Introduction

Overnight oatmeal is a simple, nutritious breakfast that you prepare the night before. It’s creamy, customizable, and perfect for busy mornings when you want something wholesome and delicious ready to go.

The image shows eight glass jars filled with different types of overnight oats, each with clear layers. The jars sit on a white marbled surface. The first jar has light beige oats with a dark red fruit layer in the middle, topped with bright red raspberries, blueberries, and sliced almonds. The second jar contains similar light beige oats with chopped strawberries on top drizzled with peanut butter. The third jar has beige oats topped with dark chocolate chunks and seeds, with a golden spoon inside. The fourth jar holds oats topped with diced yellow fruit, shredded coconut, and a golden spoon. The fifth jar shows dark chocolate oats with banana slices, chocolate pieces, and drizzled peanut butter. The sixth jar has beige oats with dark pieces and banana slices topped with peanut butter drizzle. The seventh jar holds oats topped with blackberries, peach pieces, and granola with dark drizzle. The eighth jar has dark oats layered with berries and is topped with raspberries, chocolate chunks, and a dark chocolate drizzle. Small bowls of honey and nut butter and fresh berries surround the jars. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup milk (dairy or dairy-free)
1/4 cup vanilla Greek yogurt (dairy or dairy-free)
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1-2 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon sea salt
Toppings: fresh berries, bananas, nuts, seeds, chocolate chunks, or see variations below

Instructions

Step 1: In a 16-ounce mason jar or a bowl, combine the rolled oats, milk, vanilla Greek yogurt, chia seeds, honey or maple syrup, ground cinnamon, and sea salt. Stir well to mix all ingredients thoroughly.
Step 2: Add any desired mix-ins like peanut butter or cocoa powder at this stage. If using fruit that stores well, such as pineapple, you can mix it in now. Reserve perishable toppings like bananas or nuts for serving.
Step 3: Cover the jar or bowl and refrigerate for at least 5 hours, preferably overnight, to allow the oats to soak and soften.
Step 4: Before serving, stir the mixture and add a splash of milk if you prefer a thinner consistency.
Step 5: If you like your oatmeal warm, microwave it for 60 seconds, stir, then heat in 20-second intervals until heated through.
Step 6: Top with your favorite fruits, nuts, or any additional toppings, then enjoy!

Tips & Variations

For a tropical twist, use carton coconut milk and add cream of coconut to the base. Top with pineapple, mango, shredded coconut, and macadamia nuts.
Try the Berry Bliss variation by mixing in berry jam after soaking and topping with mixed berries, sliced almonds, and lemon zest.
Mix peanut butter and extra cinnamon into the base and top with apple chunks and crushed peanuts for a Cinnamon Apple Peanut Butter flavor.
Add cocoa powder and honey for a Chocolate Raspberry or Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter version, topping with raspberries or sliced bananas and nuts.
Use pumpkin puree and warming spices for a cozy Pumpkin Spice variation, garnished with pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries.
Prepare multiple jars with different variations to keep breakfast exciting throughout the week.

Storage

Store overnight oatmeal covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. It’s best enjoyed within 1 to 3 days for optimal freshness and texture. Reheat in the microwave if you prefer it warm, or enjoy it cold straight from the fridge.

How to Serve

The image shows six glass jars filled with different layered overnight oats, arranged in two rows on a white marbled surface. The front center jar has three layers: a creamy beige chia oat base with visible seeds, a dark red fruit jam middle layer, and topped with mixed fresh berries including raspberries, blueberries, and strawberries with almond slices. To its left is a jar with a beige oat base topped with banana slices, chocolate drizzle, and peanut butter chunks. Behind this jar is another with a beige oat base topped with raspberries and chocolate drizzle. Behind the center jar is another oats jar topped with blackberries, peach chunks, and granola. To the right of the center jar is a chocolate oat base topped with banana slices, peanut butter, and chocolate chips. The last jar in the back right shows an oat base topped with chopped strawberries and granola. Each jar has a long golden spoon inside, and golden spoons lay on the surface alongside scattered blueberries and a strawberry. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use any type of milk for overnight oats?

Yes, you can use any milk you like, including dairy, almond, soy, oat, or coconut milk. Adjust sweetness and flavor according to your preference.

How do I keep overnight oats from getting too thick?

