If you are wondering how to make overnight oats, this easy tutorial is for you! You will find a step by step guide with photos showing exactly how to make a jar of healthy oatmeal. BONUS: I’ve also included all of my favorite overnight oats recipes for you to try!
Overnight oats have become one of my absolute favorite ways to eat oatmeal. Basically, it’s rolled oats soaked in milk or another liquid overnight. There’s no cooking or additional preparation needed. In the morning, you just give it a stir, add a little more liquid if needed, and enjoy.
That’s it! It’s a really simple healthy breakfast recipe.
Overnight oatmeal is easy to throw together, can be made ahead of time, and after the oats soak up the liquid, they take on a delicious pudding-like consistency!
Over the years, I’ve made numerous easy overnight oats recipes so I’ve learned a thing or two about making the perfect breakfast jar.
Frequently Asked Questions About Healthy Overnight Oats
Below are answers to the most common questions I have gotten about making overnight oatmeal!
What type of container should I use?
I recommend using a 16-ounce wide-mouth glass mason jar for overnight oats. This provides enough room for the oats, liquid, and any other add-ins. I’ve also used 8-ounce mason jars but those were just a little too small. I suggest picking up some plastic mason jar lids too!
You can purchase glass mason jar containers at any grocery store. I have even seen them at Target and Walmart. If you can’t find them or don’t feel like driving around, then just purchase mason jar containers from Amazon.
Personally, I love glass mason jar containers! However, many of my readers say that plastic containers work just as well. I guess it is more of a preference. If you want to learn more about glass meal prep containers, check out this post!
Glass containers to Use for Overnight Oats
16-ounce wide mouth mason jar containers. Regular mouth will work fine too.
Which oats are best for overnight oats?
I use rolled oats for my overnight oatmeal recipes. These are also called old fashion oats. You can find them in the oatmeal section and/or in the bulk section of any grocery store.
If you can’t find them, then you can get rolled oats on Amazon or online at Thrive Market.
Rolled oats are less processed than instant oats but more processed than steel-cut oats. They work perfectly in overnight oatmeal recipes! Instant oats turn into a gummy mush and steel-cut oats stay way too crunchy.
Many people ask if they can use steel-cut oats… I tested steel-cut oats and even after 2 days, they were still very crunchy. So from my experience, I’d say no.
Some bloggers have made overnight oatmeal with slightly cooked steel-cut oats but in my opinion, that takes the easy out of it. So, I’d say if you’re looking for a quick throw together overnight oatmeal recipe, then stick with rolled oats.
Do you eat overnight oats hot or cold?
Overnight oats are meant to be consumed cold.
They get prepped at night so you eat them in the morning without any additional work. The oats process in the liquid so you don’t need to cook them. Some people let the oats sit on the counter for ½ hour or so to take the chill off but I eat them straight from the refrigerator.
If you want to warm the oats up, you can do so in the microwave or on the stove. I understand that the concept of eating oatmeal cold is foreign but I recommend giving it a try. I think cold overnight oats are delicious!
Depending on the ingredients, sometimes I feel like I am eating dessert. Think pudding. Yum!
Are overnight oats healthy?
Yes! Of course, it depends on the ingredients used but generally speaking overnight oatmeal is healthy. They are filled with whole grains and fiber. If you add chia seeds, then there’s omega fatty acids and protein. Fruit adds fiber and lots of vitamins.
Also, overnight oats are portion-controlled. I make each serving in its own mason jar so I know the nutritional information for each one. This is super helpful when trying to keep calories under control!
What type of liquid do you use?
My preferred liquid is unsweetened coconut milk. I’m referring to the coconut milk found in the dairy section, not the canned coconut milk. This is my favorite but any liquid will do.
You can use dairy milk, almond milk, rice milk, or whatever liquid you prefer in your oatmeal!
Can I use yogurt?
Yes, many overnight oatmeal recipes call for yogurt. This chocolate overnight oats with yogurt and strawberry cheesecake overnight oats are made with yogurt and both are delicious. I prefer to use a low-sugar Greek yogurt in overnight oats – Sigi’s Greek Yogurt is my favorite.
