Overnight Oats Recipe (2024)

By Genevieve Ko

Updated Nov. 13, 2023

Overnight Oats Recipe (1)

Total Time
5 minutes, plus overnight soaking
Rating
4(8,909)
Notes
Read community notes

Overnight oats are, of course, a healthy breakfast and they’re easy to make, but they also feel like a special treat, sweet with dried fruit. Unlike oatmeal, uncooked but softened oats retain a fresh flavor and taste delicious cold. Top it with nuts just before eating for an irresistible crunch against the creamy oats.

Keys to This Recipe

How to Make Overnight Oats: Simply mix oats and milk in a 1 to 2 ratio and add sweeteners, salt or other add-ins, such as dried or fresh fruit, nuts or seeds, according to your tastes. For one breakfast serving of overnight oats, start with ¼ cup oats and ½ cup milk.

The Best Oats for Overnight Oats: Old-fashioned oats, also known as rolled oats, become tender and creamy when soaked. Quick-cooking oats, which are smaller, can end up pasty and steel-cut oats, which are sturdier, stay quite firm even after soaking.

Milk Options for Overnight Oats: Dairy and non-dairy milks work well for overnight oats. Coconut, soy and oat milk yield thicker mixtures, which you can thin with more milk before serving if you’d like. If you use sweetened non-dairy milk, taste the soaked oats before adding more sweetener.

Sweeteners for Overnight Oats: Soaking dried fruit — use your favorite — alongside the oats sweetens the mixture nicely, but you can stir in additional sugar, maple syrup or honey to taste just before eating.

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Ingredients

Yield:2 cups

  • ½cup old-fashioned oats
  • ¼cup dried fruit, cut into small pieces, if needed
  • 1tablespoon chia, flax, poppy or sesame seeds
  • 1cup milk or unsweetened dairy alternative, such as almond or oat milk
  • ¼teaspoon kosher salt
  • Maple syrup, honey or brown sugar (optional)
  • 2tablespoons chopped or sliced nuts, toasted, if desired

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

136 calories; 6 grams fat; 2 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 3 grams monounsaturated fat; 1 gram polyunsaturated fat; 17 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 8 grams sugars; 5 grams protein; 145 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Overnight Oats Recipe (2)

Preparation

Make the recipe with us

  1. Step

    1

    Mix oats, dried fruit, seeds, milk and salt in a pint jar or 2-cup airtight resealable container. Seal tightly and refrigerate for at least 5 hours or up to 5 days.

  2. Step

    2

    Uncover, stir well, and taste. If you prefer more sweetness, stir in some sweetener. Top with the nuts just before eating.

    Overnight Oats Recipe (3)

Tip

  • The soaked oat mixture will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

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8,909

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

P.M.

I guess this is a silly question, but- when the recipe says "old-fashioned oats," does this mean steel-cut oats or rolled oats? Clarity, please. Thank you.

EJG

I don't like ANYTHING super cold for breakfast so when I make oats like this I use almond milk and leave it on the counter overnight for room temperature pleasure in the morning!

Patricia

HI, It means rolled oats instead of quick cook or instant. Steel cut don't work that well overnight.

eleni

This is essentially Bircher Muesli... we do something similar but instead of milk we “soak” the oats in plain yogurt (not Greek yogurt, which doesn’t have enough moisture in it). It’s lovely with raisins, pumpkin seeds, toasted chopped almonds... yum. Could eat any time of year or day!!

Patricia

I am really not a fan of eating cold oatmeal so when I take the jar out of the refrigerator I pop it into the microwave(with the lid off)for a minute or two just to warm it up a bit. The results are fabulous no matter what the mix!!

Negeen

My daily breakfast. I always the same inputs when initially assembled (1/2 Red Mill "Extra Thick" rolled oats; 1 cup vanilla unsweetened almond milk; 1 tablespoon chia seeds; and a few twists of sea salt) but then vary the "add-ins" when I'm ready to eat them. Three basic categories: sweeteners (I'm partial to a tablespoon of light brown suger), nuts (2 tablespoons walnut bits, pecan bits, or slivered almonds), and a half cup fresh fruit (blueberries, bananas, or whatever). Just re-stir!

Colleen Newvine Tebeau

I love steel-cut oats so much that I went looking for overnight recipes for them. (I've done rolled oats, too, and they're good but still ...)Steel cut will have a texture more like muesli when you're done but that's a selling point to me.Here's one version I've used: https://www.wellplated.com/overnight-steel-cut-oats-recipe/If you want easy, creamy steel-cut oatmeal, I'm a huge fan of baking: https://dinersjournal.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/03/20/oven-oatmeal/

Laura

I haven’t tried this recipe—which looks great—but I used to be in the habit of making overnight oats all the time and I always used a 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup yoghurt, and half a half cup of oats, which is a nice way to get in some probiotics. I never found it to be soupy using this ratio, though of course that’s subjective.

