Best Overnight Oats – healthy no-cook oatmeal made 8 ways are easy to prepare and perfect for busy mornings. Make ahead oatmeal is simple and easy to customize with your favorite flavors. 

Easy make ahead breakfasts are essential for busy mornings during the week.  Having a few easy choices in your arsenal and ready to go first thing in the morning definitely helps.

Overnight oats are just rolled or old fashioned oats soaked overnight that absorb the liquid you put them in. This no cook recipe that doesn’t require an oven means they are the best breakfast to start the day with on a hot summer day. Especially when you don’t feel like stirring a pot over a hot stove.

A few bonus points: they’re nutritious, loaded with fiber, protein, essential vitamins minerals & can help keep you full until lunch.

Not only are they good for you, I love that you can make a big batch ahead the night before.

Everything_soulful_Overnight_Oats_8_ways

SO HOW DO YOU MAKE OVERNIGHT OATS?

  1. Start by combining rolled or old fashioned oats with your favorite milk and / or coconut or Greek yogurt in a 8 oz. mason jar, resealable container or a bowl.
  2. Overnight oats are super versatile so feel free to add any sweetener or spices you like.
  3. Seal or cover with a lid and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  4. There are a ton of ways you can customize the flavors. Have fun and mix up the flavors so you can have a different one every day of the week.
  5. And if you make them in a mason jar, you can easily transport this healthy breakfast to school, work or enjoy them on the road. Enjoy them straight from the jar or pour into a bowl and add your favorite toppings.

Everything_soulful_Overnight_Oats_8_ways_3

WHAT INGREDIENTS DO YOU USE FOR THE OVERNIGHT OATS BASE?

  1. Oats: Overnight oats are typically made with old-fashioned rolled oats and sometimes quick oats. Use gluten free as needed.
  2. Chia Seeds: Chia seeds give overnight oats that thick pudding-like texture and add extra fiber but feel free to leave them out if you aren’t a fan.
  3. Nut or seed butter: Almond butter, cashew butter, pumpkin butter, sunflower seed butter and or peanut butter add that savory-nutty flavor and a certain creaminess.
  4. Milk: Use your favorite milk you like or have on hand. For this dairy free version, we use almond milk but coconut milk, cashew milk will work just fine.
  5. Fruit: Have fun with your toppings. Add fruit that won’t get mushy directly into the mason jar or toss them on directly on top of the oats when you’re ready to eat.
  6. Sweetener: Leave out or use any sweetener you like – honey, maple syrup, a ripe banana, dates or any low-carb liquid sweetener like monk fruit, stevia, SWERVE or erythritol will work.
  7. For a non-vegan version – Greek Yogurt – You can add a combination of milk and yogurt to make your oats extra creamy

DO I HAVE TO EAT OVERNIGHT OATS COLD OR CAN I HEAT THEM UP?

You can enjoy overnight oats both ways. Enjoy them cold straight from the fridge with more toppings or heat them up in the microwave in a heat-safe bowl or container for 1-2 minutes. Or you can even heat them up in a pot over the stove.

Everything_soulful_Overnight_Oats_8_ways_almond-joy

ALMOND JOY OVERNIGHT OATS

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats gluten free as needed
  • 2/3 – 3/4 cup almond milk or your favorite milk for a non-vegan version – you can add half milk and half Greek yogurt for creaminess as well
  • 2 teaspoons chia seeds
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup honey or low carb liquid sweetener
  • 1/2 Tablespoon cocoa powder or cacao powder
  • 1 Tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut plus more for topping if desired
  • 1 Tablespoon slivered or sliced almonds plus more for topping if desired
  • chocolate chips optional for topping
Instructions:
  1. Add oats, milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, cocoa powder, coconut and almonds. (and sweetener if desired) together in a mason jar, resealable container or a bowl. (If you like your oatmeal more creamier, you can add more milk and less if you like them on the chunkier side – you can also add an extra 2 tablespoons yogurt (dairy free if needed) to make them creamier).
  2. Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. Seal and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave or stove-top.
  3. Serve with more milk as desired and top with additional coconut, almonds and/or chocolate chips before serving, if desired.

Everything_soulful_Overnight_Oats_8_ways_apple_cinnamon

APPLE CINNAMON OVERNIGHT OATS

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats gluten free as needed
  • 2/3 – 3/4 cup almond milk or your favorite milk for a non-vegan version – you can add half milk and half Greek yogurt for creaminess as well
  • 2 teaspoons chia seeds
  • 1/2 cup chopped apples , I used gala (plus more for topping, if desired)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup honey or low carb liquid sweetener , optional
Instructions:
  1. Add oats, milk, chia seeds, apples, cinnamon (and sweetener if desired) together in a mason jar, resealable container or a bowl. (If you like your oatmeal more creamier, you can add more milk and less if you like them on the chunkier side – you can also add an extra 2 tablespoons yogurt (dairy free if needed) to make them creamier).
  2. Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. Seal and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave or stove-top.
  3. Serve with more milk as desired and top with additional chopped apples and ground cinnamon before serving, if desired.

Everything_soulful_Overnight_Oats_8_ways_banana_nut

BANANA NUT OVERNIGHT OATS

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats gluten free as needed
  • 2/3 – 3/4 cup almond milk or your favorite milk for a non-vegan version – you can add half milk and half Greek yogurt for creaminess as well
  • 2 teaspoons chia seeds
  • 1/2 very ripe banana mashed or chopped for chunkier texture
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup honey or low carb liquid sweetener
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp nutmeg
  • 2 Tbsp walnuts chopped
Instructions:
  1. Add oats, milk, chia seeds,(and sweetener if desired) together in a mason jar, resealable container or a bowl. (If you like your oatmeal more creamier, you can add more milk and less if you like them on the chunkier side – you can also add an extra 2 tablespoons yogurt (dairy free if needed) to make them creamier).
  2. Add mashed banana, cinnamon and sweetener, if using.
  3. Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. Seal and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  4. Serve with more milk as desired and top with fresh banana slices and walnuts before serving, if desired.