My Overnight Oats Formula
The easy overnight oats formula I prefer is 1/2 cup rolled oats + 1/2 cup liquid. If I am using fruit, I use about 1/4 – 1/2 cup fruit. If I’m using Greek yogurt then I’ll use 1-2 tablespoons stirred in with the rest of the ingredients.
I adjust the liquid, as needed, depending on the liquid I use and other ingredients. After all the ingredients are mixed together, the oats should be covered in liquid. I have a picture below illustrating this.
Do you mix the oats together?
Yup! The oats softened from sitting in the liquid overnight. After you mix all the ingredients together, the oats should be covered in liquid. If not, add a little more liquid until oats are covered.
What spices and other ingredients can I use?
Think of overnight oats as you would any oatmeal recipe. It really is a blank canvas. You can use any kind of fruit, nuts, chocolate, spice, and/or flavors you like.
My favorite spices to use in overnight oats:
- Cinnamon
- Pumpkin spice
- Apple spices
I’ll add about 1/8 – 1/4 of a teaspoon of these spices.
My favorite fruit to add to a jar of oats:
- chopped strawberries
- raspberries
- blueberries
- peaches
- cherries
I’ll add about 1/2 cup of fruit into each jar of oats. Also, I like to use frozen fruit because I can purchase large bags from the grocery store. But, you can use fresh fruit too.
Other ingredients to add to overnight oats:
- Cacao powder or nibs
- canned pumpkin
- canned squash
I’ll add 1-2 tablespoons of each of these ingredients. That amount gives it the perfect amount of flavor.
Superfoods I stirred into overnight oats:
- Flaxseeds
- Hemp hearts
- Chia seeds
I’ll add 1-2 teaspoons of one of these superfoods.
My only suggestion is if you add an ingredient you don’t want to get soft or soggy (ex. nuts), then stir them into the oats in the morning.
How long do overnight oats take?
I always prep the oats the night before. So the oats usually sit in the refrigerator for at least 7-8 hours or a little longer. However, they will be ready to eat in about 4-5 hours; so, if you want some for lunch or afternoon snack, you can always prep a jar when you wake up!
How long do overnight oats last?
For best results, make overnight oatmeal no more than 3 days in advance but that has been my experience. Overnight oats are so easy to prepare so it hasn’t been a big deal to whip up another batch mid-week should I need or want to.
Can I freeze overnight oats?
Yes! If I have enough supplies and really want to be one step ahead of my meal prep, I will usually go ahead and make some overnight oats meal prep freezer kits. I add all of the dry ingredients into a freezer-safe Ziploc bag and pour everything into a mason jar when I am ready to eat (along with some coconut milk).
Supplies Needed To Prepare Overnight Oats
These are the supplies you will need to meal prep overnight oats:
- Rolled oats
- Chia seeds
- 16-ounce mason jars
- Wide mouth plastic mason jar lids
- quart-size freezer bags
Don’t forget the fruits and other spices you will need, depending on which oats recipe you decide to make.
Video Tutorial On Making Easy Overnight Oats
How To Make Overnight Oats: Step By Step Guide
Here is a step by step guide to help you learn how to make overnight oats.
Step 1. Start with the oats!
I always use 1/2 cup of oats. If you think that is too much, then reduce the amount of oats.
Step 2: Add the liquid.
If I use 1/2 cup of oats, then I will use 1/2 cup of liquid. I always use the same amount of liquid as oats. If you are using yogurt, then add it in during this step. A couple of tablespoons of yogurt will work fine.
Adjust the amount of liquid as needed depending on the amount of oats you’re using.
Step 3: Add in the chia seeds.
To give the oats a little more substance, I add chia seeds. You can also add ground flax seed, hemp seed, or any other nutritional add-ins.
I also use this step to add in some:
- Spices (cinnamon, vanilla, all spice, etc.)
- Sweetener
- Ground cocoa powder
- PB2
- Peanut butter
Step 4: Add in the fruit.
I always use frozen fruit because that is what I have on hand. You certainly can use fresh or even dried fruit!
I highly recommend adding some bananas and they are awesome in overnight oats.
Step 5: Mix it all together.
You want to make sure all the oats are covered in liquid and mix it all together. After it’s mixed, add in more liquid if needed.
