Best Overnight Oats Recipe - Yummy Whole Food Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Are whole oats good for overnight oats? ›

rolled oats – old-fashioned rolled oats are a must for overnight oats. They soak up the liquid, which gives you a lovely creamy texture. Instant, quick-cooking and steel cut oats don't work because they don't absorb the liquid in the same way that rolled oats do.

Add Seeds, Nuts or Fruit

If you like a nutty taste, mix in chopped nuts. You can also add flax seeds, shredded coconut, dried fruit or more. The only limit is your imagination.

Make sure you have at least double the liquid per each serving of oats (so, 1 cup of milk to ½-cup of oats), increasing the amount if you want a soupier texture. We love the chewy, hearty texture of steel-cut oats, but they're too firm to use for overnight oats.

Dairy milk and oat milk both work well. Coconut milk adds rich flavor and yields an especially creamy texture. Maple syrup – For sweetness. Honey works too.

High-sugar toppings like chocolate, syrup, and dried fruit

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

Oats are rich in carbohydrates and a fibre called beta-glucan, which helps in the slow release of glucose into the bloodstream. However, consuming oats in isolation and in the morning may lead to a spike in blood sugar levels due to the Dawn effect.

When combined with milk or yoghurt, overnight oats can be a source of protein, which is essential for muscle repair and overall body function. The fibre and nutrients in oats are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. They can help lower bad LDL cholesterol levels and promote cardiovascular health.

Overnight Oats Using Yogurt vs Milk

If you want to add additional creaminess with yogurt, you can add half as much yogurt as milk, for a ratio of 2:2:1 for oats:milk:yogurt.

If you don't add enough liquid, your oats will be dry and clumpy in the morning, making them less enjoyable to eat. Make sure to add enough milk or yogurt to fully cover your oats and give them a creamy consistency.

Do you stir overnight oats before putting in the fridge? ›

In a large glass jar, combine the oats, milk, yogurt, maple syrup or honey, chia seeds, vanilla cinnamon, and sea salt. Stir well to make sure all the ingredients are combined. Cover with a lid and place in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, remove from the refrigerator and stir.

You only need to let the oats soak and rest in the fridge for 2 hours. But, it's ideal if you soak it overnight…hence the name overnight oats! The next morning you have a ready-to-eat, delicious, creamy bowl or jar of “oatmeal.” The consistency is like a porridge or pudding.

Method. The night before, place the oats, Granola Dust and a pinch of cinnamon into a lidded container. Pour over the milk, mix well then cover and pop in the fridge overnight. In the morning, grate in most of the apple and pear and give the mixture a good stir, adding a splash more milk to loosen, if needed.

Resistant starch is a type of fiber that acts as a prebiotic, feeding the beneficial bacteria in the gut and supporting a healthy digestive system. Additionally, overnight oats retain more of their natural nutrients since they are not exposed to high heat during the cooking process.

The process is simple really. All we need to do is soak the whole grains overnight at room temperature, or even warmer, and cook after soaking. It helps tremendously if, during the soak, you add an acid starter like liquid whey, kefir, yogurt, or even lemon juice.

Steel-cuts oats can be used but expect them to very chewy and fairly dense. Follow this tip: Old-fashioned rolled oats are the best when it comes to the variety to use for overnight oats. They'll give you that creamy, smooth texture with just the right amount of chew.

The steel cut and wholegrain have slight nutritional advantages in being slightly slower to digest, but the rolled are easier and quicker to cook. Go with what you prefer and enjoy, knowing you are looking after your health.

Because quick oats absorb more liquid than rolled oats, they are more likely to become soggy in overnight oats where the oats are sitting in liquid like milk and yogurt overnight. I have made overnight oats using quick oats before. The taste is usually good, but they do tend to be more on the soggy side.