Healthy Overnight Oats (+8 More Recipes)

Total6

Share via

Overnight oats is our favorite healthy breakfast idea that can be prepared ahead of time and last the entire week. They’re whole grain and packed with fiber!

In this post, we’ll teach you how to make overnight oats, answer all of your overnight oatmeal FAQs, give you a basic overnight oats recipe, and share 8 of our favorite overnight oats recipes!

overnight oats in jar with 2 bowls of oats.

We love Overnight Oats!

Here at Fit Foodie Finds we absolutely adore overnight oats (and oatmeal in general!). Some of the very first recipes that we ever posted on FFF were healthy overnight oats recipes…and that dates back to 2010! They never get old and they’re so delicious I could eat them for dessert.

Today we’re sharing the low on this magical breakfast in general. We get so many comments and questions about our overnight oats that we thought we’d lay it all out in one post.

Overnight oats are a thick and creamy way to make oats that taste just like dessert. Making oats overnight is when you soak oatmeal in a liquid such as milk, making it no-cook oatmeal. Instead of having to cook your oats, you can actually eat them raw by soaking them in milk or water for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Overnight oats are a healthy breakfast idea because they’re 100% whole grain and made with other nutritious ingredients such as chia seeds, almond milk, and Greek yogurt.

What is the texture of overnight oats?

After a few hours of soaking, the texture of the oats becomes soft and chewy and is quite similar to classic oatmeal.

Do you eat overnight oats cold or warm?

Overnight oats are meant to be eaten cold, but some people like to heat them up and that’s okay too.

We obviously love the flavor and texture of overnight oats, but did you know they’re a healthy breakfast idea perfect for any time of year? Here are some health benefits of overnight oats:

100% Whole grains: oatmeal is a whole grain and a nutritious way to start your morning.
Fiber-packed: per serving, oatmeal has 4g fiber.
On-the-go breakfast: prep your overnight oats in a jar or meal-prep container and take it with you.
Meal prep: double or triple a batch of overnight oatmeal and you’ll have breakfast ready all week long.
Lower in sugar: Our healthy overnight oats recipes are made with all-natural sweeteners and fruit.

The most obvious ingredient in overnight oats is…oatmeal! But, did you know that you can actually use 3 different types of oatmeal? Each is equally delicious but has a slightly different texture.

Milk: milk is our preferred liquid to make overnight oats and very essential. You can use any kind of milk you want such as cow’s milk, almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, etc.
Chia seeds: Chia seeds are not only a great source of antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3’s, but they help thicken your overnight oats and make them extremely creamy and satisfying.
Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt is such an amazing, tangy add-in for overnight oats that really enhances the flavor and makes them extra creamy. Oh, and it’s a great post of extra protein.
Vanilla extract: You can’t go wrong with vanilla. We almost always add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to all overnight oatmeal recipes!
Honey or maple syrup: All natural sweeteners are key when it comes to overnight oats. Ditch the table sugar or brown sugar for something more natural like honey or maple syrup.
Fresh/Dried Fruit: In many of our recipes you’ll find the oats flavored with fresh and dried fruit. Try blueberry, banana, or lemon!

Our Favorite Overnight Oatmeal Topping

Don’t skip topping your overnight oats with nut butter! You can use almond butter, peanut butter, cashew butter, or any of your favorite seed or nut butters.

Other Toppings Ideas

Fresh fruit
Granola
Honey
Granola butter
Chia seeds
Milk

Recommended Kitchen Tools

The best part about overnight oats is that they are so easy to make! Think 5 minutes and done. Here is a quick rundown:

Mix: Combine all ingredients for your overnight oats in a bowl or jar and stir until combined.
Soak: Cover oatmeal and let soak in the fridge overnight or for at least 2 hours.

Do I have to let me oats sit overnight? The longer you let your oats soak in the liquid, the thicker they will be. We recommend at LEAST 2 hours, but overnight is optimal.

Too thick: add more milk and mix to thin things out.
Too thin: add more oats and let sit for at least 30 minutes.

overnight oats in jar with blueberries on top.

We get so many questions on the daily about overnight oats, so we laid out all the deets for you below!

Do you eat overnight oats Cold?

Overnight oats are meant to be eaten cold, however, if you prefer warm oats you always have the option to heat them up. Because you soak the oats overnight, they become soft and easy to digest making them delicious eaten cold!

