Overnight Oats
Oats, milk, yogurt and chia soaked overnight into something thick and creamy, ready to eat straight from the jar. Five minutes of work for a week of breakfasts.
Photograph credit: Free overnight oats image by Unknown · CC0 1.0 · Rawpixel
Method
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Combine the oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in a jar or bowl.
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Stir thoroughly, making sure no chia seeds are clumped together at the bottom — clumps will never hydrate.
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Seal and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, ideally overnight.
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In the morning, stir well and check the consistency. Add a splash more milk if it has set firmer than you like.
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Taste and adjust the sweetness — cold mutes sweetness noticeably.
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Top with berries, a spoonful of nut butter, toasted nuts and coconut flakes just before eating so they stay crunchy.
Chef’s Tips
- Rolled oats, not instant or steel-cut. Instant turns to paste and steel-cut stays hard.
- Make four jars at once on a Sunday — they keep all week and improve for the first two days.
- Add the crunchy toppings in the morning, never the night before.
Pairing Suggestions
- Coffee or a cup of tea
- Serve with a piece of fruit for a complete breakfast
- Good before exercise
Storage & Reheating
Refrigerate up to 5 days. The texture is best between days one and three. Do not freeze.
Common questions
How long does Overnight Oats take to make?
About 10 minutes of hands-on work — 10 minutes of preparation and of cooking — plus 6 hours of chilling, so allow 6 hours 10 minutes from start to finish. The recipe serves 2.
What are the key tips for making Overnight Oats?
Rolled oats, not instant or steel-cut. Instant turns to paste and steel-cut stays hard. Make four jars at once on a Sunday — they keep all week and improve for the first two days. Add the crunchy toppings in the morning, never the night before.
What should I serve with Overnight Oats?
Coffee or a cup of tea; Serve with a piece of fruit for a complete breakfast; Good before exercise.
Can Overnight Oats be made ahead or frozen?
Refrigerate up to 5 days. The texture is best between days one and three. Do not freeze.
Is Overnight Oats suitable for a special diet?
This recipe is vegetarian. Those labels are checked against the ingredient list, so a dish is only marked when nothing in it contradicts the claim.
How many calories are in Overnight Oats?
About 412 kcal per serving, with 18 g protein, 56 g carbohydrate and 14 g fat. The figures are calculated from the ingredient list and are an estimate.
Nutritional Highlights
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list. Treat these as an estimate — brands and cuts vary.
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Written and tested by Turab
One person, one kitchen — no test kitchen, no team. How every recipe on this site is checked before it goes up.