If your oats become too thick after soaking, simply stir in a little more milk before serving to reach your desired consistency.

Overnight Oatmeal with Fruit, Nuts, and Creative Variations Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.6 from 77 reviews

A versatile and creamy overnight oatmeal recipe that requires no cooking and can be customized with a variety of delicious toppings and mix-ins. Perfect for a quick, nutritious breakfast that can be prepared ahead and enjoyed chilled or warmed.

Author: Ruby
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 5 hours 10 minutes (includes soaking time)
Yield: 1 serving (adjustable) 1x
Category: Breakfast
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup milk (dairy or dairy free)
1/4 cup vanilla Greek yogurt (dairy or dairy free)
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1–2 tablespoons honey or pure maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Toppings and Variations

Fresh berries, bananas, nuts, seeds, chocolate chunks (optional toppings)
Tropical Paradise: carton coconut milk, 1 tablespoon cream of coconut, pineapple and/or mango, shredded coconut, crushed macadamia nuts or cashews
Berry Bliss: strawberry, raspberry, or blackberry jam (1-2 tablespoons), mixed berries, sliced almonds, lemon zest
Cinnamon Apple Peanut Butter: extra cinnamon, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, apple chunks, crushed peanuts, chocolate chunks or cocoa nibs
Chocolate Raspberry: 1 ½ tablespoons cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon extra honey/maple syrup, 1-2 tablespoons raspberry jam, raspberries, chocolate chunks, chopped pecans
Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter: 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 1½ tablespoons cocoa powder, 1 tablespoon honey/maple syrup, 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, sliced bananas, walnuts, chocolate chunks
Blackberry Peach Crisp: extra cinnamon, nutmeg, chopped peaches, blackberries or raspberries, granola or sliced almonds
Peanut Butter and Jelly: 2-3 tablespoons peanut butter, 1-2 tablespoons strawberry or raspberry jam, berries, crushed peanuts
Pumpkin Spice: 3 tablespoons pumpkin puree, 1 tablespoon extra maple syrup, 1/4 teaspoon extra ground cinnamon, 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg, 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger, pinch of ground cloves, optional pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, cocoa nibs or chocolate chunks

Instructions

Adjust Servings: Use the serving slider to increase or decrease quantities. This changes the base ingredients proportionally while toppings remain for single servings, allowing each jar to have different variations.
Mix the Base Ingredients: For one serving, stir all base ingredients in a 16-ounce jar or bowl. For multiple servings, combine base ingredients in a large bowl and then divide into jars. This ensures even mixing and easy portioning.
Add Mix-Ins: Incorporate desired mix-ins like peanut butter or cocoa powder now. Add stable fruits (like pineapple) if preferred. Perishable toppings (bananas, nuts) should be reserved for the final topping after soaking.
Soak: Cover the jars or bowl and refrigerate for at least 5 hours; overnight soaking yields the creamiest texture. The mixture keeps well up to 5 days but is best consumed within 1-3 days for freshness.
Adjust Consistency: Before serving, add more milk if you want a thinner texture as oats thicken over time.
Warm or Don’t: Optionally, warm the oatmeal by microwaving for 60 seconds, then heat at 20-second intervals until desired temperature, stirring each time.
Add Toppings: Garnish with favorite fruits, nuts, and seeds. You can stir them in or enjoy as a topping.
Try Variations: Experiment with suggested flavor combinations such as Tropical Paradise, Berry Bliss, Cinnamon Apple Peanut Butter, Chocolate Raspberry, Chocolate Banana Peanut Butter, Blackberry Peach Crisp, Peanut Butter and Jelly, or Pumpkin Spice by mixing in specified ingredients and toppings.

Notes

Use carton coconut milk (beverage type) and cream of coconut (not coconut cream) for Tropical Paradise flavor.
Prepare toppings that do not store well, like bananas or nuts, right before serving.
The oats can be refrigerated up to 5 days but taste and texture are best within the first 1-3 days.
Soaking time affects creaminess; longer soaking results in creamier oatmeal.
Microwaving is optional and for warming only; oats are edible cold.
You can prep multiple jars with different variations simultaneously for a convenient grab-and-go breakfast.

Keywords: overnight oatmeal, no-cook breakfast, healthy breakfast, make-ahead oatmeal, chilled oatmeal, vegan options, dairy free oatmeal