The Ultimate Time & Money Saver for Busy Mornings
Mornings can feel like a race against the clock—getting the kids ready for school, packing lunches, finding missing shoes, and trying to make it out the door on time. With so much going on, breakfast often gets pushed to the side or replaced with an expensive (and not-so-healthy) drive-thru option. But what if you could have a nutritious, delicious, and budget-friendly breakfast ready to go with zero morning effort?
That’s where quick and easy overnight oats come in! Spend just a few minutes on prep the night before. You wake up to a ready-made meal that’s packed with fiber and protein. There are endless flavor possibilities. This not only saves precious time in the morning. It also helps cut down on food costs. A single batch of overnight oats costs pennies compared to store-bought breakfasts or coffee shop meals.
Overnight oats are oats softened in milk in the refrigerator for many hours, ranging from 4 to 12 hours. This method differs from cooking them on the stove or in the microwave.
In this post, I’ll cover how to make overnight oats. I’ll share some tasty variations. I will explain why this simple meal is a game-changer for busy families. Say goodbye to stressful mornings and expensive breakfast runs—overnight oats have got you covered!
Rolled Oats or Steel Cut Oats: What is the difference? The answer is the way they are processed. They are both from the same oat grain. However, they differ in processing, texture, cooking time, and how they work in recipes. If you’re looking for a quick and easy breakfast, rolled oats are the way to go—especially for overnight oats! But if you prefer a heartier, longer-cooking oat with a chewy bite, steel-cut oats might be your pick.
What you will need to prepare this recipe?
- Rolled Oats: Old-fashioned oats and rolled oats are the same.
- Milk or Water: I like to use both milk and water when preparing my oatmeal. It’s fine if you prefer to use all milk or all water.
- Salt: A pinch of salt is all you need to enhance the flavor of the oatmeal.
- Sweetener of choice: For added sweetness, use Agave syrup, honey, maple syrup, stevia, Monk Fruit, or sugar thoroughly mixed in.
- Yogurt: Adds creaminess to the oatmeal
- Chia seeds: Add thickness, fiber, and protein to the oatmeal.
- Vanilla: Adds
- Topping of choice: Berries, fruit slices, cinnamon sugar, chocolate etc.
Recipe Card
Quick and Easy Overnight Oatmeal
Overnight oats are a lifesaver for busy mornings! They’re quick to prep, customizable, and budget-friendly. Oatmeal is a healthy alternative to cereal.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Rolled Oats or Old Fashioned Oats (same)
- 1/2 cup Milk or Water
- Sweeteners such as Agave syrup, honey, stevia, simple syrup, Monk Fruit or even sugar (that’s been thoroughly mixed in) can be used to sweeten the oats to your liking.
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Optional: 1/4 cup yogurt for a creamy texture
- Optional: Honey for sweetener (local honey if you can get it)
- Optional: 1 Tbsp Chia seeds
Instructions
- Combine oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, sweeteners, and vanilla extract in a jar or airtight container. Stir well. The chia seeds and yogurt give the oatmeal a pudding-like texture.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours) to allow the oats to soften and absorb the liquid.
- Sweeteners such as Agave syrup, honey, stevia, simple syrup, Monk Fruit, brown sugar, or coconut sugar (thoroughly mixed in) can be used to sweeten the oats to your taste.
- In the morning, stir it well and add your favorite toppings. Enjoy cold or warm it up if you prefer!
Notes
- This recipe uses rolled oats. If you wish to use quick oats or steel-cut oats, you will need to adjust the liquid amounts and cooking time.
- For more creaminess, add 1/4 cup of yogurt
- For added fiber and thickness, add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
- Use Agave syrup, honey, maple syrup, stevia, Monk FruitUse Agave syrup, honey, maple syrup, stevia, Monk Fruit, or sugar thoroughly mixed in for added sweetness.
Estimated Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)
Nutrition Disclaimer: All nutritional information shared on this site is an approximation. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on this site should be used as a general guideline. Any nutritional information provided by Reefer’s Blend is a courtesy and should be construed. as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary, and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.
(Based on the basic recipe: ½ cup oats, ½ cup 2% milk, ¼ cup yogurt, 1 tbsp chia seeds, and 1 tsp honey). Sweetener nutrition facts will be based on the sweetener you choose to use.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 300 -350Total Fat: 8ggCarbohydrates: 45ggFiber: 8ggSugar: 10ggProtein: 12gg
Nutrition Disclaimer: All nutritional information shared on this site is an approximation. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information shared on this site should be used as a general guideline. Any nutritional information provided by Reefer’s Blend is a courtesy and should be construed. as an estimate rather than a guarantee. Ingredients can vary, and we cannot guarantee the accuracy of this information.
Flavor Variations:
- Berry Blast: Add 1/4 cup of mixed berries before storing in the refrigerator.
- Peanut Butter Banana: Stir in 1 tbsp of peanut butter and top with sliced banana.
- Apple Cinnamon: Mix in 1/2 tsp cinnamon and diced apples before serving.
- Cinnamon and Sugar: Mix in 1/2 tsp cinnamon and 1/2 tsp sugar or sugar substitute.
- Chocolate Lovers: Add 1 tsp cocoa powder and top with dark chocolate chips.
- Vegan Option: Use plant-based milk or yogurt to make oatmeal vegan and dairy-free. Add a vegan protein for added protein, and use maple syrup as a sweetener.
This recipe is super affordable and can be made in batches for the week, saving both time and money! What’s your favorite way to enjoy overnight oats?
3 responses to “Quick and Easy Overnight Oats”
[…] March 11, 2025 at 10:25 AM | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment Quick and Easy Overnight Oats […]
Just made these overnight oats, and they turned out amazing! I added a bit of cinnamon and a few sliced bananas, and it was the perfect combination. Thanks for sharing such a simple and delicious recipe. I’ll be making this again for sure!
Thank you for commenting. I would like to know if you tried other toppings and how you like it. Enjoy!