Easy Overnight Oats

668 Comments

This post may contain affiliate links. See my disclosure policy.

Jump to RecipeJump to Video

Learn how to make the perfect batch of overnight oats! It’s one of the easiest, no-cook breakfast options that will leave you with healthy grab-and-go breakfasts to enjoy throughout the week. Bonus – it’s endlessly customizable!

Jars of overnight oats.
Photo: Gayle McLeod

Why You’ll Love These Overnight Oats

If you love healthy breakfast ideas but don’t want to do a whole lot of work in the morning, overnight oats were made for you. Honestly, it’s as easy as stirring together a couple of ingredients in a jar, placing it in the fridge, and enjoying the next morning. That’s it! There’s no cooking, no baking, and you don’t even get any extra dishes dirty. It’s a total winner all around. Here’s a few more reasons why you’ll love them:

  • They’re endlessly customizable: The base recipe is delicious and filling all on its own, but if you’d you can also add a variety of toppings and mix-ins, including fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, spices, and jams. See more ideas below!
  • They’re great cold or warm: In the summer I enjoy overnight oats as a chilled breakfast straight from the fridge (perfect on a hot summer day). And in the winter I can warm the glass jar in the microwave for 30 seconds for a cozy breakfast.
  • They’re a meal prep winner: Sure, you can prep one jar of overnight oats. But you can just as easily prep jars for the entire week—in less than 5 minutes! And who doesn’t love a ready-made breakfast?
Ingredients for overnight oats.

Overnight Oats Ingredients

While you really only need rolled oats and milk to make overnight oats, I always add chia seeds, yogurt, and a smidge of maple syrup in my base recipe. That’s what makes my version ultra creamy and tasty!

  • Rolled oats: Make sure to use old fashioned rolled oats for the best texture. And remember to look for certified gluten-free oats if you’re gluten-sensitive or celiac.
  • Milk: You can use dairy or dairy-free milk (like almond milk, oat milk, or cashew milk), and yes, even water works. It just depends on how creamy you’d like it.
  • Yogurt: A simple Greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt provides extra creaminess, protein, and that perfect touch of tangy flavor.
  • Chia Seeds: These magical little seeds gel up in the oats to make it creamy and thick. Plus, they’re loaded with health benefits and give a nutrient boost.
  • Maple Syrup: Natural sweeteners like maple syrup or honey blend in beautifully. You can always add as little or as much as you’d like.

Find the printable recipe with measurements below.

Oatmeal versus Overnight Oats

A warm bowl of oatmeal is pretty high up on the list when it comes to healthy breakfast options. But if you have a sensitive gut (as I do), you may prefer overnight oats.

Soaking your oats overnight helps to break down the starches and reduce phytic acid. That means it’s easier to digest the oats and absorb their nutrients more efficiently.

How To Make Overnight Oats

  • Stir it all together. In a small jar, stir together the oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, and maple syrup.
  • Let it soak. Place the jar in the fridge to let the oats soak for at least two hours, though overnight is best.
  • Add toppings and serve. The next morning, add your favorite toppings and enjoy! Alternatively, you can scoop the oats out into a bowl and add toppings from there.
Mixing overnight oats in a jar.
Mixed overnight oats in a jar.

For A Large Batch of Overnight Oats

You can make a larger batch of overnight oats, just double, triple or quadruple the recipe listed below. It’s as easy as that!

  • Stir everything together. In a large mixing bowl, stir together the oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, and maple syrup.
  • Cover and soak. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and let it soak overnight in the fridge.
  • Serve individually. Scoop out a portion (about 1 cup) from the bowl into a serving glass or bowl. Then add your favorite toppings!
Making a large batch of overnight oats.
Overnight oats in a large bowl.

Flavor Variations

Now here comes the fun part—toppings and mix-ins. Creativity is the name of the game, so whatever your heart desires, go for it!

