Easy Overnight Oats (Simple Base Recipe + 10 Flavors)

This is the hearty, no-cook easy overnight oats I made for my personal chef clients whenever they were short on time in the morning. It's a simple milk-to-oats ratio with zero risk of soggy oats. Make it ahead once and and you've got a healthy, grab-and-go breakfast with 10 flavor ideas to mix in all week. Enjoy the breakfast oat bowls cold straight from the fridge or warm in the microwave.

"This recipe is just what I needed! Sometimes the mornings get away from me and before you know it I have other things to do and I just grab something for breakfast. Not always anything healthy. I tried out this recipe yesterday morning and it tasted fantastic. Plus I didn't have to worry about measuring and putting things together. Thank you." ~Marisa

Recipe review

A Quick Look at the Breakfast Oats Recipe

• Recipe name: Easy Overnight Oats
• Ready in: 10 minutes prep, refrigerate overnight
• Serves: 4
• Calories: 258 per serving
• Main ingredients: Rolled oats, milk
• Difficulty: Easy

When researching healthy breakfast options for my personal chef clients, I developed this easy overnight oats recipe.

They're a make ahead breakfast favorite. I'd prep the overnight oats in advance for my personal chef clients and put them in the refrigerator. In the morning, they'd enjoy the oats plain, with fruit and nuts or with a scoop of yogurt or cottage cheese for a boost of protein.

I love knowing I have breakfast waiting for me. Not only have my mornings become more relaxing, but I can power through until lunch without any hunger pains. Overnight oatmeal is a lifesaver!

I'd love to eat one of these banana muffins or a few mini chocolate puff pastry rolls every day. But I try to stick to a healthier breakfast most days. And having overnight oats on hand is an easy way to start the day with a nutritious meal.

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What's to Love About this Overnight Oats Recipe

• No cook breakfast recipe: Just stir the ingredients together and the refrigerator does all the work. It's an easy breakfast idea.
• Perfect for busy mornings: A grab-and-go breakfast is ready when you wake up.
• Easy to customize: Swap in your favorite milk, fruit, nuts, sweetener, yogurt or cottage cheese.
• Great for meal prep: Make once and enjoy for a few days.
• Simple ingredients: No special equipment or hard to find ingredients.
• Eat cold or warm: Enjoy overnight oats straight from the refrigerator or heat in the microwave for 30 second intervals.
• Filling and nutritious breakfast: Made with whole grains and simple wholesome ingredients keep you going all morning long.

What are Overnight Oats?

Overnight oats is a no-cook breakfast recipe. Raw rolled oats that are soaked overnight in milk (or water) in the refrigerator. It's an easy way to meal prep breakfast. The oats soak up the liquid making them ready to eat in the morning.

What's the BEST Formula for Overnight Oats?

The basic formula for overnight oats is simple. The oats to milk ratio is 1:1. As an example, for a single serving use ½ cup rolled oats add ½ cup milk. Try whole milk, coconut milk, almond milk or soy milk.

I add in a dash of cinnamon and then store the oats in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, add sweeteners, fruit, nuts, chocolate chips etc. The possibilities are endless!

Easy Overnight Oats Ingredients

When short on time in the morning or looking to get a jump start on the day, my Overnight Oats recipe provides a healthy and filling start to the day.

Even a blurry eyed and tired non morning person can grab a spoon and stir their way to a delicious breakfast.

• Rolled oats
• Cinnamon
• Milk of your choice
• Add-ins

Substitutions

• Rolled oats: Skip instant oats for this recipe. They become mushy when soaked overnight. And steel cut oats remain to hard. I use these protein oats for some extra grams of protein.
• Milk of your choice: Cow's milk, almond milk, soy milk, oat milk
• Add-ins: The recipe is the base I make and store in the refrigerator in individual servings. Scroll down to my favorite 10 variations for overnight oats.

