30 Minute Meals
How to Make Overnight Oats (Base + 6 Flavors) 🥣
Prep
10 minutes
Yield
1
🥣 Stop making oatmeal the hard way! These easy overnight oats are meal-prep magic with 6 flavor options. Make 5 jars Sunday, eat all week!
Overnight oats are such a leisurely breakfast to meal prep ahead of time. They’re healthy, versatile, and perfect for grab-and-go mornings. Because you make them the night before, mornings become stress-free. This overnight oats recipe works for any flavor preference. The base ratio is simple and scales beautifully. You’re going to love having these ready every morning.
❤️ Why You’ll Love Overnight Oats
- Versatile: Make six different flavors or create your own variations.
- Healthy: Overnight oats are high in fiber and protein.
- Meal Prep: Prepare several jars on Sunday for busy mornings.
- Easy: Mix ingredients and refrigerate—no cooking required.
- Customizable: Swap toppings and flavors based on preferences.
🍲 Ingredients
Rolled Oats – Rolled oats are full of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. They help you maintain a healthy, balanced diet. Additionally, oats contain beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber. Because they’re so nutritious, overnight oats become a complete breakfast.
Raspberry Jam – Raspberry jam adds yummy flavor and natural sweetness. You can use other jam varieties to switch flavors. Additionally, raspberries contain antioxidants supporting overall health. So this overnight oats recipe becomes both delicious and nutritious.
Base Ratio for Overnight Oats
| Component | Amount | Notes |
| Rolled Oats | 1 cup | Use quick or steel-cut if preferred |
| Milk | 1 cup | Almond, oat, dairy, or any plant-based |
| Chia Seeds | 2 teaspoons | Helps thicken and adds omega-3s |
| Salt | Pinch | Enhances flavor beautifully |
| Sweetener | To taste | Honey, maple syrup, or jam |
👩🍳 How to Make Raspberry Overnight Oats
Step 1: Add the rolled oats to a 500ml or 16-ounce jar. Pour in your choice of milk (almond, oat, dairy). Add honey or your preferred sweetener to taste. This overnight oats base ratio creates the foundation. You can use any milk alternative for this step. Dairy milk, almond, oat, or cashew all work beautifully. Mix everything together until well combined. The mixture should look wet and creamy. Make sure no dry oat streaks remain visible.
Step 2: Transfer the jar to the refrigerator immediately. Let it soak for at least 4 hours. Ideally, refrigerate overnight for 8-12 hours total. This soaking time allows the oats to absorb moisture. The oats become creamy and pudding-like when ready. The longer they soak, the softer they become. Don’t rush this step—it’s crucial for texture.
Step 3: In a small bowl, mix together the raspberry jam. Add chia seeds and stir until combined. The chia seeds add omega-3s and thickness. Set this raspberry-chia mixture aside. You can prepare this the night before, too. Store the mixture in a separate container. This keeps toppings fresh and prevents sogginess.
Step 4: When you’re ready to enjoy your oats, check consistency. If too thick, add more milk one tablespoon at a time. If too thin, add more chia seeds gradually. Stir until you reach your preferred thickness. Add the sliced banana on top of the oats. Sprinkle hemp seeds for extra nutrition and crunch. Add your raspberry-chia jam mixture as desired. Top with chopped dark chocolate for indulgence. You control how much jam and chocolate to add.
Step 5: Mix everything together and enjoy this healthy breakfast. Stir all components so flavors combine beautifully. Eat directly from the jar for easy cleanup. Or transfer to a bowl if you prefer. Enjoy immediately while flavors are fresh and vibrant.
🗒 Tips and Tricks
- On-the-Go: Add toppings before leaving home if traveling. This prevents sogginess and keeps texture intact. Pack the jar in an insulated bag. Include a spoon so you can eat anytime.
- Texture Fixes: If too thick, add more milk gradually. One tablespoon at a time prevents over-thinning. If too thin, add more chia seeds. Let sit 10 minutes for seeds to absorb liquid.
- Soak Time: Minimum soak time is 4 hours. Ideal soak time is 8-12 hours for creaminess. Overnight soaking develops the best pudding-like texture. Don’t soak longer than 5 days maximum.
- Dairy-Free: Use your favorite plant-based milk completely. Oat milk creates creamiest texture beautifully. Almond milk is lighter and less rich. Cashew milk adds extra creaminess too.
- Serving Temperature: Overnight oats are eaten cold straight from fridge. Or warm gently in microwave for 60-90 seconds. Some prefer them at room temperature. Choose based on personal preference.
🌾 Six Flavor Variations
- PB&J: Mix 2 tablespoons of peanut butter into the base. Top with jam and granola for crunch. Add protein powder for extra nutrition.
- Chocolate Banana: Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder to the base. Top with sliced banana and dark chocolate. Include hemp seeds for omega-3s.
