Overnight Oats {Five Ways}

Published April 2, 2018. Updated April 16, 2019

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Overnight Oats are so versatile, and like a classic warm bowl of oatmeal, they are easy to make. Learn how to make this basic overnight oats recipe, plus five delicious mix-in flavor recipes!

What are Overnight Oats?

Overnight oats are simply a blend of raw rolled oats, liquid, salt and a sweetener of your choice (which is optional, yogurt is also optional). You mix everything together in a jar and let it rest in your fridge until you’re ready to enjoy!

For the best texture, I do like to allow full 8+ hours of rest time, but in a rush 4 hours should do.

Really though, where have overnight oats been all my life? I know I’m late to this party because I just recently tried overnight oats for the first time, but I have to say they are totally genius! The flavor options for overnight oats are endless.

You just prep the oatmeal with your mix-ins the night before you want to eat them, then wake up to a ready-to-eat, delicious, creamy bowl of oatmeal the next day. I couldn’t pick just one favorite, so I’ve picked five healthy overnight oat recipes I use to share with you guys.

Watch the Overnight Oats Video:

What Ingredients go into Overnight Oatmeal?

The overnight oat variations I’ve shared in the recipe card below all require different mix-ins, but the ingredients for the base overnight oats recipe are:

  • Old fashioned oats – for best consistency don’t use quick oats.
  • Unsweetened almond milk – another type of non-dairy milk will work here such as rice milk or coconut milk beverage, or use cow’s milk.
  • Greek yogurt – the thickness of the Greek yogurt makes these nice and creamy. You could substitute a non-dairy yogurt if needed here too.
  • Sea salt – regular table salt will work too.
  • Honey or maple syrup – I like to sweeten with honey or maple syrup for a healthier option but brown sugar or a sugar free substitute will work too. If you don’t like them very sweet you could even omit the sweetener.

How to Make the Best Overnight Oats

To make overnight oats, all you have to do before you go to bed at night is:

  • Mix together oats, almond milk (or other milk of your choice), Greek yogurt, and mix-ins and sweetener of choice.
  • Let them soak overnight.
  • Enjoy them the next morning!

Easy Overnight Oats Flavor Ideas

Banana Almond Flax

First up, there’s the banana almond flax. These are the best overnight oats. If I had to pick a favorite, this may just be it.

I just can never get enough of that delicious almond extract flavor and it’s so good with almond butter and bananas. It makes it taste more like a treat. Then that bit of flax in it just adds a little more nutrition.

Best Overnight Oats in Jar - Banana Almond Flax

Pumpkin Pie

The next one here is the Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats. It like a healthy version of pumpkin pie, and it’s perfect for this time of year when you have a little bit of left over pumpkin puree in your fridge that you need to use up.

Pumpkin pie for breakfast? Yes, please! With this one I’d say 1 Tbsp maple syrup is a must, but maybe that’s just me. With any of these, you can use an alternate form of sweetener such as stevia. I just prefer the flavor of honey or maple syrup in this overnight oat recipe.

Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats in jar topped with pumpkin seeds and cranberries

Berry Chia

Another overnight oatmeal flavor you need to try is this Berry Chia Overnight Oats. This one is perfect for summer when all of those sweet, juicy berries are in season.

I love the light and healthy berry and chia seed combo, and it works perfect for overnight oats.

Best Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds and Berries

Chocolate Peanut Butter

Here’s another one I love that mimics an decadent treat. These Chocolate (optional Peanut Butter) Overnight Oats are dreamy! What better way to start your day out than with a little chocolate?

It’s kind of like eating chocolate pudding, and you’re going to love it! I personally prefer this version with a scoop of peanut butter, but try it with and without and see which you like better.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats in Jar with Spoon

Apple Autumn Spice

Another one that’s perfect for this time of year with all of the apples galore are these Apple Autumn Spice Overnight Oats.

I just can’t get enough of those crisp, sweet little bites of apples. They are a great way to put the apples in your fridge to good use and your mornings will thank you!

Now get started with the base overnight oats recipe below, try these flavors I’ve shared, and create some of your own!

Please let me know which of these flavors you try and enjoy! And also let me know of your other favorite flavors.

How to make Apple Autumn Spice Overnight Oats topped with apples, cinnamon and apples

Tips for Perfect Overnight Oats

  • Be sure to use old fashioned rolled oats here (not quick oats), or you won’t get right consistency.
  • Measure ingredients for the most consistent results. Don’t just dump and guess.
  • Don’t forget the salt or the oats will taste flat.
  • Let the oats soak for at least 4 hours — or 8 hours for even creamier results.
  • Wait until the morning to add crisp ingredients (like nuts) to they’ll stay nice and crisp.
  • Get creative! The mix in options are endless.

