7 Overnight Oats Recipes for a Quick (But Healthy) Breakfast

overnight oats
Photo by Ella Olsson on Unsplash

Between waking up (which is a Herculean task on its own), picking the right outfit, and getting to work on time, mornings can be the most stressful time of the day. So much so that nearly one-quarter of Americans skip breakfast daily(1) to catch up on their to-do list. But the truth is you can have breakfast even if you’re time-pressed. Enter overnight oats!

This underrated meal takes almost zero time to make and can be prepped ahead of time. That means you don’t have to spend precious morning time to make it. It’s also customizable, which means you can add anything you want to it, from fruit to nut butter. And the best part? It’s packed with energy-boosting nutrients (from fiber to antioxidants) for a healthy start to your day. So, if you want to reclaim breakfast, these seven overnight oats recipes will save you some serious time in the morning.

1. Blueberry Overnight Oats

When it comes to breakfast, few fruits can do the (nutritional) trick quite like blueberries. The sweet fruit pairs great with oats and is an excellent energy booster. Almond butter also makes the oats extra creamy. But feel free to top the treat with some chopped walnuts for a munch with a crunch.

Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup freeze dried blueberries
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
  • 2 tsp maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp walnuts, chopped

Instructions:

  1. Add all the ingredients (except for the walnuts) to a mason jar and stir to combine. Top with a lid and place in the fridge overnight.
  2. The next day, top with the nuts and enjoy. If you prefer warm oats, microwave for one minute or transfer oats to a saucepan and heat over medium heat.

2. Strawberry Overnight Oats

Strawberries taste great on their own. But, in this overnight oats recipe, the berry gets even tastier when paired with Greek yogurt, vanilla, and a few tablespoons of crunchy almonds.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup kefir or Greek yogurt or alternative milk yogurt
  • 1/2 cup organic crunchy strawberries
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tsp maple syrup
  • 3 tbsp almonds, chopped

Instructions:

  1. Add all the ingredients (except almonds) to a mason jar and stir to combine. Top with a lid and place in the fridge overnight.
  2. The next day, top with the almonds and enjoy. If you prefer warm oats, microwave for one minute or transfer oats to a saucepan and heat over medium heat.

3. Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

Apple and cinnamon is a combo that always delivers. But when you add oats and molasses to the mix, you’re guaranteed to get flavor fireworks. Ready to kick your fall breakfast menu up a notch?

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/3 cup freeze dried apples
  • 1 tbsp peanut butter
  • 3 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 tsp chocolate chips

Instructions:

  1. Add all the ingredients to a mason jar and stir to combine. Top with a lid and place in the fridge overnight.
  2. The next day, top with the chocolate chips and enjoy. If you prefer warm oats, microwave for one minute or transfer oats to a saucepan and heat over medium heat.

4. Banana Tahini Overnight Oats

Banana makes a new “best friend” in this overnight oats recipe, swapping peanut butter with tahini. The tasty duo complements oats equally, and all the ingredients together make for a healthy but delicious breakfast meal.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 Greek yogurt
  • 1/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup freeze dried bananas
  • 4 tbsp tahini
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. Add the bananas and 1/2 cup of warm water to a bowl and soak for 15 minutes. Squeeze away excess liquid and transfer to a mason jar.
  2. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the chocolate chips), stir to combine, and top with a lid. Place in the fridge overnight.
  3. The next day, top with the chocolate chips and enjoy. If you prefer warm oats, microwave for one minute or transfer oats to a saucepan and heat over medium heat.

5. Mango Turmeric Overnight Oats

Adding turmeric to your overnight oats is a quick and easy way to sneak some much-needed nutrients into your body first thing in the morning, whether it’s fiber or antioxidants. Mango also makes the treat extra sweet without sugar.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup milk or an alternative milk
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 2 tbsp kefir or Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup freeze dried mangoes
  • 1 tbsp nut butter or ground flaxseed
  • 2 tsp maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1/4 tsp cinnamon
  • 2 tsp coconut flakes

Instructions:

  1. Add the mangoes and one cup of warm water to a bowl. Soak for 15 minutes. Squeeze away excess liquid and transfer to a mason jar.
  2. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the coconut flakes) and top with a lid. Place in the fridge overnight.
  3. The next day, top with the coconut flakes and enjoy. If you prefer warm oats, microwave for one minute or transfer oats to a saucepan and heat over medium heat.

6. Cherry Chocolate Overnight Oats

Your favorite German cake flavors now in a comforting oats package! Accompanied by kirsch-drunk cherries and crunchy chocolate chips, this breakfast treat is perfect for those days when you want to treat yourself but have zero time.

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup milk or an alternative milk
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
  • 1/3 cup freeze dried cherries
  • 1/3 cup cherry brandy
  • 1/3 cup chocolate chips (plus 1 tsp)
  • 1 tsp maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Instructions:

  1. Add the cherries and brandy to a small bowl and soak for 15 minutes.
  2. Remove the cherries from the bowl, squeeze away as much brandy as possible, and transfer to a mason jar. Add the remaining ingredients (except for one teaspoon of chocolate chips) and combine. Top with a lid and place in the fridge overnight.
  3. The next day, top with a teaspoon of chocolate chips and enjoy. If you prefer warm oats, microwave for one minute or transfer oats to a saucepan and heat over medium heat.

7. Peach Overnight Oats

Featuring summer’s juiciest fruit, this overnight oats recipe can brighten up any gloomy winter morning. The treat can also be more decadent (if that’s possible!) with the addition of crunchy granola or chopped nuts.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup milk or an alternative milk
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1/4 cup freeze dried peach dices
  • 1 tbsp almond butter
  • 2 tbsp kefir or Greek yogurt
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Granola and nuts (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Add all the ingredients (except the granola and nuts) to a large mason jar and combine. Top with a lid and place in the fridge overnight.
  2. The next day, top with preferred toppings (granola or chopped nuts) and enjoy. If you prefer warm oats, microwave for one minute or transfer oats to a saucepan and heat over medium heat.

Which of these overnight oats recipes would you like to wake up to? Let us know in the comment section down below!

References:

  1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4881002/
  2. https://aseasyasapplepie.com/simple-blueberry-overnight-oats/#recipe
  3. https://www.eatingbirdfood.com/strawberry-shortcake-overnight-oats
  4. https://www.jaroflemons.com/apple-cinnamon-overnight-oats/e
  5. https://www.punchfork.com/recipe/Overnight-Oats-with-Banana-Maple-Syrup-and-Tahini-Bon-Appetit
  6. https://www.flavourandsavour.com/mango-turmeric-overnight-oats-with-kefir/#recipe
  7. https://theprettybee.com/chocolate-cherry-overnight-oats/
  8. https://mykidslickthebowl.com/peach-overnight-oats/