Healthy Overnight Oats With 3 Delicious Flavors

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Hi Bold Bakers!

WHY I LOVE THIS RECIPE: Healthy Overnight Oats are the perfect grab-and-go breakfast for anybody who loves a simple, filling breakfast or a person who is kicking the New Year off with a few healthy changes. Mix it up every day with my 3 delicious overnight oats flavors, or come up with some of your own using your favorite flavor combinations! 

No more excuses for skipping breakfast! The most important meal of the day gets a tasty makeover with my easy Healthy Overnight Oats. Not only will I teach you how to make the base overnight oats recipe for this healthy breakfast option, but I’ll also give you a rundown through 3 amazing Overnight Oats flavors, including Banana Nutella Overnight Oats, Peanut Butter And Jelly Overnight Oats, and Apple Pie Overnight Oats! 

This is a great grab-and-go breakfast too. I like to make my overnight oats in a mason jar so I can just run out the door with it in the morning. (Okay, sometimes there’s no “running out the door,” but that certainly doesn’t mean I don’t need something quick, hearty, and immediate in the morning.) 

Double or triple this recipe, made with old-fashioned rolled oats, your milk of choice, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and a touch of maple syrup and vanilla for flavor, so you can whip up a breakfast for every member of the family for tomorrow’s breakfast. You won’t be sorry you put in the work tonight when you get to enjoy at least ten more minutes sipping your morning coffee. 

Table Of Contents

• What Are Overnight Oats?
• Are Overnight Oats Healthy?
• Tools You Need
• Ingredients For Healthy Overnight Oats
• How To Make Overnight Oats
• How Long Do Overnight Oats Last?
• How Can I Tell If My Overnight Oats Went Bad?
• FAQs
• Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips
• More Healthy Breakfast Recipes

What Are Overnight Oats? Overnight Oats Vs. Cooked Oats

Overnight oats are a no-cook method of making oatmeal. Instead of heating the oats in milk or water the morning of, overnight oats are made by soaking them overnight, giving them plenty of time to absorb the liquid to make them soft enough to eat. Overnight Oats are just as creamy as the morning-of method, and I think they are even denser and more delicious. 

Overnight oats may even be healthier than cooked oats as they retain their nutrients better than cooked oats! 

Are Overnight Oats Healthy?

While I feel confident enough to call this recipe my “Healthy Overnight Oats,” I still want to give this question a quick answer: Yes, overnight oats are healthy. 

According to Healthline, oats are one of the healthiest grains on earth! Oats are gluten-free and a fantastic source of vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. Oats can help lower cholesterol, improve your blood sugar, and can even help you lose weight.

I highly encourage you to read through the article to see all the healthy benefits of adding oats to your diet. Of course, always consult your healthcare provider or nutritionist regarding what foods are best for you and which ones you should avoid. 

Tools You Need

• Measuring cups and spoons
• Mixing bowl or jar
• Chopping knife
• Chopping board

Ingredients For Healthy Overnight Oats

For the base recipe, you’ll need:

• Old-fashioned rolled oats: For overnight oats, you 100% need to use old-fashioned rolled oats, not quick oats or steel-cut oats. Quick oats will get too mushy, and steel-cut oats won’t soften enough.
• Milk of choice: I like whole milk in most of my recipes, but for Healthy Overnight Oats, feel free to swap it with the milk of your choice; this could be skim milk, almond milk, soy milk, or whatever!
• Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt helps your oats get a creamy texture and helps you stay full longer! You can also make dairy-free overnight oats by opting to use dairy-free yogurt. 
• Chia seeds: Chia seeds are optional, but I like to add them to overnight oats because they up the fiber, protein, and omega-3’s in the oatmeal. Plus, I think they add a nice texture! 
• Vanilla: A little vanilla extract helps flavor your base overnight oat recipe and will help bring out the flavors of anything else you add.
• Maple syrup: I like to use maple syrup as a natural sweetener for my oatmeal. 

To make Banana Nutella Overnight Oats, you’ll need:

• Nutella: You can make your own Homemade Nutella or use your favorite chocolate hazelnut spread. 
• Bittersweet chocolate: I like to add chopped bittersweet chocolate to my Nutella oatmeal for that extra chocolate flavor and some different texture. 
• Banana: Bananas and chocolate go great together, but you could experiment with other fruits in this recipe too!