  • Fresh fruit: Make the most of seasonal fruits, including blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, bananas, peaches, pears, and apples. You can also blend them into a puree or make a chia seed jam and stir it in.
  • Dried fruit: Raisins, cranberries, goji berries, and chopped dates lend a chewy texture and fruity flavors.
  • Nuts and Seeds: Sliced almonds, chopped pecans or walnuts, hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, pepitas, and toasted sesame seeds add a subtle crunchy texture.
  • Extra Flavor: Sprinkle on coconut flakes or cacao nibs. They’ll taste amazing with banana, strawberry, or tropical flavors.
  • Spices: Stir in ground cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, cardamom, or ginger to spice things up a bit!
  • Yogurt: Mix in any type of yogurt for extra creaminess. Plus, it adds extra protein and a probiotic boost.
  • Nut Butter: Choose your favorite nut butter (I always love almond butter). Just stir it in or drizzle it on top. It also provides a protein boost.
  • Protein Powder: Still want an even bigger protein boost? Feel free to add protein powder or collagen powder.
Different overnight oats flavors.

Jar Recommendations

While many photos show overnight oats filled to the brim with toppings overflowing, that’s just not realistic in terms of mixing. You want a jar that’s large enough to stir everything together without making a mess. So with that in mind, I recommend a 16-ounce jar if you plan to add toppings. And a 12-ounce jar works for the base recipe with a small amount of mix-ins.

  • Mason Jars: Traditional mason jars are perfect for overnights oats. The pint-sized jars are 16-ounces, and the screw top lid is secure and super easy. You can also get 16-ounce wide mouth jars if you prefer.
  • Weck Jars: While I normally love Weck Jars for so many things (like chia pudding), if you plan to “grab and go” with your overnight oats, you might lose the clips. But if you’re careful, the ¼ liter mold jar is the perfect size for the base recipe at 12.5-ounces.

How To Store and Meal Prep

  • To Store: Overnight oats will stay good for 3 to 4 days in the fridge. If you have fruit toppings or fruit mix-ins, I recommend no more than three days, as the fruit is likely to go bad first.
  • For Freezing: Yes, you can freeze overnight oats! Similar to my meal prep chia pudding, overnight oats will stay good for up to three months in the freezer.
Overnight oats in many glass jars.

More Easy Breakfast Ideas

If you make these overnight oats, I’d love to know how they turned out in the comment box below! Your review will help other readers in the community. And if you’re hungry for more healthy food inspiration (and exclusive content), join my free newsletter.

Overnight oats in glass jars.

Easy Overnight Oats (6 Amazing Flavors)

4.96 from 263 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Chill Time: 8 hours
Total: 8 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Author: Lisa Bryan

Description

Learn how to make the perfect batch of overnight oats! They're easy, healthy, customizable, and great for a grab-and-go breakfast. Watch the video below to see how I make all of the different flavors in my kitchen!

Video

Equipment

  • 16oz Mason Jars The perfect sized jar for prepping a single serving with fruits.

Ingredients 
 

Basic Overnight Oats

Banana Bread Overnight Oats

Spiced Pear Overnight Oats

PB&J Overnight Oats

  • 2 tablespoon raspberry jam or puree
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter (or almond butter)
  • 1 teaspoon chopped pistachios

Pina Colada Overnight Oats

Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

Strawberry Protein Overnight Oats

Instructions 

  • Mix the overnight oats. Add all the ingredients into a sealable jar or bowl and give it a stir until combined.
    Mixing overnight oats in a large bowl.
  • Soak. Let it soak in the fridge for at least 2 hours, but it's best to soak overnight for 8 hours. This will yield a creamier consistency.
    Mixed overnight oats in a glass bowl.
  • Add the toppings. Top your overnight oats with your favorite toppings and enjoy!
    Mixed overnight oats in a jar.

