Easy Overnight Oats (Base Recipe With or Without Chia Seeds)

Easy Overnight Oats (Base Recipe With or Without Chia Seeds)

This easy overnight oats base recipe creates thick, creamy, pudding-like oatmeal every time. Made with a simple 1:1 oats-to-liquid ratio, it’s the perfect high-fiber, meal-prep breakfast you can customize with endless flavor variations. Prep it in 5 minutes at night and wake up to a healthy grab-and-go breakfast.

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Course: Breakfast, breakfast recipe

Cuisine: American

Keyword: oats overnight, overight oats, overnight oats recipes

Prep Time: 5

Cook Time: 8

Total Time: 8 5

Servings: person

Calories: 267kcal

Author: Tammy Overhoff

Equipment

1 16-ounce mason jar

Ingredients

1/2 cup rolled (old-fashioned) oats
1/2 cup milk of choice almond milk, dairy milk, oat milk, etc.
1 teaspoon chia seeds optional but recommended
1-2 teaspoons pure maple syrup add in the morning

Instructions

Add the rolled oats and chia seeds to a 16-ounce mason jar or airtight container. Stir until combined.
Pour in the milk, making sure all of the oats are fully covered. Stir well.
Seal the container and refrigerate for at least 4–5 hours, preferably overnight.
In the morning, stir in maple syrup or honey. If the oats are thicker than you prefer, add a splash of milk and stir until you reach your desired consistency.
Add toppings as desired and enjoy straight from the jar or transfer to a bowl.

Notes

Use this base recipe to create endless overnight oats variations. Once you master the ratio, you can build any flavor you like. Here are some of my favorite ways to customize it:

Blueberry Overnight Oats – Stir in 1/2 cup frozen blueberries and 1/2 mashed banana.
Strawberry Cheesecake Oats – Add chopped strawberries and 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Oats – Mix in 1 tablespoon cocoa powder and 1 tablespoon peanut butter.
Banana Nut Oats – Add mashed banana and chopped walnuts.
Apple Cinnamon Oats – Stir in dried apples and 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon.
Pumpkin Pie Oats – Add 2 tablespoons canned pumpkin and 1/4 teaspoon pumpkin spice.
Protein Overnight Oats – Add 2 tablespoons protein powder and increase milk slightly.
Cottage Cheese High-Protein Oats – Blend in 1/4 cup cottage cheese for extra creaminess and protein.
Almond Joy Oats – Stir in shredded coconut, cocoa powder, and sliced almonds.
Mixed Berry Oats – Add 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries for natural sweetness and antioxidants.

Tip: Add crunchy toppings like nuts or granola in the morning so they stay crisp.

Storage

Store overnight oats in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days for best texture. Oats will thicken as they sit — stir in a splash of milk before serving if needed.

You can also prep dry ingredient freezer packs (oats + chia seeds) and add milk when ready to use.

Nutrition