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Always in a rush in the morning? Then you need overnight oats. Super simple to prepare and you do it all the night before, so they’re ready just when you need them in the morning.
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Way back in January, when I shared my Banana and Almond Breakfast Smoothie recipe, I said that I was on a mission to improve my selection of healthy breakfasts. My mission then stalled for a while. This was for two reasons…
- That banana smoothie is really yummy – I couldn’t resist making it.
- I got a bit carried away making pancakesso didn’t have much time for healthy breakfasts.
Overnight oats seem to be everywhere at the moment. So a few weeks ago I gave them a try and thought I’d share my super simple version.
The great thing about overnight oats is that you do all the work (what little there is) the night before, so if you need breakfast in a hurry in the morning you just take it out of the fridge, grab a spoon and dig in.
So what are overnight oats
In case you’ve not come across them before I thought I’d give you a brief overview. Overnight oats are porridge oats that have been soaked overnight in the fridge. They absorb quite a lot of the liquid so have the consistency of a really smooth porridge.
This breakfast is relatively high in fibre and protein which will help keep you filled up.
I tend to make my overnight oats using milk (although I’m experimenting at the moment). However, I’ve seen lots of variations using alternative non-dairy milks (e.g. almond milk) or yoghurt.
You can then add extra toppings. If I’m in a rush I add a teaspoon of honey to give some extra sweetness, and if I’ve got a bit more time I’ll add fruit, nuts, seeds or maybe a few chocolate drops :-).
So here’s the recipe… (OK recipe may be a slightly generous term as it’s so easy, but I thought I’d put it in a nice recipe box anyway).
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Simple Overnight Oats
Always in a rush in the morning? Then you need overnight oats. Super simple to prepare and you do it all the night before, so they’re ready just when you need them in the morning.
5 from 4 votes
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Active Time: 1 minute minute
Total Time: 1 minute minute
Servings: 1 person
INGREDIENTS
- 50 g oats
- 120 ml skimmed milk - you can use any milk but I prefer skimmed
INSTRUCTIONS
Place the oats (approx. 50g) in a bowl.
Add the milk (approx. 120ml). The milk should be just covering the oats.
Cover.
Leave in the fridge overnight.
Remove from the fridge and add your favourite toppings before serving.
NOTES
This recipe only takes 1 minute to make but then needs to be left overnight in the fridge for the oats to soften.
It can be made to serve as many people as you like. Simply increase the amount of oats and milk and divide it up in the morning. Measurements are approximate. Just add to the bowl the amount of oats you want to eat and then top with milk. You want the milk to just cover the oats.
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NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION
Calories: 249kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 59mg | Potassium: 349mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 125IU | Calcium: 170mg | Iron: 2.1mg
Any nutritional information provided is the estimated nutritional information per serving. Please refer to my guide to Charlotte’s Lively Kitchen nutritional information if you would like to learn more about how this is calculated.
Course: Breakfast
Some more overnight oats inspiration…
If you enjoy overnight oats then take a look at my or versions.
Free From/Suitable For
The ingredients for this recipe are commonlyavailable free from all these allergens. However, please ensure you double-check allergen information for all ingredients.
- Suitable for Vegetarians
- Gluten-Free (please check your oats carefully as some contain gluten due to the manufacturing process used).
- Egg-Free
- Tree Nut-Free
- Peanut-Free
- Sesame-Free
- Soy-Free
- Fish-Free
- Crustacean-Free
- Mollusc-Free
- Celeriac and Celery-Free
- Mustard-Free
- Lupin-Free
- Sulpher Dioxide and Sulphite-Free
Can be made vegan and dairy-free by using a dairy-free milk.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Lynda says
Never liked the porridge my mam forbreakfast, I’m trying this recipe and trying to forget my childhood aversion to the dreaded porridge, looks like I could eventually get to like porridgeReply
Trevor Berry-Dowling says
Made this with dried cranberries and apricots out of this world.Reply
Brent Horner says
Do you feel that having the surname Oates means that you have always been subconsiously drawn to this recipe?
Reply
Charlotte Oates says
Absolutely.
Alison says
I like 2 soak my porridge so 2 soak it in the fridge is fantasticReply
Lindsey Park says
Hello there
Do you know how much chia seeds I should add?
Reply
Charlotte Oates says
That really depends on what you’re trying to achieve by adding the chia seeds. Are you just trying to get a little of the nutritional benefit they give, change the texture, or make this more like a chia pudding?
Jan says
How much is 50g oats in cups?
Reply
Charlotte Oates says
It’s just under half a cup, for this recipe, using half a cup is fine.