The fruit you use will release juices as the oats soak so keep that in mind as you are adding in more liquid. This is what the oatmeal in a jar should look like before you put them into the refrigerator.
Step 6: Refrigerate overnight.
Put the lid on and store in the refrigerator overnight or at least 4-5 hours.
Step 7: Stir and enjoy!
In the morning, the oats will look like this. Stir in about 1 tablespoon of additional liquid to loosen up the overnight oatmeal.
If you’re using pure maple syrup as a sweetener add that first, stir it up, then add more liquid if needed. Once you get the consistency you want add in the nuts, seeds, or any other crunchy ingredient you’re using.
Easy Overnight Oats Recipes To Meal Prep
Here are some of my favorite and go-to overnight oats recipes to add to my meal plan rotation!
- Chocolate Overnight Oats
- Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
- Banana Coconut Overnight Oatmeal
- Banana Split Oatmeal
- Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats
- Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
- Pumpkin Chocolate Oatmeal
- Strawberry Banana Overnight Oats
- Blueberry Banana Oatmeal In A Jar
- Almond Joy Overnight Oatmeal
- Cinnamon Raisin Overnight Oats
- Carrot Cake Oatmeal in a Jar
- Banana Chocolate Oatmeal in a Jar
- Black Forest Oatmeal in a Jar
- Raspberry Almond Oatmeal in a Jar
- Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal in a Jar
- Salted Turtle Oatmeal in a Jar
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal in a Jar
- Chocolate Strawberry Overnight Oatmeal
- Blueberry Almond Oatmeal in a Jar
- Cherry Vanilla Overnight Oatmeal
- Chocolate Mint Overnight Oatmeal
Share a picture and tag me on Instagram or Facebook if you decide to try to make any of these overnight oats recipes!
McCann’s makes a 5 minute steel cut oat (cut smaller than regular 25 minute steel cut oats). I wonder if that would work.
I am not sure but I will look into that.
i use 1 part steel cut oats to 2 parts liquid. Have been doing this for years. If I add chia seeds I add a little more liquid.
Goldie, Any need to heat the liquid before adding to Steel Cut Oats? Steel Cut is what I have in the house so I’d like to use those up first.
These look delicious!! I’m doing the Body & Soul Fitness 20lb challenge… as soon as it’s over I hope I can try these recipes! They look delicious!! Thank you! Love your blog!! I’m in East Aurora, NY!
I don’t soak overnight. I just make into a biscuit & pan fry.
I love love love oatmeal! Thanks for sharing! And I love your recipe!
Thanks for sharing mine! All of yours look delicious!! I was like ooo chocolate pb, then ooo turtle..ooo pumpkinnnn. hahah oh my <3
xoxo Sarah Grace, Fresh Fit N Healthy.
Monica calls them refrigerator oatmeal, and also offers 16 recipes (between two blog posts) that use milk and yogurt:
http://www.theyummylife.com/Refrigerator_Oatmeal
http://www.theyummylife.com/8_muesli_flavors
I’ve been eating fridge oatmeal most mornings for months. I make 6 or 7 at a time, put most of them in the freezer, and take one out at night to thaw overnight. Love that!
Have you ever tried freezing them?
I love overnight oatmeal as a quick easy breakfast. I found one in the back of the frdige I forgot about &wished I had found earlier.
i love mine with steel coat oats! It’s how I’ve made it since I started making them, so I can’t compare it in texture to the rolled oats but they are definitely not crunchy. Overnight oats have been a lifesaver–I could never find something quick for breakfast and would always end up having some kind of muffin, toast, bagel etc that had no health benefit and also left me hungry within the hour. I truly look forward to eating this every morning!!
How do you do this with steel cut oats? How much liquid compared to oats? And do you have to cook the oats or heat the liquid?
Thanks so much these look delishious. I plan to use coconut water as added liquid.
I love overnight oats and eat them faithfully 5 mornings a week. I’ve always, always used steel-cut oats. I buy Country Choice Organic Oven Toasted Steel Cut Oats from Amazon; oats on the bottom, thin layer of chia, just enough honey to cover, a heaping tablespoon of plain no-fat yogurt, then almond milk to fill the jar. I prep five jars on Saturday and by Monday morning, my oats are deliciously chewy little nuggets of awesomeness 🙂
Thank you for the guide! It has been helpful and very clear for someone like me who is totally new to overnight oats 🙂
Just to clarify a few questions..