More Oat Recipes You’ll Love:

16 Quick & Easy 30 Minute Recipes! (plus weekly recipe updates)

Overnight oats in mason jars, five different ways, on a wooden platter next to a spoon.
5 from 18 votes

Overnight Oats {Five Ways}

Try five delicious variations of creamy overnight oats! Prep your oats the night before, and they're ready to go in the morning for a hearty and satisfying breakfast. Just add your favorite toppings!
Servings: 1 serving
Prep5 minutes
Resting4 hours
Ready in: 5 minutes

Ingredients

Base recipe

Pumpkin

Chocolate

Berry Chia Seed

  • 1/2 cup fresh berries such as strawberries , blueberries or raspberries (chop strawberries)
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 1/2 tsp chia seeds

Banana Almond Flax

  • 1 small ripe banana , mashed
  • 1 Tbsp creamy almond butter
  • 1 Tbsp ground flax seeds
  • 3 drops almond extract (pour it in the lid first so you don't add too much)

Apple Autumn Spice

Instructions

  • Add oats, almond milk, yogurt, salt, and honey or maple syrup to a 16 oz. jar or bowl. Add mix-ins listed for the desired flavor (don't add toppings until the next day).
  • Stir, then cover and refrigerate overnight. Thin with more almond milk if desired, add toppings if listed.

Notes

Nutrition facts include oats, almonds milk, yogurt, salt and 2 tsp honey. Other mix-ins are not included.
  • Be sure to use old fashioned rolled oats here (not quick oats), or you won't get right consistency.
  • Let your oats soak for at least 4 hours — or 8 hours for even creamier results.
  • To keep things like nuts crisp, wait until the morning to add them so they keep that nice crunch.
Nutrition Facts
Overnight Oats {Five Ways}
Amount Per Serving
Calories 243 Calories from Fat 36
% Daily Value*
Fat 4g6%
Cholesterol 2mg1%
Sodium 416mg18%
Potassium 217mg6%
Carbohydrates 41g14%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 13g14%
Protein 11g22%
Calcium 226mg23%
Iron 1.7mg9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

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106 Comments

  • Emily

    This recipe was super easy to make and super easy to customize for enjoyment the morning of eating! I recommend adding one table spoon of chia seeds while making for more fiber+thicker oats!

  • Astrid

    I’ve been wanting to try overnight oats for a long time and your recipes have made it easy. I’ve been enjoying the Berry Chia Seed oats all week. It’s a delicious recipe and the perfect breakfast! I add some raw, sliced almonds right before eating which gives them a nice little crunch. I’m also going to add some almond extract to the recipe for a vanilla almond flavor next time. Looking forward to trying the Apple Autumn Spice recipe in the future. Thanks for the recipes, Jaclyn!

  • Sharon

    Used canned coconut milk replacing the yogurt. Delicious! We made the Chocolate and the berry ones. Will probably mix and match. Have made others before and this one is at the top of the list for flavor.

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Yes just eaten cold, though you can warm them if preferred but I’d use more milk no yogurt.

  • Jean king

    This is a great idea -and I love the receipes. My question is how long do they last in the fridge as you only eat one each morning for breakfast

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      They should keep about 4 – 5 days in the fridge, the banana versions though I’d wait to mix in the banana.

  • Mallory

    I made the chocolate peanut butter overnight oats and in the morning it was complete liquid :( I was really looking forward to it so I’m trying to figure out what I did wrong before I make it again and waste more ingredients.

    1/2 cup rolled oats
    1/2 cup ultra pasteurized milk
    2 tsp honey
    big pinch of salt
    1/4 cup Greek yogurt
    1 tbsp natural peanut butter
    2 tsp cocoa powder
    1/4 tsp vanilla extract
    1 whole mashed frozen banana

    Could it have been the frozen banana thawed out and made it liquidy? I guess I could just add about half the milk next time… ?

    • Jaclyn

      Jaclyn Bell

      Yes the frozen bananas usually are watery. If going that route you could just start with 1/4 cup milk then add more the next day if needed.

  • Carol voigts

    I assume you know that this an age old recipe eaten by the Swiss and then us home grown flower children in the 60’s. It’s called Muesli. I’ve been eating this since the 60’s myself. We just did yogurt, oats, honey or Maple syrup and a little fresh lemon juice.