No Need To Wake Up Early , These Overnight Oats Are The Perfect Make-Ahead Breakfast

One of the easiest and most comforting breakfasts is a nice bowl of oatmeal with delicious mix-ins. But if cooking in the morning seems like a tedious task, pour yourself a nice cup of coffee and sit down to enjoy these easy overnight oatmeal flakes. This healthy make-ahead breakfast requires only 5 minutes and a handful of ingredients. It’s perfect for busy mornings year-round and can be easily customized with flavors for the whole family, from PB&J to pumpkin pie to mango!

What are overnight oat flakes?

Overnight oats are oat flakes softened in milk in the refrigerator for an extended time (4 to 12 hours), rather than cooking on the stovetop or in the microwave. This recipe is a simple combination of milk, yogurt, maple syrup, chia seeds and rolled oats. The yogurt and chia seeds give the oats a nice pudding-like texture. A bonus? They also provide plenty of protein and fiber for a satiating breakfast. Maple syrup gives the oatmeal a natural sweetness. You can also use agave syrup, honey, stevia, simple syrup or even sugar (well mixed) to sweeten the flakes.

YIELDS: 1 serving(s)

PREP TIME: 5 mins

TOTAL TIME: 4 hrs 5 mins

Ingredients :

FOR THE OVERNIGHT OATS:

• 1/2 c. milk (whole, oat, almond, or refrigerated coconut)
• 2 tbsp. plain greek yogurt
• 2 tbsp. maple syrup or honey
• 2 tsp. chia seeds
• 1/2 c. old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/4 c. fresh berries, to serve

FOR THE PB&J OATS:

• 2 tbsp. chunky or smooth peanut butter
• 1 recipe Overnight Oats
• 1 tbsp. strawberry preserves
• Chopped roasted peanuts, to serve

FOR THE PIÑA COLADA OATS:

• 1/4 c. chopped fresh, frozen, or canned pineapple
• 1 recipe Overnight Oats, made with refrigerated coconut milk
• Toasted coconut chips, to serve

FOR THE PUMPKIN PIE OATS:

• 1 recipe Overnight Oats, made without the yogurt
• 1/4 c. pumpkin puree
• 1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice, plus more for sprinkling

FOR THE MANGO STICKY OATS:

• 1/4 c. chopped fresh or frozen mango
• 1 recipe Overnight Oats, made with refrigerated coconut milk
• 1 tbsp. sweetened condensed milk
• Toasted sesame seeds, to serve

Directions :

• FOR THE OVERNIGHT OATS:
  1. In an 8- to 12-ounce jar, combine the milk, yogurt, maple syrup, and chia seeds. Stir in the oats, making sure they are all submerged in the milk. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 3 days.
  2. Serve chilled, topped with fresh berries.
• FOR THE PB&J OATS:
  1. Stir the peanut butter into the Overnight Oat mixture until well distributed but not completely combined. Spoon the preserves on top of the mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 3 days.
  2. Serve chilled, topped with chopped roasted peanuts.
• FOR THE PIÑA COLADA OATS:
  1. Stir the pineapple into the Overnight Oat mixture made with coconut milk. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 3 days.
  2. Serve chilled, topped with toasted coconut chips.
• FOR THE PUMPKIN PIE OATS:
  1. Stir the pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice into the Overnight Oat mixture made without the yogurt. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 3 days.
  2. Serve chilled, topped with yogurt and more pie spice.
• FOR THE MANGO STICKY OATS:
  1. Spoon the mango on top of the Overnight Oat mixture made with coconut milk. Drizzle the top of the mixture with sweetened condensed milk. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or up to 3 days.
  2. Serve chilled, topped with toasted sesame seeds.

Tip: Overnight oats can sit in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, making it perfect for weekly meal prep!