1. Can i use skimmed milk only for the liquid? (i do not like yogurt either.. so will it become too watery?)
2. Can i add my fruits like strawberries and raisins the next morn instead? Do not want them to become soggy.
Thanks so much! 🙂
I just prepared three of these recipes, 2 each. Licking the spoon each time, I was surprised at each ones great and unique flavor. Thanks for this excellent tutorial. I can hardly wait for brealfast. I have one big problem though…I don’t know which one to try first.
Just an idea I used instant steel cut oats in place of regular oats and it turned out very well.
Can you use quinoa in the oats?
Amount of yogurt and chia seeds?
I use about 1/4 cup of yogurt and 1- 2 teaspoons chia seeds
I’ve tried overnight oats with the steel cut oats and the texture isn’t great. I did find if I cooked the heck out of them in the microwave they were edible. The recipe I used was a banana and vanilla recipe and since the steel cut oats don’t seem to suck up much liquid it was a much soupier consistency, but I have to admit the bananna/vanilla milky flavour was delish even if the oats were a bit of an odd new consistency for me 😉
I have to tell you that I am a bit of an evangelical fan of yours lately! I am a BIG fan of using the web and pinterest to try new recipes and at best I get a 50% success rate (I may be the reason they invented the term “Pinterest Fail”). But since I found your site I’ve had at least a 90% success rate (I can’t think of anything I did not love, but if I say 100% it may sound like I haven’t really invested! ).
Your recipes are clearly ones you actually eat and perfect. Thanks so much!
Thanks so much for your comment. I’m going to try and perfect overnight steel cut oats this week because I actually prefer steel cut to rolled oats. Yes everything I make is what we eat. I don’t have the time (or money) to make food for my family and separate food for the blog. My fridge would be more packed than it already is haha
Have a great start to the week.
We love overnight oats and prefer the steel cut (generic purchased at Aldi’s) and do not find the texture to be a problem. I think it may be a preference thing, we use almond mild exclusively, and add fruit in the am after stirring it. We like other multigrain “hot cereals” like Bob’s Red Mill 10 grain done “overnight style” also. Keep up your good work.
Someone ever tried overnight oats in water?? It’s the only thing I can use in my meal plan. I’m an athlete ans I have to follow my plan. I ‘ m a litle scared about trying it on water. Thanks
Can you make it without chia seeds
yes you can but the chia seeds do give it a pudding like texture.
Hi, I’m in school and I don’t have access to a refrigerator, can I just use cold water for the overnight oats instead? thanks for your response
I made this last night – 3/10/17 and had it this morning…I really like this idea of oats in a jar amd I plan on making other variaties. Thank you for your tutorial it was very helpful.
Holy cow! Tried your tutorial as a jumping off point and used ingredients I had on hand. Wow, this was every bit as good as you said! I never would have thought cold oats could be so good. Second batch is already in the fridge and I can’t wait till it is done. Thank you for such great instructions.
It would be helpful if you specified the type of coconut milk on all your recipes. I nearly made a 1,000-calorie smoothie.
Thanks for the feedback. I will make sure that’s clear. it is the coconut milk found in the dairy section.
If I want to use a little honey to sweeten when should I put in??
honey can go in with the liquid.
Thanks for the basic recipe. I bought a carton of Quaker overnight oats the other day to give this a shot, since I’m trying to eat more oatmeal, but the recipe on the back wasn’t for a basic recipe, but for some variant. This is a big help.
I much prefer using real milk to milk substitutes as a rule, as I don’t get on well with substitutes (literally, almond milk makes me throw up and I’m allergic to soy) and while I don’t mind coconut milk in a smoothie, I don’t think it will work for me here, based upon the comments. I’m also not a fan of plain yogurt in any form, although I LOVE Noosa’s Greek yogurt. Chia/flax/any kind of trendy super seeds, ditto not a fan, so not going to go with those.
So, I’m going to give this a shot with Quaker overnight oats, real milk, and a small carton of Noosa blueberry, since that’s what’s hanging around the refrigerator ATM. Here’s hoping.
Thanks again for the information.