Basic, 4-Ingredient Healthy Overnight Oats Recipe - My Natural Family (2024)

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Looking for an easy breakfast solution? This recipe for healthy overnight oats is simple to make and yields the most delicious results.

There are numerous variations of overnight oats available online…and since I didn’t want to feel left out, I decided to share my own basic recipe. For those of you that have never had overnight oats – you are missing out.

The idea istowhip up a bowl of oats before bed, allow them to soak up the liquid overnight, and breakfast is ready to go when you wake up. It’s a super easy and healthy grab-and-go breakfast option…and tastes fabulous!

I used to love those boxed instant oatmeal packs but they aren't that healthy for you. They are full of sugar and preservatives. I do have to admit they are REALLY easy though. Well, this overnight recipe is easy too, and way better for you. Who wouldn't like oatmeal with yogurt and chia seeds * added to it?

It's really easy to make this recipe too. All you do is make the oatmeal recipe the night before which takes just a couple of minutes then put it in the refrigerator overnight and let it sit. In the morning you'll think magic happened! In the morning all you do is add the spices and maple syrup * and you're good to go. Just like that! The refrigerator and time did all the work while you were sleeping.

If you follow this recipe to a "T", you’ll find that the measurements make exactly one serving. However, you can easily double or triple the ingredients to whip up a larger batch. It’s then easy to divide the larger serving into separate jars/containers. This way, by the next morning, each family member can grab their breakfast and go.

Basic, 4-Ingredient Healthy Overnight Oats Recipe - My Natural Family (1)

Ingredients

Basic, 4-Ingredient Healthy Overnight Oats Recipe - My Natural Family (2)
  • old-fashioned oats
  • almond milk - or any milk will work
  • chia seeds * - I use just a little to help thicken them and give them a little protein and nutrition boost
  • full-fat Greek yogurt - or any yogurt will work

How to Make

Time needed:8 hours and 5 minutes

These only take 5 minutes to pull together and time does all the work while they sit in the refrigerator all night.

  1. Mix

    Mix all ingredients together in a bowlBasic, 4-Ingredient Healthy Overnight Oats Recipe - My Natural Family (3)

  2. Refrigerate

    Cover and refrigerate overnightBasic, 4-Ingredient Healthy Overnight Oats Recipe - My Natural Family (4)

  3. Serve

    The next morning, stir and add any toppings or mix-ins you want. See the list below for ideas.

Flavor Ideas

Feel free to top your overnight oats with your favorite jams, fruits, and nuts. You can easily customize it to make it your own! It’s definitely the perfect breakfast solution for every family cookbook.

Peanut Butter and Jelly

This recipe for peanut butter and jelly overnight oats offers that perfect balance of guilt-free deliciousness. It tastes like a pb&j sandwich, and I love it!

Basic, 4-Ingredient Healthy Overnight Oats Recipe - My Natural Family (5)

Don’t be intimidated! Though it may look fancy, this overnight oats recipe is very simple to put together.

The fruit syrup is delicious! To make it, I started off with a bag of frozen berries - it included strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries. The result? A tasty breakfast that my entire family enjoys (yes, even the picky eaters!).

My favorite part of these overnight oats is a dollop of peanut butter. Want to know my trade secret? I always eat the peanut butter first! I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do.

Cinnamon Spice

These cinnamon spice overnight oats make getting ready in the morning super fast and easy and they taste a lot like the boxed variety of oatmeal but with a better texture.

Basic, 4-Ingredient Healthy Overnight Oats Recipe - My Natural Family (6)

This recipe reminds me of my childhood. I ate a lot of boxed instant oatmeal growing up and one of my favorite flavors was cinnamon spice. It is also very simple to assemble in the morning and my husband loved it (he helped me taste test :).

I think you'll really like these oats, that is if you like cinnamon flavor and come to think about it, I don't know anyone that doesn't. Give them a try and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Pumpkin Pie

These pumpkin pie overnight oats are simple to start the night before and have a light pumpkin flavor perfect for a make-ahead fall breakfast.

Basic, 4-Ingredient Healthy Overnight Oats Recipe - My Natural Family (7)

Really, can anyone complain about eating pie for breakfast? I also like how it's not just straight pumpkin so it has a good texture and not too much pumpkin. I enjoy eating it all year round and love how I can get it started the night before and just finish it up in the morning.

The best part is that if you use the Basic Overnight Oats recipe. You'll be so glad you tried it. It's so easy to adapt it any way you like. You can add pumpkin this recipe or bananas or basically any fruit you'd like. Who wouldn't like oatmeal with yogurt and chia seeds * added to it?

It's really easy to make this recipe too. All you do is make the oatmeal recipe the night before which takes just a couple minutes then put it in the refrigerator overnight and let it sit. In the morning you'll think magic happened!

In the morning all you do is add the spices and maple syrup * and you're good to go. Just like that the frig and some time did all the work while you were sleeping.

I think you'll really like these oats, that is if you like cinnamon flavor and come to think about it, I don't know anyone that doesn't. Give them a try and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Imagine having these oats for breakfast on Thanksgiving morning or even for Halloween. Of course, you can eat them any time of the year. I don't know why some people think you can only eat pumpkin in the fall. That's just silly. You can eat anything you like any time you like and it doesn't matter what anyone else thinks.

