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By: Rachel Tiemeyer
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Learn how to save time and money and eat healthier by prepping these Overnight Oats recipes ahead of time for the week. Use our 7 different delicious combinations to start filling your fridge today. My personal favorites are Peach Pie and Almond Joy.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love These Recipes
We can’t enough of Overnight Oats in our homes! In addition to our7 Smoothie Pack Recipes, they are one of the easiest ways to consume whole grains, fruits, and good-for-you proteins every single morning.
We’ve created one Overnight Oats recipe for every day of the week, so you never get tired of the same one and so you include a variety of healthy ingredients in your diet throughout the week.
Benefits of Overnight Oats
- Make-Ahead:You can whip up several of these on the weekend and have breakfast ready to go for the week. They just take minutes to put together.
- No Cooking Involved:The oats soften in the liquid as it sits in the refrigerator, which means no cooking is needed.
- Super Healthy:Breakfast doesn’t get much healthier than this! Just check out all the benefits of oats alone, according to Harvard School of Public Health. The combo of fresh or frozen fruit, whole grains, and other nutritious add-ins provides fiber, protein, antioxidants, and valuable minerals.
- Eat On the Go:Whether you have just a few minutes before you leave for the day or need to eat breakfast in the car or at your desk, this breakfast-in-a-jar fits the bill! Eat these overnight oats cold or warm. (Read on for tips for serving.)
- Super Tasty:With a balance of sweet, salty, and texture, our variety of overnight oat recipes will make the whole family happy. It’s like a dessert in a jar.
How to Make Overnight Oats
Now, let’s jump right into how to prep this healthy, make-ahead breakfast. Here is the basic method:
- Build the Base:In a clean16 ounce mason jar, pour in your favorite (unsweetened) milk. Add old-fashioned or rolled oats and your all-natural sweetener of choice (pure maple syrup or honey).
- Add Fruit:Whether it’s fresh or frozen berries, chopped peaches or tropical fruit, or your favorite dried fruit, this ingredient adds more sweetness, flavor, and nutrition. We do recommend adding banana slices fresh rather than ahead of time, but they can work if you don’t mind mushy bananas.
- Add Toppings:This is where you can add more protein, texture, and flavor. Pour in the remaining add-ins, such as nut butters, Greek yogurt, flaxseed, chia seeds, nuts, cinnamon, etc.
- Shake and Refrigerate:Seal and shake. Set in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
7 Overnight Oats Recipes
Here are the 7 different recipes you’ll find on our printable cheatsheet.
Recipe #1: Almond Joy
Love that candy bar with chocolate, coconut, and almonds? Well, now you can have everything that’s delicious about Almond Joy in one make-ahead, nutritious overnight oats recipe.
Recipe #2: Strawberry Shortcake
This recipe tastes surprisingly like the dessert we all know and love. Make this when strawberries are in season or use frozen strawberries all year round.
Recipe #3:Peach Pie
This overnight oats recipe combines all the best flavors, crunch, and sweetness of peach pie into a satisfying, nutritious breakfast. Now, that’s what I’m talking about!
Recipe #4: Blueberry Muffin
Fresh or frozen blueberries, chopped walnuts (optional), cinnamon, and vanilla come together in this oats recipe to create a tasty “blueberry muffin” experience.
Recipe #5: Raspberry Lemon
Raspberries and lemon zest star in this bright, fresh-flavored overnight oats recipe. Whip up a few batches when fresh raspberries are in season or make them anytime with frozen raspberries.
Recipe #6:Peanut Butter and Jelly
You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy this healthy take on America’s favorite sandwich. Polly and I agreed that this was one of our favorite combinations!
Recipe #7: Peanut Butter Cup
Peanut butter and chocolate marry together in this healthy breakfast that you might mistake for dessert!
Common FAQs About Overnight Oats
What is the best kind of container to store overnight oats in?
The best containers for overnight oats have a wide enough opening to eat out of, are microwave-safe (preferably glass not plastic), and have a leak-proof lid. My two favorite containers are either 12- to 16-ounce Mason jars with lids or 2-cup glass Pyrex bowls with lids. There are also dedicated overnight oats glass jars with spoons now! I haven’t tried them, but it’s a fun idea.
Should I serve overnight oats warm or cold?
We hear this question a lot. The best way to serve overnight oats is…whatever you like best! Eating them cold or warm works.
Serve Overnight Oats Cold:Shake the jar. Stir in a little extra milk if it’s too thick and more sweetener if you’d like. Grab a spoon and eat your oats cold. This is the perfect solution for those mornings when you’re on the run!
Serve Overnight Oats Warm:This is our preferred way to serve overnight oats. Shake the jar and then remove the lid. Warm the oats in the microwave for about 45 seconds. Stir. Add more milk or sweetener as needed. Warm up even more, if desired.
Can I use steel cut oats for overnight oats?
While rolled oats are the most commonly used oats for overnight oats because they soften more quickly, you can use steel cut oats. However, you’ll need to increase the soaking time and may want to use more liquid to ensure they soften adequately.
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
Yes, but the texture will be much mushier, almost porridge-like.
Can I freeze overnight oats?
You certainly can, but just know that the texture after thawing will be very mushy oats and fruit.
A better bet might be to try one of our Baked Oatmeal recipes instead:
– Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal
– Peanut Butter and Banana Baked Oatmeal
– Baked Oatmeal with Fruit
– Brownie Baked Oatmeal
What kind of liquid can I use for overnight oats?
