the Banana nut oats. It’s perfect for people who need a grab and go breakfast, or even as a midday snack for work. Thanks!
Thank you so much for this. I really wanted to try to eat more gluten free and I’ve been trying to figure out breakfast. It seemed like I was either going to have to be an uber carnivore or eat like Chex cereal. I forgot about oatmeal.
I like the idea! I Like it a lot so you don’t cook it?
Oooh, what a fun idea! I have to be at work crazy early, and I miss having a good breakfast, so may have to try this! Though I don’t have a microwave and I didnt know cold porridge was a thing!
A wonderful idea! Do you cook the oats before?
These all sound delish! I love oatmeal!
Kristin
crumbsandcurls.blogspot.com
I’ve never actually made overnight oats, but these look delicious!
xoxo
Taylor
http://www.welcomehometaylor.com
I haven’t heard of overnight oatmeal, but it sounds great! I especially like the blueberry one.
These look so delicious! I didn’t realize oatmeal was a food you didn’t have to cook in order to prepare. Quick question though, what kind of oats do you use? Steal cut or instant oats? I know the prep time on these are much different so I didn’t know which one would work for this. Thanks!
I’ve been using the overnight oatmeal recipes from The Yummy Life (http://www.theyummylife.com/Refrigerator_Oatmeal) for a while now and am so excited to see new combinations! Thank you so much for sharing!
These all look delicious!
Definitely going to trying these!! Perfect for my “Start eating breakfast because it’s the most important meal of the day” resolution!
Heather
southernnorth.com
MMMMMMM! yum they look delish, i will need to try it! my favourite was the banana nut one, it seemed very warm and sweet : )
Gah, thanks for these! Always looking for more overnight oat ideas — I’ve had my fair share of overly-bland overnight oats. Never would have thought to put some fruit jam in oats!
Love these ideas! I do steel cut oats, almond milk, canned pumpkin, chia seeds cinnamon and pumpkin spice all in the croc pot on low for 3 hours, refrigerate and the next day add a bit more almond milk and microwave it and soooo gooood! 🙂
http://www.asequinloveaffair.com
I have never tried overnight oatmeals before but it sounds like I will have to because they’re so easy and they seem so yummy!
xx
Celina | The Celution | Bloglovin’
Yummy! Overnight oats are so great because you can make them the night before and take them in the car on busy days! Mmmm!
http://freshhealthynatural.blogspot.com
This is brilliant and perfect for a 9-5er! I will be making the banana one ASAP 🙂
They all look sooooo good and easy to do.
So creative! Love the look with the mason jars.
This is a great idea, thank you for sharing. I often make Bircher muesli which is very similar, and it’s a brilliant breakfast which keeps you going all morning. I just use oats, natural yoghurt, some apple juice and berries.
These sound INCREDIBLE! I tried (and failed horrifically) to make overnight oats last summer, but these recipes are too delicious to ignore so I’ll definitely be trying these out. Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day so this is perfect.
Thank you so much for sharing!
Jo xxx
http://www.shewearsburgundy.blogspot.co.uk
That looks very good, and the fact you make it the day before is awesome, but I’m a savoury person – any tips for making savoury overnight oatmeal ?
I love the simplicity and convenience of over night oats. I love adding peanut butter to mine, but your pumpkin spice version sounds divine!
M.
Don’t forget to add chia seeds!
Are you using quick oats, slow cook oats or steel cut oats? Thanks.
This is a great idea for when I’m on the go with my daughter!
http://www.artworkbyjm.com/
I can’t wait to try this! Thanks for sharing. I’m new to reading your blog and I LOVE it!!! So many great ideas… thanks for sharing them with the world and thanks for inspiring others to get a little crafty 😉
YES! My son LOVES oatmeal but I am always pressed for time in the morning. Definitely trying this tonight…maybe some baby friendly versions too with just oats, water and fruit? Will IG any successes and tag you! Thanks for the breakky inspiration! xxSamantha
http://brightlyandfree.blogspot.com/
never would of thought of these ideas to spice overnight oats up! i’ve gotten so bored of just plain ones and I am excited to try the berry and banana ones! pumpkin spice looks good too, but maybe that can be saved till fall because right now I am longing for warm weather. xx wanderlise.blogspot.com
I’ve been looking for more do-ahead/overnight breakfast ideas so the timing on these is perfect! thanks, ABM! <3
This is probably a stupid question (I don’t know how to cook ok?) but you don’t cook the oats? you just let it soak in there and it gets soft? Even when I cook my oats sometimes they’re too hard and I get indigestion 🙁 But I’m gonna trust ya and try this 😉
The Artistically Challenged: Beauty, Fashion, Music, Lifestyle Blog
I love this idea! Coming across this article has been fate. Definitely trying this tonight.
