How to Make Overnight Oats

Learn how to make Overnight Oats with this basic overnight oats recipe, the best easy make-ahead breakfast for a busy-lifestyle! Make your own protein overnight oats with yogurt and all your favourite toppings.

 

Estimated reading time: 13 minutes

Breakfast can often be the most over-looked meal of the day, and whether or not you subscribe to the belief that it’s the most important meal of the day or not, we can probably agree that it is, in fact, worth thinking about!

Whether you’re all about fuelling your body with healthy, high-protein meals, or you’re just trying to feed a family and get ahead on all the meals you have to make every single week, this Overnight Oats recipe is DEFINITELY one you need! It’s fast, easy-to-make, and it can be made hundreds of different ways to satisfy everybody in the family.

Overnight oats are a no-cook method of making oatmeal that’s pretty much as easy as it gets: you simply stir together oats and liquid (we like milk or milk alternatives), let the mixture rest in the fridge overnight, and wake up to a ready-to-eat breakfast. The oats soak up the liquid as they rest, softening into a creamy, pudding-like texture.

Think of them as a make-ahead breakfast that saves you SO much time, energy, and stress in the morning. You can enjoy them cold right out of the fridge or warm them up if you prefer a cozier breakfast. And the best part? They’re endlessly versatile. You can change up the flavours, add toppings, and tailor them to your dietary needs or flavour preferences!

There are a million versions of overnight oats out there, but this base recipe has been our go-to for over a decade. Here are the reasons why:

• It’s Simple and Balanced: Just oats, milk, and a little Greek yogurt for protein and creaminess.
• It’s Customizable: You can make it vegan, high in protein, or fibre-packed depending on what your body needs.
• It’s easy to Make-Ahead: Two servings mean breakfast is sorted for tomorrow and the next day. OR you can double or triple the recipe for the whole family.
• It’s Kid-friendly: Perfect for busy families! Add your kids’ favourite toppings and everyone’s happy and well fed.
• It’s Budget-Friendly: This recipe uses affordable pantry staples, so you’ll save money while eating well.

It’s the kind of recipe that makes weekday mornings feel a little more doable, and that’s always a win in our book!

If you’re looking for more make-ahead or easy breakfast recipes, here are some of our family’s favourites!

• Easy Skillet Tomato Spinach Frittata
• Air Fryer Eggs
• Buttermilk Waffles
• Homemade Granola
• Easy Skillet Mushroom Spinach Frittata
• Baked Oatmeal
• Banana Pancakes
• Almond Chocolate Overnight Oats
• Tropical Fruit Breakfast Parfaits
• Protein Pancakes
• Baked Oatmeal
• Pomegranate Granola Parfaits

Want to make the BEST overnight oats? Here’s all our pro tips for the perfect overnight oats, every single time!

Use rolled oats (also called old-fashioned oats) if you can. Steel-cut oats definitely won’t soften enough without cooking, so be sure to avoid them. Quick oats can work in a pinch but they can sometimes turn mushy, so choose rolled oats if you can.

Adding some banana creates SO much sweetness without a ton of added sugar or calories. Substitute the banana for some maple syrup or honey, if you prefer.

Allowing the overnight oats to soak overnight really makes them creamy. Trust, us, they’re worth the wait!

Add fresh fruit, nut butter, or crunchy toppings just before serving so they stay fresh and vibrant.

If you’re running into trouble with this overnight oats recipe, here are some possible issues you might encounter and how we recommend fixing or preventing them!

Different brands of oats can absorb slightly different amounts of liquid, so if the oats are too thick just stir in a little more milk or yogurt to loosen them up.

If they’re too runny, just add a spoonful of chia seeds or ground flax to thicken up the oats.

Simply sweeten to taste with honey, maple syrup, or even mashed fruit (like banana or berries).

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need any of those super aesthetic containers with cute lids to make overnight oats.

We recommend simple glass containers with a tight fitting lid, like these mason jars with lids, or these Glasslock containers with lots of room for added fruit. They’re extremely durable and long-lasting, and they’re one of our favourite kitchen items!

You’ll also need these items (paid links):

• Silicone Spatula
• measuring cups and spoons
• liquid measuring cups
• Blender

You won’t need much to make overnight oats! Here’s a list of ingredients you’ll need to make the base overnight oats recipe (paid link):

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup milk or use dairy-free milk of your choice
• 1 mashed banana or add 1-2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or use dairy-free yogurt
• 1-2 tablespoons nut butter stir in for more flavour, or add later as a topping
• 1 cup fresh or frozen berries or use the fruit of your choice (sliced peaches, mango, banana, etc.)