To make Peanut Butter And Jelly Oats, you’ll need:

• Jam: Add in your favorite flavor or jam! 
• Peanut Butter: Use your favorite store-bought peanut butter or try my Homemade Peanut Butter recipe. 
• Peanuts: Add in some roasted peanuts for more peanut flavor and a great texture.

To make Apple Pie Overnight Oats, you’ll need:

• Apple: You can’t have apple pie without apples! I typically use Granny Smith apples for baking, but you’ll want a sweeter apple for overnight oats, like Honeycrisp.
• Maple syrup or honey: The base recipe calls for maple syrup, but you can switch that out for honey for a different flavor profile.
• Pecans: Roasted pecans add a nice nutty flavor and help break up the texture of oatmeal.
• Cinnamon: Apple pie needs to be delightfully spiced, which means you need warm cinnamon!

How To Make Overnight Oats

Making overnight oats couldn’t be easier! 

1. First, you need to make the base recipe by mixing the ingredients in either a bowl or a jar.
2. Then, add in the mix-ins of your choice.
3. Cover and let the oats rest overnight (or at least 8 hours.)
4. Before eating, give the oats a good stir and enjoy!

How Long Do Overnight Oats Last? How To Store Overnight Oats

I recommend eating overnight oats the morning after you make them, but you can store them in an airtight container for up to five days in the refrigerator. If you are storing them for longer than one day, be sure you pay attention to signs if your oats went bad.

How Can I Tell If My Overnight Oats Are Bad?

If you’re storing your oats for longer than one day, there are a few signs to pay attention to ensure you don’t eat oats that have gone bad.

Signs your oats have spoiled include mold and the liquid completely separating from the oats. 

FAQs

Are overnight oats gluten-free?

Yes, oats are gluten-free. However, always check your packaging to ensure they are gluten-free and have not been processed in factories where there could be cross-contamination. 

Are overnight oats vegan?

You can make vegan overnight oats by opting to use vegan yogurt and a plant-based milk alternative. 

Why are my overnight oats runny? Why are my overnight oats dry?

You want to be sure you are adding the right amount of liquid to your overnight oats. If they are too runny, chances are you added too much milk; if they are too dry, you likely didn’t add enough milk. A good ratio to stick to is 1:1. This base recipe calls for 1/2 cup of oats and 1/2 cup of the milk of your choice. 

Why are my overnight oats slimy? 

It’s normal if your overnight oats are slightly slimy. Oats become “slimy” when they sit overnight because the starches in the oats release liquid over time.

To avoid unappetizing, slimy oatmeal, stick to the 1:1 ratio.

Gemma’s Pro Chef Tips

• The base recipe below is for one serving; however, you can easily double, triple, or quadruple the recipe.
• The recipe is set up below for individual servings, but you can make a large batch of the base in a big bowl, then anyone can scoop it out into a separate bowl and put whatever toppings they wish.
• These are just three suggested flavors, but feel free to experiment with your favorite flavors like fresh berries or fruit, dried fruit, spices — you name it! If you like it on your regular oatmeal, it will work in this overnight version.
• If you are concerned about fruit like apples or bananas getting brown in the refrigerator overnight, you can add them right before you eat your oats; however, add the other mix-ins to sit overnight.
• For an extra boost, stir in protein powder into the base. (If you don’t regularly use protein powder, be aware that some powders can have a slightly gritty texture.)

Want More Healthy Breakfast Recipes?

• Healthy Breakfast Crisp (Gluten Free!)
• Healthy Chocolate Ice Cream For Breakfast
• My Mum’s Healthy Banana Muffins
• Complete Breakfast Muffins
• Healthy Granola Bars (Sugar-Free, Grain-Free)

Try These Recipes!

Wholesome Breakfast Pizza Recipe (No-Knead)

Whole Wheat Waffles Recipe (With Wheat Germ)

Healthy Bran Muffins Recipe

Easy Make Ahead Holiday Breakfast Ideas