- Apple Pie: Add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon to the base. Top with diced apple and granola. Drizzle with maple syrup for sweetness.
- Lemon-Berry: Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest to the base. Top with mixed berries and coconut flakes. Add protein powder for a filling breakfast.
- Carrot Cake: Add 2 tablespoons of grated carrot to the base. Mix in 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and nutmeg. Top with cream cheese and walnuts.
- Mocha: Add 1 tablespoon of cocoa and instant coffee. Top with chocolate chips and whipped cream. Add protein powder for a coffee lover’s dream.
🗒 Substitutions
- Oat Type: Use quick oats for faster preparation. Steel-cut oats create a chewier texture beautifully. Old-fashioned rolled oats work perfectly, too. Adjust soak time slightly based on oat type.
- Milk: Any plant-based milk works beautifully here. Oat milk creates the creamiest overnight oats. Almond, cashew, or coconut milk all work. Use dairy milk if not vegan or allergic.
- Protein Boost: Add 1-2 scoops of protein powder to the base. Mix in 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt for creaminess. Include cottage cheese for extra protein. Vegan options use plant-based protein powder instead.
- Sweetener: Use maple syrup, agave, or jam. Add dates blended into milk for natural sweetness. Reduce added sugar by using sweet toppings. Taste and adjust before eating.
🍽️ Best served with
👝 How to Store Leftovers
Store prepared overnight oats in an airtight container. Keep refrigerated for 4-5 days maximum. Use single-serve jars with headspace for easy storage. Leave ½ inch space at the top of the jar. This allows the mixture to expand slightly. The oats taste best within the first 3 days.
Freezing: You can freeze blended overnight oats for later. Blend completely smooth, then freeze in portions. Thaw overnight in the fridge before eating. Frozen overnight oats last up to 2 months. The texture changes after freezing, but remains edible.
🤔 Common Questions
Use 1 cup oats, 1 cup milk, and 2 teaspoons chia seeds. Add a pinch of salt and a pinch of sweetener to taste. This ratio creates perfectly creamy overnight oats. Adjust milk for a thicker or thinner consistency.
Chia seeds add thickness and omega-3s. They’re optional, but they create a better texture beautifully. Greek yogurt adds creaminess and protein alternatively. You can use both for extra nutrition.
Yes, use plant-based milk for dairy-free versions. Add vegan protein powder for plant-based protein. Include Greek yogurt or cottage cheese for extra protein. All swaps work perfectly with this overnight oats recipe.
Store for up to 4-5 days in airtight jars. They taste best within the first 3 days. Don’t store longer than 5 days for safety. Make fresh batches weekly for optimal flavor.
Yes, both work beautifully with this recipe. Steel-cut oats create a chewier texture beautifully. Quick oats soften faster and become creamier. Adjust soak time slightly based on oat type.
They’re eaten cold straight from the fridge. Or warm gently in the microwave if preferred. Warm for 60-90 seconds to take the chill off. Choose based on your personal preference.
Yes, this overnight oats recipe is perfect meal prep. Prepare 5-7 jars for the entire week easily. Store toppings separately to maintain texture. Add toppings each morning for best results.
Overnight oats are no-cook and cold. Regular oatmeal is hot and cooked on stovetop. Overnight oats soak in liquid overnight. Regular oatmeal cooks quickly with heat.
How to Make Overnight Oats (Base + 6 Flavors) 🥣
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cooking OR rolled oats
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1 tbs honey
- ¼ cup raspberry jam save this jam with the chia seeds for later too, don’t use all at once
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- ¼ – ½ cup Greek or vanilla yogurt
- 1 tbsp hemp seeds
- 1 banana sliced
- 2 – 3 tbsp dark chocolate chopped
Instructions
- Add the oats, almond milk, and honey to a 500ml / 16 oz jar, mix to combine.
- Transfer into the refrigerator for 1 – 2 hours or overnight.
- In a small bowl, mix together the raspberry jam and chia seeds. Set aside.
- When you are ready to enjoy your oats, arrange the sliced banana, hemp seeds, raspberry chia jam (as much or as little as you’d like), and chopped dark chocolate on top.
- Mix together and enjoy this delicious, healthy breakfast!
Video
Fabulous, you always have the best ideas for breakfast!
thank you so much, jen!
I love this recipe! I never thought I would be adding yogurt to my overnight oats but now I’ll never go back!
right? so fun hey!
So so good, had it this morning, leaving this comment right now on my lunch break!
thank you so much, crystal!
Amazing! I love that you can prepare it the night before. It saves you a lot of time in the morning-
thank you so much hun!
I love this! At the moment, I don’t have fruits but I have seeds and I have to say the base is just as satisfying without fruit!!
right, isn’t it just so versatile!
This has officially become my favorite breakfast! You’re such a nutcracker when it comes to recipe creating!!
yay! I love that for you so much!