What is the texture of overnight oats?

I like to eat my overnight oats thick and chewy with more of a bite, but you can always add more milk to thin things out.

Can you make overnight oats with milk?

Yes! Our standard milk to rolled oatmeal ratio is 1.5 cups of milk to 1 cup rolled oats.

How long can you keep overnight oats in the refrigerator?

Overnight oats will typically stay good in the fridge for 3-5 days (depending on what recipe you use).

Is overnight oatmeal good for you?

Overnight oatmeal is a healthy breakfast idea because it’s 100% whole grain and packed with fiber.

Can you make overnight oats without milk?

Of course, you can make overnight oats without milk. If you need a dairy-free option, you can use any kind of dairy-free milk or even use water!

Is eating oats good for weight loss?

Oats are great for weight loss because they are high in fiber and a 100% whole grain. They aid in regulation and will keep you fuller longer.

How long does it take to make overnight oats?

It takes about 5 minutes to prepare overnight oats and about another 2 hours for the overnight oats to soak and be ready to eat! We recommend preparing your overnight oats before bed so that you can wake up to an already-made breakfast!

Can you make overnight oats with quick-cooking oats?

You can make overnight oats with quick-cooking oats. You can sub quick-cooking oats for rolled oatmeal 1:1.

Can you make overnight oats with steel-cut oats?

You can make overnight oats with seel cut overnight oats but they require a bit more liquid and leg work. We have an easy steel cut overnight oats recipe for you to try.

The best way to store overnight oats is in a glass container in the refrigerator. You can use glass meal-prep containers, a large glass pyrex bowl, or 16 oz. mason jars!

If you make your overnight oats right in a mason jar, you can store them just like that. Store them in single-serve containers like jars is a great way to portion control, too!

Place all ingredients into a large glass container and mix until combined.
Cover and place into the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Eat with your favorite toppings including nut butter and berries.

For a vegan option, you can sub out the Greek yogurt for a plant-based yogurt or with nothing at all.
If your overnight oats are too thick in the morning, add a splash more of milk.
Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Calories: 270kcal Carbohydrates: 44g Protein: 12g Fat: 6g Fiber: 7g Sugar: 11g

And now…for our favorite overnight oatmeal recipes from Fit Foodie Finds! Check them out, below!

8 Healthy Overnight Oats Recipes

Have your french toast and oatmeal too. Make Maple French Toast Vegan Overnight Oats for an easy, make-ahead breakfast that’s packed with maple and cinnamon flavor! This healthy vegan overnight oats recipe is high in fiber and whole grains.

These 6-ingredient peanut butter and jelly overnight oats are the perfect way to start off your morning! They’re made with a peanut butter overnight oatmeal base and topped with your favorite jelly giving you tons of fiber, protein, and a whole lotta lovin’.

Love Moose Tracks Ice Cream? Try this overnight oat recipe to get a HEALTHY variation including a vanilla base with a fudge swirl and cookie dough pieces. This overnight oatmeal recipe is perfect for meal prep throughout the week if you are looking for something sweet.

3 flavors are better than one! Make Neapolitan Overnight Oats and get a HEALTHY bite of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry in every bite. This overnight oats recipe is packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats!

Got 5 minutes? Whip up these delicious coconut latte vegan overnight oats for an easy, fiber-filled breakfast that are oh-so-delish! This overnight oatmeal recipe only requires 5 simple and healthy ingredients to make and this breakfast that will have you full all morning long.

Chocolate-covered strawberries for breakfast? YES PLEASE! Make this chocolate-covered strawberry overnight oats recipe and eat dessert for breakfast. Well, not really, but it sure does taste like it! These overnight oats are packed with fiber, 100% whole grain, and a healthy breakfast option all week long.

These peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough overnight oats pack 15 grams of protein and a ton of fiber! Sick of your typical breakfast routine? Whip up these overnight oats and kick off your day off with a delicious and nutritious breakfast that will keep you full til lunch!

These Strawberry Vanilla Overnight Oats are a breakfast meal-prep miracle! All you have to do is throw all of the ingredients into a jar, let them sit overnight, and an easy and delicious breakfast is ready for you in the morning. Not only are these overnight oats tasty, but they are packed with fiber and protein to keep you satisfied until lunch!