Overnight Oats Recipe - Love and Lemons (2024)

Learn how to make overnight oats! This easy, make-ahead breakfast is perfect for busy mornings. Find my base recipe plus 4 fun variations below.

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When someone asks me for an easy, healthy breakfast idea, this overnight oats recipe is the first thing I suggest. It’s perfect for busy mornings, as you can make individual servings ahead of time and take them on the go. It’s also satisfying enough to keep you full till lunch, made with simple ingredients like oats, chia seeds, and (optional) yogurt. But best of all, it’s fun.

What could be fun about oatmeal, you ask? Well, this yummy breakfast is endlessly customizable. Once you learn how to make overnight oats, you can experiment with mix-ins like cocoa powder or vanilla extract or pile on toppings like nuts, seeds, and fresh fruit. To get you started, I’m sharing four tasty variations (+ my go-to base recipe!) below. Try them out, and then get creative making your overnight oats your own!

Overnight Oats Recipe Ingredients

When I first started making overnight oats, I kept them really simple, using just oats, almond milk or coconut milk, and maple syrup. But after a little experimentation, I realized that adding chia seeds to overnight oats takes them to a whole new level. They give the oats a delicious thick and creamy texture, sort of like that of chia pudding. They also add protein, fiber, and healthy fats. What’s not to love?

Now, I use these ingredients in my go-to overnight oats recipe:

Whole rolled oats – Also known as old fashioned oats. Quick oats and steel-cut oats will NOT work here. Quick oats will be too mushy, while steel-cut oats will be chewy and tough.
Chia seeds – For extra protein and the perfect thick and creamy texture.
Almond milk – Or any milk you like! Dairy milk and oat milk both work well. Coconut milk adds rich flavor and yields an especially creamy texture.
Maple syrup – For sweetness. Honey works too.
And a pinch of salt – To make the oats extra-flavorful.

If you like, you can stir in Greek yogurt as well. It adds more protein and makes the oats extra-creamy. Skip it to make this recipe dairy-free.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to Make Overnight Oats

My method for how to make overnight oats is super simple! Here’s how it goes:

Place the oats, chia seeds, maple syrup or honey, salt, and yogurt, if using, in a lidded container or jar.
Pour in the almond milk, and stir thoroughly to combine. Make sure that there are no chia seeds clumped around the bottom or sides of the jar!
Cover and store overnight, or for up to 5 days, in the fridge.

When you’re ready to eat, give the oats another stir, add your desired toppings, and enjoy!

If you’re meal prepping overnight oats, set out a Mason jar for each serving you want to prep. Add all the ingredients EXCEPT the milk to each jar. Then, add the milk to one jar and stir that jar together before adding the milk to the next. I find that adding the milk to one jar at a time helps prevent the chia seeds from getting too clumpy. Once you mix up all the overnight oats, cover and refrigerate until you’re ready to eat!

I recommend waiting to add any toppings until the morning you plan to eat your oats. That way, nuts, seeds, and granola will stay crunchy, and fruit will stay bright and fresh.

Overnight Oats Recipe Variations

Now for the fun part: overnight oats variations! Here are four that I really love:

More Favorite Healthy Breakfasts

If you love this overnight oats recipe, try one of these healthy breakfasts next:

Chia Seed Pudding
Instant Pot Steel-Cut Oats
Baked Oatmeal
Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies
Healthy Blueberry Muffins
Energy Balls
Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie
Or any of these 60 Healthy Breakfast Ideas!

Overnight Oats

rate this recipe:

4.98 from 123 votes

Equipment

Le Parfait Jars with lids

Ingredients

Base Recipe

½ cup whole rolled oats
1 tablespoon chia seeds
½ teaspoon maple syrup, plus more for serving
Pinch of sea salt
¼ cup whole milk Greek yogurt, optional
⅔ cup unsweetened almond milk

Variations:

Apple Pie

2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
¼ teaspoon cinnamon or apple pie spice
Diced apple
Chopped pecans
Cinnamon Apples, optional

Peach Crisp

Peach slices
Granola

PB&J

Chia Jam, recipe below*
Peanut butter
Chopped strawberries
Raspberries
Chopped peanuts

Chocolate Banana Bread

½ banana, mashed
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch nutmeg
Banana slices
Chopped walnuts
Chocolate chips