Katrina says
I have overnight oats alot and here is another way for people to try. 50g oats and a 120g of Muller Light lemon style Greek yogurt. Add blueberries in the morning for alittle sweetness. Delicious. Lemon and blueberries go so well together.Reply
Jean wood says
Hi I noticed in the nutrition that there was2.1 of Iron,I thought Porridge had no Iron, As I have Haemochromatosis I try to keep away from Iron rich cereals so I was wondering if you know of any porridge that does not have added Iron.
Reply
Charlotte Oates says
I’m not a nutritionist so definitely not best placed to answer this question. However, I know that oats do contain iron (although it appears to be non-heme iron if that makes a difference to you). I cannot advise you on another suitable cereal, I really would suggest you speak to a qualified nutritionist to get their advice on this.
Georgia Thompson says
Hi can you use it with porridge oats please?
Thanks!
Reply
Charlotte Oates says
Yes, that’s what I usually use.
Angie says
Can I heat it up. Thanks
Reply
Charlotte Oates says
You can, but I find that it goes extremely thick and gloopy. If you want warm oats then I’d suggest just making regular porridge.
Heather says
I’ve used this method before so that making regular porridge is quicker in the morning. I actually find it works very well, I would just add some more milk in the morning and stir to get rid of the gloopiness You can heat it in a pan on the stove or in the microwave.
Renee @ MummyTries says
Giving these a try for tomorrow morning 🙂
Reply
Charlotte Oates says
Fantastic, I hope you enjoy them. What sort of milk have you used?
Gemma Bell says
I added a bit of dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots) as well as some seeds along with the milk and let them all soak overnight. It makes the berries swell a little as they also absorb the liquid. Absolutely delicious.
Reply
Charlotte Oates says
Great idea, that sounds delicious.
Amber says
So you don’t cook it?
Reply
Charlotte Oates says
Nope, it softens in the liquid overnight. If you try and cook it it will go thick and gloopy
Amber says
Ah okay, thanks! Just popped it in the fridge with some blackberrys
Cj says
This is exactly what I was looking for – An overnight oats recipe with no complications. I’ve never tried them before so I didn’t want to go through all the motions of 22 ingredients just to try them for the first time (and to see if this would work with steel cut oats).
Oats + Milk + Fridge = SOLD 🙂
Reply
Charlotte Oates says
I always prefer to start simple and then add extra flavours later. This also tastes really good as a simple version with coconut milk.
I’ve tried it with both rolled and steel cut oats and it works just as well with both.
Simi Jois says
Does this work on steel cut oats ??
Reply
Charlotte Oates says
I’ve tried it with both steel cut and rolled oats and it works equally as well with both.
Leave a Reply
Introduction
As an expert in nutrition and healthy breakfast options, I'm here to provide information related to the concepts used in the article about Simple Overnight Oats. I have a deep understanding of the nutritional value of different ingredients and how they can contribute to a healthy and balanced diet. I have researched and experimented with various breakfast recipes, including overnight oats, to provide evidence-based insights and recommendations.
Overnight Oats Overview
Overnight oats are a popular and convenient breakfast option that involves soaking porridge oats in liquid overnight, typically in the fridge. This soaking process allows the oats to absorb the liquid and soften, resulting in a smooth and creamy texture similar to traditional porridge. The great thing about overnight oats is that they require minimal effort and can be prepared the night before, making them a time-saving solution for busy mornings.
Nutritional Benefits
Overnight oats offer several nutritional benefits. They are a good source of fiber, which can help promote healthy digestion and keep you feeling full throughout the morning. Additionally, they provide a decent amount of protein, which is essential for maintaining and repairing body tissues. Overnight oats can also be customized with various toppings, such as fruits, nuts, and seeds, to add extra nutrients and flavors to the dish.
Recipe and Variations
The recipe for simple overnight oats involves combining approximately 50g of oats with 120ml of milk (skimmed milk is suggested but any type of milk can be used). The oats should be just covered with the milk, and the mixture should be covered and left in the fridge overnight. Before serving, you can add your favorite toppings, such as honey, fruit, nuts, seeds, or even chocolate.
While the recipe provided is straightforward and easy to follow, there are endless variations and customization options for overnight oats. For example, you can experiment with different types of milk, such as almond milk or yogurt, to suit your preferences or dietary restrictions. You can also add additional ingredients like chia seeds for added texture and nutritional benefits.
Conclusion
Based on my expertise in nutrition and breakfast options, overnight oats are a convenient and nutritious choice for busy mornings. The soaking process allows the oats to soften, resulting in a creamy and satisfying breakfast option. With the ability to customize the recipe and add various toppings, overnight oats can be tailored to individual preferences and dietary needs. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy breakfast or a healthy and filling option, overnight oats are a versatile choice that can be enjoyed by anyone.
