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Overnight Oats are the ultimate make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings. Learn how to make my quick and easy overnight oat base recipe, plus 5 delicious variations below.
I started making overnight oats shortly after my son was born more than a decade ago. I needed a quick grab and go snack or breakfast that I could eat at all hours of the day (and night). As a new mom, they became a literal lifesaver.
I’ve made this overnight oats recipe hundreds of times over the years. They’re my go-to breakfast for back-to-school craziness and year-round after-school must-have for my now-almost-teenager who always seems to be hungry.
Incredibly easy to prepare (and clean up), overnight oats are endlessly customizable and meal-prep friendly. Plus, they’re packed full of fiber and protein, so they’ll keep you feeling full longer.
In this post, I’m sharing my favorite basic overnight oats recipe with chia seeds and yogurt, plus 5 delicious variations. So whether your just starting out and looking for more information on the perfect overnight oats ratio, or looking for fun and exciting flavor variations, this post is for you! Give them a try, and then have fun experimenting with your own delicious combinations!
Table of Contents
What Are Overnight Oats?
Overnight oats are a no-cook method of preparing oatmeal. Instead of cooking oatmeal in the Instant Pot, on the stovetop, or in the microwave, you’re soaking raw oats with milk. As they sit, the oats absorb the liquid and soften to create a creamy, ready-to-eat breakfast by morning. The oats should rest in the fridge for at least 4 hours, but they’ll taste even better if they soak overnight, or around 8 hours – giving them their signature name, overnight oats!
The consistency is thick, creamy, and spoonable, much like pudding. The oats soften as they soak, but they remain somewhat chewy, which is actually quite satisfying. And, adding ingredients like chia seeds and yogurt, helps make them even creamier.
Most importantly, overnight oats are nutritious, convenient, and endlessly customizable with fruits, nuts, spices, and other mix-ins.
Base Ingredients For Overnight Oats
You only need two ingredients to make overnight oats: milk and oats. While this simple combination works, it doesn’t taste all that great and the texture isn’t all that creamy, either. Fortunately, all you need is a spoonful of chia seeds, scoop of yogurt, and an optional touch of sweetener to really make your overnight oats pop!
- Oats: Use plain old-fashioned rolled oats for the best texture. Instant, quick-cooking, and steel cut oats will not work in this recipe. You can learn more about the types of oats here.
- Milk: Choose any milk you like, including dairy or plant-based. For added sweetness, try using sweetened vanilla soy milk or almond milk. I typically use skim milk or oat milk. For an ultra-creamy texture, canned coconut milk is delicious. Water can also be used, but it isn’t recommended.
- Yogurt (optional): Yogurt adds extra creaminess and a healthy dose of protein. It’s totally optional but highly recommended for a richer consistency. For my base overnight oats recipe, I like to add unsweetened regular or Greek yogurt. You can also use your favorite dairy-free yogurt, or skip the yogurt and use additional milk.
- Chia Seeds (highly recommended): Chia seeds add a thick, pudding-like texture to the oats (have you tried chia pudding?) Plus, they’re rich in Omega-3s and fiber and are completely flavorless.
- Sweetener (optional): I don’t usually add sweetener, but if you’d like a bit more sweetness, try honey, maple syrup, or agave.
- Toppings: Here’s where you can get creative! Fresh or frozen fruit (such as berries, bananas, peaches, or passion fruit), nuts and seeds, vanilla extract, warm spices, chocolate chips, peanut butter, and even protein powder are all excellent options.
Can You Make Overnight Oats with Steel Cut Oats?
Yes, you can! But they require a little extra prep. Because of their extra hearty, chewy texture, you’ll need to mix them with boiling water and let them soak for at least 8 to 12 hours to soften properly.
For best results, follow my recipe for overnight steel cut oats.
My Pro Tip
Overnight Oats Ratio
Having a general idea of the right ratio is key to making deliciously creamy overnight oats that aren’t too thick – nor too runny. The ratio will depend on whether you are including yogurt and/or chia seeds, which both affect the thickness of your oats. Here’s a quick overview:
- Yogurt + chia seeds (Ultra-thick and creamy): Use equal parts oats, milk, and yogurt + 2 tbsp chia seeds per serving.
- Yogurt only (Creamy, but less pudding-like): Use 1 part oats, 1 part milk, and ½ part yogurt.
- Chia seeds only (Naturally thick and creamy): Use 1 part oats, 2 parts milk + 2 tbsp chia seeds.
- No yogurt or chia seeds (soft and light): Use equal parts oats and milk.