Instructions

Make the base recipe: In a Mason jar or other lidded jar, place the oats, chia seeds, maple syrup, salt, and Greek yogurt, if using. Add the almond milk and stir until the mixture is well combined and there are no clumps of chia seeds at the bottom of the jar. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for up to 5 days.
In the morning, top with your desired toppings and serve with drizzles of maple syrup.
For apple pie overnight oats, stir the applesauce and cinnamon into the overnight oat base. Refrigerate overnight. In the morning, top with diced apple, chopped pecans, and cinnamon apples and drizzles of maple syrup, if desired.
For peach crisp overnight oats, make the plain overnight oat base. Refrigerate overnight. In the morning, top with peach slices, granola, and drizzles of maple syrup, if desired.
For PB&J overnight oats, make the plain overnight oat base. Refrigerate overnight. In the morning, top with chia jam, peanut butter, chopped strawberries, raspberries, and chopped peanuts.
For chocolate banana bread overnight oats, stir the mashed banana, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg into the overnight oat base. Refrigerate overnight. In the morning, top with banana slices, chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, and drizzles of maple syrup, if desired.

Notes

*Chia Jam Recipe

1 pound strawberries
½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon maple syrup
Pinch of sea salt
3 tablespoons chia seeds

Place the strawberries, lemon juice, maple syrup, and salt in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until softened. Use a fork or a potato masher to mash the strawberries, keeping a few a little chunky. Remove from the heat and stir in the chia seeds. Transfer to a jar and let cool, uncovered, at room temperature, then cover and chill in the fridge.

As someone deeply immersed in the world of nutrition and wholesome culinary practices, I've not only advocated for the benefits of a balanced breakfast but have also delved into the practicalities of creating delicious and nutritious morning meals. My expertise in crafting health-conscious recipes, especially in the realm of breakfast, is well-established.

Now, let's dissect the intricacies of the article on overnight oats, a breakfast option I hold in high regard for its convenience, nutritional value, and versatility.

1. Foundation of Overnight Oats: The author emphasizes the simplicity of the base recipe, employing whole rolled oats as the primary grain. This choice is crucial, as quick oats would compromise texture, while steel-cut oats would result in an undesirable chewiness. The inclusion of chia seeds is not only for texture but also introduces additional protein, fiber, and healthy fats. The choice of almond milk, or any preferred milk, along with maple syrup, adds a layer of flavor, making the oats both delicious and nutritious.

2. Customization and Fun Factor: The hallmark of this recipe lies in its adaptability. The author encourages experimentation with ingredients like cocoa powder, vanilla extract, nuts, seeds, and fresh fruits. This flexibility allows individuals to tailor their overnight oats to personal preferences, turning a seemingly mundane breakfast into a fun and creative culinary experience.

3. Overnight Oats Recipe Variations: The article goes a step further by presenting four enticing variations:

a. Apple Pie Overnight Oats: Introducing applesauce and warm spices, topped with diced apples and toasted pecans, reminiscent of the comforting flavors of apple pie.

b. Peach Crisp Overnight Oats: Celebrating the sweetness of juicy peach slices and nutty granola, echoing the delightful essence of a peach crisp.

c. PB&J Overnight Oats: A classic combination featuring creamy peanut butter and a vibrant strawberry chia jam, enhanced with fresh strawberries, raspberries, and toasted peanuts.

d. Chocolate Banana Bread Overnight Oats: Blending cocoa powder, mashed banana, cinnamon, and nutmeg for a rich, chocolatey banana bread flavor, complemented by sliced bananas, walnuts, and chocolate chips.

Each variation is a testament to the culinary prowess behind the recipe, showcasing a deep understanding of flavor profiles and ingredient synergy.

4. Practical Cooking Instructions: The step-by-step guide on preparing overnight oats demonstrates a keen awareness of practicalities. From the importance of thorough stirring to prevent clumping, to the suggestion of adding toppings only on the morning of consumption to maintain freshness and texture, these instructions reflect a hands-on understanding of the cooking process.

5. Additional Resources: The author doesn't stop at sharing the overnight oats recipe but generously provides links to other healthy breakfast options, reinforcing a commitment to promoting overall well-being through mindful eating. This includes recipes such as chia seed pudding, instant pot steel-cut oats, baked oatmeal, oatmeal breakfast cookies, healthy blueberry muffins, energy balls, and a peanut butter banana smoothie.

In conclusion, this article is not just a compilation of recipes; it's a comprehensive guide authored by someone deeply passionate and knowledgeable about the intersection of health, flavor, and practicality in breakfast choices.