Healthy Overnight Oats (+8 More Recipes)

Overnight oats is our favorite healthy breakfast idea that can be prepared ahead of time and last the entire week. They’re whole grain and packed with fiber!

In this post, we’ll teach you how to make overnight oats, answer all of your overnight oatmeal FAQs, give you a basic overnight oats recipe, and share 8 of our favorite overnight oats recipes!

We love Overnight Oats!

Here at Fit Foodie Finds we absolutely adore overnight oats (and oatmeal in general!). Some of the very first recipes that we ever posted on FFF were healthy overnight oats recipes…and that dates back to 2010! They never get old and they’re so delicious I could eat them for dessert.

There are also so many different flavor combinations and topping ideas that you could almost eat a different variation of overnight oats 365 days a year!

Today we’re sharing the low on this magical breakfast in general. We get so many comments and questions about our overnight oats that we thought we’d lay it all out in one post.

What are overnight oats?

Overnight oats are a thick and creamy way to make oats that taste just like dessert. Making oats overnight is when you soak oatmeal in a liquid such as milk, making it no-cook oatmeal. Instead of having to cook your oats, you can actually eat them raw by soaking them in milk or water for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Are overnight oats healthy?

Overnight oats are a healthy breakfast idea because they’re 100% whole grain and made with other nutritious ingredients such as chia seeds, almond milk, and Greek yogurt.

What is in overnight oats?

The most obvious ingredient in overnight oats is…oatmeal! But, did you know that you can actually use 3 different types of oatmeal? Each is equally delicious but has a slightly different texture.

Rolled oats: rolled oats (or old fashioned oats) are the most common oat to use in overnight oats and become thick and creamy after soaking in liquid.

Quick-cooking oats: quick-cooking oats end up more like a cold porridge, but they’re still chewy and flavor super well.

Steel-cut oats: your steel-cut overnight oats will end up best if you use a quick-cooking steel-cut oat and give it a quick microwave before letting it soak overnight. The texture of these has more of a bite to it, but it’s so good good! Try our Overnight Steel Cut Oats recipe.

Other Common Ingredients

• Milk: milk is our preferred liquid to make overnight oats and very essential. You can use any kind of milk you want such as cow’s milk, almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, etc.
• Chia seeds: Chia seeds are not only a great source of antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3’s, but they help thicken your overnight oats and make them extremely creamy and satisfying.
• Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt is such an amazing, tangy add-in for overnight oats that really enhances the flavor and makes them extra creamy. Oh, and it’s a great post of extra protein.
• Vanilla extract: You can’t go wrong with vanilla. We almost always add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to all overnight oatmeal recipes!
• Honey or maple syrup: All natural sweeteners are key when it comes to overnight oats. Ditch the table sugar or brown sugar for something more natural like honey or maple syrup.
• Fresh/Dried Fruit: In many of our recipes you’ll find the oats flavored with fresh and dried fruit. Try blueberry, banana, or lemon!

How to Make Overnight Oats (2 Steps)

The best part about overnight oats is that they are so easy to make! Think 5 minutes and done. Here is a quick rundown:

1. Mix: Combine all ingredients for your overnight oats in a bowl or jar and stir until combined.
2. Soak: Cover oatmeal and let soak in the fridge overnight or for at least 2 hours.

Do I have to let me oats sit overnight? The longer you let your oats soak in the liquid, the thicker they will be. We recommend at LEAST 2 hours, but overnight is optimal.

Overnight Oats FAQ

We get so many questions on the daily about overnight oats, so we laid out all the deets for you below!

Storage

The best way to store overnight oats is in a glass container in the refrigerator. You can use glass meal-prep containers, a large glass pyrex bowl, or 16 oz. mason jars!

If you make your overnight oats right in a mason jar, you can store them just like that. Store them in single-serve containers like jars is a great way to portion control, too!

And now…for our favorite overnight oatmeal recipes from Fit Foodie Finds! Check them out, below! 

8 Healthy Overnight Oats Recipes

1. Maple French Toast Overnight Oats
2. Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats
3. Moose Tracks Overnight Oats
4. Neapolitan Overnight Oats
5. Coconut Latte Overnight Oats
6. Chocolate Covered Strawberry Overnight Oats
7. Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Overnight Oats
8. Vanilla Strawberry Overnight Oats

Maple French Toasts Overnight Oats

Have your french toast and oatmeal too. Make Maple French Toast Vegan Overnight Oats for an easy, make-ahead breakfast that’s packed with maple and cinnamon flavor! This healthy vegan overnight oats recipe is high in fiber and whole grains.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats

These 6-ingredient peanut butter and jelly overnight oats are the perfect way to start off your morning! They’re made with a peanut butter overnight oatmeal base and topped with your favorite jelly giving you tons of fiber, protein, and a whole lotta lovin’.

Moose Tracks Overnight Oats

Love Moose Tracks Ice Cream? Try this overnight oat recipe to get a HEALTHY variation including a vanilla base with a fudge swirl and cookie dough pieces. This overnight oatmeal recipe is perfect for meal prep throughout the week if you are looking for something sweet. 

Neapolitan Overnight Oats

3 flavors are better than one! Make Neapolitan Overnight Oats and get a HEALTHY bite of chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry in every bite. This overnight oats recipe is packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats!

Coconut Latte Overnight Oats

Got 5 minutes? Whip up these delicious coconut latte vegan overnight oats for an easy, fiber-filled breakfast that are oh-so-delish! This overnight oatmeal recipe only requires 5 simple and healthy ingredients to make and this breakfast that will have you full all morning long.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Overnight Oats

Chocolate-covered strawberries for breakfast? YES PLEASE! Make this chocolate-covered strawberry overnight oats recipe and eat dessert for breakfast. Well, not really, but it sure does taste like it! These overnight oats are packed with fiber, 100% whole grain, and a healthy breakfast option all week long.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Overnight Oats

These peanut butter chocolate chip cookie dough overnight oats pack 15 grams of protein and a ton of fiber! Sick of your typical breakfast routine? Whip up these overnight oats and kick off your day off with a delicious and nutritious breakfast that will keep you full til lunch!

Vanilla Strawberry Overnight Oats

These Strawberry Vanilla Overnight Oats are a breakfast meal-prep miracle! All you have to do is throw all of the ingredients into a jar, let them sit overnight, and an easy and delicious breakfast is ready for you in the morning. Not only are these overnight oats tasty, but they are packed with fiber and protein to keep you satisfied until lunch!