Overnight Oats are the ultimate introduction to budget-friendly meal prep! With the busy lives we all lead, it’s hard to fit in time for breakfast before rushing out the door, but this no-cook recipe is the magical solution, trust me! My overnight oats base recipe is absolutely delicious as-is but is also the perfect vessel for your favorite toppings. And don’t worry if you’re not feeling particularly creative; I’ve shared 3 of my favorite flavor variations below.
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“I made the peanut butter and jelly variation, it was so yummy! Will make other variations.”
KATHLEEN
I must confess: I almost always skip breakfast if I don’t plan ahead! Then, noon rolls around, and I am hangry. It’s not a good look—just ask my husband! That’s why having this overnight oatmeal in the fridge at all times is a MUST. Think of overnight oats as the cooler, more convenient cousin of traditional oatmeal. I add brown sugar, chia seeds, and cinnamon to my base recipe to create a delicious, well-rounded breakfast.
How Our Readers Customize Their Oats!
This base recipe is the perfect starting point for you to customize your oats to your liking… before any toppings are even added! Some of our readers have shared how they like to make their oats, so I thought it would be helpful to share some of their suggestions here:
- Cut the Sugar: Swap the brown sugar for honey if you want to use a different sweetener. Maple syrup and agave will work here, too. You can also reduce the amount of sugar or omit it altogether and rely on the natural sweetness of the milk!
- Toast the Oats: If you don’t love the taste of raw oats, try toasting them on a baking sheet in a 350F oven for about 10 minutes (stir them halfway through) before mixing them with the milk and other ingredients.
- Use Water: If you’re used to making oatmeal with just water and no milk, you can do that here, too! I personally prefer the taste when it’s made with milk (dairy-free or regular), but you can make this recipe with water if that’s what you’re used to.
Overnight Oats (Base Recipe plus Variations)
Cost $0.42 serving
Ingredients
Base Recipe
- ½ cup old fashioned oats* ($0.20)
- ½ cup milk ($0.09)
- ½ Tbsp brown sugar** ($0.04)
- ⅛ tsp cinnamon ($0.01)
- ½ Tbsp chia seeds ($0.07)
- pinch of salt ($0.01)
Peanut Butter and Jelly Variation (total: $1.28 per serving)
- base recipe ($0.42)
- 1 tsp blueberry jam ($0.04)
- 1 Tbsp peanuts ($0.10)
- 1 Tbsp crunchy peanut butter ($0.49)
- a few blueberries, if desired ($0.23)
Chocolate Raspberry Variation (total: $0.91 per serving)
- base recipe ($0.42)
- 1 tsp red raspberry jam ($0.04)
- 1 Tbsp dark chocolate chips ($0.11)
- a few raspberries, if desired ($0.34)
Banana Walnut Variation (total: $0.80 per serving)
- base recipe ($0.42)
- 1 Tbsp walnuts ($0.29)
- ⅓ of a banana, diced ($0.09)
Video
Instructions
- Combine old fashioned oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, chia seeds, and salt in an 8 oz. Mason Jar.
- Pour in milk.
- Stir or shake to combine, making sure all ingredients are mixed in evenly to avoid clumps of chia or brown sugar.
- Put the lid onto your mason jar and place it in the fridge.
- Refrigerate for 15 minutes or up to 12 hours before enjoying.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Equipment
- 8oz. Mason Jars
Notes
- Add fresh fruit just before eating to stop them from getting mushy. The same goes for granola or anything else you want to stay crunchy.
- Let the oats sit overnight (about 8 hours) for the best texture, but 15 minutes or so is okay if you’re in a hurry. This is enough time for the chia seeds to absorb some liquid and for the oats to soften slightly.
- Overnight oats are meant to be enjoyed cold, but you can absolutely heat them up if you prefer a warm breakfast. 60-90 seconds in a microwave-safe container should do the trick!
Nutrition
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Gather your ingredients: Combine ½ cup old fashioned oats, 1/2 Tbsp brown sugar, ⅛ tsp cinnamon, ½ Tbsp chia seeds, and a pinch of salt in an 8 oz. Mason Jar.
Pour in ½ cup milk.
Combine well: Stir or shake to combine, making sure all ingredients are mixed in evenly to avoid clumps of chia or brown sugar.
