Tips & Tricks For Making Delicious Overnight Oats (2024)

Tips & Tricks For Making Delicious Overnight Oats (1)

Shave time off your morning routine with easy, no-bake overnight oats.

Tips & Tricks For Making Delicious Overnight Oats (2)

Categories: Do-It-Yourself

The Ultimate Guide to Making Overnight Oats

Let’s face it. You don’t always have time to prepare a healthy breakfast in the morning. And that’s okay. Whether you’re not a morning person or you’re always on-the-go, there’s a popular new breakfast trend sweeping the nation that’s perfect for you, overnight oats.

What are Overnight Oats?

Overnight oats are an easy, no-bake way to prepare oatmeal. Just throw your ingredients together the night before, and enjoy a healthy, ready-to-eat breakfast in the morning.

Tasty & Healthy

If you’re looking for something healthy to eat in the morning, it’s hard to beat overnight oats. This well-balanced, nutrient-rich breakfast is filled with important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. And the oats in the recipe are filled with fiber and protein, which will help you feel fuller for longer.

How to Prepare

When it comes to making overnight oats, there’s no set recipe. You can make them as sweet or savory as you like, and literally add any ingredients you want.

1. Start with the Oats

Stick with old-fashioned rolled oats. While using steel-cut oats or quick-cooking oats might seem like a good idea, these options will ruin the consistency and flavor. For most people, about ½ cup of rolled oats is perfect for breakfast. You can make more if you like a hearty morning meal, or less if you’re watching your weight. But no matter how much youadd, put those oats in a jar before adding your next ingredient.

2. Add Seeds, Nuts or Fruit

While you don’t actually have to add anything other than the oats, most people prefer to add something yummy to the recipe. If you want to have a thicker, tapioca-like texture, add chia seeds. If you like a nutty taste, mix in chopped nuts. You can also add flax seeds, shredded coconut, dried fruit or more. The only limit is your imagination.

3. Add Twice as Much Milk as Oats

Whether you prefer whole milk, rice milk or coconut milk, you can use it. Just make sure to add twice as much milk as oats. Note: You can also use whey, buttermilk or thinned yogurt for a tangier flavor.

4. Stir In Spice & Sweetener

Add a pinch of salt, then sweeten or spice your overnight oats. For a little kick of spice, try adding cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, cocoa powder or matcha powder. Or if sweet is your thing, stir in C&H Sugar, C&H®LightBrown, C&H® Dark Brown Sugar. Mix everything together, taste and adjust flavoring until perfect.

5. Refrigerate Overnight

Now that your ingredients are mixed together, seal your jar and place it in the refrigerator overnight. For best results, let your overnight oats sit for eight hours before opening. Note: You don’t have to eat your oats right away—they stay good for about three days.


Tip: If you want to give your overnight oats a crisp, sweet taste, try using C&H® Turbinado Sugar as a topping. Its delicate, crunchy texture is simply delightful on any recipe.

Our Top Recipe

If you’re looking for a simply delicious way to make overnight oats, try our recipe for Overnight Peaches and Cream Oatmeal. It’s sweetly made with the delightful flavors of peaches, vanilla, cream and C&H®LightBrown Sugar.

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Tips & Tricks For Making Delicious Overnight Oats (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to overnight oats? ›

Add Twice as Much Milk as Oats

Whether you prefer whole milk, rice milk or coconut milk, you can use it. Just make sure to add twice as much milk as oats. Note: You can also use whey, buttermilk or thinned yogurt for a tangier flavor.

What makes overnight oats taste better? ›

You only need two ingredients to make overnight oats, which are, of course, milk and oats. But it probably won't taste very good, and by adding in Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and a drizzle of your favorite sweetener, you're really creating a well-rounded breakfast.

What not to add in overnight oats? ›

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

What is the ratio of liquid to oats for overnight oats? ›

The only ratio you need to remember when making overnight oats is 1:1. You'll soak one part rolled oats with one part liquid overnight. Use less liquid if you want thicker oatmeal, more if you like it runny. You can use water or any type of milk (like almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, etc.)

