Overnight Oats: A Grab-N-Go Staple

Table of Contents

I’ll be honest – I’m new to the overnight oats fad. I really wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy cold oatmeal, but believe me, once you try a few of these recipes I found… not only will you marvel at the simplicity of them, but you’ll be amazed at how tasty (and filling) they are!

These are great for weekly meal prepping because they can be stored in the fridge for 3-5 days. So make them on a Sunday night, and you’ll have breakfast for the rest of the week. (That is if you can manage not to snack on them in the afternoon, too!)

Plus, once you buy the staples for these recipes, you can make several rounds of breakfast on just a few dollars. In fact, $30 pays for nearly an entire month of plain overnight oats for two people. Add a few chocolate chips, peanut butter, or fruit for flavor and nutrition.

Chia Seeds – A Wellness Hack

Now, if you’re like me, texture is important in foods. If I can’t get past the texture, I’m not going to eat it again. While it may look like chia seeds are going to add a funky texture to your oats, let me reassure you… they don’t. Honestly, you can’t even really tell they’re there. Chia seeds absorb liquid and become almost gelatinous, and combined with your oats and almond milk, they’ll make your overnight oats silky smooth.

But the benefits of chia seeds go beyond texture – they are packed with health benefits. Chia seeds are tiny but mighty when it comes to nutrition.

• They’re loaded with fiber, which helps keep you full longer and supports digestion—an underrated win when you’re on the road and out of your usual routine.
• They’re also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are great for heart health and reducing inflammation.
• Plus, they’re a solid source of plant-based protein, antioxidants, and essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron.

All that, and they basically disappear into your oats? Total wellness hack.

Did you know that you can even use chia seeds to make an egg substitute in a pinch?

Tiramisu Overnight Oats (The Pioneer Woman)

I absolutely adore Ree Drummond’s recipes, because typically they remind me of my childhood, full of flavor and typically not too difficult to make. Gary and I both love a good tiramisu, so why not make a healthy version for breakfast? We agree… why not?

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole milk (I prefer Almond Milk – and it has a longer shelf life than dairy milk)
• 1/2 cup espresso or strong brewed coffee (check out my new Moka Pot by Coffee Gator)
• 6 Tbsp. maple syrup or honey, divided
• 2 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract, divided
• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 8 tsp. chia seeds
• 2 oz. cream cheese, cubed and softened
• 1 (5.3-oz.) container vanilla Greek yogurt
• Cocoa powder, to serve

Directions

1. In a large measuring cup, combine the milk, coffee, 1/4 cup of maple syrup, and 1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla. Divide the mixture among 4 jars or airtight containers.
2. Stir 1/2 cup of oats and 2 teaspoons of chia seeds into each container, ensuring the oats are submerged in liquid. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 12 hours.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk the cream cheese until smooth. Whisk in the yogurt, the remaining 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, and the remaining 1 teaspoon of vanilla until well combined and creamy.
4. Spoon the yogurt mixture over the oats, spreading into a smooth layer. Dust with cocoa powder and serve chilled.

Choco-Peanut Butter Overnight Oats (from EatingWell.com)

So, I believe you can never go wrong when you combine chocolate, peanut butter, and bananas. This is just one of those flavor combinations that just never gets old.

Ingredients

• 2 cups unsweetened almond milk or other nut or dairy milk, divided
• 4 tablespoons smooth natural peanut butter, divided
• 8 teaspoons pure maple syrup, divided
• 2 cups rolled oats, divided
• 4 pinches salt, divided
• 4 tablespoons mini chocolate chips, divided
• 2 bananas, halved, divided

Directions

1. Combine 1/2 cup milk, 1 tablespoon peanut butter, and 2 teaspoons maple syrup in a mason jar or bowl; shake or whisk until blended.
2. Stir in 1/2 cup oats, a pinch of salt and 1 tablespoon chocolate chips.
3. Using a separate mason jar or bowl for each serving, repeat with the remaining ingredients.
4. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
5. Before serving, slice half a banana into each serving.

Check Back for More!

I’m going to be adding recipes here as I test them and tweak them. Check back here often for new recipes, new flavor combinations, and more!