You can use various liquids like plain cow’s milk, almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk, depending on your dietary preferences and taste.
How long do overnight oats have to sit in the refrigerator before I can eat them?
If using rolled oats, they ideally need to sit at least 4 hours but are even softer and better after 6-8 hours in the fridge.
How long do overnight oats last in the refrigerator?
It’s best to eat overnight oats within about 3-5 days, especially if you added in fresh or frozen fruit. After that, the texture and quality of the oatmeal deteriorate.
Can I add protein powder to overnight oats?
Sure! Adding protein powder will increase the protein and calories. If using a sweetened protein powder, be sure to cut back on the sweetener in the overnight oats recipe. You may also need to add more liquid.
7 Overnight Oats Cheat Sheet
We’ll send you all 7 of our popular overnight oats recipes, so you can have them in one place. Download and print it for free!
Download the Cheat Sheet
Wouldn’t it be fun to have your fridge stocked with several of these flavors for the week ahead? Go ahead and spend a few minutes making some for the week!
Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!
5 Stars4 Stars3 Stars2 Stars1 Star5 from 16 reviews
7 Overnight Oats Recipes
Learn how to save time and money and eat healthier by prepping Overnight Oats ahead of time for the week. Use our 7 different delicious overnight oats recipes to start filling your fridge today.
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Prep: 5 minutesTotal: 5 minutes
Print RecipeRate Pin for Later
Scale:
Ingredients
Almond Joy:
- 1/2 cup milk (we prefer plain almond milk), plus more for serving
- 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2–1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon 100% cocoa powder
- 1–2 tablespoons sliced almonds
- 1–2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 banana, sliced
Strawberry Shortcake:
- 1/2 cup milk (your choice), plus more for serving
- 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 –1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 cup frozen or fresh chopped strawberries (chopped is easier to eat than sliced)
- 2 tablespoons vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1–2 tablespoons sliced almonds
- 1/8 teaspoon pure vanilla
Peach Pie:
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or your choice of milk)
- 1/3 cup rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, plus more to taste (sub: honey)
- 1/2 cup diced peaches (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Blueberry Muffin:
- 1/2 cup milk (your choice), plus more for serving
- 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 cup frozen or fresh blueberries
- 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Raspberry Lemon:
- 1/2 cup milk (we prefer plain almond milk), plus more for serving
- 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2–1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey
- 2 tablespoons vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
Peanut Butter and Jelly:
- 1/2 cup milk (your choice), plus more for serving
- 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 –1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 cup frozen or fresh chopped strawberries (chopped is easier to eat than sliced)
- 1 tablespoon all-natural peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon all-natural strawberry jam
- 1 tablespoon chopped peanuts
- 1–2 teaspoons chia seeds
Peanut Butter Cup:
- 1/2 cup almond milk, plus more for serving (or your choice of milk)
- 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (sub: quick oats)
- 1/2–1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
- 1–2 tablespoons chopped peanuts
- 1/2 banana, sliced
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Instructions
- In a 12-16 ounce mason jar, pour in the milk.
- Add oats and your all-natural sweetener of choice (pure maple syrup or honey).
- Add in the remaining fruit and add-ins (except bananas, which you will add right before eating so they don’t turn brown and mushy).
- Screw on the lid tightly and shake. Set in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 3-5 days.
- You have two choices how to serve them:
Serve Cold: Shake the jar. Open and add in the bananas (if they are in your recipe). Stir in a little extra milk if it’s too thick and more sweetener if you’d like. Grab a spoon and eat your oats cold. This is the perfect solution for those mornings when you’re on the run!
Serve Warm: This is our preferred way to serve overnight oats. Shake the jar and then remove the lid. Warm the oats in the microwave for about 45 seconds. Stir. Add in the sliced bananas (if they are in your recipe) and more milk or sweetener, as needed. Warm up even more, if desired.
Notes/Tips
- If using rolled oats, they ideally need to sit in the fridge for at least 4 hours but are even softer and better after 6-8 hours in the fridge.
- It’s best to eat overnight oats within about 3-4 days, especially if you added in fresh or frozen fruit. After that, the texture and quality of the oatmeal deteriorate.
- You can use steel-cut oats in place of the rolled oats, but they will require longer in the fridge to get soft and may need more liquid. Quick oats will result in a mushy, porridge-like consistency.
- Feel free to add in some protein powder to your overnight oats to increaseprotein and calories. If using a sweetened protein powder, be sure to cut back on the sweetener in the overnight oats recipe. You may also need to add more liquid.
- Peanut butter/Peanuts Sub: Replace with almond butter, cashew butter, or sunbutter and almost any other finely chopped nuts you like. If you’re trying to avoid tree nuts, use shelled sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- Gluten-Free Note: If you have a gluten allergy, be sure to buy certified gluten-free oats. While oats are a naturally gluten-free food, they are often processed in a factory where gluten is present.
Nutrition info is for the Almond Joy recipe.
© Author: Rachel Tiemeyer
Cuisine:AmericanMethod:No cook
Rachel Tiemeyer
As co-founder of Thriving Home, Rachel dreams about creating recipes (literally) and uses her husband, her 3 kids, and even the neighbors as guinea pigs several nights a week. She believes that good food has the power to bring families and friends closer together and continues to wake up excited about her job each day, even after 10+ years!
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Marcia I Baxley saysGreat recipes
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- Carla from Thriving Home says
Thanks Marcia. So glad you like them! Peach Pie is my favorite. 🙂
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