Lisa’s Tips

  • If you make a large batch in a bowl, once it’s set and thickened overnight scoop out about 1 cup for a single serving.
  • I prefer the texture of rolled oats, but you can use quick-cooking oats as well. Just know that the texture will be a bit more mushy, like porridge.
  • And remember that overnight oats don’t have to be eaten cold. Just warm them up on the stovetop in a small pot or in the microwave for a minute or two the next morning.

Nutrition

Calories: 308kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 3mg | Sodium: 104mg | Potassium: 311mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 8IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 174mg | Iron: 3mg
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: healthy overnight oats, overnight oats, overnight oats recipe
Did you make this recipe?Mention @downshiftology or tag #downshiftology!

Recipe originally posted January 2021, but updated to include new information and photos for your benefit!

You May Also Like

About the author

Lisa Bryan

Lisa is a bestselling cookbook author, recipe developer, and YouTuber (with over 2.5 million subscribers) living in sunny Southern California. She started Downshiftology in 2014, and is passionate about making healthy food with fresh, simple and seasonal ingredients.

4.96 from 263 votes (32 ratings without comment)

Leave a comment

All comments are moderated before appearing on the site. Thank you for sharing your feedback!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




668 Comments

  1. Oh my goodness! I can’t even find the words to describe how good this simple breakfast recipe is. As a high school student, it is hard to make breakfast in the morning before school, so having something that is already prepared and ready to eat is so beneficial! I definitely recommend this to people who need a quick but healthy and balanced breakfast!!!!5 stars

    1. You can’t beat overnight oats for the perfect breakfast meal prep! Happy to hear this recipe has been so helpful while making your mornings extra delicious, Bridget.

  2. Love your recipe for the overnight oats! I hadn’t tried Greek yogurt before as an addition and it adds a nice creaminess plus a boost of protein. I sometimes will also add hemp seeds and ground flaxseed. Do you have a favorite protein powder you use?5 stars

    1. So happy you love these overnight oats, Michelle! I currently use Garden of Life protein powder, but I feel like I’m always on the hunt for the best option, haha.

  3. I have been following Lisa for years and have been using the easy and basic recipe. It has given me the freedom to create what I want when I have cravings. At times, I tweak it will a bit of orange or lemon rind or a splash of freshly squeezed juice. A family favorite.5 stars

    1. You can’t beat the versatility of overnight oats! Happy to hear these overnights have been such a joy to get creative with flavors, Regina.

  4. I loved making these. They were supper easy and making different flavors didn’t take much time. It’s great knowing there is a healthy breakfast ready and waiting for me; especially since I’m not a morning person.5 stars

  5. When making them, I add frozen blueberries to my overnight oats. That little bit of sweetness makes a big difference and I love the added benefit of a superfood! Love the recipes on the website and your YouTube videos are excellent and well worth the time to watch. Thanks so much!!

  6. The best when meal prepping for the week. I follow the formula and switch up the flavors for a great grab and go breakfast when I’m out the door at 6:00 am!5 stars

  7. I’ve tried several overnight oats recipes, and this is my favorite! I prefer to use coconut milk over dairy–I love that Lisa is always giving a non-dairy option. I think my favorite additions have been banana and/or a nut butter! Yum!5 stars

  8. I’ve made all of these varieties and each one is delicious and its own way. I was never an oatmeal eater until now. II’ve made all of these varieties and each one is delicious and its own way. I was never a oatmeal eater until now. I love that you can make these in bulk and then just grab one the night before you want to eat it. I will grab add milk, yogurt, and some fruit. Throw it in the fridge and it’s ready in the morning. It’s an easy way to add oatmeal which is great for lowering your cholesterol and the variety of flavors keeps oatmeal from becoming boring. Thanks for sharing!5 stars

  9. We love these overnight oats. My 9 year old loves helping me make them and eat them! We add frozen berries and 1 teaspoon simply strawberry jam on top and leave overnight. Delicious!5 stars

