Overnight Oats 3 Delicious Ways
Oats are one of the foods that I never fail to have in my kitchen and I literally can’t imagine my life without them. Anyone with me?
I think it’s safe to say that I have oats every single day in one form or another. And one of my favorite ways to eat them, other than just oatmeal, are overnight oats. Have you tried them yet? If not, you’re in for a massive super creamy and delicious treat.
Whether you’re looking to switch up your morning routine without giving up your oats or are still new to the whole oat game, overnight oats might just be the thing you want to try. And to make it even more fun and tasty, I have not 1 but 3 delicious ways to prepare them - Chocolate and Peanut Butter, Very Berry and Tropical Mango.
Benefits of oats
Where to begin. Oats are incredibly nutritious packed with a particular type of fiber called beta-glucan. This soluble fibre helps with digestion, increases satiety so you feel fuller for longer, regulates your blood sugar level and reduces cholesterol. They’re also rich in antioxidants preventing heart disease, high in protein and full of B vitamins and minerals such as magnesium, manganese and zinc.
Why overnight oats?
Overnight oats make for a super quick, nutritious, creamy and delicious breakfast, snack on the go or post workout meal. Prepare them in the evening, place in the fridge and all you need to do the next day is to put on your favorite toppings and dig in. FAST & HEALTHY just became possible!
Why adding Chia seeds?
Technically, these are optional, but I love how Chia seeds absorb moisture and make the final product even more creamy and almost pudding like. Chia seeds also contain healthy omega-3 fatty acids, lots of fiber, antioxidants and protein to make your overnight oats an extra super power house. If you decide to skip them, simply add more oats to the recipe or cut down on the milk amount.
Chocolate and Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Prep time: 5 minutes | Makes: 1 large serving
Ingredients:
1/2 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup plant based milk
1 tbsp Chia seeds
1 tbsp peanut butter
1/2 banana, mashed
1 tbsp raw cacao powder
1/2 - 1 tbsp maple syrup
Optional toppings - granola, chopped nuts, seeds, cacao nibs, peanut butter
Instructions:
1. Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
2. Cover the bowl or transfer into a mason jar with a lid and place in the fridge over night (or for at least 5 hours) to set.
3. The next day add your toppings and enjoy!
Tropical Overnight Oats
Prep time: 5 minutes | Makes: 1 large serving
Ingredients:
1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
1/4 cup water
1 tbsp Chia seeds
1/2 banana, mashed
1/2 mango, mashed
1 tsp maca powder (optional)
Optional toppings - chopped mango, shredded coconut, sliced banana, nuts and seeds
Instructions:
1. Mash half of the banana and half of the mango in a small bowl. Then add the rest of the ingredients and mix well.
2. Cover the bowl or transfer into a mason jar with a lid and place in the fridge over night (or for at least 5 hours) to set.
3. The next day top up with the rest of the banana and mango plus any other toppings and enjoy.
Very Berry Overnight Oats
Prep time: 5 minutes | Makes: 1 large serving
Ingredients:
1/2 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup plant based milk
1 tbsp Chia seeds
1/4 cup blueberries (or any berries of your choice)
1/2 tbsp ground flax seeds
1/2 banana, mashed
1/2 - 1 tbsp tbsp maple syrup
Optional toppings - berries, granola, cacao nibs, nuts and seeds
Instructions:
1. Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and mix well.
2. Cover the bowl or transfer into a mason jar with a lid and place in the fridge over night (or for at least 5 hours) to set.
3. The next day add your toppings and enjoy!
Notes:
- After I take the jar out of the fridge I like to leave it on the counter for at least half an hour before eating so the oats get to room temperature. If you like, you can also heat them up in the microwave or on the stove over medium heat for couple of minutes.
- Different type of plant based milk will affect the creaminess and the texture of your overnight oats. I find that coconut milk makes them extra creamy so feel free to use it in all the recipes not just the ‘tropical’ variation if you like the taste of it. I also love using oat and soy milk. Play around until you find the combination you love the best. You can also experiment with the amount of milk you add to achieve either thicker or a bit more runny consistency.
- Overnight oats keep well in the refrigerator for up to five days. So, prepare your oats on Sunday night, and you’ll have breakfast covered for the workweek.
- Oats are naturally gluten free, however cross-contamination can occur in facilities or even in fields where wheat, rye or barley are also present. If you are gluten sensitive or intolerant, make sure to only use certified gluten-free oats.
