Overnight Oats is like a FLAVOR EXPLOSION that dances in your mouth - almost as awesome as swallowing a packet of pop rocks - but not quite.
Overnight oats are simply oats that are prepared cold and placed in the fridge overnight to soften. When you leave the oats in the fridge overnight, the oats get a chance to slowly absorb the liquids and flavors. This creates a flavor EXPLOSION in your mouth along with a soft, chewy and creamy texture that is hard to resist.
Overnight oats are very easy to prepare in advance and should be a go-to if you're busy and don't have time for breakfast. They can last for a long time in the fridge if you prepare them properly, plus you can make them as healthy and protein-packed as you'd like - it's all up to you.
Don't be fooled by stored that sell over-priced overnight oats. You'll find some selling in stores, but the fact is they're basically saving you a minute or two of preparation, and the overnight oats you purchase in a store will typically have more preservatives and nasty junk in the ingredient list.
Make sure you grab our free overnight oats recipe cookbook. This free pdf contains 5 of my go-to overnight oats recipes.
Overnight oats simply refers to the preparation, so we are basically getting all of the health benefits of regular rolled oats. The main nutrients we get from rolled oats are fiber, protein, magnesium, potassium and omega-3 fatty acids. Also, allowing the oats to slowly absorb the liquid (as opposed to microwaving them) has been shown to make them easier to digest. The other health benefits are largely determined by the ingredients you include such as nuts, fruits, seeds.
Duh...overnight...
But seriously, overnight oats need to sit for a MINIMUM OF 4 HOURS to become soft and soak up all the liquids. However, I have found that only waiting 4 hours does not let the flavor make its way through the oatmeal, and thus we recommend to let them sit at least 8 hours.
Yes, you should definitely eat your overnight oats cold! Simply take them out of the fridge, stir quickly, then eat. They do not need to be heated, and actually taste better cold.
Any sort of glass or plastic container with a cover will work for overnight oats. The container should be large enough to hold the entire mixture while still allowing some room for expansion.
While there are probably thousands of overnight oats recipes, the basic formula is follows:
1/2c rolled oats
1/3c greek yogurt
2/3c milk (or almond/coconut milk)
1 tsp stevia
Fruit, spices or any add-ons of your choice (such as peanut butter, cinnamon, sliced strawberries, bananas, etc)
* If you add protein powder, you will have to adjust the liquid accordingly.