  10. These ON oats are delicious!!!! Made it with Salted caramel Greek yogurt today and Wow!!! My husband loved them too! He was recently diagnosed with afib/flutter so I’m putting him on a healthier diet too!! Thanks for your great recipes!!! I bought your book and so far made turkey spinach patties. Great quick & easy meal!!! The tzatziki sauce is just perfect with them! We had them with a sweet potato.
    Merry Christmas!5 stars

    1. Hi Autumn – Thanks so much for leaving a review! Happy to hear you’re loving these overnight oats, along with other cookbook recipes :)

  11. just discovered your website and i am loving it! I also love all the little extras like pantry organization and your shop page because of course many of us would love a kitchen like yours!
    Anyway with overnight oats – if i am not a fan of cold oats can i pre make them, have them in the fridge, then warm them up in the microwave? Will this change the recipe in any way?
    Thanks

    1. Hi Sally – These are technically meant to be eaten cold, but you could warm them up a bit in the microwave or prep oatmeal instead!

  12. Hi Lisa,
    I just wanted to say thank you for creating this page because I was trying to make a overnight oats but I have made many of them, of course some good some ok, some bad. It really matters with the base of it more I think and before this all I was able to find was it just whatever fruit I was trying to use but it would be a part of the name of the overnight oats all right blueberry muffin or strawberry cheesecake but I’m sure you know that the batches seem to be larger than enough for one person to want to eat that entire mix cuz it seems like the size that I mix for or the recipe that it reads cuz I’ve never made it before so I don’t know the amount that’s going to come out and what I like about yours is that you have it starting off as a small serving size and then of course you just add another half cup if you want more and of course to add it equally to the recipe but I really liked it you had the just specific overnight oats and I liked all of the options that you had with the carrot cake and there was a banana bread the spiced pear the PB&j I thought they were all very interesting.5 stars

  13. My go-to overnight oats recipe! Might as well keep this tab open all Spring and Summer long, because every Sunday I’m tripling this recipe to make a big batch to last all week.5 stars

  14. I had overnight oats at an old job and have tried countless recipes to get the similar consistency and taste of the oats the cafeteria used to have. I am a texture eater, even if I like the taste of something, I cannot eat it if it is a certain texture. I literally use this recipe at least twice a month to make oats for a few days at a time! The consistency is perfect, and the taste (with add ins and granola) never disappoints! I would give 100 stars if I could!!5 stars

  15. I’ve used this recipe several times and love it (thank you)! I am curious about using kefir instead of any type of milk. Have you tried that or do you know how I might need to adjust the recipe to do this? Thank you in advance!

  16. These overnight oats are truly so easy to put together, are great tasting and so very satisfying the next morning! I made these for my husband and myself, plus I made a second batch for our neighbor who was coming home from vacationing in Portugal so that she’d have something to eat the next morning. We loved them, she loved them, and has now asked for the recipe which I’m sharing with her, too. Thanks Lisa, easy, great and so healthy!
    Pam A.5 stars

  17. Hey Lisa,
    I have made a lot of your recipes and have enjoyed them. I’m trying the overnight oats next. That banana bread.
    Thank you so much.

  18. That’s a good tip about making overnight oats in a big bowl you are not committed to the toppings till the morning. Thank you. Sandra 🇮🇪

  19. I LOVE your overnight oats recipes. I have tried the basic and the carrot cake (yummy) and will try the others soon. Thank you, Lisa, for these and your other great recipes.5 stars

  20. I eat a version of Lisa’s overnight oats nearly everyday! I put together stevia, cinnamon, chia seeds, and oats in glass jars for the week then add almond milk and yogurt to one jar for overnight. The next morning I add banana, the nuts and berries I have in the fridge. It’s simple, filling, and super healthy.5 stars

      1. This base works really well and all of the variations are great! My son’s favourite is the Pina Colada as he loves pineapple! I did find though that it is best to add the pineapple in the morning. If added the night before, it develops a bitter taste. Otherwise, great! Thanks for the recipes.5 stars

