Learn how to make the perfect batch of overnight oats! It’s one of the easiest, no-cook breakfast options that will leave you with healthy grab-and-go breakfasts to enjoy throughout the week. Bonus – it’s endlessly customizable!

Why You’ll Love These Overnight Oats

If you love healthy breakfast ideas but don’t want to do a whole lot of work in the morning, overnight oats were made for you. Honestly, it’s as easy as stirring together a couple of ingredients in a jar, placing it in the fridge, and enjoying the next morning. That’s it! There’s no cooking, no baking, and you don’t even get any extra dishes dirty. It’s a total winner all around. Here’s a few more reasons why you’ll love them:

• They’re endlessly customizable: The base recipe is delicious and filling all on its own, but if you’d you can also add a variety of toppings and mix-ins, including fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, spices, and jams. See more ideas below!
• They’re great cold or warm: In the summer I enjoy overnight oats as a chilled breakfast straight from the fridge (perfect on a hot summer day). And in the winter I can warm the glass jar in the microwave for 30 seconds for a cozy breakfast.
• They’re a meal prep winner: Sure, you can prep one jar of overnight oats. But you can just as easily prep jars for the entire week—in less than 5 minutes! And who doesn’t love a ready-made breakfast?

Overnight Oats Ingredients

While you really only need rolled oats and milk to make overnight oats, I always add chia seeds, yogurt, and a smidge of maple syrup in my base recipe. That’s what makes my version ultra creamy and tasty!

• Rolled oats: Make sure to use old fashioned rolled oats for the best texture. And remember to look for certified gluten-free oats if you’re gluten-sensitive or celiac.
• Milk: You can use dairy or dairy-free milk (like almond milk, oat milk, or cashew milk), and yes, even water works. It just depends on how creamy you’d like it.
• Yogurt: A simple Greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt provides extra creaminess, protein, and that perfect touch of tangy flavor.
• Chia Seeds: These magical little seeds gel up in the oats to make it creamy and thick. Plus, they’re loaded with health benefits and give a nutrient boost.
• Maple Syrup: Natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey blend in beautifully. You can always add as little or as much as you’d like.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

• Stir it all together. In a small jar, stir together the oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, and maple syrup.
• Let it soak. Place the jar in the fridge to let the oats soak for at least two hours, though overnight is best.
• Add toppings and serve. The next morning, add your favorite toppings and enjoy! Alternatively, you can scoop the oats out into a bowl and add toppings from there.

For A Large Batch of Overnight Oats

You can make a larger batch of overnight oats, just double, triple or quadruple the recipe listed below. It’s as easy as that!

• Stir everything together. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, and maple syrup.
• Cover and soak. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and let it soak overnight in the fridge.
• Serve individually. Scoop out a portion (about 1 cup) from the bowl into a serving glass or bowl. Then add your favorite toppings!

Flavor Variations

Now here comes the fun part—toppings and mix-ins. Creativity is the name of the game, so whatever your heart desires, go for it!

• Fresh fruit: Make the most of seasonal fruits, including blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, bananas, peaches, pears, and apples. You can also blend them into a puree or make a chia seed jam and stir it in.
• Dried fruit: Raisins, cranberries, goji berries, and chopped dates lend a chewy texture and fruity flavors.
• Nuts and Seeds: Sliced almonds, chopped pecans or walnuts, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, pepitas, and toasted sesame seeds add a subtle crunchy texture.
• Extra Flavor: Sprinkle on coconut flakes or cacao nibs. They’ll taste amazing with banana, strawberry, or tropical flavors.
• Spices: Stir in ground cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, cardamom, or ginger to spice things up a bit!
• Yogurt: Mix in any type of yogurt for extra creaminess. Plus, it adds extra protein and a probiotic boost.
• Nut Butter: Choose your favorite nut butter (I always love almond butter). Just stir it in or drizzle it on top. It also provides a protein boost.
• Protein Powder: Still want an even bigger protein boost? Feel free to add protein powder or collagen powder.

How To Store and Meal Prep

• To Store: Overnight oats will stay good for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. If you have fruit toppings or fruit mix-ins, I recommend no more than three days, as the fruit is likely to go bad first.
• For Freezing: Yes, you can freeze overnight oats! Similar to my meal prep chia pudding, overnight oats will stay good for up to three months in the freezer.

• Breakfast Casserole: It’s loaded with nutrients and easy to reheat.
• Chia Seed Pudding: Did you know you can also freeze chia pudding?
• Breakfast Egg Muffins: These breakfast bites are customizable and can be stored in the fridge or freezer.
• Sweet Potato Toast: Prep slices for the week for a veggie-heavy breakfast!
• Paleo Pancakes: When you’re craving pancakes, these store well in the fridge and freezer.

Recipe originally posted January 2021, but updated to include new information and photos for your benefit!