One recipe, endless possibilities.
Mornings get hectic.
Whether you are trying to get yourself out the door or you’re wrestling to get your kids to school, there never seems to be enough time.
Enter Overnight Oats. Simply prep your oatmeal the night before in a Mason jar, set it in the fridge, and wait until morning.
And here’s the best part: you can completely customize this recipe to your liking.
Blueberries—yes!
Strawberries—of course!
Pumpkin—hello fall!
So go ahead and hit snooze; breakfast is ready.
Ingredients and Substitutions
For the exact measurements and detailed instructions, please see the recipe card below.
Basic Overnight Oat Ratio
- ⅓ cup fruit
- ½ cup oats
- 1 tsp. chia seeds, optional
- 1-2 tbsp. sweetener
- ½ cup milk
- Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: Rolled oats are the best choice for overnight oats because they absorb liquid well while staying creamy and pleasantly chewy. Other varieties can be used, but instant oats tend to become mushy after soaking overnight.
- Milk: Any milk will work, but full-fat options create the creamiest texture. Oat milk is a great dairy-free choice, though almond, cashew, soy, and coconut milk also work well. You can even substitute water or fruit juice if needed.
- Sweetener: The amount needed will vary depending on the fruit’s ripeness. Maple syrup, honey, brown sugar, or regular sugar all work well—just start with less since you can always add more before serving.
- Chia Seeds: While optional, chia seeds add extra nutrition and help create a thicker, creamier texture.
- Fruit: Fresh or frozen fruit both work great. Berries, bananas, apples, and pears are all delicious options. For a softer, jam-like texture, microwave chopped fruit for 30 to 60 seconds before adding it to the oats.
- Mix-Ins: Customize your oats with protein powder for extra staying power, yogurt for added creaminess, your favorite spices for flavor, or fruit purées instead of chopped fruit.
Step-by-step Instructions
Please see the recipe card below for the full instructions, ingredient amounts, and a printable recipe.
Add the fruit.
Depending on the consistency you want, you can prepare the fruit in different ways.
For a more solid effect, put the diced fruit to the bottom of an 8-ounce mason jar. Then you’re ready for the rest of the ingredients.
Or, you can microwave the fruit for 30 to 60 seconds. This will create a jam-like consistency in the oatmeal.
Combine the remaining ingredients.
Add the rolled oats, chia seeds, milk, and sweetener to the jar with the fruit.
Use a spoon or spatula to carefully stir everything until it is well combined.
Refrigerate until morning.
Place the lid on the jar tightly. Set it in the fridge.
Let the oatmeal sit for at least 4 hours, or up to overnight.
When you’re ready to enjoy this oatmeal, top with extra fruit or spices.
Best Jars for Overnight Oats
Glass Mason jars are far and away the best jars for this purpose. They are super durable, shaped perfectly, and come with a convenient lid.
However, you can use any container with a tight-sealing lid.
Pro Tip: You can get reusable plastic lids for mason jars that are one piece, so you don’t have to keep track of a lid and a seal. Opt for a wide mouth when possible.
FAQs
The main secret to ensuring your oatmeal turn out delicious is to stick to the correct ratio. You need at least one cup of oats to one cup of milk. Additional milk will yield a creamier consistency.
This recipe needs at least four hours in the fridge. However, it is delicious after chilling the entire night.
Overnight oats are traditionally enjoyed cold straight from the refrigerator, but you can warm them up if you prefer. Simply microwave for 30 to 60 seconds, stirring halfway through, until heated to your liking.
For extra flavor and texture, try topping your oats with chopped nuts, seeds, fresh fruit, nut butter, granola, coconut flakes, or an extra drizzle of honey or maple syrup just before serving.
Healthy Overnight Oats Recipes
There are SO MANY ways to enjoy overnight oats!
In the fall, try Pumpkin Overnight Oats or Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats are so sweet and delicious.
Blueberry Overnight Oats, Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats, and Peach Cobbler Overnight Oats are fresh and a great way to start your morning.
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Easy Overnight Oats Recipe
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Ingredients
- ⅓ cup fruit finely diced
- ½ cup oats old-fashioned, rolled, gluten-free if needed
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds optional
- 1-2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey
- ½ cup milk oat, soy, or nut-based milk
Instructions
- Add the diced fruit to the bottom of an 8-oz. glass Mason jar. Microwave for 30-60 seconds if you'd like to soften it up into more of a jam-like consistency.⅓ cup fruit
- Add the oats, optional chia seeds, milk, and sweetener to the jar. Stir the oats with the liquid until well combined.½ cup oats, 1 teaspoon chia seeds, 1-2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, ½ cup milk
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to overnight. Serve with additional diced fruit and sprinkle with spices. Enjoy!
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Video
Notes
- Oats: Rolled oats are the best variety to use for this recipe.
- Mason jar: It is so quick and easy to mix all of the ingredients right in the jar, saving dishes.
- Add-ins: You can make this recipe fit your tastes and choose whatever add-ins you like. Add some protein powder for an extra filling punch.
- Chilling: Make sure you let the oats chill at least four hours or up to overnight in the fridge before serving.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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