Have you tried overnight oats yet? If not, here’s some inspiration to do so – and if yes, here are some easy overnight oats recipes to mix up your current routine.
Overnight oatmeal is such an easy and yummy breakfast, especially as the weather gets warmer – just pop it in the fridge the night before and wake up to cool, refreshing breakfast ready and waiting!
(Also, our microwave just broke yesterday, so I’m glad I have a no-microwave needed variation of my favorite microwave banana oatmeal at the ready!)
Overnight oats are fun because you can get really creative with the toppings – the combinations are endless, but here are six of my favorite easy overnight oatmeal recipes.
I think the best thing about overnight oats are that they’re so fast and easy to make.
A couple minutes of prep in the evening will mean breakfast is ready and waiting in the morning – being too busy to make breakfast is no longer an excuse! The less thinking and cooking first thing in the morning, the better, right?!
Ready for an easy overnight oatmeal recipes overload?
I’ll get you guys started with all the ingredient options, then break it down into some of my favorite flavor combos.
Easy Overnight Oats Recipes
Step One: Make the basic overnight oats recipe.
All you have to do is combine rolled oats (gluten free certified if necessary), ground flax and milk (dairy or nondairy) in a jar and shake. (Or, stir together in a bowl.)
Boom, that’s it.
Step Two: Flavor your overnight oats base.
I love cocoa powder (chocolate for breakfast = fun), honey, maple syrup, vanilla, and cinnamon in my overnight oatmeal, but feel free to get creative with spices or extracts!
Step Three: Add healthy fats (and crunch!) to your overnight oats.
A handful of nuts or seeds and/or a spoonful of any nut butter adds flavor, crunch, and satisfying healthy fats to overnight oatmeal.
Use your favorites!
Step Four: Top your overnight oatmeal with fruit.
Fruit adds sweetness and volume, not to mention fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants to overnight oatmeal.
Any fresh or frozen fruit works great – I love how frozen fruit defrosts overnight and creates a juicy sauce for your oatmeal in the morning!
How to Store Overnight Oats
How you store your overnight oats depends on how you plan to eat them.
If you’re making oatmeal for your entire family and you plan to eat it at home, you can make your overnight oats in a large mixing bowl, then cover with saran wrap or a re-usable bowl cover and place it in the fridge. Just multiply the recipe for the correct amount of servings!
If you’re planning to eat your overnight oats on the go, it’s best to store the oats in individual containers like a mason jar or re-purposed jam jar. Glass or plastic snapware containers work just fine, too.
Next, there are lots of ways to spruce up basic overnight oats.
Here are some of my favorite easy overnight oats recipe variations.
Let me know which of these easy overnight oatmeal recipes you enjoy most – or which different winning combinations you come up with yourself! I’d love to try them. 🙂
Almond Milk Overnight Oats with Berries
Replace dairy milk with almond milk (if desired). Add 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 teaspoon honey to the base. Top with fresh or frozen mixed berries and sliced almonds.
Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Overnight Oats:
Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, and 1 teaspoon honey to base.
Top with peanuts, banana, and chocolate chips. 🙂
Tropical Mango Overnight Oats:
Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1 teaspoon maple syrup to base.
Top with banana, mango, kiwi, and toasted coconut.
Cherry Chocolate Almond Overnight Oats:
Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 teaspoon maple syrup to base.
Top with frozen dark cherries, sliced almonds, and chocolate chips.
Chocolate Strawberry Overnight Oats:
Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 teaspoon maple syrup to base.
Top with fresh or frozen strawberries and chocolate chips.
Banana Bread Overnight Oats:
Add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 teaspoon maple syrup to base.
Top with bananas and pecans.
I hope you enjoyed these easy overnight oatmeal recipes!
Have you ever tried overnight oatmeal?
What are your favorite overnight oatmeal flavorings and toppings?
If you liked this, check out more of my easy make-ahead breakfast recipes:
