Mornings are tough enough without the hassle of complicated breakfasts, especially during your weight loss journey!   Let’s play a little trivia game here – what breakfast item is cheap, versatile, and was probably a huge part of your childhood?  If you guessed oatmeal, pat yourself on the back.  However, say goodbye to the oatmeal you know and say hello to overnight oats – one of the greatest inventions for the common busy human being!  Overnight oats are perfect for sticking in the refrigerator at work, eating on your commute, or enjoying quickly before you head out the door!  They keep well for about 2-3 days, so you can prepare your breakfast to enjoy for several days in advance.  I’m here to share 3 easy overnight oats recipes I’ve found that are simple, nutritious, and delicious – but before that, let’s address some questions you might have! 🙂

Why is oatmeal a good choice for breakfast?

According to the USDA, one cup of oatmeal has about 4 grams of fiber, 6 grams of protein, and 4 grams of fat – AND it’s only about 200 calories (if you don’t add too much calorie-dense stuff to it!).  Due to the fiber content, oatmeal does a good job of keeping you fuller for longer.  Adding fruit, nuts, or chia to oatmeal adds nutritional value AND fun flavors!

Do overnight oats have a different texture than regular oatmeal?

Yes!  Overnight oats definitely have a creamier texture and are typically eaten cold instead of hot (which may take some getting used to!).  It’s important to make sure your ratio of liquid to oats is correct, or you’ll end up with a runny or extremely hard jar of oatmeal – yuck!

Can overnight oats be suited to my dietary needs?

Absolutely!  If you are vegan or gluten/dairy/nut/sugar-free, you can customize overnight oats to fit your personal nutrition lifestyle.

What are the best oats to use for overnight oats?

You can prepare overnight oats with any oatmeal of your choosing, but the best kind is rolled oats!  Rolled oats will give you a nice thick and creamy texture.

• For steel-cut oats, add about 1/4 cup more liquid than the recipe requires and expect to have a chewier texture of oatmeal!
• For instant oats, lessen liquid added by 1-2 T and expect a runnier texture

Recipes:

Classic Vanilla Overnight Oats

Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 1/3 C plain Greek yogurt
• 1/2 C rolled oats
• 2/3 C milk (you can use regular milk, almond milk, oat milk, or whatever you like to use!)
• 1 T chia seeds
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• A little bit of honey or maple syrup (or whatever sweetener you prefer!)

Instructions

1. Combine ingredients with whisk and pour into jar.
2. Close jar and put in the fridge.  All ready for you the next morning!

Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Yield: 1 serving

Ingredients

• 1/2 C milk (whatever milk you want to use)
• 3/4 T chia seeds
• 2 T peanut or almond butter
• 1 T maple syrup (you can also use coconut sugar, organic brown sugar, or stevia)
• 1/2 C rolled oats (rolled oats are best!)
• You can add fruit or nuts on top for a little extra flavor!

Instructions

1. Combine everything except oats in a mason jar or small bowl.
2. Add oats and press down to make sure all the oats are covered by liquid.
3. Cover with lid and pop it in the fridge to enjoy in the morning!  Garnish with fruit or nuts or leave it alone, whatever you’re feeling!

Greek Yogurt Mixed Berry Overnight Oats

Yield: 3 servings

Ingredients

• 1 C rolled oats
• 1 cup milk
• 1 C vanilla greek yogurt, divided
• 2 T agave syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 C fresh or frozen blueberries, thawed
• 1/4 C fresh or frozen sliced strawberries, thawed
• 1 T coconut sugar (or brown sugar)
• 1 T tablespoon lemon juice

Instructions

1. In a large mason jar, combine everything except blueberries, strawberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Screw the lid on and shake. Let chill in fridge overnight.
2. When you’re ready to eat, combine blueberries/strawberries/sugar/lemon juice in a small bowl. Let it stand for 5 minutes.
3. Remove oats from fridge and scoop out a serving!  In three bowls, top each with remaining 1/2 cup greek yogurt and top with berries. Serve and enjoy!

If you only want one serving, just grab enough toppings for one jar and only scoop out what you want from the big mason jar!  You can put it in a smaller container if you want to take it on the go.

If you have a favorite way of making overnight oats, comment below – I’d love to hear your creativity and give your recipe a try!

Recipe Links:

Classic Vanilla Overnight Oats – Wholefully

Peanut Butter Overnight Oats – Minimalist Baker

Greek Yogurt Mixed Berry Overnight Oats –  Whole and Heavenly Oven