How to Make Basic Overnight Oats
My method for how to make overnight oats is super easy and takes just a few minutes.
- Start by adding the old-fashioned oats, chia seeds, yogurt, and sweetener (if adding) to a mason jar or container. Mix well to combine, so that the chia seeds are spread throughout the yogurt and oats.
- Next, stir in your choice of milk. Mix until no clumps remain.
- Seal tightly with a lid or cover tightly with plastic wrap. Transfer to the refrigerator and store overnight, or up to 5 days.
Large Batch Overnight Oats
It’s easy to double, triple, or quadruple the recipe listed below to make a large batch of overnight oats. This is perfect for meal prepping, or those families who don’t plan on eating their oats on the go.
- Choose a large enough container: Use a large mixing bowl or storage container with a lid. It should be large enough to hold the ingredients and allow room for stirring.
- Multiply the base ingredients: Start with your favorite ratio and scale up based on how many serving you want.
- Mix everything together: If you’re including chia seeds, I recommend stirring the chia seeds with the yogurt first, before adding any of the other ingredients. Chia seeds tend to clump together when added directly to milk, especially in larger quantities.
- Cover and refrigerate: Seal your container with an airtight lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 6 to 8 hours. For best results, give your oats a good stir as they soak.
- Serve individually: In the morning, scoop individual portions (about 1 cup) into a serving bowl. From there you can add all of your favorite toppings and mix-ins!
Overnight Oats Recipe Variations
Honestly, with so many different flavor combos, I will happily eat a bowl every day of the week! Here are 5 of my favorite:
Apple Pie
All the flavor of warm apple pie, no baking required! Diced apples add sweetness and crunch, while a dash of ground cinnamon and nutmeg brings warmth. You can easily transform these apple pie overnight oats into a sweet dessert by swapping fresh apples with a scoop of sweet fried apples and a spoonful or two of homemade applesauce.
Carrot Cake
This variation transforms your oats into a creamy version of your favorite spiced carrot cake. Grated carrots add texture, raisins add chewiness and bright fruity flavor, while a blend of cinnamon and nutmeg give it that classic carrot cake spice. Chopped walnuts or pecans are added just before serving for crunch and nuttiness.
Blueberry Lemon
This variation is bright and refreshing, perfect for warm weather mornings. Fresh or frozen blueberries are combined with lemon juice and lemon zest for a delicious tart-sweet combo. A splash of vanilla rounds out the flavors, for a soft, creamy finish that tastes like a lemon-blueberry muffin in oat form.
Chocolate Banana
This one is for chocolate lovers. Cocoa powder and mashed banana transforms the oats into a rich, chocolatey base. Top it off with some shaved dark chocolate and fresh banana slices for a cross between chocolate chia pudding and banana bread.
Peanut Butter + Strawberry
One of my favorite snacks is a PB&J. For this variation, I mix a tablespoon of peanut better into the creamy base then top it with fresh or frozen strawberries. When I’m craving something a little sweeter, I’ll stir in a little strawberry or raspberry jam and add a big fluffy spoonful of my favorite whipped topping.
Jar Recommendations
When planning storage, there are a few things to keep in mind.
- First, and most important, make sure to choose a jar (or bowl) that’s large enough to hold everything you need.
- Second, make sure there’s enough leftover space so you can comfortably stir everything together without making a huge mess.
- And lastly, the jars should have a wide opening and tight-fitting lid.
For one serving (no toppings) I recommend using a 12-ounce jar or larger. If you plan to add bulky mix-ins or toppings, I recommend using a 16-ounce jar.
You can use classic 16-ounce Ball Mason Jars with their screw top lid, or purchase plastic wide-mouth lids. I’ve personally found the separate lids little easier to clean and keep track of.
These 16-ounce wide mouth jars with screw top lids are also great, but if you’re worried about little one’s with glass, you may want to consider these glass storage containers with silicone sleeves.
You can also use plastic containers. Just be sure the containers are food-safe and seals tightly .
Recipe Tips
- Use the Right Oats: This recipe is meant to be made with Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats. They soften perfectly overnight without getting mushy. Avoid instant or quick oats, which break down too much, and steel-cut oats, which require a longer soak or prep.
- Sweeten After Soaking: Start with no sweetener, then add a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, or a few sweet toppings (like berries or fruit) just before serving. This keeps your breakfast balanced and customizable.
