Oatmeal is a delicious, filling breakfast that’s jam-packed with fiber and nutrients, and it’s even healthier when you make it from scratch. But does your busy schedule leave you with zero time to cook first thing in the morning? Check out these recipes for learning how to make healthy overnight oats an integral part of your weekday breakfast routine. They’re kid-friendly, easy to make, and you won’t have to worry about whipping up a batch of oatmeal while you’re rushing around. The best part of getting into the overnight oats habit? Your breakfast will be ready for you right when you wake up.
What You’ll Need to Make Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are incredibly simple to make, and you can customize them any way you like. All you do is grab a few healthy ingredients: rolled or steel-cut oats, the milk of your choice (dairy or non-dairy), and your favorite toppings. There’s virtually no prep time, since you just mix all your ingredients in a container (try Smart Seal) then let them sit in the fridge overnight. By the time you wake up, the oats have absorbed all the liquid and are soft, delicious and ready to eat. Here’s another bonus: With this method, you cut down on dishes. No more hard-to-clean pots coated in sticky boiled oats, or bowls covered in crusty remains of overcooked instant oats. One container, no sticking, no mess.
How to Set Up a DIY Overnight Oats Bar
When friends or family get together for weekend sleepovers, I like to do an overnight oats bar. I place all the dry ingredients in separate bowls and let everyone choose what to include in their own oats recipe. The basic formula is equal parts oats to liquid, then people can easily mix in favorite add-ons such as nuts or berries of all kinds, sliced fruit like apples or pears (or other seasonal fruit), maple syrup, and baking ingredients like cinnamon, nutmeg and brown sugar. If you want a creamier base, add a bit of Greek yogurt to the mix. In the mornings, we sit around the table together, eating right out of the containers with a spoon.
3 Easy Overnight Oats Recipes
Try one of these pre-designed healthy overnight oats recipes for a quick and easy breakfast to enjoy solo or with a crowd. In the morning, take the mix out of the fridge, pour it into a microwave-safe bowl and heat it up—or just grab the container and eat on the go. You can double or triple the quantities (or make as much as you like), and adjust the ingredients to your preference: more liquid for thinner oats, more toppings for a stronger flavor, or any fruit or nut combination your heart desires.
Want to use your meal prep skills for more than just breakfast? Check out tips for prepping like a pro.