We love keeping mornings interesting and switching up our overnight oats flavours, especially when making them for meal prep. Here are some delicious ideas for flavour variations – each one builds on the base recipe so you can stir, chill, and enjoy… no fuss required!

1. Classic Berry & Yogurt – Stir in a handful of mixed berries before refrigerating, then add an extra spoonful of Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey before serving.
2. Banana Nut – Make the recipe as directed and top with sliced banana, peanut butter, and a sprinkle of chopped walnuts and some cinnamon and nutmeg.
3. Chocolate Peanut Butter – Add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder and 1 tablespoon of peanut butter along with the oats, milk, and banana. Before serving, top with a few chocolate chips.
4. Apple Cinnamon – Stir in 1/2 a grated apple, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of maple syrup before chilling. Add some raisins and chopped walnuts on top before serving, along with some more cinnamon.
5. Tropical Twist – Mix in 1/4 cup of diced pineapple and mango with the oats and milk. Before serving, sprinkle with shredded coconut.
6. Strawberries & Cream – Add diced strawberries before chilling. Top with a swirl of Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt and a splash of cream (or coconut cream).
7. Pumpkin Pie – Stir in 1/4 cup of pumpkin purée, ½ teaspoon pumpkin spice, and a drizzle of maple syrup with the base mixture. Top with chopped pecans.
8. Mocha – Add 1 teaspoon instant coffee and 1 tablespoon cocoa powder to the oats and milk before chilling. Top with shaved dark chocolate or cacao nibs.
9. Carrot Cake – Mix in 1/4 cup grated carrot, 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon, and a few raisins before chilling. Add chopped walnuts and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup before serving.
10. Maple Pecan – Stir in 2 tablespoons of maple syrup before chilling. Add toasted pecans and a pinch of cinnamon on top before serving, along with more maple syrup.
11. Raspberry Almond – Use almond milk instead of regular milk, and add some almond extract before chilling. Top with a spoonful of almond butter and sliced almonds, and as many fresh raspberries as you like!
12. Peaches & Cream – Stir in diced peaches before chilling. Before serving, swirl in some Greek yogurt and a drizzle of honey, and add more peaches on top.
13. Coconut Chia – Add 1 tablespoon shredded coconut and 1 tablespoon chia seeds when mixing the oats and milk. Use coconut milk for an extra boost, and top with more coconut flakes.
14. Lemon Blueberry – Stir in lemon zest with the base mixture. Add a drizzle of vanilla extract if desired, and serve with fresh blueberries on top.
15. Cherry Chocolate – Mix in chopped cherries and 1 teaspoon cocoa powder before chilling. Top with shaved chocolate or cacao nibs and more cherries.
16. PB & J – Add 2 tablespoons peanut butter to the oats before chilling. Swirl in a spoonful of jam (or mashed fresh berries) just before serving and top with chopped peanuts for added crunch.
17. Cinnamon Roll – Stir in 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract before chilling. Top with chopped pecans and a drizzle of Greek yogurt.
18. High-Protein Cottage Cheese – Blend cottage cheese with the milk before adding to the oats. Stir in chia seeds and almond butter, then chill overnight for a creamy, protein-packed version.
19. Vegan Delight – Use almond or oat milk and coconut yogurt in place of dairy. Add hemp seeds and top with sliced banana or berries.
20. Superfood Boost – Stir in chia seeds, hemp hearts, and cocoa nibs before chilling, and use cashew milk instead of regular milk. Top with goji berries or any of your favourite dried fruit for a nutrient-dense breakfast.

For ultra smooth overnight oats, blend together the rolled oats, milk and banana in a blender until smooth. Portion out the mixture into two containers or jars, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Blending the oats, milk, and banana creates an ultra creamy mixture with a velvety texture.

To make these overnight oats vegan, simply substitute the milk and yogurt with any vegan milk, vegan yogurt, or vegan cream. Add your favourite vegan mix-ins or toppings.

There are several ways to make overnight oats higher in protein. First, feel free to substitute the Greek yogurt with blended cottage cheese. Another trick is to blend about 1/4 cup of pasteurized egg whites into the base mixture along with the banana, oats, and milk. It may sound a little weird, but the egg whites will create a lot of creaminess without adding any flavour, and they’ll add a lot of protein! Be sure they’re pasteurized, so they’re safe to eat.

Two ingredients that add a ton of fibre are chia seeds and ground flax seeds. If you’re adding 1–2 tablespoons of chia seeds or ground flax seeds, stir in an extra 1/4 – 1/2 cup of liquid to keep the texture creamy.

We hope you love this overnight oats tutorial, and that you enjoy these overnight oats as much as we do for busy mornings! Let us know in the comments below, what’s YOUR favourite easy go-to breakfast? We’d love to know!