Here at Food52,we love recipes—but do we always use them? Of course not. Because once you realize you don't always need a recipe, you'll make your favorite dishes a lot more often.
Multitasking always seems like a better idea than it is. It's just an innocent, time-saving technique until one day, as you're texting, listening to music, and writing an essay at the same time, you end up texting your mom about how annoying your mom is. Whoops!
And when it comes to cooking and baking, some of the most egregious offenses occur when you don't give a recipe the attention it deserves (in my house: sugarless rice pudding is, unfortunately, a true story).
Luckily, there is a way to cook and sleep at the same time. That might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it is true that you can cook your oatmeal overnight in the refrigerator with no actual cooking—and no actual recipe—required. This hands-off oatmeal is an endlessly customizable grab-and-go breakfast that will be waiting for you when you wake up.
How to Make Overnight Oats Without a Recipe
1. The only ratio you need to remember when making overnight oats is 1:1. You'll soak one part rolled oats with one part liquid overnight. Use less liquid if you want thicker oatmeal, more if you like it runny. You can use water or any type of milk (like almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, etc.) and feel free to add a splash of cream, half-and-half, or even orange juice.
2. Sweeten and flavor the oatmeal with whatever appeals to you: honey, agave, jam, maple syrup, cinnamon, vanilla extract, citrus zest, and the list goes on. Then get creative: Add nuts, dried fruit, shredded coconut, seeds (chia, flax, sunflower, pumpkin), fruit, or even nut butter.
3. Give the whole thing a stir, pack it into a jar, seal it, and let the jar sit overnight in the refrigerator.
4. In the morning, top with fresh ingredients—fruits, granola, honey, a dollop of peanut butter—or simply take the whole jar for the road.
5 Overnight Oats Recipes for Inspiration
You'll need less than five minutes to prepare these overnight oats, which make the most of one of our all-time favorite combos: nutty tahini and bittersweet chocolate.
Instead of letting the fridge do all the work, this recipe uses a slow cooker set to "low" to soften the oats overnight. In the morning, all you have to do is stir almond buter and honey in a warm, cozy bowl of the stuff.
Made for school (or work) mornings, this simple make-ahead muesli calls on cranberries for tart sweetness, apples and almonds for crunch, and peaches or nectarines for fresh fruity flavor.
Another much-loved combination (chocolate and strawberries) shines in this easy-to-prep recipe that basically gives you an excuse to eat dessert for breakfast.
Most overnight oats recipes are easy enough to make vegan-friendly, but we especially love this super-creamy version, which uses a homemade vanilla macadamia milk.
What's your favorite overnight oats flavor combo? Tell us in the comments below!
Photos by James Ransom
FAQs
Making overnight oats is actually as easy as memorizing a simple ratio: Use equal parts old-fashioned rolled oats and milk, plus half as much yogurt. For example, the recipe below calls for 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, 2 cups milk, and 1 cup yogurt.
What is the secret to overnight oats? ›
Add Twice as Much Milk as Oats
Whether you prefer whole milk, rice milk or coconut milk, you can use it. Just make sure to add twice as much milk as oats. Note: You can also use whey, buttermilk or thinned yogurt for a tangier flavor.
What not to add in overnight oats? ›
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."
What is the best liquid for overnight oats? ›
But, anything from whole to skim milk works, or a non-dairy option like soy milk, almond milk, or another option that you prefer. Here you can see (on the right) the more soupy-liquid version is the overnight oats before they have soaked overnight.
Which milk is best for overnight oats? ›
Overnight Oats are great with all kinds of milk, dairy (pasteurized) or non-dairy. Feel free to use your favorite! We do not recommend making Overnight Oats with water because it will result in an overly liquid texture.
How much milk for 1 cup of overnight oats? ›
The Perfect Ratio
My ideal overnight oats ratio is 1:1 of oats to milk, then half the amount of yogurt. So in this recipe, I use 1 cup oats, 1 cup milk, then 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt. This gives me the perfect Goldilocks consistency I'm looking for: not too thick, and not too thin.
What happens to your body when you eat overnight oats everyday? ›
A bowl of overnight oats might help to strengthen your immune system. The inclusion of beta-glucan in oats aids in increasing the activity of our body's white blood cells (WBCs), which are responsible for defending us from sickness. Because oats are high in zinc and selenium, they help fight infections.
What makes overnight oats taste good? ›
Add-ins + toppings – Here's where you can get creative. Just like with regular stove top oats, there are some classic add-ins like vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, maple syrup (or honey) and a pinch of sea salt that really elevate the flavor and make overnight oats super tasty.
Why did my overnight oats not work? ›
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.
What are the disadvantages of overnight oats? ›
Overnight oats usually contain more calories than traditional oats, which is not ideal for individuals following a low-calorie diet or looking to cut back on calorie-rich foods. Note: Eating raw oats is generally safe, but may cause digestive issues or increase the risk of foodborne illness.
Using the wrong oat-to-milk ratio: If you don't add enough milk, some of the oats will soak up all of the liquid before the rest of the oats can absorb any, creating an uneven texture. Some oats will be very soft while others might still be chewy.
Why bother with overnight oats? ›
Overnight oats is a true power breakfast that provides plenty of strength and energy. This is because of its high natural protein and fiber content that stimulate metabolism. They're complex carbohydrates break down slowly and keep you full for longer.
Do overnight oats need to be in glass? ›
You can definitely make overnight oats in a plastic container. Plastic jars tend to be more durable than glass, especially when dropped, making them a popular choice for families. They're also lightweight and inexpensive.
What can you use to thicken overnight oats? ›
If you want your overnight oats to have a thicker, slightly tapioca-like texture, chia seeds will do that while also adding some healthy protein. Add about 1/4 the amount of oats you added. (So if you're starting with 1/2 cup of oats, add 2 tablespoons of chia seeds.)
How can I make my overnight oats better? ›
Here are some incredible ways to take your overnight oatmeal to the next level.
- Add Enough Liquid. ...
- Use Almond Milk. ...
- Don't Add Toppings Overnights. ...
- Add More Flavour. ...
- More Protein. ...
- Make Use of a Natural Sweetener. ...
- Add More Cream.
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.
What is the ratio of oats to milk? ›
Read the instructions on the side of your oatmeal container and do what they say to avoid a pasty, sticky mess or a soupy mush. For steel-cut oats, the ratio is 3/4 to 1 cup of liquid per 1/4 cup of oats. If you are using quick-cooking or rolled oats, the ratio is 1 cup of liquid per 1/2 cup of oats.
What is the ratio of oatmeal to formula? ›
Most bottles should be filled with breastmilk or formula, and only a tiny amount of oatmeal (1 tsp) should be added. This proportion can be increased per your doctor's instructions. Monitoring your baby closely while feeding is crucial, as a thicker formula may pose a choking hazard.
