Overnight Oats

With the busy lives we all lead, it’s hard to fit in time for breakfast before rushing out the door, but this no-cook method is the magical solution, trust me! My overnight oats base method is absolutely delicious as-is, but is also the perfect vessel for your favorite toppings.

And don’t worry if you’re not feeling particularly creative; I’ve shared 3 of my favorite flavor variations below. All recipes are rigorously tested in our Nashville Test Kitchen to ensure they are easy, affordable, and delicious.

“I made the base recipe for the first time last night and enjoyed it for breakfast this morning. Not overly sweet, just filling enough to carry me through the morning, but not sitting heavy.

My Favorite Make-Ahead Breakfast

I must confess: I nearly always skip breakfast if I don’t plan ahead!

Then, noon rolls around, and I am hangry. That’s why having this overnight oatmeal in the fridge at all times is a MUST.

Think of overnight oats as the cooler, more convenient cousin of traditional oatmeal. I add brown sugar, chia seeds, and cinnamon to my base recipe to create a delicious, well-rounded breakfast.

I’m in addition sharing three delicious flavor variations and different topping ideas so you can make it your own!

Recipe Success Tips

- Use old-fashioned rolled oats. Steel-cut oats are coarse and chewy as they haven’t been rolled during processing, which means they need more liquid and time to prepare.

Steel-cut oats are better saved for cooked oatmeal, rather than this no-cook overnight method. Old-fashioned rolled oats are the best and most reliable choice for overnight oats.

If you don’t love the taste of raw oats, try toasting them on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes (stir them halfway through) before mixing them with the milk and other components. - Use a clean container with a lid.

An 8-oz glass mason jar is my go-to as it’s easy to combine the ingredients in, easy to stash in the fridge, and doesn’t leak. That said, truly any container with a lid will work.

A deli container, a leftover jam jar, or even a small meal prep bowl. If it has a lid and is big enough, we’re in business.

- Stick with the 1:1 cup ratio. One of the most common problems with overnight oats is getting the texture right. My basic mix is ½ cup old-fashioned oats, ½ cup milk, ½ Tbsp brown sugar, ⅛ tsp cinnamon, ½ Tbsp chia (for added protein and fiber), and a pinch of salt.

Stir well so the chia doesn’t clump, cover, and refrigerate overnight. If you want it thicker, add a spoonful more oats or an extra pinch of chia, then give it 15 more minutes to thicken.

Stir in a splash of milk in the morning until it loosens up. You can in addition leave the chia out if you like, and the texture will still be great. Swap the brown sugar for honey if you want to use a different sweetener.

Maple syrup and agave will work here, too. You can as well reduce the amount of sugar or omit it altogether and rely on the natural sweetness of the milk! Swap the milk for any plant-based milk you like.

My favorite dairy alternative is unsweetened almond milk. You can in addition use water if that’s what you’re used to, but I think milk (dairy-free or regular) tastes better!

- Consider your toppings. Add fresh fruit just before eating to stop them from getting mushy.

The same goes for granola or anything else you want to stay crunchy.

Base Recipe

- ½ cup old fashioned oats (50g, $0.17*) - ½ cup milk (118ml, $0.11)

- ½ Tbsp brown sugar ($0.03**) - ½ Tbsp chia seeds ($0.07)

Peanut Butter and Jelly Variation (total: $1.28 per serving)

- 1 tsp blueberry jam ($0.04)

- 1 Tbsp crunchy peanut butter ($0.49) - a few blueberries (if desired, $0.23)

Chocolate Raspberry Variation (total: $0.91 per serving)

- 1 tsp red raspberry jam ($0.04)

- 1 Tbsp dark chocolate chips ($0.11) - a few raspberries (if desired, $0.34)

Banana Walnut Variation (total: $0.80 per serving)

- ⅓ banana (diced, $0.09)

Base Recipe Instructions

- Combine old fashioned oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, chia seeds, and salt in an 8 oz. - Stir or shake to combine, making sure all components are mixed in evenly to avoid clumps of chia or brown sugar.

- Put the lid onto your mason jar and place it in the fridge. - Refrigerate for 15 minutes or up to 12 hours before enjoying.***

Peanut Butter and Jelly Variation Instructions

- Once refrigerated, top the base method with the blueberry jam, peanuts, crunchy peanut butter, and a few blueberries, if desired. - For a layered version, scoop out about half of the oats (after chilling), spread a thin layer of jam and peanut butter in the jar, spoon the oats back in, then finish with the remaining toppings.

