Best Overnight Oats – 8 Ways

Best Overnight Oats – 8 Ways – healthy no-cook make-ahead oatmeal just perfect for busy mornings. Best of all, easy to customize with your favorite flavors. Almond Joy, Apple Cinnamon, Banana Nut, Blueberry, Carrot Cake, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Pumpkin Cranberry and Strawberry.

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Photos and post updated May 2018 from 2017

Easy make ahead breakfasts are essential for busy mornings during the week. Egg muffins, baked oatmeal, energy bites and overnight oats are a few of the recipes we turn to regularly.

Today we’re going to be focusing on overnight oats – they are one of my family’s favorite way to start the morning. Have you hopped on the overnight oats train? If not, I’ve got 8 fun variations that you can try today!

1. Almond Joy
2. Apple Cinnamon
3. Banana Nut
4. Blueberry Almond
5. Carrot Cake
6. Peanut Butter & Jelly
7. Pumpkin Cranberry
8. Strawberry

SO HOW DO YOU MAKE OVERNIGHT OATS?

1. Start by combining rolled or old fashioned oats with your favorite milk and / or coconut or Greek yogurt in a 8 oz. mason jar, resealable container or a bowl. These 7 oz jars are the ones you actually see in the photos and are currently my favorite ones.
2. Overnight oats are super versatile so feel free to add any sweetener or spices you like.
3. Seal or cover with a lid and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
4. There are a ton of ways you can customize the flavors. Have fun and mix up the flavors so you can have a different one every day of the week.
5. And if you make them in a mason jar, you can easily transport this healthy breakfast to school, work or enjoy them on the road. Enjoy them straight from the jar or pour into a bowl and add your favorite toppings.

There are a ton of recipes out there for overnight oats and the EIGHT below are our latest favorites.

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO YOU USE FOR THE OVERNIGHT OATS BASE?

First up, we’re going to start with a Classic Base recipe for these overnight oats.

1. Oats: Overnight oats are typically made with old-fashioned rolled oats and sometimes quick oats. Use gluten free as needed.
2. Chia Seeds: Chia seeds give overnight oats that thick pudding-like texture and add extra fiber but feel free to leave them out if you aren’t a fan.
3. Nut or seed butter: Almond butter, cashew butter, pumpkin butter, sunflower seed butter and or peanut butter add that savory-nutty flavor and a certain creaminess.
4. Milk: Use your favorite milk you like or have on hand. For this dairy free version, we use almond milk but coconut milk, cashew milk will work just fine.
5. Fruit: Have fun with your toppings. Add fruit that won’t get mushy directly into the mason jar or toss them on directly on top of the oats when you’re ready to eat.
6. Sweetener: Leave out or use any sweetener you like – honey, maple syrup, a ripe banana, dates or any low-carb liquid sweetener like stevia, monk fruit or erythritol will work.
7. For a non-vegan version – Greek Yogurt – You can add a combination of milk and yogurt to make your oats extra creamy

DO I HAVE TO EAT OVERNIGHT OATS COLD OR CAN I HEAT THEM UP?

You can enjoy overnight oats both ways. Enjoy them straight from the fridge with more toppings or heat them up in the microwave in a heat-safe bowl or container (or you can even heat them up in a pot over the stove).

WHAT’S INSIDE THESE OVERNIGHT OATS?

1. Almond Joy Overnight Oats – scroll to the bottom for the full recipe
– oats
– almond milk
– chia seeds
– sweetener of your choice
– cocoa powder
– shredded coconut
– almonds

2. Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats – scroll to the bottom for the full recipe
– oats
– almond milk
– chia seeds
– sweetener of your choice
– chopped apples
– cinnamon

3. Banana Nut Overnight Oats – scroll to the bottom for the full recipe
– oats
– almond milk
– chia seeds
– banana, mashed
– cinnamon
– walnuts

4. Blueberry Almond Overnight Oats – scroll to the bottom for the full recipe
– oats
– almond milk
– chia seeds
– sweetener of your choice
– vanilla extract
– almond butter
– fresh blueberries

5. Carrot Cake Overnight Oats – scroll to the bottom for the full recipe
– oats
– coconut milk
– chia seeds
– maple syrup or sweetener of your choice
– grated carrots
– shredded coconut
– pecans, chopped
– raisins (optional)

6. Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats – scroll to the bottom for the full recipe

– oats
– almond milk
– chia seeds
– sweetener of your choice
– vanilla
– peanut butter
– strawberry (or your favorite) jam
– freeze-dried strawberries (optional)
– chopped peanuts (optional)

7. Pumpkin Cranberry Overnight Oats – scroll to the bottom for the full recipe
– oats
– almond milk
– chia seeds
– sweetener of your choice
– pure pumpkin
– ground cinnamon
– pumpkin pie spice
– dried cranberries
– pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

8. Strawberry Overnight Oats – click HERE or scroll to the bottom for the full recipe
– oats
– almond milk
– chia seeds
– sweetener of your choice
– pure vanilla extract
– strawberries (plus extra for topping)

Things you might need:

8 oz Wide Mouth Mason Jars

Resealable container

7 oz Jars show in photos

Bowl

More overnight oats:

Cinnamon Apple Pie Overnight Oats {Oatmeal}

Chocolate Coconut Almond Overnight Oats

5 from 1 vote

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Overnight Oatmeal - 8 Ways

Overnight Oats - 8 Ways - healthy no-cook make-ahead oatmeal just perfect for busy mornings. Best of all, easy to customize with your favorite flavors. Almond Joy, Apple Cinnamon, Banana Nut, Blueberry, Carrot Cake, Peanut Butter & Jelly, Pumpkin Cranberry and Strawberry.

