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The Best Overnight Oats Recipe

5 from 624 reviews

The Best Overnight Oats is a quick and healthy make-ahead breakfast featuring old fashioned rolled oats soaked overnight in milk and Greek yogurt. This recipe is customizable with sweeteners like maple syrup or honey, chia seeds for added nutrition, and a variety of delicious toppings such as chocolate chips, peanut butter, or fresh berries. Enjoy a creamy, satisfying, and nutritious start to your day with minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

  • ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
  • ½ cup milk (unsweetened almond milk preferred)
  • ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (or ¼ cup more milk)
  • 12 teaspoons maple syrup or honey (or preferred sweetener)
  • 1 teaspoon chia seeds (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
  • Pinch of sea salt

Toppings and Mix-ins

  • 2 Tablespoons chocolate chips
  • 1 Tablespoon peanut butter
  • ¼ cup fresh berries (sliced strawberries and blueberries preferred)
  • 1 Tablespoon strawberry jam or chia jam

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: Add the rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, chia seeds, vanilla extract, and a pinch of sea salt into a jar or storage container with a lid. Stir all ingredients thoroughly to ensure they are well mixed.
  2. Refrigerate Overnight: Seal the container with the lid and place it in the refrigerator overnight. For a quicker option, soak for 2-4 hours to allow oats to soften and absorb flavors.
  3. Morning Preparation: When ready to eat, remove the lid and give the oats a good stir. If the consistency is too thick, add a little more milk to loosen the mixture. Serve directly from the jar or pour into a bowl.
  4. Chocolate Chip Variation: Stir 1 tablespoon of chocolate chips into the oat mixture before refrigerating, then sprinkle the remaining chocolate chips on top when serving.
  5. Peanut Butter Variation: Mix in ½ tablespoon of peanut butter into the oat base before chilling, and drizzle the remaining peanut butter over the oats at serving.
  6. Berry Variation: Stir 2 tablespoons of fresh berries into the oat mixture prior to refrigeration. When serving, top with a layer of jam and the remaining fresh berries for an extra burst of flavor.

Notes

  • Use rolled oats—not instant or steel-cut—for the best texture.
  • Adjust the sweetness according to your preference by varying the amount of maple syrup or honey.
  • Chia seeds add fiber and help thicken the mixture but are optional.
  • The recipe is easily customizable with different toppings like nuts, seeds, or nut butters.
  • If dairy-free, use plant-based yogurt and milk alternatives.
  • The oats can be made in larger batches and stored refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Keywords: overnight oats, healthy breakfast, make ahead breakfast, easy oats, no-cook oatmeal, vegan option, gluten free option