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Make overnight oats in a jar for an easy, creamy, almost pudding-like breakfast. So good, you’ll forget how good it is for you.
I’ve never had oatmeal that’s as good as overnight oats.
What makes it so good?
Well, it’s creamy, sweet, and has a texture that’s almost like pudding. Plus, I can doctor it up to take on nearly any dessert flavor I can imagine.
Strawberry shortcake? Yes.
Carrot cake? Why not.
Mocha chocolate brownie? Now you’re talking!
How To Eat Overnight Oats
I like eating overnight oats cold, straight from the jar.
I know. I’m an animal.
You can totally warm it up, though, if that’s your style.
I’d never been a huge fan of oatmeal until… I discovered overnight oats. I think that’s because
- It’s portable;
- It’s incredibly creamy and thick; and
- I don’t have to cook it.
How to Make a Batch of Overnight Oats
To make a batch of overnight oats, mix milk, old-fashioned rolled oats, Greek yogurt, honey, vanilla, and chia seeds in a large bowl. Then portion out the mixture into your jars.
Of course, you can also mix it up directly in a jar.
I like to drizzle the honey on top when I mix it in a jar. I don’t really have a good reason why; this is just what I do.
Get the Recipe for Overnight Oats
Here’s the official recipe for basic overnight oats.
Pin or bookmark this post so you’ll always be able to find it again.
Scroll down to find out ways make your jar of oatmeal taste like dessert!
Overnight Oats
Make overnight oats in a jar for an easy, creamy, almost pudding-like breakfast. So good, you’ll forget how good it is for you.
prep time 5 minutes mins
total time 5 minutes mins
yields 2 servings
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup milk (cow’s, almond, cashew, or coconut)
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1 Tbsp honey (or any sweetener you like)
- 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Toppings for Overnight Oats
- granola
- shredded coconut
- roasted nuts
- chocolate chips
- chopped fresh fruit or berries
- dried fruit or raisins
Instructions
Add all the ingredients except honey and toppings to a wide mouth jar and stir. Make sure all the oats are wet. Then drizzle the honey on top and screw on the lid.
Refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours.
To serve, add toppings and additional milk if it’s too thick. Enjoy cold or warmed up in the microwave!
© Karen
COURSE | Breakfast
15 ways to Make Overnight Oats Taste Like Dessert
Let’s get to the fun part. Flavoring your oatmeal!
Here are 11 ways to flavor your overnight oats so that they taste like your favorite dessert.
Use the base recipe and then add or subtract ingredients as directed.
- Strawberry shortcake: Add 1/2 cup chopped strawberries and substitute the plain yogurt for strawberry Greek yogurt
- Carrot cake: Add 2 Tbsp shredded carrots, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1 Tbsp shredded coconut, and 1 Tbsp raisins
- Mocha chocolate brownie: Substitute half the milk for freshly brewed coffee and add an extra Tbsp of honey or other sweetener and 2 Tbsp each of cocoa powder and mini chocolate chips
- Strawberry cheesecake: Add 1/2 cup chopped strawberries and 2 tsp softened cream cheese; top with crushed graham cracker before serving
- Chocolate-covered banana: Add 1/2 a cup of mashed banana and 2 Tbsp mini chocolate chips
- Peanut butter cup: Add 2 Tbsp cocoa powder and 2 Tbsp peanut butter
- Snickerdoodle cookie: Substitute honey for maple syrup, add 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 a cup of mashed banana
- Coffee cake: Substitute half the milk for brewed coffee and add an extra Tbsp of honey or other sweetener
- Apple pie: Add 1/2 cup of applesauce and 1/2 tsp cinnamon; top with crushed graham cracker before serving
- Chocolate protein shake: Add a scoop of chocolate protein powder to add a little protein boost to your jar of carbs and fiber.
- Chocolate hazelnut: Add a Tbsp of, you guessed it, Nutella
- Pumpkin pie: Add 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree, 1/2 tsp of cinnamon, 1/4 tsp of nutmeg, and substitute the honey for maple syrup
- Peach cobbler: Add 1/2 cup of chopped fresh peaches, 1/2 tsp of cinnamon, and 1/4 tsp of nutmeg; top with plain granola just before serving
- Coconut cream pie: Swap the honey for 1/2 cup of mashed banana, use coconut milk instead of regular milk, and add 2 Tbsp coconut chips
- Peanut butter chunky monkey: Add 1/2 a cup of mashed banana, 2 Tbsp peanut butter, and 2 Tbsp mini chocolate chips; top with toasted walnuts
As you can see, sky’s the limit when it comes to flavoring overnight oats!
Don’t feel like you can only do these flavor combos. Play around with the base recipe and come up with your own perfect jar of overnight oats.
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How to Store Overnight Oats
I portion mine in wide-mouth 16 ounce Mason jars (I’ve always been drawn to the blue ones), but any container with a tight lid will work.
Making a large batch? Remember to eat it all within 4 days.
Tips to Get the Perfect Jar of Overnight Oats
- For regular old cow’s milk, you can swap in any kind of milk. Almond and cashew are my favorites.
- You can use any kind of sweetener that you want. Even coffee creamer. It works perfectly.
- Vanilla is kind of expensive these days. It’s ok to leave out, or use vanilla flavored yogurt instead of plain.
- Do not skip the chia seeds. This is what gives overnight oats that pudding-like texture.
- Do not skip the Greek yogurt. This also helps give overnight oats a thick, creamy texture. However, you can substitute plain Greek yogurt for a dairy-free or flavored Greek yogurt if you’d like.
Did You Try This Recipe?
What’s in your perfect jar of overnight oats? Leave a comment!
