Overnight oats are a perfect breakfast option for those who want something healthy and ready-to-go in the morning. They are prepared the night before and include rolled oats soaked overnight in milk or yogurt, which leads to soft, creamy oats in the morning without having to cook. Portioned overnight oats recipes allow you to perfectly tailor your breakfast to your dietary needs and wants.
Overnight Oats Basics
At its simplest, all overnight oats recipes follow the same basic formula: One portion of oats, one portion of liquid and a portion of yogurt (optional), mixed and left to sit in a fridge overnight.
For standard portioned oat recipes, use half a cup of oats, typically equating to one portion. This quantity offers around 4-5 grams of fiber and 6-7 grams of protein, giving you a solid start to your morning. For the liquid, you can choose between dairy milk, almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk, or even water. Yogurt is optional, but it gives your oats a pleasant tangy flavor and creamier texture.
Recipe 1: Classic Fruit and Nut Overnight Oats
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of Rolled Oats
- 1/2 cup of Almond Milk
- 1/4 cup of Greek Yogurt
- 1 Tablespoon of Honey
- 1/4 cup of Mixed Berries
- 1 Tablespoon of Chopped Nuts
Instructions:
- Mix the rolled oats, the almond milk, and the Greek yogurt in a jar. Stir until well combined.
- Add the honey into the jar and mix well.
- Top it with mixed berries and sprinkle chopped nuts on top.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Enjoy it in the morning, cold and straight from the fridge.
Recipe 2: Chocolate and Banana Overnight Oats
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of Rolled Oats
- 1/2 cup of Milk
- 1/2 Mashed Banana
- 1 Tablespoon of Cocoa Powder
- 1-2 Teaspoons of Honey
Instructions:
- In a glass jar, combine the rolled oats, milk, mashed banana, cocoa powder, and honey. Stir until well mixed.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning, slice the remaining banana for garnishing the top before you dig in.
Recipe 3: Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of Rolled Oats
- 1/2 cup of Almond Milk
- 1/2 Diced Apple
- 1 Teaspoon of Cinnamon
- 1-2 Teaspoons of Maple Syrup
Instructions:
- Combine oats, almond milk, half the diced apple, cinnamon, and maple syrup in a jar or bowl.
- Stir well to combine, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning, garnish with the remaining diced apple.
Recipe 4: Matcha Overnight Oats
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of Rolled Oats
- 1/2 cup of Almond Milk
- 1/4 cup of Greek Yogurt
- 1-2 Teaspoons of Matcha Powder
- 1 Tablespoon of Honey
- A handful of Almonds
Instructions:
- Mix the oats, milk, yogurt, matcha powder, and honey in a jar or bowl.
- Stir until well combined and cover it.
- Let it sit in the fridge overnight.
- In the morning, sprinkle over the almonds and enjoy.
Recipe 5: Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of Rolled Oats
- 1/2 cup of Almond Milk
- 1 Tablespoon of Peanut Butter
- 1-2 Teaspoons of Maple Syrup
- 1 Tablespoon of Your Favorite Jelly or Jam
Instructions:
- Combine the oats, milk, peanut butter, and maple syrup in a jar or bowl.
- Stir well to combine and refrigerate overnight.
- Add a dollop of your favorite jelly on top in the morning.
From the above portioned overnight oats recipes, the beauty of overnight oats shines through with their sheer versatility. You can tweak each recipe based on your personal preference. Add more milk for looser oats, or less for a denser final product. Feel free to switch it up and play around with different fruits, nuts, spices, and sweeteners for infinite combinations.
Not only do overnight oats offer a handy and healthy breakfast solution, but they also help control portion sizes. By setting up your oats in individual jars or containers, you can effortlessly regulate how much you are eating, preventing overeating and aiding in weight management.
With portioned overnight oats, your morning meal is sorted without the daily hassle. They are versatile, balanced, pre-portioned, and packed full of goodness to start your day right. The flavor possibilities are almost endless and once you get started, you’ll be hooked on the convenience and simplicity of overnight oats. Chuck a few ingredients together, grab it and go. Breakfast has never been simpler.