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You see, for years I’ve been sending warm oatmeal in thermos containers for my daughters’ snacks at school. Snack time usually occurs early in the morning and that’s after scarfing down what little breakfast they can manage before running out the door for school at 7am (the day starts early around here).
Recipe for Overnight Oats
So oatmeal on the go was the perfect solution, and my kids loved it. But then my 1st grader’s snack time got changed to the afternoon, so we were really pushing the 5 hour thermos warm food limit by continuing to send her oatmeal.
Perfect Oats Recipe for an Easy Snack
Enter Overnight Oats, our new perfect solution! But, I guess if I am being technical here we don’t actually make these oats overnight. We mix it up in the morning (still in an insulated thermos container) while the kids are eating their breakfast and then by snack time later that day (approximately 5 1/2 hours later), it’s ready to go. And since thermoses can keep cold food cold for longer (7 hours to be exact), it really is the new perfect solution for us.
Do you Eat Overnight Oats Cold?
For our family we serve overnight oats cold! It’s perfect for keeping throughout the day in an insulated container like a thermos, and it’s a great way to enjoy a cool and nutritious snack in the summer months! We don’t recommend heating these oats, since the ingredients wouldn’t lend well to a hot oatmeal dish.
That’s why I am excited to share our favorite “Overnight” Oats combination with you today—the one my 1st grader has been eating (and loving) almost every single day so far this school year! Also, be sure to check out our other “Overnight Oats” blog post for more recipe ideas in addition to the one below.
Our Favorite Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon plain yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon honey
- 1 tablespoon raisins ((or more if you like more raisins))
- 1/8 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 pinches cinnamon
Instructions
- Mix together all ingredients, cover, and refrigerate for a minimum of 5 hours before eating. Alternatively, mix in an insulated thermos container (left unrefrigerated) and wait no more than 7 hours before eating.
I may have commented before….but we make this every week and top it with whatever seasonal or frozen fruit (thawed separately) that’s on hand. It’s so good. Sometimes we add maple syrup instead of honey, and vanilla Greek yogurt instead of plain. So versatile and great for a quick ready to go breakfast! A keeper recipe for sure.
So glad you enjoy it and are able to switch things up a bit! – Nicole
I agree with the title….this is my favorite overnight oats recipe too! My kids love them as well. I’ve made them with various kinds of milk (cows, almond, etc.) and they all turn out great. I eyeball the recipe now and in the morning if there isn’t quite enough liquid I just add a little water. I enjoy them cold but it did take me awhile to get used to it. This is great for the days when I go into the office now and breakfast is already prepped and ready to go!
Glad to hear you enjoy it so much! – Nicole
Hmmm this did not work. We used rolled oats as directed (bobs red mill organic) and followed the recipe exactly. I made it and placed in the fridge at 830p. 11 hours later I opened it and stirred and it was totally soupy and the oats were just floating in the milk. I’ve made other overnight oats recipes and they come out nice and thick. Not sure why they didn’t soak up the milk.
Hi Rachel, sorry to hear these didn’t come out as you planned. Lisa mentions in the post that these aren’t technically overnight oats as she makes them in the morning and suggests that you don’t let them sit more than 7 hours. – Nicole
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for this overnight oatmeal recipe. I definitely want to try it out for 2 reasons. The first is that oatmeal for breakfast has been a mainstay of mine for many years. And oatmeal was my first stop for my own experiment with real food which helped me lose 75 pounds in 6 months just about 6 years ago. And I was the worst cookie monster, and so far, so good, been getting fitter and stronger as time goes on. Number 2, I am not too fond of spending a lot of time in the kitchen, but I prefer real food any day, so this is a perfect blend of my fav breakfast food and quick and easy preparation. Will have to give you my review after trying it out!
Richard
Does this have the same texture as cooked oatmeal which I hate.
I know how good oatmeal is for you so I am hoping you say no.
Are these suppose to be eaten cold?
Yes but you can heat them if you prefer.
Hi! We are making overnight oats several times a week and I need to stock up on mason jars. The three we have aren’t ebough! What size works best? Which are good for freezing other recepies (like tomatoe bisque)? Thanks!
Hi, These are the jars Lisa uses: https://www.100daysofrealfood.com/shopping-guide/product/freezer-safe-glass-jars/.
how many can you make at once and how long can it stay in the fridge,,,
You can make as many as you want but each recipe is for one jar they keep in the fridge for 3 days.
What would i do if i have steel cut oats? I am trying to use whats in my cupboard.
I only use steel cut. Love them. You make them the same way but for a minimum of 8 hours and they come out chewy and nutty. I prefer the texture.
can you leave the yogurt out? milk allergy in the house.
You can.
Does this work with almond milk? With due respect to the kids, this sounds great for me!
It can. :)
There is no cooking or heating involved? Don’t the oats get soggy?
Yes they get soggy the milk soaks into the oatmeal but you can heat it up in the microwave if you like.
Hi, I bet somebody already asked this, but can I use quick oats? What’s the difference (it says ingredients: organic rolled oats). Sorry for a probably repetitive question :-)
Thanks!
