The Best Overnight Oats

If you haven’t tried overnight oats, you are not going to believe what you’ve been missing. This is the ideal make-ahead breakfast recipe. It’s great throughout the entire year, but I especially love it in the summertime. Overnight oats are cool, creamy, and packed with healthy ingredients. It’s the perfect breakfast to enjoy at home or take along for a camping trip, a morning hike, or to watch the sunrise at the beach.

One of the best parts of Summer is the slower pace. Here on the farm, the kids are home from school and although they work, the schedule is a little more relaxed around the farmhouse. People (not me, of course) tend to sleep in a little later on Summer mornings which can sometimes make serving breakfast a challenge… Cue the creation of the best overnight oats recipe!

It’s no secret that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but do you know why? Breakfast breaks the overnight fasting period. Eating breakfast replenishes the body’s supply of glucose to boost energy levels and alertness, while also providing other essential nutrients for good health. It kick-starts the body’s metabolism, so the body can burn calories throughout the day. Breakfast provides fuel for the body and the brain. What I love about overnight oats is that it is easy to make (no cooking necessary), healthy, and delicious. Have I convinced you yet not to skip breakfast?

Preparing overnight oats the night before allows for extra time in the morning to relax. After all, it is Summer! This is the perfect breakfast for slower-paced mornings, lazy weekends, camping trips, picnics, but also busy weekdays. Adults and children alike all love this delicious, easy, and healthy breakfast.

No matter how busy the mornings get, breakfast should not be skipped. Not only is this recipe perfect for slower Summer or weekend mornings, but it’s also the perfect solution for hectic weekday mornings when everyone is trying to get out the door for work and school. With the oats being prepared the night before and the recipe yielding several servings, grabbing a jar (or two) out of the refrigerator on the way out the door ensures not missing the most important meal of the day. This recipe allows everyone to start the day out right.

This recipe makes 3-4 jars of overnight oats. I typically use a twelve-ounce jar and fill it up with about ten ounces of oat mixture, fruit, berries, nuts, etc. A sixteen-ounce jar can also be used. I recommend not filling it up more than about twelve ounces though. You will be surprised at how satisfying and filling the best overnight oats are! Here are some of my favorite jars to use:

OATS

Rolled oats are cholesterol-free, a good source of fiber, and low in fat. As a whole grain, rolled oats have more nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fiber than many of their refined counterparts. The fiber in rolled oats is soluble fiber, called beta-glucan, which is beneficial for heart health. Oats are also a good source of iron, magnesium, zinc, and selenium. There are 5 grams of protein in a serving of oats. Steel-cut or rolled oats can be used for this recipe.

Greek yogurt is not like other yogurts. The process in which it’s made is what sets it apart. Greek yogurt makers add an extra step to their process so that excess water, lactose, and minerals drain out. What is left is a rich, creamy, yogurt with less sugar, more carbohydrates, and a tart taste. The acidity in Greek yogurt also helps the body absorb other nutrients. Yogurt has much more protein than milk. The probiotics in Greek yogurt will also keep you regular and happy. Who doesn’t want that!?

Chia seeds are among the healthiest foods on the planet. They are loaded with antioxidants and nutrients that have important benefits to the body and the brain, such as omega-3 fatty acids. Chia seeds are also very low in calories. They are an unprocessed, whole-grain food that can be absorbed by the body as seeds (unlike flaxseed). Two tablespoons of chia seeds contain about 140 calories, 4 grams of protein, 9 grams of fat, 12 grams of carbohydrates, and 11 grams of fiber, plus vitamins and minerals. Chia seeds are tiny black seeds from the plant, salvia hispanica, which is related to the mint plant. Soaking chia seeds overnight with the oats allows the body to absorb their nutrients better.

Of course, there is no denying that blueberries are sweet and delicious. However, they are also very nutritious. Blueberries are low in calories, high in fiber, vitamin C, and vitamin K. If that’s not enough, blueberries are also believed to have the highest antioxidant levels of all common fruits and vegetables and reduce DNA damage, which is a leading driver of aging and cancer. There are so many reasons to love blueberries!

The beauty of this recipe is that you can customize it to your taste. Don’t like blueberries? Add strawberries. Not a fan of almonds? Add walnuts. Prefer coconut milk over almond milk, use that instead. All the berries, fruit, and nuts can be exchanged for different kinds. The milk is interchangeable too. Just try to keep the chia seeds though. As I mentioned above, the health benefits are just too good to eliminate the chia seeds. Protein powder can also be added to the oat mixture before refrigeration. Although this recipe is already surprisingly high in protein, more can always be added in. Get creative and have fun customizing your overnight oats! They’ll still be the best you’ve ever tasted.

I prefer eating overnight oats cold, right out of the fridge. Some people like them a little warmed up. If you are one of those people or you would like to try them that way, remove the lid and heat up the jar for 30-60 seconds in the microwave.

Jars of overnight oats can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Overnight oats will soon become a breakfast favorite, I promise. I hope you and yours enjoy the recipe as much as we do here on the farm. Let me know what you think of the recipe and what different versions you’ve come up with.

If you are looking for more delicious recipes that are perfect for summer, you may want to check out:

• Grilled Corn Summer Salad with Pickled Blueberries
• Peach Cobbler with Bourbon Cream
• Delicious Lemon Chicken

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