Lynn

1 cup milk is too much, IMO. I use 1/2 cup oats and 1/2 cup liquid, which leaves the oats with a little chewiness. I put in some dried fruit, too. Before I eat it I microwave for 1 minute to take the chill off, add a drizzle of maple syrup, a little cold almond milk, and nuts if I'm really ambitious.

Renana

So much tastier than cooked oats! I use fresh fruit and no added salt or sweetener. Usually throw in flax, almonds, cinnamon, cardamom, turmeric. All the night before so no thinking required in morning. Yum!

Elaine

The variability in fruit, milk, and nuts would make a calorie count pretty unreliable here.

Lifelong Reader

The calorie count and other nutritional information should be prominently displayed at the top of every recipe.Can this dish be heated?

Lizibet

I am surprised at the nutritional info on this recipe. One-half cup of oats is listed, on the package, as ONE serving. Here, 1/2 C. of oats is FOUR?! I'm not sure what to make of this, especially since the other ingredients are also standard "one serving" sizes: 1/4 C. dried fruit is one serving; 1 T. seeds equals 1 serving; etc.Nutritionally, this might be four portions only if they are considered to be snack-sized (or child sized?) portions.

Esther

I have never tried this before and found it much more tasty than cooked oatmeal. I used quick oats, raisins, pumpkin and sunflower seeds and a few toasted almonds chopped in fairly large pieces (and milk). I added some fresh diced mango before eating it. Delicious!

CJ

Often make with 1/2 c oats, 1/2 c milk (dairy or not), and 1/2 c regular yogurt. Can use any flavor of regular yogurt -- my favorite combination is lemon yogurt, a little orange or lemon zest, and any fresh berry. Throw them all in a mug and walk out the door with it the next morning. Trader Joe's makes a mixed grain rolled oat like cereal - try it - it's even better than regular oats. Has a nutty flavor all its own.

Anna C

The notes on this are spot on. After combining rolled oats and unsweetened vanilla almond milk, I add almond powder, sugar free flavored pudding powder, chia seeds and shaved coconut, then fruit just before eating. Tastes so good!

kabpg

1/4 cup of oats isn’t a bi enough serving. It should be. 1/2 cup.

Kaitlin

Double this recipe and it works perfectly with a can of light coconut milk!

Angie

This didn't work for me. I made it as written with 1 cup almond milk, but it was still liquid in the morning. I have another recipe that calls for a scant 2/3 cup milk (or substitute) and 1/4 cup yogurt, which is what I will go back to.

Robin

Wow this is the best. Easy, healthy, customizable and delicious. It is now my go to workweek breakfast. I put the sweetener in with the oats, fruit and flax meal. Thanks for a recipe that makes eating healthy easy.

LG

Adding half a mashed banana to the oats/milk/yogurt adds nice flavor as well as nutrition.

Sue Fisher

Used TJ’s Organic Rolled Oats with Ancient Grains and Seeds so I didn’t add extra seeds. Used less milk as I didn’t want it to get mushy. Did add some chopped dried figs and toasted slivered almonds. Warmed it a little in the microwave. The best part was that I had a little leftover cold-brew coffee https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1017355-cold-brew-coffee mixture so I added that after the microwaving. No salt or syrup necessary. Delicious!

Heather

How many servings is 2 cups?

Mike

For less calories use water instead of milk. Also, no need for salt. Both of these suggestions will not affect taste and make the oats a bit healthier.

Michele

Overnight oats always sound so appealing , except for the fact that they are cold. Would it ruin it to heat before eating? Has anyone tried this?

I Love to Cook

These were very tasty and I used no sugar or maple syrup at all. I used cut up dates and figs and those were sweet enough, esp with the almond/coconut milk combo. I made a few jars and two were fine up to 4 days but the one left didn't taste right on day 5 so I had to toss it. So I'm a bit skeptical about how long they will last but otherwise delicious,

Heather

I have been making this for years, I do use steel cut oats. My ratio in 1:1 milk to oats. I find it its a nice way to eat oats in the warmer weather.

E

.75 cups liquid to 1/2 cup oats

Mayra

Why is salt needed for this recipe?

Kevin

really good. really versatile. really easy and quick to make. i need to make it more often.