Everything_soulful_Overnight_Oats_8_ways_blueberry_almond

BLUEBERRY OVERNIGHT OATS

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats gluten free as needed
  • 2/3 – 3/4 cup almond milk or your favorite milk for a non-vegan version – you can add half milk and half Greek yogurt for creaminess as well
  • 2 teaspoons chia seeds
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon almond butter
  • 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup honey or low carb liquid sweetener
  • 1/4 cup fresh blueberries plus more for toppings
Instructions:
  1. Add oats, milk, chia seeds, vanilla and blueberries (and sweetener if desired) together in a mason jar, resealable container or a bowl. (If you like your oatmeal more creamier, you can add more milk and less if you like them on the chunkier side – you can also add an extra 2 tablespoons yogurt (dairy free if needed) to make them creamier).
  2. Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. Seal and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Everything_soulful_Overnight_Oats_8_ways_carrot_cake

CARROT CAKE OVERNIGHT OATS

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats , gluten free as needed
  • 2/3 – 3/4 cup almond milk or your favorite milk for a non-vegan version – you can add half milk and half Greek yogurt for creaminess as well
  • 2 teaspoons chia seeds
  • 1 Tbsp maple syrup honey or low carb sweetener
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 Tbsp grated carrots, plus more for topping if desired
  • 1/2 Tbsp shredded coconut plus more for topping
  • 1 teaspoon chopped pecans
  • 1/2 teaspoon raisins optional , plus more for topping
Instructions:
  1. Add oats, milk, chia seeds, sweetener, cinnamon, carrots, coconut, pecans, and raisins to mason jar.
  2. Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. (If you like your oatmeal more creamier, you can add more milk and less if you like them on the chunkier side – you can also add an extra 2 tablespoons yogurt (dairy free if needed) to make them creamier).
  3. Seal and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave or stove-top.
  4. Serve with more milk as desired and sprinkle with additional coconut, pecans and raisins before serving (optional) together in a mason jar, resealable container or a bowl.

Everything_soulful_Overnight_Oats_8_ways_pbj

PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY OVERNIGHT OATS

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats gluten free as needed
  • 2/3 – 3/4 cup almond milk or your favorite milk for a non-vegan version – you can add half milk and half Greek yogurt for creaminess as well
  • 2 teaspoons chia seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon coconut sugar or honey optional
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons seedless strawberry or raspberry jam plus more for layering
  • 2-3 tablespoons smooth or crunchy peanut butter plus more for layering
  • 1 teaspoon freeze-dried strawberries for topping optional
  • 1/4 teaspoon chopped peanuts for topping optional
Instructions
  1. Add oats, milk, chia seeds,(and sweetener if desired) together in a mason jar, resealable container or a bowl. (If you like your oatmeal more creamier, you can add more milk and less if you like them on the chunkier side – you can also add an extra 2 tablespoons yogurt (dairy free if needed) to make them creamier).
  2. Add sweetener (if using), peanut butter, jam and vanilla to the mason jar. (Alternatively, you can also layer the peanut butter and jam separately like I did in the photos).
  3. Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. Seal and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave or stove-top.
  4. Serve with more milk as desired and top with another layer of peanut butter, jam, freeze-dried berries and chopped peanuts before serving, if desired.

Everything_soulful_Overnight_Oats_8_ways_pumpkin

PUMPKIN OVERNIGHT OATS

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats gluten free as needed
  • 2/3 – 3/4 cup almond milk or your favorite milk for a non-vegan version – you can add half milk and half Greek yogurt for creaminess as well
  • 2 teaspoons chia seeds
  • 1/2 Tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 Tbsp pure pumpkin puree canned or fresh
  • 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tbsp pecans chopped
  • 1 teaspoon pepitas (pumpkin seeds) plus more for topping
  • 1 teaspoon ground cranberries plus more for topping
Instructions
  1. Add oats, milk and chia seeds together in a mason jar, resealable container or a bowl. (If you like your oatmeal more creamier, you can add more milk and less if you like them on the chunkier side – you can also add an extra 2 tablespoons yogurt (dairy free if needed) to make them creamier).

  2. Stir in maple syrup, pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, pecans, pepitas and cranberries.

  3. Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. Seal and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  4. Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave or stove-top.
  5. Serve with more milk as desired and top with more pepitas and cranberries before serving, if desired.

Everything_soulful_Overnight_Oats_8_ways_strawberry

STRAWBERRY OVERNIGHT OATS

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats gluten free as needed
  • 3/4 cup almond milk or your favorite milk
  • 2 teaspoons chia seeds
  • 1/4 cup chopped strawberries plus extra for topping
  • 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup, honey or low carb liquid sweetener
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions

  1. Add oats, almond milk and chia seeds together in a resealable container, mason jar or bowl. Add strawberries (and sweetener if desired) then shake jar or combine with a spoon.*

  2. Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.

  3. Top with fresh strawberry slices before serving, if desired.

  4. Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave.

FOR MEAL PREP:

  1. Double or triple the recipe and divide into separate mason jars or resealable containers for up to 4 day. Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave and add toppings of choice.

Recipe Notes

(Alternatively for a layered look, – add half of the oats to the bottom of the mason jar, then layer with strawberries and add the remaining oats).