Easy Overnight Oats

These super Easy Overnight Oats are a great make-ahead breakfast with just 5 ingredients and only 5 minutes of prep. So delicious too!

Who loves easy recipes? How about ones that you can prep in just 5 minutes? I’m all in for that. The days are just so busy and anything we can do to save time is a huge bonus.

What I love about this recipe is that I can spend 5 minutes the night before getting this prepped and the kids have a whole week of breakfasts waiting for them in the fridge. Nothing complicated and they can even do it themselves.

The bonus is that these basic overnight oats are so versatile. This recipe here is to get you started. But you can change them up to add pretty much anything you like to have with breakfast.

Many refrigerator oatmeal recipes call for yogurt. But for this, you can get started without it. If you have it on hand, you can add it as a topping – but it isn’t required for this recipe to work.

I love that because I struggle with keeping yogurt on hand. The kids either go through it so fast that I’m buying it in bulk OR then they decide after I have it stockpiled that they aren’t going to eat it anymore and it all goes bad before I realize they have moved on to something else.

overnight oats

Here are some commonly asked questions

What are overnight oats?

Basically, overnight oats are oatmeal that has been soaked in liquid over a period of time (usually overnight) to soften them to an edible state. This is done in place of cooking the oats and serving them hot.

Often referred to as refrigerator oatmeal, this type of preparation keeps the oats from taking on a gummy texture. This recipe is intended to be served cold and with added toppings.

Can I use another type of oat for this recipe?

This is the only ingredient that can’t be altered. You need to use only old-fashioned oats for this recipe to work. The consistency of quick oats or instant oats isn’t right and you will end up with something not so great when working with those types.

So with those the oats get too soggy – if you were to try it with steel-cut oats, the opposite would be true. They wouldn’t soften enough to make them enjoyable.

How long do overnight oats take?

Well, the oats will start to thicken and soak up that liquid in about 2 hours. But I recommend letting them soak for at least 4 hours for the best texture and consistency. However, in my experience, it is easier to just prep them the night before and let them sit until I’m ready for them the next morning.

I’m not the most patient person, so prepping them when I don’t have plans to eat them right away works best for me. Otherwise, I’m more likely to not wait the whole time and then end up with a less than perfect experience.

best overnight oats recipe

How long to overnight oats last?

You can prepare these on Sunday night and they will keep for up to 5 days in advance. So you will have almost a whole week without having to worry about it. I typically make some on Sunday and then again on Thursday so we have more for the weekend.

Can I use frozen fruit?

You bet! That is the best part. You can add your frozen fruits when you are doing the prep. They will thaw as they sit in the refrigerator – which makes prep even faster when it comes time to serve.

overnight oats recipe

Will the oats expand as they soak?

Yes – make sure to leave some space at the top of the jar because they will expand as they soak up the liquid. Plus you will want a bit of space to add your toppings once you are ready to serve. I typically use a large jar and leave it only 60% full so I have plenty of room.

Can this recipe be doubled?

Yes! This recipe doubles well. What I like to do sometimes is double or triple the recipe – make it in a large bowl and then people can portion out what they want for the morning – when we don’t need them to be “grab-n-go” in individual jars.

Are the soaked oats easier to digest?

Many people have trouble digesting oats because they have some of the highest levels of phytic acid compared to other grains. Fortunately, soaking the oats does make them easier to digest – not quite as easy as if you fermented them, but still easier, nonetheless.

Can refrigerator oats be made with water?

Yes – you can make the oats with water – they just won’t be as creamy or rich. But if you are low on milk – you don’t have the abandon the entire recipe.

overnight oatmeal

What you need to make the BEST Overnight Oatmeal

• rolled old fashioned oats
• milk – dairy or non-dairy
• ground cinnamon
• vanilla extract
• Toppings – all optional: fresh berries, yogurt, honey, chocolate chips, peanut butter

What do overnight oats taste like?

Well, if all you have ever had is oatmeal served hot – they won’t be quite the same. The consistency of cold oats is creamier and thicker – with a different overall texture. The cold opens you up to more flavor options in my opinion – because, to me, there are certain things that don’t go well with hot oatmeal – such as yogurt. We love these oats and apparently, the world must love them too – because they are SO POPULAR!

How to make overnight oats

1. Mix the oats, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla in a medium sized bowl or jar.
2. Place in the fridge overnight (at least 12 hours).
3. Stir and top with your choice of mix-ins and toppings prior to serving.
4. Enjoy cold.

Overnight Oat Flavor Ideas

The possibilities are endless when it comes to these oats – but here are some of our favorite flavor combos.

• Nutella + Banana
• Fresh Peaches + Cream
• Apples + Cinnamon or Nutmeg
• Peanut Butter + Mini Chocolate Chips
• Fresh Blueberries + Lemon Zest
• Peanut Butter + Jam
• Shredded Carrots + Raisins + Cinnamon
• Espresso Powder + Vanilla Creamer

• jars
• mixing spoon
• mixing bowls
• rolled old fashioned oats
• milk – dairy or non-dairy
• ground cinnamon
• vanilla extract
• honey
• chocolate chips
• peanut butter
• chia seeds
• jam
• protein powder 
• flax seeds

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overnight oatmeal recipe

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If you love this Easy Overnight Oats recipe, you’re going to love these other easy breakfast recipes too. Please click each link below to find the easy, printable recipe!

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If you love this recipe for Homemade Cold Oats as much as I do, please write a five-star review, and be sure to help me share on Facebook and Pinterest!

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refrigerator oatmeal

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cold oatmeal