Put the lid onto your mason jar and place it in the fridge.
Refrigerate for 15 minutes or up to 12 hours before enjoying.
Variations to Try!
I am super picky when it comes to my oatmeal: 1. I want a lot of varied textures, 2. I want it to be nutrient-dense and have healthy components, and 3. It has to come together FAST! These flavor variations check everything off my list:
Peanut BUTTER and Jelly
Your childhood favorite gets an upgrade with my peanut butter and jelly overnight oat recipe. I layer blueberry jam with crunchy peanut butter AND peanuts for extra crunch. Add a few fresh blueberries and you’re good to go!
Chocolate Raspberry
Will chocolate and fresh berries ever not be a match made in heaven? I don’t think so. You only need some raspberry jam, dark chocolate chips, and fresh raspberries to make a breakfast that tastes just like dessert.
Banana Walnut
Banana bread is my go-to coffee shop snack, so I always have an overnight oat version in the fridge. Simply mix in some walnuts and add sliced bananas on top for a delicious and satisfying breakfast that’ll keep you feeling full all morning!
how long are overnight oats good for?
These oats can last in the fridge for 4-5 days, making them great for meal-prepping. I prefer enjoying them within 12 hours for the best texture, but they’ll still taste good after a few days—maybe just a bit softer. Store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh, and don’t add any toppings until you’re ready to eat them.
I love overnight oats! I did the PB&J variation with frozen blueberries. I love quick and easy breakfast recipes!
Overnight Oats was so fast and easy to make! Just grabbed a few extra goodies from the pantry, added a little extra milk and cinnamon, plus a pinch of nutmeg, and voila!
I loved how the oats “cooked” in my fridge overnight! I stirred in 1/2 cup whole milk Greek yogurt, grated 1/4 of a honey crisp apple, & added a splash of fresh lemon juice the next morning. It was a creamy, very satisfying breakfast.
Very fast to put together! I made the base recipe minus the chia seeds. It seemed like it needed a little something, so I added some raisins. I also heated mine up slightly in the microwave as I preferred the warmer temperature. I would definitely try the raspberry/chocolate variation!
I usually make this with milk and yogurt, and a full TBS of chia seeds, so this was new for me! I did add a little bourbon vanilla paste to amp up the flavor, and topped with some chocolate chips I had in the fridge and a drizzle of caramel. Not as creamy as I normally like them (the yogurt really makes it), but still a tasty and easy option!
This sounds good! Can I make a “big” batch, and then divvy it up?
I’ve been prepping this for myself before I leave to get my kids at school and it’s ready for me when we get back. Perfect afternoon snack!
Made for breakfast meal prep and was perfect for a mom on the go!
This is one of the best overnight oats recipes I’ve found! Many are too soupy, but this one is just the right amount of thickness for me. I made the PB&J one, but swapped pecans in for the peanuts. Next time, I’ll definitely reduce the maple syrup in the base recipe – as written, it’s far too sweet for my taste buds. Otherwise, delicious and a perfect grab and go breakfast for those rushed mornings! Can’t wait to try the other variations.
This is the perfect overnight oats base! Every time I make these, I ask myself why I don’t have them more often. It is so easy to meal prep 3-4 days worth at a time. For this batch, I made them blueberry muffin inspired with frozen blueberries, pecans, and extra cinnamon. I’m excited to keep trying more variations. Don’t get caught up in having the perfect jars for aesthetics either. My trusty old rectangle glass containers work just fine too!
We went with blueberry cinnamon. Our twin toddlers loved it although they respond better to a smile on top than a heart with toppings:) !
I subbed flaxseeds for chia seeds since they’re what I have– did a peanut butter and banana one cause I didn’t have blueberry jam. About to put it in the fridge to enjoy tomorrow! Thanks for the recipe!
The raspberry one is delicious! I leave it the chia seeds – I never have them.
I’m usually not a huge fan of overnight oats. I did however like the texture of this recipe. I added sunbutter and grape jelly (to make a nut free pb&j flavor) and a couple chocolate chips for an added crunch. I can see myself making this again with different combos.
This was really good! I went plain w/o the Chia Seeds (I don’t feel like growing hair in my guts). It’s really easy to make, and you could *Probably* get away with leaving it in the fridge for at least 18 hours. I’ll have to give the other flavors a shot when I have the material!