- Stir Before Serving: Oats and chia seeds can settle or clump together. Give everything a good stir before digging in for the best texture and flavor distribution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Overnight oats may be enjoyed hot or cold. To heat them up, transfer your jar or bowl filled with oats, uncovered, to the microwave and heat for 30 to 60 seconds. I recommend stirring every 20 to 30 seconds to prevent them from bubbling over. Wait until after the oats are warm to add your favorite toppings.
This usually happens if you used steel cut oats (which need longer soaking or hot water), didn’t soak them long enough (aim for 6 to 8 hours), or didn’t use enough liquid. Make sure to use old-fashioned rolled oats and a proper oats-to-liquid ratio for best results.
In my experience, basic overnight oats (no toppings) last for up to 5 days when stored properly.
Yes! Protein powder is a great way to boost the protein content of your overnight oats. Just stir in 1 scoop (about 2 to 3 tablespoons) when mixing your oats, milk, and yogurt. For best results, use a protein powder flavor that complements your chosen mix-ins (vanilla, chocolate, or unflavored). Depending on the type of protein powder, you may need to add an extra tablespoon or two of milk to prevent the oats from becoming too thick.
In general, it’s best to add the toppings just before serving. I’ve found this to be especially important in preserving the quality of fresh fruit and the crunchiness of granola or nuts.
More Quick Breakfast Recipes
Overnight Oats Recipe
Ingredients
Basic Overnight Oats Recipe
- ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup plain Greek yogurt, dairy or dairy-free
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 cup milk, dairy or dairy-free
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey, optional
- ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
Apple Pie
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
- ¼ ground cinnamon
- ⅛ nutmeg
- ½ apple, diced, for topping
Carrot Cake
- ¼ cup grated carrots
- 1-2 tablespoons raisins
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- chopped pecans or walnuts, for topping
Blueberry Lemon
- ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries, plus more for topping
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon lemon zest, for topping
Chocolate Banana
- 1-2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ ripe banana, mashed, plus more for topping
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon shaved dark chocolate, for topping
Peanut Butter + Strawberry
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter, or almond butter
- ½ cup fresh or frozen strawberries, (or 1 tbsp strawberry jam), plus more for topping
- ¼ cup whipped topping or cream, for topping, optional
Instructions
- Combine the rolled oats, yogurt and chia seeds in a bowl or sealable jar. Stir well to thoroughly combine the chia seeds with the yogurt and oats.
- Add the milk, maple syrup or honey (if using), and vanilla extract (optional). Stir until well combined.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but ideally overnight.
- Mix well before serving. Top your overnight oats with all of your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Make it vegan: Use plant-based milk, plant-based yogurt, and maple syrup (instead of honey) as a sweetener.
- Make it gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free oats.
- Make it sugar-free: Omit the sweetener all together or use mashed or pureed fruit in the base recipe (this is especially great with frozen fruit).
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Can I make this recipe hot for a winter day?
Absolutely! While “overnight oats” are typically associated with a cold breakfast, you can definitely heat them up for a warm and comforting winter meal. Here’s how you can do it:
Prepare Overnight Oats as Usual: Start by preparing your overnight oats recipe as you normally would, combining rolled oats with milk (or a milk alternative), and any sweeteners or flavorings you like. Let it sit in the refrigerator overnight to absorb the liquids and flavors.
Warm It Up: In the morning, transfer your oats to a saucepan and heat them over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent the oats from sticking to the bottom. Alternatively, you can microwave them in a microwave-safe bowl, stopping to stir every 30 seconds until heated to your desired temperature.
Adjust Consistency: Heating overnight oats may thicken them up a bit more than you’d like, so you can add a splash of milk while warming to adjust the consistency to your liking.
Add Toppings: Once warmed, transfer to a bowl and add your desired toppings. Warm spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves can enhance the cozy, winter feel. You can also add fruits, nuts, seeds, or a drizzle of honey or maple syrup for added flavor.
Enjoying warm overnight oats can be a delightful twist on a classic, giving you all the convenience of overnight oats with the comforting warmth of a hot oatmeal on a chilly morning.
Simple and Good!!
Tried it this morning for the first time, was very delish. Making more for tomorrow..thanks
what a great oat recipe that was well done indeed
Hi
This oatmeal chia yogurt is very creamy. I tripled the recipe gave some to my bachelor son who rides about 130 miles a week to help improve his eating habits. Slowly but surely I want to help by adding healthy breakfast options. Thanks for sharing. Bon appetite
Very interesting article! I really enjoyed reading your article. You are providing the best info about oats. Thanks for sharing with us, it’s a very useful to us. You have done a excellent Job. OMG! this is so delicious. Keep Going..