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Keyword breakfast, make ahead, meal prep, no cook, oatmeal, overnight oats

Prep Time 5 minutes

Servings 8

Calories 180 kcal

Author Kelly

Ingredients

• Mason Jar
• Resealable container
• Bowl

OVERNIGHT OATS BASE RECIPE

• 1/2 cup rolled oats gluten free as needed
• 2/3 - 3/4 cup almond milk or your favorite milk (for a non-vegan version - you can add half milk and half Greek yogurt for creaminess as well)
• 2 teaspoons chia seeds

APPLE CINNAMON OVERNIGHT OATS

• 1/2 cup chopped apples (I used gala)
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup honey or low carb liquid sweetener (optional)

BANANA WALNUT OVERNIGHT OATS

• 1/2 very ripe banana mashed or chopped for chunkier texture
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup honey or low carb liquid sweetener
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp nutmeg
• 2 Tbsp walnuts chopped

ALMOND JOY OVERNIGHT OATS

• 2 teaspoons maple syrup honey or low carb liquid sweetener
• 1/2 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 Tbsp unsweetened shredded coconut
• 1 Tbsp slivered or sliced almonds

STRAWBERRY OVERNIGHT OATS

• 1/4 cup chopped strawberries plus extra for topping
• 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup , honey or low carb liquid sweetener
• 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2-3 slices freeze-dried strawberries (optional for topping)

CARROT CAKE OVERNIGHT OATS

• 1 Tbsp maple syrup honey or low carb sweetener
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 Tbsp grated carrots plus more for topping (if desired)
• 1/2 Tbsp shredded coconut plus more for topping
• 1 teaspoon chopped pecans
• 1/2 teaspoon raisins optiona, plus more for topping

BLUEBERRY VANILLA ALMOND BUTTER OVERNIGHT OATS

• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon almond butter
• 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup , honey or low carb liquid sweetener
• 1/4 cup fresh blueberries plus more for toppings

PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY OVERNIGHT OATS

• 1/2 teaspoon coconut sugar or honey optional
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons seedless strawberry (or raspberry) jam plus more for layering
• 2-3 tablespoons smooth or crunchy peanut butter plus more for layering
• 1 teaspoon freeze-dried strawberries for topping, optional
• 1/4 teaspoon chopped peanuts for topping, optional

PUMPKIN CRANBERRY OVERNIGHT OATS

• 1/2 Tbsp maple syrup
• 1 Tbsp pecans chopped
• 1 Tbsp pure pumpkin puree (canned or fresh)
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon pepitas plus more for topping
• 1 teaspoon ground cranberries plus more for topping

Instructions

Overnight Oats Base Recipe:

1. Add oats, milk and chia seeds together in a mason jar, resealable container or a bowl. (If you like your oatmeal more creamier, you can add more milk and less if you like them on the chunkier side - you can also add an extra 2 tablespoons yogurt (dairy free if needed) to make them creamier).
   

   Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. Seal and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.

   Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave or stove-top.
   

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

1. Add apples, cinnamon (and sweetener if desired) to mason jar.

2. Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. Seal and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave or stove-top.

3. Serve with more milk as desired and top with additional chopped apples and ground cinnamon before serving, if desired.

Banana Walnut Overnight Oats

1. Add mashed banana and cinnamon to mason jar

2. Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. Seal and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave or stove-top.

   
   

3. Serve with more milk as desired and top with fresh banana slices and walnuts before serving, if desired.

Almond Joy Overnight Oats

1. Add sweetener and cocoa powder.

2. Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. Seal and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave or stove-top.

3. Serve with more milk as desired and top with coconut, slivered almonds and chocolate chips before serving, if desired.

Strawberry Overnight Oats

1. Add strawberries (and sweetener if desired).
   

2. Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. Seal and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave or stove-top.

3. Serve with more milk as desired and top with fresh strawberry slices before serving, if desired.

Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

1. Add sweetener, cinnamon, carrots, coconut, pecans, and raisins to mason jar.

2. Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. Seal and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave or stove-top.

3. Serve with more milk as desired and sprinkle with additional coconut, pecans and raisins before serving (optional)

Blueberry Vanilla Almond Butter Overnight Oats

1. Add vanilla, and blueberries (and sweetener if desired) to mason jar

2. Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. Seal and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave or stove-top.

3. Serve with more milk as desired and top with fresh blueberries and almond butter before serving

Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats

1. Add sweetener (if using), peanut butter, jam and vanilla to the mason jar.
   

2. Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. Seal and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave or stove-top.

3. Serve with more milk as desired and top with another layer of peanut butter, jam, freeze-dried berries and chopped peanuts before serving, if desired.
   

Pumpkin Overnight Oats

1. Add remaining ingredients to the mason jar

2. Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. Seal and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave or stove-top.

3. Serve with more milk as desired and top with more pepitas and cranberries before serving, if desired.
   

FOR MEAL PREP:

1. Make 3-4 batches of your favorite flavors and store in separate mason jars or containers.
   

Nutrition Facts

Overnight Oatmeal - 8 Ways

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 180 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 8g 12%

Saturated Fat 2g 10%

Sodium 51mg 2%

Potassium 140mg 4%

Total Carbohydrates 24g 8%

Dietary Fiber 2g 8%

Sugars 15g

Protein 3g 6%

Vitamin A 0.9%

Vitamin C 5.1%

Calcium 6.7%

Iron 7.3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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