Claudia
Hi. You can and do not need to adjust ingredients.
Old fashioned oats….not instant, not steel cut…are the best. Instant break down too much overnight and steel cut, too chewy. I just use Quaker old fashioned. Superb!
Does this mean you are eating COLD oats? That doesn’t sound very appetizing to me.
Yes your eating it cold but you can warm it up in the microwave if you prefer.
What is the difference veteeeb all the oats? Are rolled oats better than steel cut oats or quick oat?
Veteeeb= between
Steel cut oat have a far more crunchy texture and I let them soak longer.
Can you use coconut/almond milk for this?
I always make mine with almond milk! Delicious!
Hello.plz do u soak oats b4 using them or what?? I’ve read alot about the importance of soaking n nvr used them raw ever since
Hi there. We do not typically soak our oats prior to preparing these.
the overnight process does the soaking for you I believe doesn’t it? pretty sure that’s the case. I make these a lot btw, my girlfriend turned me onto them, they are great for quick meals that will last a few days in the fridge.
It does, essentially. ;)
It is my understanding that you have to soak at room temperature in order to neutralize the phytic acid, and milk is not a good soaking liquid for that anyway. I am thinking to try soaking normally beforehand and then prepare according to the recipe.
Do you heat the oatmeal the next morning or just eat it cold?
Hi. We usually eat it cold.
I love this recipe but I really dislike yogurt. I have tried all kinds and have tried to acquire a taste for it but I just cannot. Would this recipe be okay without the yogurt? Would you substitute anything in place of it?
Hi there. You can just leave it out.
I sometimes use applesauce in place of the yogurt.
We use Fairlife whole milk instead of regular milk with yogurt. We get the extra protein without the stronger yogurt flavor. Fairlife milk has less carbs and more protein than regular milk and it tastes wonderful!
Just wondering if this would work with steel cut oats?
Hi Jen. I use steel cut and love them. They are rich and nutty.
They are normally what I eat, and just sounded like they would be perfect for this kind of recipe. :)
Thanks for your response!
When I make overnight oatmeal, I use 2 cups each of the following to make daily breakfast to take to work (or just take the whole container to work.:
2 cups of:
Minute Oatmeal
Greek Yogurt (I use vanilla flavoured)
1 Tbsp of Cocoa
2 tsp of Cinnamon
3/4 c up raisins
You can use any nuts/almonds or mixed nuts that you like.
If you want to throw in some blueberries or any other fruit that you like there are no rules you can change the recipe according to your taste.
This is such an easy way to ensure that you have a healthy ready-to-eat breakfast!
ENJOY ❤️
Can you double (or more) this recipe? Say, if I wanted to make it for my family of 4.
Sure!
Saved aas a favorite, I really like your website!
Could you add fresh fruit and nuts or would you want to add them in the morning? Also, is it thick or running in the morning?
Yes, we add about 10 frozen blueberries and 1/2 a banana cut in very small pieces, it is delicious!!!
Easy way to do steel cut oats..
Instructions
Place oats and water into a saucepan and bring to a boil, watching carefully so the water doesn’t boil over. Turn down heat quickly and allow the oats to simmer for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Cover with a lid and let stand overnight at room temperature.
Can you skip the yogurt? How do you adjust the measurements
Hi there. Just leave it out.
I have been adding a tablespoon of Chia with a little more liquid and also some chopped walnuts – really yummy! My husband who used to eat sugary cereals for breakfast is loving this :)
Is this the kind of thing where multiple batches could be made at once and then dished out throughout the week or would it completely change the texture?
Sure, you can make it in bigger batches.
I just started eating ‘overnight’ oats in November. I use Soy Milk (unsweetened), golden raisins and reduced sugar craisins, as well as heapin’ tablespoon of toasted sliced almonds, and a couple drops of pure almond extract. And then I top with 6-8 thawed dark cherries. Pretty close to dessert, but a very pleasant breakfast. Ask me about diced apples, cinnamon, and some raw cranberry relish as ‘instead’ add-ins. :)
I just started eating ‘overnight’ oats in November. I use Soy Milk (unsweetened), golden raisins and reduced sugar craisins, as well as heapin’ tablespoon of toasted sliced almonds, and a couple crops of pure almond extract. And then I top with 6-8 thawed dark cherries. Pretty close to dessert, but a very pleasant breakfast. Ask me about diced apples, cinnamon, and some raw cranberry relish as ‘instead’ add-ins. :)
Would this work with rice milk instead of cow’s milk?Rah
Yep.
Would this work with steelcut oats by any chance? That’s all I have to work with for now.
Hi Kelly. I use steel cut oats but I really like the crunchy texture.
I like the steel cut that aren’t instant, but that usually take 20+ minutes to cook stove top; do u think those would work? Thanks!
I use steel cut and love them. The texture is nutty.
I love overnight oats!!!! I seem to get addicted to warm oatmeal in winter- and overnight oats in summer- when I still want my oat fix but not in the mood for a warm breakfast!
I use a recipe that is almost identical, but I use craisins instead of raisins and add more cinnamon because I love it!