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Wondering where to start with overnight oats? Start here! Learn all you need to know when starting out with overnight oats and try these 6 easy overnight oatmeal recipe flavors that will certainly become your favorite!
If you have been around here for a while, you know my OBSESSION with Overnight Oats. Quite honestly, obsession may be an understatement.
I have taken small breaks from creating new overnight oats recipes, but always come back to them because you all love them so much as well. They get the most traffic, the most feedback and the most excitement of all the recipes here. So how could I stop?
I mean, Overnight Oats have their own category on here so if that doesn't tell you, then not sure what will.
Recently, I felt like something was missing though. Yes, I have a wide range of these recipes, but I really don't have a sort of "one stop shop" or "start here" post for all things overnight oatmeal. And I feel like that is important especially if you are just starting out or you saw the phrase "overnight oats" and thought, "wait, what the heck is that??"
So let this be just that! This post is a resource. Whether you are a fanatic or a first timer, this resource will still be useful for you. Hoping this resource helps but feel free to let me know if there is anything you still need beyond it!
What you will find in this post:
- A little info on what overnight oats are and why I love them
- Pro-Tips and FAQs I get about overnight oats
- Six 5-minute overnight oats recipes that I think you NEED to start with!
So let's start at the beginning:
What are Overnight Oats?
They are exactly what they sound like--oats that are prepared by soaking all the liquid up and softening throughout the night. If you want to cook rolled oats, you typically have to boil them stove top. However, if you make overnight oats, you are allowing the liquid to soak into the oats and soften them instead of boiling the oatmeal.
That's why they are called what they are called--it takes time for the oats to absorb the liquid and thus, allowing them to soak overnight in the fridge will make them ready to eat right when you wake up!
How do you make them?
All you do is stir together some milk and oats, along with some other goodies for flavor, in a jar or bowl that can be sealed shut. That's it. Then you pop them in the fridge for the night.
This is why everyone is so obsessed with this perfect bresakfast! Minimal effort, infinite flavor combos, hearty and nutritious. The very best!
What you need to make these recipes:
- rolled oats: this is what I use. Some people say steel cut oats are great but I find them to be way too chewy. If that's your thing, then you can use them as well.
- milk: this can be regular or dairy free. Use the milk that works best for you!
- sweetener: I LOVE maple syrup. It is my preferred breakfast sweetener. Use the sweetener you prefer. Honey, sugar, whatever it may be, and adjust to your liking!
- chia seeds: not necessary, but a great way to give your oats a boost of protein and fiber. Please do not go out and buy them if you are not interested. They will be fine without.
- Pinch of salt: I like to add just a pinch to my recipes for a touch more flavor. Up to you!
These are my base ingredients. Everything else adds fun and flavor!
Ok, so let's get to the goodies!
I have put together 6 recipes that I think are MUST HAVES when you starting out on your oatmeal adventures. Several of these are recipes already on the blog and a few others are new.
The Banana Bread version is the absolute most popular recipe ON THE BLOG. For years it has gotten so much traffic and engagement and many many great reviews. So clearly it works. It has been my favorite for so long as well.
The rest are super simple and delicious so without further adieu, here they are!
Banana Bread Overnight Oats 
Blueberry Muffin Overnight Oats 
Peanut Butter + Jelly Overnight Oatmeal 
Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats 
Almond Joy Overnight Oats 
Strawberries + Cream Overnight Oats
These 6 flavors include:
- Banana Bread Overnight Oats: Wake up to banana bread but without any of the effort! The perfect way to use up bananas that are about to turn--bonus!
- Blueberry Muffin Overnight Oatmeal: Same story, different flavor. Everyone's favorite muffin in a big hearty bowl. No baking required!
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats: While I LOOOOVE the banana bread version, I find myself making some form of this variety more often than not. Gotta gotta GOTTA have my peanut butter!
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats: I want to call this one something fancy like peanut butter cup or something, but I am just calling this one like I see it. While a basic peanut butter version is fine, when you toss in some chocolate chips, you always take things up a notch, right??
- Strawberries and Cream Overnight Oatmeal: Nothing like fresh cream with your berries, right? I love adding just a touch to my oatmeal for that rich creamy flavor. There's nothing extraordinary about this recipe, but I promise it will be a favorite!
- Almond Joy Overnight Oatmeal: Because sometimes you feel like a nut, right? My favorite candy turned into one of my very favorite breakfasts!
Overnight Oatmeal FAQs
Here are some of the FAQs I have found I get asked the most when it comes to overnight oatmeal. I will update this if more questions start popping up! (I also try to include this list on many of my overnight oats recipes for future reference.
I typically make 3 or so day’s worth at a time. 3-5 days is the range that they will last and certain ingredients in different flavors impact this. Oats with mashed banana that I make are typically not good after 2 or 3 days due to the mashed banana but other recipes are good a few days longer. Just keep fruit out of your oats until serving and that should typically help.
I prefer rolled oats in mine–I find that they soak up the milk perfectly and are nice and soft after sitting all night. I have seen others suggest steel cut oats for their overnight oats recipe but that is NOT for me. They are too hard and chewy for me. I have found that steel cut oats are best for me in the Instant Pot.
When the overnight oatmeal trend hit, it was all the rage to scoop your breakfast out of a ball jar. Heck, I still do. But don’t go out and buy cute little jars just yet. If you have a bowl that you can seal, then you are in perfect shape. Don’t feel like you have to buy anything extra to make your oatmeal in, bowls can be great as well. I have seen lots of people use the end of a peanut butter jar.
I have had readers comment or reach out saying they don’t want to eat cold oats. No one says you have to–promise! Pop them in the microwave in the morning and you are all set! Love them chilled? Great, you just get to eat them about a minute sooner!
