These overnight oats come together in just 5 minutes and is easily customizable using your favorite fruit and jam. Overnight oatmeal requires no cooking, and since it’s prepared in a single serving jar with lid, it’s perfect for on the go, too!
These Overnight Oats rank right up there with my favorite chia seed pudding, both of which I’ve been eating almost every single day for years, alternating between the two.
What are Overnight Oats?
Overnight oats are a quick and easy breakfast or snack made by mixing dried oats with liquid and soaking them overnight. They are enjoyed cold and are awesome!
Here’s what makes them so great:
- Make Ahead: overnight oatmeal is prepped the night before, so it’s grab and go for busy mornings.
- Quick and Easy: it only takes only 5 minutes to put it all together.
- No cooking required: yep, overnight oats are enjoyed cold – no cooking required. No stovetop, no oven, no microwave.
- Versatile: you can easily change up the fruit or jam, use different milk, include nuts or don’t, making it different every time!
- Satisfying: unlike cereal or toast, overnight oats are healthy, filling, and keep you satisfied for hours, so you can make it to lunchtime without snacking a bunch of times.
- Delicious: they’re just simply delicious!
Do not fear the cold oatmeal! I know it sounds strange, but one bite and you’ll be sold. If you love yogurt and/or cottage cheese, you will love this recipe.
Overnight Oats Recipe
* Be sure to see the printable recipe card below for full ingredients & directions!
Ingredients you’ll need:
- Yogurt: I use plain Greek yogurt
- Milk: I use 2% milk. Whole milk, skim milk, or almond milk can be used.
- Oats: regular old fashioned rolled oats are what I recommend for overnight oats. (Instant oats break down too much and steel cut don’t soften up enough.)
- Chia seeds: these plump up, take on the flavors of the other ingredients, and provide great nutrients – I love them! Flaxseeds can also be used.
- Jam: this recipe calls for apricot jam, but use your favorite.
- Fruit: blueberries are my favorite because they hold their shape and don’t bleed into the oatmeal, but I love all the other berries. Peaches and pears are great, too. I recommend using fresh fruit. Frozen fruit will thaw overnight and make the oats runny.
- Nuts: I love a little sprinkle of sliced almonds the morning of, but any nuts can be used, or simply omit.
The pairing of apricot jam and fresh blueberries are my favorite, but try different combinations for something different each week! A little drizzle of maple syrup in the morning is nice for a touch of added flavor, too.
How to Make Overnight Oats
Got 5 minutes? That’s all it takes to make this recipe! Here’s a summary (skip down to the bottom for the detailed printable recipe card.)
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all the dry and liquid ingredients. Gently fold in the fruit.
- Divide mixture between small mason jars with lids. Cover and chill in the refrigerator overnight.
- To serve, enjoy right from the jar or transfer to a bowl. Sprinkle with some sliced nuts, if desired.
Storing Overnight Oats
What size jars to use for overnight oatmeal? I always use half-pint (8 ounce) canning jars. Fill the mixture almost to the top, seal, set in the fridge overnight and you have a delicious, on-the-go, portable breakfast in the morning!
How long do overnight oats last? Overnight oatmeal should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will keep up to 3 days.
Watch them Being Made
Other Oatmeal Recipes we love!
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Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 5.3 ounce container plain Greek yogurt
- 2/3 cup 2% milk
- 2/3 cup regular rolled oats (not instant or quick cooking)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1/4 cup apricot jam
- 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
- 1 tablespoon sliced almonds
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the yogurt, milk, oats, chia seeds, and jam. Gently fold in the blueberries.
- Divide mixture between 2 half-pint mason jars with lids. Cover and chill in the refrigerator overnight.
- To serve, enjoy right from the jar or transfer to a bowl. Sprinkle with some sliced almonds.
Video
Nutrition
Other Notes
First time making cold oats and loved them! Will definitely make this again. Love that I can customize the fruit and Jam. Thanks for sharing!
Love it so delicious
I make this a lot. I crave it. I put crushed drained pineapple some mini chocolate bits, some chopped nuts and a small amount of Maple syrup, not jam. Use all kinds of fruit. Strawberries in season and blueberries. I use fat free Greek plain yogurt, skim milk. Great for a lunch as well a quick breakfast on the go.
I was so skeptical about eating cold oatmeal, but you convinced me. Tried this recipe and I’m converted. SO GOOD!
Can you use gluten free oatmeal
The oats are use are naturally gluten free.
Absolutely delicious! I’ve made this recipe so many times now – love it!
I made this last night substituting diced apple, strawberry jam and chopped walnuts because that’s what I had on hand. It is so delicious and kept me full till lunchtime. I look forward to eating it again tomorrow.
Can you not use steel cut oats for this? I don’t like regular oats.
What about using quick oats I wonder
They’re not my preference because they get really soft (I like the texture of regular oats for optimal results), but you definitely can!
Yes I use almost this same recipe with Steel cut oats almost every day. 1 serving: 1/3 c oats 1/3 c yogurt 1/2 c milk (I use almond milk) scoop of chia seeds and what ever fruit is around- usually frozen blueberries. It is more filling, I think.
Love this recipe so much. I usually add more chia seeds, but you can’t go wrong as written
That looks so freaking good!