Recipe: Overnight Oats

A few months back, I started seeing photos of overnight oats all over the internet. I follow a lot of food related accounts on social media, and all of a sudden I seemed to be seeing overnight oats everywhere. They were usually served in beautiful glass jars, in which you could see all the layers of healthy goodness. So what on Earth are overnight oats? If you’ve missed the craze, it’s basically oats soaked in milk and/or yogurt overnight in the fridge, and then topped with anything you like – nuts, seeds, berries, fruit etc. At this stage I feel it’s crucial to explain this IS NOT PORRIDGE. Ok, it’s the same oats to start with but the texture and taste is all different. I hate porridge, lumpy warm traditional porridge, but I love overnight oats. So don’t knock it until you try! 

It took a while for me to try it out myself but I haven’t looked back. Better still the kids also love it for breakfast. I love being able to prepare breakfast the night before (I’m not always this organised), it is leaving us with some more time in the mornings, and no breakfast decisions to be made by the kids, which helps the morning routine go much more smoothly. As I’ve one child who only sporadically eats his lunch at school (I think he’s too busy talking) I’m happy knowing he has something very filling in his tummy going out the door. 

My basic ‘recipe’ is very easy. 

You will need:

1/3 cup // 35g porridge oats

2/3 cup milk alternative 

OR

1/3 cup // 35g porridge oats

1/3 cup milk alternative

1/3 cup yogurt

Optional:

Seeds e.g. chia seeds /linseeds 

Nut butter 

Nuts

dried fruit/trail mix

Fruit e.g. banana /pineapple /peach /grated apple /berries

Method:

1. Pour oats into serving bowl or jar. Top with milk or milk and yogurt.
2. Add in honey, vanilla, peanut butter etc. at this stage if using. 
3. Leave overnight in the fridge. 
4. Top with your favourite fruit, nuts, seeds, berries etc. 

Here are some of our favourites: 

1. Overnight oats made with coconut milk, chia seeds, peanut butter, half a teaspoon of honey and topped with blueberries. 
2. Overnight oats made with soya milk, teaspoon of honey and topped with fresh raspberries. 
3. Oats with plain soya and almond yogurt, almond milk and topped with trail mix. 
4. Oats with coconut & almond milk, chia seeds, teaspoon honey and 2 teaspoons peanut butter. 
5. Oats with almond milk, chia seeds, linseeds, banana and blueberries. 
6. Oats with soya milk, chia seeds, strawberries and banana. 

If you haven’t tried this, you need to do it now! If you’re already a fan, do you have a favourite topping?

Joining in #FreeFromFridays with this post.