You sure can! Add your favorite protein powder if you like! Just note that you may need to add more milk to balance it out. I usually add a touch more milk in the morning before eating them if they seem a bit thick.
Check out these other top flavors:
- Carrot Cake
- Coconut Cream Pie
- Peanut Butter Cheesecake
- Pumpkin Pie
- Lemon Poppy Seed
- Peanut Butter Banana
One of my favorite one-stop shop to get ingredients for my overnight oats is through Thrive Market. Affordable, good food delivered to your door. The best part? They will match a price on a product if you find it cheaper elsewhere! Start saving with Thrive today!
6 Simple Overnight Oats Recipes
Ingredients
Base Ingredients:
- ½ c rolled oats
- ½ c milk of choice
For the Banana Bread
- ½ mashed banana
- 2 T chopped pecans or walnuts
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Dash of sea salt
- 1 T ground flax optional
- 2 teaspoon maple syrup
For the Blueberry Muffin:
- ¼ c blueberries
- 1 T cashew butter (or almond butter)
- 2 teaspoon maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- dash of sea salt
For the Peanut Butter and Jelly:
- 2 teaspoon peanut butter (extra to drizzle if desired)
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 4-5 strawberries, mashed or chopped
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- dash of sea salt
For the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip:
- 2 teaspoon peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 1 T chocolate chips (I love mini chips!)
- dash of sea salt
For the Strawberries & Cream:
- 4-5 strawberries, sliced or chopped
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1-2 teaspoon maple syrup
- 2-3 teaspoon cream (half & half or heavy cream)
- dash of sea salt
For the Almond Joy:
- 2 T shredded coconut, unsweetened
- 1 T sliced almonds
- 1 T chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- small drop of almond extract (it's strong so go small--less than ¼ tsp)
- dash of sea salt
Instructions
For All Recipes:
- Combine base ingredients plus all ingredients for desired flavor in a bowl or jar that can be sealed and stir well.
- Refrigerate overnight.
- Add an extra splash of milk if needed before serving. Serve hot or cold.
Notes
Nutrition
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Emma says
Tried the banana bread this morning and can understand why it is so popular!!! Absolutely delicious!
Lorie says
It truly is! Banana bread without baking? Can't beat it!!!
Linda says
I have tried so many overnight oats and I have never really been impressed....until 2 minutes ago. I made your peanut butter chocolate chip oats last night and just ate them........so good!! I am going to try the blueberry or banana bread one next but I don't think they will top the peanut butter one. Thank you so much.
Linda
Lorie says
Yay! This makes me so happy to hear. Overnight oats are the best aren’t they?!
Barb says
Made the banana bread overnight oats with ground walnuts & topped with my homemade granola for some added crunch, sooooo delicious! I have the blueberry muffin oats ready to go for tomorrow's breakfast, can't wait! I look forward to trying more variations, thank you for your fantastic recipes. 🙂
Lorie says
So happy to hear this Barb! Love the granola addition as well--perfection!
Vegronica says
Hello! Are the chia seeds whole or are they meant to be ground? Thank you!
Lorie says
Hi! Toss them in whole!
Mavis Lloyd says
Hi Lorie, i love these overnight oats, love the Blueberry Muffin one. I am going to try the Strawberry x Cream one, when you say use Heavy cream, what exactly do you mean.
Lorie says
Hi Mavis! I typically use whipping cream. Half and half would be another option as well. Just a touch is all you need. So happy you are enjoying them!!
Dill says
Do you think I could just use milk for the cream
Lorie says
Absolutely you can! The cream just adds a touch of richness but it is not necessary.
Marina says
So easy and delicious! Thank you for sharing this
Lorie says
So happy to hear this Marina!
Angie says
HEllo! I am so excited to try these! My hubby and I both suffer with chronic pain and usually don't eat breakfast only because we hurt too much first thing in the morning to make anything. These will be perfect! What size jars do I need to purchase ?
Lorie says
Hi Angie! No need to get anything fancy—any sort of container that is more than about 8 ounces should work. I typically use a jar or bowl that’s almost 16 ounces and gave lots of extra room to add fruit on top. The convenience of overnight oatmeal is so amazing. Hope you love them!
Angie says
Thank you so very much! Have a Blessed Day 🙂
Lorie says
Same to you!
Shayna says
Can these be made ahead and left for multiple days? Or do they have to be used up the next morning?
Thanks for all the great recipes! Have a peanut butter one “soaking” in the fridge right now for tomorrow morning!
Lorie says
Hi Shayna! I let these sit in the fridge for up to about 5 days. Just not any of them with a banana. In that case I wait to add the banana til serving. Hope you love them!!
Svenja says
Hey Lorie! I have been searching for easy, tasty, quick and healthy breakfast recipes for quite some time now. I can't go without breakfast, but never knew what to eat in the mornings... which mostly resulted in eating whatever came to hand, even if it was cookies, a chocolate bar, etc. - so not healthy. You can't imagine how grateful I am for finding your blog with these super-tasty, easy, quick AND healthy breakfast recipes! The first one I tried was the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and I love it!!! Next one I'll try will be Almond Joy. When you write "1/2 tsp vanilla" do you mean vanilla extract or something else? I'm trying to find the corresponding ingredients available in Germany (which sometimes is not that easy). Thank you for your help! Greetings from Germany! Cheers, Svenja
Lorie says
Hi Svenja! So happy to hear you are loving these!I feel the same way, it's hard to know what to eat in the morning and whatever is easiest often wins. Yes, vanilla just means extract. Hope you enjoy the other flavors and thanks so much for commenting!
Laney says
These are awesome! Blueberry Muffin is my favorite! Great job!
Lorie says
Yay! That is one of my favorites as well!!!