How to Make Overnight Oatmeal

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Overnight oatmeal is a fantastic breakfast that is served cold and can be made year-round. Simply mix rolled oats with milk and other desired ingredients, allow it to sit overnight and wake up to a no-hassle breakfast.

A healthy breakfast awaits you in the morning.
Image Credit: Julia Mueller

You can make this healthy breakfast according to your taste, using any sweetener and milk you prefer. For a dairy-free variety, try almond milk, coconut milk or cashew milk. Honey, agave or pure maple syrup offer alternatives to refined sugar. This easy recipe requires only a few minutes of prep time and zero cooking, making it a perfect make-ahead breakfast for company or for fueling your busy lifestyle.

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Things You'll Need

  • 2 cups rolled oats

  • 2 cups whole milk (or equivalent of low-fat dairy or dairy-free varieties)

  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

  • 3 tablespoons light brown sugar (0r equivalent of preferred sweetener)

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional

  • 1/4 teaspoon sea salt

  • Large sealable jar or container

Basic Recipe

Gather your ingredients, and add all of them to a large jar or other sealable container.

Put all of your ingredients into the jar.
Image Credit: Julia Mueller

Seal the container, and place it in the refrigerator overnight (or at least 6 hours). Enjoy your overnight oatmeal with fresh or dried fruit, nuts and additional milk or sweetener.

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Enjoy your oatmeal right out of the fridge.
Image Credit: Julia Mueller

Additional Flavoring Ideas

You can get creative with your overnight oatmeal by trying all sorts of flavoring options.

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Plump raisins feature in cinnamon-raisin overnight oatmeal.
Image Credit: Julia Mueller

Make cinnamon-raisin overnight oatmeal by adding 1/4 teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 1/2 cup of raisins to the basic recipe, following the same instructions. Adding the raisins prior to refrigerating it will allow the raisins to rehydrate and plump up overnight.

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Add fresh strawberries for color and flavor.
Image Credit: Julia Mueller

Strawberries 'n' cream overnight oatmeal requires adding 1 cup of fresh chopped strawberries and 1/2 cup half & half (or full-fat coconut milk) to the basic recipe. Add these ingredients to the oatmeal either before or after it sits overnight.

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High-energy peanut butter & banana overnight oatmeal gets you going.
Image Credit: Julia Mueller

Make peanut butter & banana overnight oatmeal by serving the overnight oats with banana slices and a dollop or so of creamy or crunchy peanut butter.

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Make a trail mix treat.
Image Credit: Julia Mueller

Have your overnight oatmeal trail mix-style with dried fruit, nuts, seeds or chocolate chips. Add the following ingredients to the basic recipe before refrigerating: 1/2 cup raisins, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (or a combination of nuts and seeds of choice) and 1/3 cup of semisweet or white chocolate chips.

Tip

Always use rolled oats for overnight oatmeal, as quick cooking oats will produce a different texture.

Overnight oatmeal will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

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