Overnight Oats Recipe (no yogurt)

overnight oats recipe, healthy breakfast ideas, meal prep oats

Looking for a quick and easy breakfast to power through busy mornings? This Overnight Oats recipe is the ultimate solution. With just a few simple ingredients, you’ll wake up to a creamy, pudding-like texture that’s both nutritious and delicious. You can customize it with your favorite toppings to create endless flavor combinations. Whether you’re meal prepping on Sunday night or need a grab-and-go breakfast, this recipe will quickly become your favorite way to start the day.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

I’m always on the hunt for quick, easy, and healthy breakfasts on those busy weekday mornings before sending my kids off to school and this recipe fits the bill. I make my base recipe in a big bowl the night before and let my kids pick their toppings the morning of. It’s the perfect, nutritious breakfast that adapts easily from day to day. Serve with some tasty Bacon or Egg Muffins for a well balanced, extra filling breakfast.

Ok, What are Overnight Oats Exactly?

Overnight oats are made from rolled oats, liquid, and other ingredients that are mixed together and left to soak in the refrigerator overnight. The oats soften and absorb the liquid, resulting in a creamy, porridge-like consistency. Overnight oats are typically served cold or at room temperature, and they can be topped with a variety of ingredients such as fresh fruit, nuts, and seeds. They are a convenient and easy-to-prepare breakfast option that can be made in advance and enjoyed on busy mornings.

Many people prefer the ease of this recipe as well as the taste and texture of the soaked, uncooked oats versus a cooked oatmeal.

Ingredients Needed for Overnight Oats

Here’s what you’ll need to make the best overnight oats recipe:

Rolled oats – Use old-fashioned rolled oats for the perfect balance of chewiness and creaminess.
Milk of choice – Almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk or dairy milk all work beautifully.
Maple syrup – Pure maple syrup adds just the right amount of sweetness.
Ground cinnamon – For a warm, subtle spice.
Pinch of salt – Enhances all the flavors.

Variations for Overnight Oats

Man oh man, there are thousands of variations for Overnight Oats! Here are a few different options listed, but just about anything you can think of would work in this!

Milk: If you don’t want to use dairy milk, an unsweetened almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk, coconut milk or other plant-based milk you love would work just as well!
Fruit: Add in some fresh or frozen fruit to the classic oats mixture for a burst of flavor. Berries, apples, bananas or tropical fruits are all good options.
Nuts and Seeds: Try adding in walnuts, almonds, pecans, pepitas, flax seeds, or chia seeds for a textural variation.
Sweetener: I used real maple syrup for my basic overnight oats recipe, but feel free to reduce the amount or switch it out for honey, agave syrup, sugar, brown sugar or an artificial sweetener if you’d prefer. Always add it to taste.
Spices: I use cinnamon because its a classic oatmeal add-in, but try mixing it up with nutmeg, cloves, or cardamom. Try zesting a lemon or orange for a bright pop of flavor.
Nut Butters: Stir in a little peanut, cashew, or almond butter to add a protein-rich twist and a creamy bite. My favorite is peanut butter banana!
Chocolate: Mix in some cocoa powder or chocolate chips for a decadent, chocolatey treat.
Protein: boost the protein content of your oats by stirring in some protein powder or adding a scoop of Greek yogurt.
Savory: Oats don’t have to be sweet! Try making savory oats by mixing in some savory ingredients such as cooked vegetables, cheese, and herbs.
Carrot Cake: Add classic carrot cake ingredients like shredded carrots, crushed pineapple and pecan pieces.
Oatless oats: For a grain-free version, try using rolled oats made from other grains such as quinoa or oats made from seeds like chia, flax or hemp seed .

How to Make Overnight Oats

You will be amazed at how easy this recipe is to make. You just need a bowl to mix and 5 minutes (or less!) of work time. For full recipe details see the printable recipe card below. Here is what you can expect when making this recipe:

1. Measure Rolled Oats

Measure rolled oats into a large bowl.

2. Stir in Remaining Ingredients

Stir in milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt (optional). Make sure oats are well submerged in the milk.

3. Refrigerate

Cover and refrigerate 6+ hours to overnight.

4. Add Toppings + Serve

Remove from the refrigerator, portion out, add optional toppings.

How to Serve Overnight Oats

The beauty of overnight oats is it works warm or cold. To serve it cold, simply spoon some into a bowl or jar, top with fruit, nuts or seeds, and serve.

To serve warm, simply spoon some into a bowl and microwave 30 seconds to 1 minute or until hot. Top with any desired toppings and serve.

How to Store Overnight Oats

As long as it stays refrigerated and in an airtight container, I find this to stay good for at least 4 days. The rolled oats have a tendency to lose more texture the longer they sit in the milk. If this doesn’t bother you, then they can last longer than 4 days, but I have found we like them best 4 days or earlier.

Overnight Oats Flavor Combinations

Not feeling very creative? Not to worry, here are several tasty flavor combinations to try:

Carrot Cake: Stir in 1/2 cup finely grated carrot, 1/4 cup drained and crushed pineapple and 2 tablespoons walnuts or pecans to your mixture before sitting overnight.
Peanut Butter Banana: Swirl in 1/4 cup all-natural peanut butter to the overnight oat mixture and sit overnight. Top with lots of fresh banana.
Lemon Blueberry: Add 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest and 1 cup fresh blueberries to the overnight oat mixture before refrigerating.
Coconut Cream: Make your overnight oats with coconut milk and stir in 1/2 cup desiccated coconut before refrigerating. Top with a dollop of Greek yogurt and extra toasted coconut.
Blueberry and Vanilla: Mix together rolled oats, milk, vanilla extract, and a handful of fresh or frozen blueberries.
Chocolate and Peanut Butter: Combine rolled oats, milk, cocoa powder, peanut butter, and a sweetener such as honey or maple syrup.
Strawberry and Cream: Mix together rolled oats, milk, vanilla extract, and diced strawberries.
Banana and Cinnamon: Stir together rolled oats, milk, mashed banana, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Apple and Caramel: Combine rolled oats, milk, diced apples, and a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Coconut and Mango: Mix together rolled oats, coconut milk, diced mango, and a sprinkle of shredded coconut.
Lemon and Poppyseed: Stir together rolled oats, milk, lemon zest, and a sprinkle of poppy seeds.

FAQ for Overnight Oats
What kind of oats can I use?
The best oats to use are just the plain Old-Fashioned Oats. Old fashioned oats soak up liquid without getting too mushy. Quick oats will get too soggy when soaked in milk. Steel cut oats often don’t get soft enough.
How much does this recipe make?
This recipe is enough for four servings which I stir together in one big bowl and refrigerate overnight. Many overnight oats recipes call for the use of small 8 oz mason jars. While I don’t think this is totally necessary, it certainly does make for a cuter presentation. I find these 8 oz. glass jars make for the perfect portion. Plastic containers with a good fitting lid work just fine too.
Can you use frozen fruit in overnight oats?
Yes, you can absolutely use frozen fruit in overnight oats! Frozen fruit is a great addition because it thaws overnight, blending its natural sweetness and juices into the oats for added flavor.
Can I freeze overnight oats?
While overnight oats are best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze portions in airtight containers for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Can I make this recipe ahead?
Absolutely! Prep a big batch (double or triple the recipe) on Sunday night, and you’ll have breakfast ready for the entire work week.
Can I use steel-cut oats?
You can, but know that Steel-cut oats require a longer soaking time and more liquid. They’ll have a chewier texture compared to rolled oats