How to Make Overnight Oats (Step by Step)

Like so many lunches and dinners, breakfast can also be prepped in advance. This overnight recipe is one of the easiest breakfast to make.

1. Combine rolled oats, cinnamon, and any type of milk in single serve containers in the evening. I love these pretty vintage mugs with lids too. Pop the dishes into the refrigerator for an overnight stay.
2. The oats soak up the liquid, whether it is cow's milk, almond milk or soy milk, to make the dish ready to be served in the morning. The resulting oats have a toothsome chewiness and a hardier bite.
3. The next morning is the fun and delicious part! You can flavor the oats in a number of ways. Top with your favorite fruits like chopped apples, peaches, bananas, and blackberries. Sprinkle with almonds, walnuts or pecans. A drizzle of maple syrup, honey, or agave syrup adds just a touch of sweetness. Stir in plain or fruit flavored yogurt or cottage cheese for a protein punch.

10 Variations for Overnight Oats Recipes

The possibilities are endless for the versatile breakfast recipe. No combination of fruits, either fresh or dried, nuts, and spices is off limits. I like to tailor my oatmeal to the seasons. Scroll down to the recipe card for quantities of each ingredient.

Protein Packed

Add yogurt or cottage cheese. Either plain or flavored can be used.

Tropical

Add diced mangoes and or pineapple, shredded coconut and chopped macadamia nuts.

Berry

Add diced blueberries and strawberries. Stir in chopped toasted walnuts.

Figgy Apple

Add chopped apples, figs and pecans.

Ruby Red

Add cranberries or pomegranate along with toasted pine nuts.

PB Banana

Add mashed banana, peanut butter and chopped peanuts.

Pumpkin Pie

Add canned pumpkin puree and maple syrup.

Date Nut

Add chopped dates and pecans.

Almond Joy

Add chopped almonds, shredded coconut, and mini semi sweet chocolate chips.

Peanut Butter Cup

Add peanut butter and milk chocolate chips.

Tips for Best Healthy Overnight Oats

• Single serve containers are the easiest way to make grab and go breakfasts.
• Milk, whether it's cow, oat, or almond, is my first choice for making Overnight Oats recipes. But water can be substituted for the milk. The oats will not be as flavorful, but it's still an option.
• Skip instant oats for this recipe. They will end up almost dissolving in the milk. Rolled oats result in a chewy and hardy breakfast.
• Add vanilla extract and/or nutmeg to change up the flavor of the oats.
• Serve cold straight from the refrigerator or slightly warmed in the microwave. About 1 minute on HIGH will warm this make ahead breakfast just enough.

How to Store Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are an ideal way to meal prep breakfast. Store them in the refrigerator for a few days or in the freezer for a couple months.

Refrigerator

Store overnight oats in the refrigerator in airtight containers for 3 to 4 days. It's best eaten in 1 to 2 days as it has a hearty texture. When the oats are stored longer, they can get mushy. Add any toppings just before serving.

Freezer

After assembling the oats and milk in single serve containers, freeze for up to 2 months. Place in the refrigerator overnight to serve the oats in the morning. To serve, add your favorite toppings.

Frequently Asked Questions about Overnight Oats

How long can you refrigerate overnight oats?

Store the oats in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days.

Can you freeze overnight oats?

Yes! After prepping the oats, store in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight to enjoy in the morning.

Can you use water in place of milk in overnight oats?

You can use water in place of milk, but the oats won't have as much flavor. But this is a preference and totally up to you.

Do you eat overnight oats cold or hot?

You can enjoy overnight oats cold straight from the refrigerator. Or warm in the microwave at 30 second intervals.

Are overnight oats healthy?

Yes! Overnight oats are healthy and nutritious. They're packed with fiber to keep you feeling full all morning long. The soaked oats are also loaded with nutrients including iron and magnesium. Watch when adding in toppings and make sure not to add too much sweeteners or or ultra-processed foods. Stick to fruits, nuts, chia seeds, hemp seeds and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.