How to make quick and easy overnight oats to fuel the day – perfect for breakfast or suhoor (sahur) during Ramadan!
Overnight oats are the perfect addition to any breakfast routine. From its quick and easy, time-saving preparation to the customizable toppings, these sweet overnight oats are designed to add a touch of sweetness and nourishment to your morning meals.
I’ll be honest, I only eat overnight oats consistently, once a year – for sahur/sahoor/suhoor, whenever Ramadan rolls around! This is one of my go-tos during Ramadan since I don’t have to do any cooking – just grab it from the fridge, and eat. Since I’m preparing a batch, I thought it’s the perfect time to share my basic recipe, and some of my favourite toppings.
Why You Will Love These Overnight Oats
- TIME SAVER: Time-saver for busy mornings! Each jar is prepared per serving, so there is no need to portion out – just grab and go!
- Customizable: To cater to various taste preferences.
- Nutritious and Filling: A hearty and satisfying breakfast that keeps you energized throughout the day.
Key Ingredients
- Oats: The main ingredient would be oats, for bulk and substance. Oats are high in carbs, fibres and proteins for sustained energy. Rolled oats, old-fashioned oats or instant oats – they will all work for overnight oats! Rolled oats and old-fashioned will give you a chunkier texture, while instant oats will result in softer oats. I personally prefer using instant oats!
- Milk: Milk or plant-based milks (like almond, soy, or oat milk) to soak the oats for creaminess. My go-to option is soy, for flavour and affordability. If you don’t want milk, you can replace with juice, yoghurt drink or even just water. The point is to hydrate and fill out the oats.
- Chia Seeds: Chia seeds for a thick and satisfying texture. The health benefits of chia seeds are abundant, such as being rich in omega-3 fatty acids. When allowed to soak overnight, the soaked seeds will release liquid throughout the day to help keep hydrated for longer.
Basic Overnight Oats
My base for overnight oats is always the same! Simply combine the three ingredients, mix, and then top with my toppings of choice.
The perfect ratio of oats to liquid to me is 1 part oats:1 part liquid.
For 1 serving:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats or instant oats
- 1/2 cup liquid (milk or plant-based milk is preferable)
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
1. Combine the Trio: Combine oats, milk of choice and chia seeds in a jar or bowl. Stir to combine to a creamy consistency. This combo will get you a creamy overnight oats that is ‘just nice’.
Feel free to adjust the liquid volume according to your preferred consistency. I usually add 1/4 cup more liquid since I like my oats to be not as thick. If you prefer a thicker consistency, add more oats.
2. Let It Chill: Seal the jar or bowl and refrigerate overnight.
NOTE: If you’re not sure what consistency of overnight oats you prefer, I would err on the side of having less liquid to oats ratio. In the morning, if they feel too thick, simply stir in a splash of milk (or your favorite liquid) until you reach your preferred texture. It’s always easier to thin out overnight oats than to thicken them after the fact!
Overnight Oats – 4 Delicious Ways!
The options for toppings are ENDLESS – use your favourite fruits, granola and nuts!
You can choose to add your toppings right after preparing your overnight oats and mix them in the night before—it’s entirely up to you! Mixing ahead of time saves you a step in the morning, making your breakfast grab-and-go. However, adding them as toppings, not only keeps them fresh but also makes your oats look SO MUCH MORE APPEALING when you’re ready to eat (perfect for that aesthetic good morning IG story).
In all of the following recipes, you would notice sweeteners are optional-I prefer relying on the sweetness of the fruits! If you want that extra sweetness, feel free to drizzle a teaspoon of honey or maple syrup.
Banana Bread
Ingredients:
- Bananas
- Chopped almonds
- Cinnamon
Top with sliced bananas, chopped almonds, yoghurt and a sprinkle of cinnamon into your oats. Option to add sweetener of choice. Mix everything together and enjoy!
Apple Pie
Ingredients:
- Apples
- Cinnamon
- Yogurt
Combine diced apples, a dash of cinnamon, and a dollop of yogurt with your oats. Mix everything together, and experience the delightful taste of apple pie in a jar!
Strawberry Shortcake
Ingredients:
- Strawberries
- Yogurt
- Graham crackers
Add fresh strawberries, and a spoonful of yogurt to your oats. When you’re ready to have your overnight oats, crush graham crackers over so it’s freshly crunchy and dig in!
Blueberry Muffin
Ingredients:
- Blueberries
- Chopped roasted cashews
- Cinnamon powder
Top oats with blueberries and chopped cashews. Option to add sweetener of choice. Mix to combine and enjoy!
Storage and Shelf Life of Overnight Oats
You can use mason jars for your overnight oats, but I much prefer bowls which come with a lid. They’re a lot easier to eat out of, and you can stir your overnight oats without much mess and effort. They’re also a lot more versatile for other purposes besides for overnight oats, and we love a multi-purpose equipment!
These are some options on Amazon:
Once prepared, your sweet overnight oats can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days, depending on the toppings.
Base overnight oats can be stored for up to one week in the fridge; the longer it’s stored, the more it will break down, aka the mushier your oats will become.
Ensure the jar or container is tightly sealed to maintain freshness.
More Meal Prep Resources:
Overnight Oats – 4 ways!
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minutesHow to make quick and easy overnight oats to fuel the day – perfect for breakfast or suhoor (sahur) during Ramadan!
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Ingredients
- Base Overnight Oats
1/2 cup Rolled Oats, Old-Fashioned Oats or Instant Oats
1/2 cup Liquid (milk, plant based milk, juice, yoghurt drink, or water)
1 tbsp Chia Seeds
- Banana Bread
1 banana, sliced
1 tbsp almonds, chopped
1 tbsp yoghurt
1 tbsp honey (or sweetener or choice, optional)
1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
- Apple Pie
1/2 apple, cubed
2 tbsp yoghurt
1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
1 tbsp honey (or sweetener or choice, optional)
- Strawberry Shortcake
3 -4 strawberries, sliced
1 tbsp yoghurt
1 -2 graham crackers
1 tbsp honey (or sweetener or choice, optional)
- Blueberry Muffin
1/4 cup blueberries
2 tbsp roasted cashews, chopped
1 tbsp honey (or sweetener or choice, optional)
1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
Directions
- Basic Overnight Oats
- Combine oats, milk of choice and chia seeds in a jar or bowl. Stir to combine to a creamy consistency.
- Seal the jar or bowl and refrigerate overnight.
NOTE: If the oats are too thick the next day, add a splash of milk (or liquid of choice) and stir through to your preferred consistency. - Banana Bread
- After making the overnight oats, top with sliced bananas, chopped almonds, yoghurt and a sprinkle of cinnamon. Option to add sweetener of choice. Seal and refrigerate overnight.
- When you’re ready to eat, mix everything together and enjoy!
- Apple Pie
- After making the overnight oats, combine diced apples, a dash of cinnamon, and a dollop of yogurt with your oats. Option to add sweetener of choice. Seal and refrigerate overnight.
- When you’re ready to eat, mix everything together and enjoy the taste of apple pie in a jar!
- Strawberry Shortcake
- After making the overnight oats, add sliced strawberries, and a spoonful of yogurt to your oats. Option to add sweetener of choice. Seal and refrigerate overnight.
- When you’re ready to have your overnight oats, mix everything together. Immediately crush graham crackers over so it’s freshly crunchy. Enjoy!
- Blueberry Muffin
- After making the overnight oats, top with blueberries, chopped cashews and cinnamon. Option to add sweetener of choice. Seal and refrigerate overnight.
- When you’re ready to eat, mix to combine and enjoy!
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