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 base recipe for the first time last night and enjoyed it for breakfast this morning. I loved it! Not overly sweet, just filling enough to carry me through the morning, but not sitting heavy. I will definitely be making this again!”
Ginny
My Favorite Make-Ahead Breakfast
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! 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. But I didn’t stop there! I’m also sharing three delicious flavor variations and different topping ideas so you can make it your own!
Recipe Success Tips
- Use old-fashioned rolled oats. Steel-cut oats are coarse and chewy as they haven’t been rolled during processing, which means they need more liquid and time to prepare. Steel-cut oats are better saved for cooked oatmeal, rather than this no-cook overnight recipe. Old-fashioned rolled oats are the best and most reliable choice for overnight oats.
- Toast the oats. If you don’t love the taste of raw oats, try toasting them on a baking sheet in a 350°F oven for about 10 minutes (stir them halfway through) before mixing them with the milk and other ingredients.
- Use a clean container with a lid. An 8-oz glass mason jar is my go-to because it’s easy to combine the ingredients in, easy to stash in the fridge, and doesn’t leak. That said, truly any container with a lid will work. A deli container, a leftover jam jar, or even a small meal prep bowl. If it has a lid and is big enough, we’re in business.
- Stick with the 1:1 cup ratio. One of the most common problems with overnight oats is getting the texture right. My basic mix is ½ cup old-fashioned oats, ½ cup milk, ½ Tbsp brown sugar, ⅛ tsp cinnamon, ½ Tbsp chia (for added protein and fiber), and a pinch of salt. Stir well so the chia doesn’t clump, cover, and refrigerate overnight. If you want it thicker, add a spoonful more oats or an extra pinch of chia, then give it 15 more minutes to thicken. Too thick? Stir in a splash of milk in the morning until it loosens up. You can also leave the chia out if you like, and the texture will still be great.
- 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!
- Make it vegan. Swap the milk for any plant-based milk you like. My favorite dairy alternative is unsweetened almond milk. You can also use water if that’s what you’re used to, but I think milk (dairy-free or regular) tastes better!
- Consider your toppings. 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.
Overnight Oats (Base Recipe plus Variations)
Cost $0.40 recipe
Ingredients
Base Recipe
- ½ cup old fashioned oats (50g, $0.17*)
- ½ cup milk (118ml, $0.11)
- ½ Tbsp brown sugar ($0.03**)
- 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 ($0.40)
- 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 ($0.40)
- 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 ($0.40)
- 1 Tbsp walnuts ($0.29)
- ⅓ banana (diced, $0.09)
Video
Instructions
Base Recipe 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.***
Peanut Butter and Jelly Variation Instructions
- Once refrigerated, top the base recipe with the blueberry jam, peanuts, crunchy peanut butter, and a few blueberries, if desired.
- For a layered version, scoop out about half of the oats (after chilling), spread a thin layer of jam and peanut butter in the jar, spoon the oats back in, then finish with the remaining toppings.
Chocolate Raspberry Variation Instructions
- Once refrigerated, top the base recipe with the raspberry jam, dark chocolate chips, and a few raspberries, if desired.
- For a layered version, scoop out about half of the oats (once chilled) and add a thin layer of raspberry jam. Spoon the oats back into the jar and top with the chocolate chips and raspberries, if using.
Banana Walnut Variation Instructions
- Once refrigerated, top the base recipe with the walnuts and diced banana just before serving. You can also chop the walnuts up, mix them into the chilled oatmeal, and then add the bananas on top.
See how we calculate recipe costs here.
Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @budgetbytes or tag #budgetbytes on Instagram!how to make Overnight Oats Step by Step
Gather all of your ingredients.
Assemble: Combine ½ cup old fashioned oats, ½ 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. That’s it! Once chilled, you can enjoy it as is, or try one of the following flavors variations…
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 1 tsp blueberry jam with 1 Tbsp crunchy peanut butter AND 1 Tbsp peanuts for extra crunch. Add a few fresh blueberries, and you’re good to go! That peanut butter and peanuts combo boosts protein and healthy fats, and pairing it with blueberries adds fiber and antioxidants that help keep the oats more filling and balanced. You can also swap the peanut butter for sun butter as a nut-free version.
Chocolate Raspberry
Will chocolate and fresh berries ever not be a match made in heaven? I don’t think so. You only need to add 1 tsp raspberry jam, 1 Tbsp dark chocolate chips, and some fresh raspberries to make a breakfast that tastes just like dessert. Dark chocolate is another delicious source of antioxidants (yes, really!), and the raspberries add fiber and vitamin C, which together make this sweet option feel more satisfying.
For a layered breakfast, scoop half the chilled oats out of the jar, add a thin layer of raspberry jam, spoon the oats back in, then finish with dark chocolate chips and fresh raspberries on top.
Banana Walnut
Banana bread is my go-to coffee shop snack, so I always have an overnight oat version in the fridge. I mix 1 Tbsp walnuts into the base recipe for a little protein and healthy omega-3 fats, then finish it with sliced bananas (⅓ of a banana total) for a potassium boost.
It’s simple, cozy, and somehow manages to taste like a treat while still keeping you full all morning. I like leaving the walnuts quite chunky, but you can chop them up smaller if preferred.
Overnight Oats Topping Ideas
Like I’ve already mentioned, this base recipe is the perfect starting point for you to customize your oats with your favorite toppings and add-ins! 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 favorite toppings here:
- Make a blueberry muffin-inspired breakfast by adding blueberries, pecans, and extra cinnamon
- Top with chocolate chips and caramel sauce
- Add leftover candies from Easter, Halloween, or the holidays!
- Sprinkle over raisins, dried cranberries, or seeds, like pepitas (pumpkin seeds)
- Stir in 1/4-1/2 cup Greek yogurt and shredded apple before serving
- Go fall-inspired with pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice
- Add sliced banana and peanut butter (or sun butter for a nut-free option)
- Top with frozen cherries and dark chocolate chips
- Try your favorite fruit compote for a concentrated, fruity topping
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.
You can add yogurt to this as well. Adds probiotics, more protein and calcium, etc. With the basic recipe, add 1/4 cup. (2:2:1, oats/milk/yogurt). Stir the milk and yogurt before adding to the oats to slack the yogurt for easier mixing. I mixed up several mason jars of dry mix, with liquids added to one of them, and random toppings tossed in (chopped pecans, frozen raspberries). Just grab a dry jar off the counter the night before, add your liquids and random topping/spices, and you’re ready to go by morning, all the ease of meal prep with none of the worry of eating it before it get slimy!
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.