How to Make Overnight Oats + 15 Healthy Recipes - Fed & Fit (2024)

What are overnight oats?

Essentially, overnight oats are a mixture of uncooked oats, milk, and any combination of add-ins that satisfy your current cravings. Because the oats soak in milk overnight, they require no cooking, and very little effort, making this the perfect meal prep recipe.

They can be eaten straight out of the jar – either from the fridge, or after being warmed up in the microwave. They’re really so customizable to your tastes and preferences!

What ingredients do you need to make overnight oats?

Here’s everything you’ll need to make a batch of these oats!

• Oats – we recommend using rolled oats for our overnight oats. Bob’s Red Mill makes great certifiedgluten-free and organic options. If you sometimes experience trouble digesting grains, you can also use sprouted oats – we lovethese sprouted oatsfrom One Degree Organics.
• Milk – You can use whatever milk you like best here! Whole milk makes for deliciously creamy oats, and if you’re dairy-free, our favorite options are cashew milk, almond milk, or coconut milk beverage. The only option we don’t recommend is canned full-fat coconut milk because the resulting consistency will be a bit too thick and heavy.
• Chia Seeds – Addingchia seedshelps thicken up the oats just a bit, while adding a little extra fiber and giving them that delicious, creamy consistency.
• Sweetener – Personally, we preferpure maple syrupfor sweetening our oats, and you only need a bit! Honey, agave, or even liquid stevia also make for great choices.
• Add-Ins – The above four ingredients are all you need to make perfect basic overnight oats. Once you have those, you can customize to your taste and add spices like cinnamon and vanilla, or you can add nut butters, fruit, and more!

How to Make Overnight Oats

Not only do overnight oats make for a speedy breakfast, but they are a CINCH to make. In a nutshell, there are two options for making your oats:

• Option 1: This method is great when you’re making multiple jars, but may require a little math. Set up an assembly line with your mason jars, then pour in equal portions of the oats and other dry ingredients. Once the dry ingredients are in, mix together all of the wet ingredients, and pour an equal amount of the mixture into each jar. Stir each jar, then cover and refrigerate.
• Option 2: For this method, you’ll mix everything together in a large bowl, then either transfer the mixture to smaller jars for a to-go option or a large jar ready to portion out each morning.

The oats will need to sit in the fridge for at least 4-5 hours, or overnight, in order to achieve that perfect chewy, creamy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Our Best Healthy Overnight Oats

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

The simple cinnamon apple compote – complete with apples, maple syrup, and cinnamon – in these oats transforms them from a basic breakfast, to apple pie in a jar!

Recipe: Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Rich, chocolatey, and not overly sweet – these oats are the perfect healthy breakfast that tastes like an indulgent treat!

Recipe: Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Banana Nut Overnight Oats

These Banana Nut Overnight Oats give all the flavors of classic banana bread, without the effort!

Recipe: Banana Nut Overnight Oats

Maple Pecan Overnight Oatmeal

Topped with pecans and pomegranate seeds, these Maple Pecan Overnight Oats are the perfect combination of chewy, creamy, and sweet that will keep you making this recipe week after week!

Recipe: Maple Pecan Overnight Oats

Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats

Sometimes you’re craving pumpkin pie in the dead of summer, right? When those days come, these Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats will be all that you need to satisfy that craving right away!

Recipe: Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats

Easy Overnight Oat Recipes from Around the Web

Now that we’ve covered our favorite overnight oats recipes from the Fed + Fit site, here are 10 more recipes from around the web for a little bit more inspiration!

• Blueberry Muffin Oats from Fit Foodie Finds – this recipe had us at blueberries, lemon zest, and honey. SWOON!
• Peanut Butter Overnight Oats from Minimalist Baker – the classic combination of peanut butter, honey, and your choice of fresh fruit will bring you back to your elementary school pb&j sack lunch days, but with a healthy twist!
• Brownie Overnight Oats from Eating Bird Food – these overnight oats make eating dessert for breakfast something you can feel good about.
• Strawberry Vanilla Overnight Oatmeal from Fit Foodie Finds – strawberry milkshake craving? We think these overnight oats will do the trick!
• Carrot Cake Overnight Oats from Jar of Lemons – carrot cake transformed into a healthy breakfast…we’re in!
• Coconut Cream Pie Chia Oats from Flavor the Moments – such a fun rendition of overnight oats using coconut as the main ingredient!
• Almond Joy Overnight Oatmeal from Beaming Baker – we think the combination of almonds, chocolate, and coconut makes these oats the perfect choice for any sweet tooth out there.
• Coconut Chia Oats with Caramelized Bananas from Half Baked Harvest – the caramelized bananas in this recipe have us drooling! Definitely a must-make.
• Tropical Overnight Oats from Eating Bird Food – the banana, pineapple, mango, and coconut in these oats will make you feel like you’re enjoying your breakfast beachside.
• Lemon Poppy Seed Overnight Oats from Lemons + Zest – reminiscent of the classic lemon poppy seed loaf, these overnight oats sound like a great addition to your meal prep lineup!

We hope this healthy overnight oats roundup showed you how to make overnight oats, and gave you fresh ideas for your breakfast for the week! We know you’ll love whichever one you choose!