  21. I had never made overnight oats before so this recipe was perfect my major tweak was using oat milk and maple flavored yogurt. Then I put some trail mix and some chopped Peaches on top! I will never be with out a few jars of this in my fridge for a go to breakfast!5 stars

  22. I’m experimenting with Overnight Oatmeal recipes this summer. Having just discovered your website, I thought I’d try some of your recipes. After trying nearly 10 recipes from lots of different websites, your Banana Bread Overnight Oats is our family’s absolute favorite! We’ll be trying the other variations for sure. Thanks for a true winner recipe.5 stars

  23. I have long been intrigued by the idea of overnight oats. I prepared the Basic Overnight Oats last night with full-fat Greek yogurt and unsweetened almond milk. I enjoyed them for breakfast with an ounce of mixed nuts, roasted and unsalted. Wow! The thick consistency, texture, and taste were excellent! This dish will be a new breakfast staple in my kitchen. Thank you!

  24. While I appreciate the ideas for add-ins, the base for this recipe was way too soupy for me. I used the 2x recipe so I could have a full jar in the morning, which called for 1 cup of both oats and milk, and it was too much liquid even overnight. I enjoy a thicker creamy oatmeal but this was watery. I’d be willing to try it again but I’d probably only use 1/2 up to 3/4 cup of milk. Also while I enjoy Greek yogurt by itself (plain or flavored), I didn’t like the tang it added to the oatmeal but that’s just me.3 stars

  25. Hi Lisa,
    Your Strawberry Overnight Oats was a delicious, quick and easy recipe. Thank you Lisa for recycling how to enjoy this delicious seasonal fruit. Your email came right after I asked myself, “Now how can I enjoy all of these delicious strawberries? “ There you were, like magic ! Thank you!. So glad I signed up for your emails….

  26. I’ve made this several times and it’s the best! My kids eat it (4 & 8) as well as my husband which says a lot because they’re all picky eaters! I’ll mix it up, one day I’ll add chia jam, also your recipe, and bananas and another day we’ll do peanut butter and honey and then mix it up some more by adding frozen pineapple and mango. The possibilities are endless! It’s quick and as a mom I’m happy to send them off with an amazing, grab-n-go nutritious breakfast! The whole house loves it! Winning!!5 stars

    1. Hi Viviana – Thanks for leaving a review and happy to hear the whole family enjoys these overnight oats!

  27. Freezer hack is extremely helpful since i am working. However, i am bit afraid that does it really stay good for several months. Then, after preparation i have kept it in fridge just for one day but thank you for letting me know that we can keep it even longer.

  28. So delicious! I live in southern Italy in a small fishing village where food is incredibly fresh and store bought items don’t have scary ingredients. I used honey from Crete and cinnamon and it came out amazing! I too have Hasimotos, and ITP and major gut issues.But living here and eating their great food my stomach and thyroid are much happier.Lol, just wish they didn’t drive so crazy!5 stars

  29. Love this recipe I have stopped purchasing HOLOS since using your recipe, I actually like yours better plus way less expensive.
    Question: Can I substitute the yogurt for Kefir?5 stars

  30. I am wondering if I could use 1/2 yogurt and 1/2 cream cheese to make it taste like carrot cake with cream cheese frosting?5 stars

  31. I’m confused, for the other recipes, like the strawberry protein, is it the basic oats recipe plus the additional ingredients listed, or only the ingredients under that topic?

    1. Hi Delilah – You will make the base recipe and then add any other ingredients listed under each flavor. Hope that helps!

  32. I made it with honey. Oh honey, it was exquisite! Thank you Lisa for all the great, delicious y healthy recipes! I have your book too. I’m a happy Downshiftology admirer.
    You are very thin Lisa 👏👏 I would like to shed about 6 pounds, how would I go about it?5 stars

  33. Im confused the over night oats and the toppings should be separated by specifying which is which and macros are not including different toppings

    1. Hi Ray – The base ingredients are listed separately from the add-ins. Also, the nutritional information is just for the base recipe.