x C
http://www.cocoscosmos.com
These all sound amazing! Can’t wait to try! 🙂
Looks delicious! Do you know if it lasts in the fridge longer than just overnight?
What size jars are you using?
Is Quaker instant oatmeal not an option in your part of the world….or you just prefer making it from scratch? Growing up, my go to breakfast was always plain instant oatmeal with milk and brown sugar. Sometimes I’d add nuts and/or fruits and that would take no more than 2 minutes to make. I’ll have to try this version to see if it’s actually better from scratch 😉
Hi Emma, how long can we keep these in the fridge for? Will they get too soggy if left there for more than one night?
Thanks for the ideas, they look delicious!
I love this idea, but I have to ask- are you actually eating this cold? You said we “could” pop it in the microwave. How long do you suggest to heat it so it doesn’t turn to glue?
Lovely idea and such a help in a busy morning!
What kind of oats do you use?
What kind of oats are you using? The regular kind or the quick cook kind? Could you use steel cut oats? They are the best.
Thanks for the great idea.
What a great idea!!!
Yum yum can’t wait to try this! I love bananas with oats. And the berry one looks good too. x
Going to buy ingredients to make this TODAY!
The Pumpkin Spice Oats and the Tropical Oats look fantastic!
Just stocked up on oatmeal so will give it a try!
What type of oats did you find worked best? Steel cut, Old-Fashioned, or Quick oats? I’m looking forward to making these as an easy on-the-go breakfast!
Love, Em
http://www.theromanticrealist.net
This would be really delicious using Chia Seeds instead of oats too!!
I tried the Banana Nut Oats and it was de-li-cious !
I’m gonna taste the Pumpkin Spice Oats tomorrow morning !
Thanks for these receipe !
How long do you heat it in the microwave?
I am so thrilled to have caught this recipe when I did! I was actually just thinking about making oats for my kids in the morning, but as I am also a very last-minute kind of person, I’m not very good at making hot breakfast on weekday mornings. I was looking at some of the photography tips and saw the link for this on the side. A serendipitous find, I tell you! Thank you!
Just whipped up four jars for the morning! LOVE overnight oats, thanks for the new combos!!!!
I LOVE overnight oatmeal! have you tried making it with Greek yogurt instead of milk? now that is some rib sticking yummy goodness! I personally love using Yogurt of the Gods honey vanilla, with some blueberries or raspberries.
it all looks great and very healthy, cool inspiration
http://dieta-surowa.blogspot.com/
These sound great. What type of oats are you using… just plain rolled oats – steel cut – ???
This is a silly question but do you cook the oats the night before when u put them in the jar or do u cook it them the next morning?
Could they possibly be made a few nights in advance?
Hi Emma and Elsie, these look great. Mentioned them on my blog today: http://littlebearsinoxford.wordpress.com/2014/01/13/breakfast-bears/
i haven’t tried overnight oats yet, though it sounds so good! giving it a try soon 🙂
xo, cheyenne
Thank you!! This looks so yummy. Have to try them all :-).
Delicious!
Do you use steel cut oats?
Also great to grab for a fast lunch at the desk when you have refridgeration at work. I like using Saigon Cinnamon and raisens — no need for sweetener.
Yes bien saludable
I’ve always liked oatmeal. I’ve gotta try the overnight recipe.
I love making overnight oatmeal! I made it a lot while I was pregnant because it was healthy & filling, and then I made it a lot while breastfeeding to help with milk production. And now I just make it because it’s easy & yummy! Never made it with bananas & syrup though, so I’ll definitely try it out that way as well! yum!