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Overnight Oats Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the trick to overnight oats? ›

Tips & Tricks For Making Delicious Overnight Oats
  1. Start with the Oats. Stick with old-fashioned rolled oats. ...
  2. Add Seeds, Nuts or Fruit. ...
  3. Add Twice as Much Milk as Oats. ...
  4. Stir In Spice & Sweetener. ...
  5. Refrigerate Overnight.

What is the ratio of liquid to oats for overnight oats? ›

The only ratio you need to remember when making overnight oats is 1:1. You'll soak one part rolled oats with one part liquid overnight. Use less liquid if you want thicker oatmeal, more if you like it runny. You can use water or any type of milk (like almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, etc.)

What is a good portion size for overnight oats? ›

Overnight Oats Basic Ratio = 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats + 3/4 cup milk. This is what I usually make for one serving. I'll add other things to this, but I'll share more about that below. If you want to double or triple this to make multiple servings you easily can.

How much overnight oats should I eat? ›

It is recommended eating around 50 grams of healthy oats every day as they can lower the risk of a lot of diseases. Protein packed: Oats are one of the best plant-based sources of protein, they contain around 14 grams of protein per 100 grams. You can still build muscles if you're into muscle building.

What not to add in overnight oats? ›

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

Is yogurt necessary for overnight oats? ›

No, yogurt adds a creamy texture but it isn't mandatory. You can use nut butter, banana, applesauce, or coconut milk instead. Can I make overnight oats without chia seeds? Chia seeds add a nice thick and creamy texture.

What happens if you put too much liquid in overnight oats? ›

Guessing on the liquid-to-oat ratio.

Instead you'll have something more like cement. Yet, use too much liquid and you'll end up with soup. Follow this tip: Stick with a 2:1 ratio of liquid to oats when making overnight oats to achieve a spoonable, porridge-like consistency.

What kind of milk is best for overnight oats? ›

Overnight Oats are great with all kinds of milk, dairy (pasteurized) or non-dairy. Feel free to use your favorite! We do not recommend making Overnight Oats with water because it will result in an overly liquid texture. Did this answer your question?

Why did my overnight oats not work? ›

Another mistake people make is not adding enough liquid to their overnight oats. If you don't add enough liquid, your oats will be dry and clumpy in the morning, making them less enjoyable to eat. Make sure to add enough milk or yogurt to fully cover your oats and give them a creamy consistency.

Do you stir overnight oats before putting in fridge? ›

In a large glass jar, combine the oats, milk, yogurt, maple syrup or honey, chia seeds, vanilla cinnamon, and sea salt. Stir well to make sure all the ingredients are combined. Cover with a lid and place in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, remove from the refrigerator and stir.

Is overnight oats better with milk or yogurt? ›

Milk: You can make overnight oats with any kind of milk — dairy or non-dairy. If using non-dairy milk, it's best to stick with unsweetened. Greek yogurt: Not only does Greek yogurt make overnight oats more filling, but it also gives the oats a super-creamy texture.

Do you need mason jars for overnight oats? ›

Mason jars are one of the most popular containers for overnight oats, but they're certainly not the only option. Many people like these jars because they're inexpensive, but there are plenty of other containers that work just as well, including all of the products I've recommended above.

Why put chia seeds in overnight oats? ›

Why Do You Put Chia Seeds in Overnight Oats? Chia seeds up the nutrition content in overnight oats. They're loaded with good-for-your-gut fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which help calm inflammation in your body and may protect you from chronic disease. They also add a nice protein boost to this recipe.

Is it OK to eat overnight oats every day? ›

Overnight oats are perfectly safe to be eaten every day. You may even eat them every morning if you like. However, some say that they feel oats give them digestive issues; overnight oats are not unsafe for those without medical conditions that affect digestion.

Is 1 cup of oats too much? ›

The bottom line. The general oatmeal serving size is around half a cup of uncooked oats or one cup of cooked oatmeal. A serving of oats provides a variety of important nutrients, including protein, vitamins, and minerals.

How do you make overnight oats not soggy? ›

Yogurt: Give your oats an extra boost of protein with a scoop of your favorite Greek yogurt. Tip: While you can add the mix-ins the night before, I like to portion them out separately as pictured, but wait to add them until right before serving. That way my oatmeal is extra fresh and not soggy!

How do you thicken overnight oats in the morning? ›

Add some extra seeds and stuff (or not)

If you want your overnight oats to have a thicker, slightly tapioca-like texture, chia seeds will do that while also adding some healthy protein. Add about 1/4 the amount of oats you added. (So if you're starting with 1/2 cup of oats, add 2 tablespoons of chia seeds.)

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