What happens to your body when you eat overnight oats everyday? ›

According to a 2021 review published in Foods, oat beta-glucan has positive effects on hyperglycemia, lowering blood lipid levels and reducing weight. "The fiber content of oatmeal is filling and satiating, which in turn can help with eating fewer calories throughout the day and managing your weight," says Michalczyk.

What milk is best for overnight oats? ›

Overnight Oats are great with all kinds of milk, dairy (pasteurized) or non-dairy. Feel free to use your favorite! We do not recommend making Overnight Oats with water because it will result in an overly liquid texture. Did this answer your question?

Do you stir overnight oats before putting in the fridge? ›

In a large glass jar, combine the oats, milk, yogurt, maple syrup or honey, chia seeds, vanilla cinnamon, and sea salt. Stir well to make sure all the ingredients are combined. Cover with a lid and place in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, remove from the refrigerator and stir.

What is the best container for overnight oats? ›

Ball Mason Jars are a classic choice for preparing overnight oats, and as an added bonus, they're generally inexpensive to buy. These 8-ounce versions come in a pack of two for just $10, but you can also buy sets of 12 jars if you want to stock up.

Is it better to use water or milk for overnight oats? ›

The addition of milk to overnight oats creates a creamy texture whereas water won't add any creaminess but that's not necessarily a bad thing. We can compensate for the lack of creaminess and flavor with other nutritious ingredients like mashed banana, plant-based yogurt, or nut butter.

What are the disadvantages of overnight oats? ›

Overnight oats usually contain more calories than traditional oats, which is not ideal for individuals following a low-calorie diet or looking to cut back on calorie-rich foods. Note: Eating raw oats is generally safe, but may cause digestive issues or increase the risk of foodborne illness.

Why do my overnight oats taste so bad? ›

While overnight oats are a healthy breakfast option, they can taste bland if you don't add any sweetener. Some people skip the sweetener altogether, thinking that the fruit they add will be enough. However, a little bit of honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar can go a long way in making your oats more enjoyable.

Why should we not eat oats at night? ›

There is no particular time to eat oats. You can consume the oats at lunch and dinner too. This cereal, however, is consumed in breakfast mostly. It contains fiber, magnesium, complex carbohydrates, etc, which help in keeping your tummy full for a longer time, thus, reducing overeating.

What is the basic formula for overnight oats? ›

Overnight Oats Basic Ratio = 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats + 3/4 cup milk. This is what I usually make for one serving. I'll add other things to this, but I'll share more about that below. If you want to double or triple this to make multiple servings you easily can.

What to use instead of yogurt in overnight oats? ›

You can use nut butter, banana, applesauce, or coconut milk instead. Can I make overnight oats without chia seeds? Chia seeds add a nice thick and creamy texture. This recipe omits yogurt so it relies on the chia seeds.

How to make overnight oats more filling? ›

Greek yogurt: Not only does Greek yogurt make overnight oats more filling, but it also gives the oats a super-creamy texture. To make the oats vegan, swap in an equal amount of your favorite dairy-free yogurt. Chia seeds: While chia seeds are an optional ingredient, they add a boost of fiber, protein, and omega-3's.

What's so special about overnight oats? ›

Overnight oats contain increased resistant starch. Resistant starch is a natural carb which is resistant to digestion and acts as soluble fiber.

Why did my overnight oats not work? ›

If you don't add enough liquid, your oats will be dry and clumpy in the morning, making them less enjoyable to eat. Make sure to add enough milk or yogurt to fully cover your oats and give them a creamy consistency.

Why are my overnight oats not absorbing? ›

If you don't give the oats enough time, they won't properly absorb all of the milk. Not stirring before serving: It's normal for a thin layer of milk to float to the top of the jar you made the overnight oats in. Make sure to give the jar a good stir before serving.

What is best to soak oats in overnight? ›

Soak in milk

Go with regular or choose an alternative milk if you prefer the flavour, or if you're vegan. Soak the oats overnight until soft and creamy.

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