Chocolate Raspberry Variation Instructions

- Once refrigerated, top the base method with the raspberry jam, dark chocolate chips, and a few raspberries, if desired. - For a layered version, scoop out about half of the oats (once chilled) and add a thin layer of raspberry jam.

Spoon the oats back into the jar and top with the chocolate chips and raspberries, if using.

Banana Walnut Variation Instructions

- Once refrigerated, top the base method with the walnuts and diced banana just before serving. You can in addition chop the walnuts up, mix them into the chilled oatmeal, and then add the bananas on top.

See how we calculate method costs here.

Nutrition Information

how to make Overnight Oats Step by Step Gather all of your ingredients.

Assemble: Combine ½ cup old fashioned oats, ½ Tbsp brown sugar, ⅛ tsp cinnamon, ½ Tbsp chia seeds, and a pinch of salt in an 8 oz. Combine well: Stir or shake to combine, making sure all components are mixed in evenly to avoid clumps of chia or brown sugar.

Put the lid onto your mason jar and place it in the fridge. Refrigerate for 15 minutes or up to 12 hours before enjoying.

Once chilled, you can enjoy it as is, or try one of the following flavors variations… I am super picky when it comes to my oatmeal: 1.

I want a lot of varied textures, 2. I want it to be nutrient-dense and have healthy components, and 3.

It has to come together FAST! These savor variations check everything off my list:

Peanut BUTTER and Jelly

Your childhood favorite gets an upgrade with my peanut butter and jelly overnight oat method. I layer 1 tsp blueberry jam with 1 Tbsp crunchy peanut butter AND 1 Tbsp peanuts for extra crunch.

Add a few fresh blueberries, and you’re good to go! That peanut butter and peanuts combo boosts protein and healthy fats, and pairing it with blueberries adds fiber and antioxidants that help keep the oats more filling and balanced. You can in addition swap the peanut butter for sun butter as a nut-free version.

Chocolate Raspberry

Will chocolate and fresh berries ever not be a match made in heaven?

You only need to add 1 tsp raspberry jam, 1 Tbsp dark chocolate chips, and some fresh raspberries to make a breakfast that tastes just like dessert. Dark chocolate is another delicious source of antioxidants (yes, really!), and the raspberries add fiber and vitamin C, which together make this sweet option feel more satisfying.

For a layered breakfast, scoop half the chilled oats out of the jar, add a thin layer of raspberry jam, spoon the oats back in, then finish with dark chocolate chips and fresh raspberries on top.

Banana Walnut

Banana bread is my go-to coffee shop snack, so I always have an overnight oat version in the fridge.

I mix 1 Tbsp walnuts into the base method for a little protein and healthy omega-3 fats, then finish it with sliced bananas (⅓ of a banana total) for a potassium boost. It’s simple, cozy, and somehow manages to taste like a treat while still keeping you full all morning. I like leaving the walnuts quite chunky, but you can chop them up smaller if preferred.

Overnight Oats Topping Ideas

Like I’ve already mentioned, this base method is the perfect starting point for you to customize your oats with your favorite toppings and add-ins! Some of our readers have shared how they like to make their oats, so I thought it would be helpful to share some of their favorite toppings here:

- Make a blueberry muffin-inspired breakfast by adding blueberries, pecans, and extra cinnamon - Top with chocolate chips and caramel sauce

- Add leftover candies from Easter, Halloween, or the holidays! - Sprinkle over raisins, dried cranberries, or seeds, like pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

- Stir in 1/4-1/2 cup Greek yogurt and shredded apple before serving - Go fall-inspired with pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice - Add sliced banana and peanut butter (or sun butter for a nut-free option)

- Top with frozen cherries and dark chocolate chips - Try your favorite fruit compote for a concentrated, fruity topping

how long are overnight oats good for? These oats can last in the fridge for 4-5 days, making them great for meal-prepping.

I prefer enjoying them within 12 hours for the best texture, but they’ll still taste good after a few days—maybe just a bit softer. Store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh, and don’t add any toppings until you’re ready to eat them.