When your busy, seriously amazing sister who’s chasing around two beautiful kids (4 and 2 years old) all day asks if you could make her an overnight oats recipe to make morning mealtime easier, for goodness sake, you make the woman some overnight oats.

This version is as simple as it gets: 5 ingredients, 5 minutes prep time, no fancy methods, and simple ingredients. Let’s do this!

What Are Overnight Oats?

Overnight oats are a quick and easy breakfast or snack made by soaking rolled oats in liquid overnight.

We love how overnight oats seem to keep the integrity of the oat intact, helping to avoid that gummy texture that cooked versions sometimes take on.

They’re simple to prepare (no cooking required!) and perfect for when you need a make-ahead breakfast or snack, especially for those with hectic mornings.

We also think our version would make the perfect meal to enjoy after an intense workout – hello 15 grams of protein / serving! Keep reading to learn our perfect formula for overnight oats!

How to Make Overnight Oats

After a little testing, I’m happy to report that our simple, straight-forward method truly yields the best results! I even tried partially cooking the oats with warm almond milk before refrigerating, but much preferred this completely raw version.

We use the following base formula for making perfect overnight oats:

1/2 cup Dairy-Free Milk + 3/4 Tbsp Chia Seeds + 1/2 cup Rolled Oats = Perfect Overnight Oats

You can play with formula as needed, adding more dairy-free milk for wetter oats, or adding more chia seeds (or oats) for thicker, more pudding like oats.

To make your overnight oats, simply add these ingredients to a small jar or bowl with your preferred sweetener (we love maple syrup or stevia!). We also added peanut butter to this version for a flavor and protein boost!

Give the mixture a few stirs to make sure the oats have been fully immersed in the milk. Then, cover and leave in the refrigerator overnight to let the oats soften and flavors meld.

Overnight oats FAQs

How long do overnight oats last?

Overnight oats can be prepared up to 2-3 days in advance, sometimes longer.

Can you eat overnight oats hot?

Overnight oats can be eaten hot or cold. To heat, microwave for ~45-60 seconds (just ensure there’s enough space at the top of your jar to prevent overflowing), or transfer to a saucepan and heat over medium heat until warmed through.

Can you use quick oats?

We prefer using rolled oats to make overnight oats, but you can use quick oats – they will just be softer.

Can you use steel cut oats?

Though we haven’t tried it, some people report success using steel cut oats to make overnight oats. They will take longer, require more liquid, and probably won’t be quite as soft. They may also be more difficult to digest.

Are oats gluten-free?

This is somewhat controversial as some believe even certified gluten-free oats to be troublesome for those with gluten sensitivities and celiac disease. But based on our own research and experience, it seems certified gluten-free oats make this recipe gluten-free.

overnight oats Flavor Ideas

Using our formula as a base, the possibilities for overnight oat flavor variations are endless! We think the following would be delicious:

We hope you LOVE these oats! They’re:

Creamy

Hearty

Perfectly (& naturally) sweet

Peanut buttery

Satisfying

& Absolutely delicious

These oats would make the perfect make-ahead breakfast or snack, especially for those of you with hectic mornings. I also think it would make the perfect meal to enjoy after an intense workout – hello 15 grams of protein!

Into oats? Try these Recipes!

If you give these a try, leave a comment below, rate them, and don’t forget to tag a picture #minimalistbaker on Instagram! We’d love to see what you come up with. Cheers, friends!