Apple Cinnamon -

These apple cinnamon overnight oats are the perfect make-ahead breakfast for a chilly fall morning. They are easy to start the night before and amazing to wake up to in the morning.

Basic, 4-Ingredient Healthy Overnight Oats Recipe - My Natural Family (8)

This recipe is slightly more involved than some of my other overnight oat toppings (see below) but it's totally worth it. It calls for sautéing the apples before adding them to the oats, but that only takes a minute or two, so it really isn’t hard. You could always cook the apples the night before or even skip that step and throw the apples in raw if you are in a hurry. If you are going to do them raw, I recommend you grate them so you don't have big chunks of hard apple.

I left these oats sweetened completely by fruit, but feel free to add a drizzle of maple syrup * if you feel it needs a little bit extra sweetness. Part of what will determine the amount of syrup is how sweet the apple is and how sweet your tooth is (if you know what I mean).

Goat Cheese and Pear

Pear and creamy goat cheese together are one of my favorite combinations, especially when you add a drizzle of honey. It sounds weird, but it’s delicious!

Basic, 4-Ingredient Healthy Overnight Oats Recipe - My Natural Family (9)

The thing that makes overnight oats so much fun, is the topping options are endless. Please comment below and let me know what your favorite overnight oats toppings or mix-ins are.

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Recipe

Basic, 4-Ingredient Healthy Overnight Oats Recipe - My Natural Family (10)

Basic, Healthy Overnight Oats Recipe Plus Five Variations and a Vegan Option

★★★★★5 from 1 review

  • Author: Rebecca Baron
  • Prep Time: 5 Minutes
  • Cook Time: 8
  • Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 1x
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Gluten Free
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Description

Looking for an easy breakfast solution? This recipe for healthy overnight oats is simple to make and yields the most delicious results.

Ingredients

Scale

Basic Base

  • ½ cup old fashioned oats
  • ½ cup milk of choice (I used almond milk)
  • 1 tsp chia seeds *
  • ¼ cup yogurt of choice (I used full-fat Greek yogurt)

Vegan Base

  • ½ cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1 Tbsp chia seeds *
  • ¾ cup unsweetened almond milk (or other Vegan milk of your choice)

Peanut Butter and Jelly

  • A dollop of natural peanut butter *
  • ⅓ cup mixed berries (frozen or fresh)
  • 1 Tbsp pomegranate juice (pineapple or apple juice works as well)
  • 1-2 tablespoon pure maple syrup * (or stevia)

Cinnamon Spice

  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp vanilla
  • ⅛ tsp nutmeg
  • 1 pinch cloves (approx 1/16 tsp)
  • 1-2 tablespoon pure maple syrup * (or sweetener of choice)

Pumpkin Pie

  • ¼ cup pumpkin puree
  • ¼ tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 1-2 tablespoon pure maple syrup * (or sweetener of choice)
  • 1 Tbsp Pecans (optional)

Apple Cinnamon

  • ¼ cup unsweetened applesauce
  • 1 Tbsp raisins
  • 1 Tbsp walnuts
  • ½ small apple (I used a small gala), diced
  • ¼ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp coconut oil
  • 1-2 tablespoon pure maple syrup * (optional)

Goat Cheese and Pear

  • ¼ large pear, diced
  • 1 Tbsp crumbled goat cheese
  • ½ Tbsp honey
  • 1 Tbsp walnuts

Instructions

  1. Mix all the ingredients from either the basic or Vegan base together in a bowl
  2. Cover and refrigerate overnight
  3. The next morning, stir and add any toppings or mix-ins you want.

Peanut Butter and Jelly

  1. After preparing the oats the night before, prepare the fruit syrup by combining the berries, juice and syrup in a blender and blend until the desired consistency is reached. Cover and refrigerate the syrup in a separate container from the oats.
  2. In the morning layer half the oats, half the syrup, the oats, and top with peanut butter and the syrup.

Cinnamon Spice

  1. Prepare oats the night before following directions in the recipe.
  2. The next morning add all the ingredients to the overnight oats and enjoy.

Pumpkin Pie

  1. Prepare oats the night before following directions in the recipe.
  2. The next morning add all the ingredients to the overnight oats and enjoy.

Apple Cinnamon

  1. Prepare oats and syrup the night before following directions in the recipe of your choice.
  2. In the morning melt the coconut oil in a small pan.
  3. Add the diced apples and cinnamon and saute until apples are warm and softened (1-3 minutes).
  4. Add all the ingredients to the overnight oats and enjoy.

Goat Cheese and Pear

  1. The next morning add all the ingredients to the overnight oats and enjoy.

Notes

The nutrition information is for the basic recipe without any added toppings or mix-ins

Keywords: Quick, Easy, Overnight

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Basic, 4-Ingredient Healthy Overnight Oats Recipe - My Natural Family (2024)

FAQs

Basic, 4-Ingredient Healthy Overnight Oats Recipe - My Natural Family? ›

Add Twice as Much Milk as Oats

Whether you prefer whole milk, rice milk or coconut milk, you can use it. Just make sure to add twice as much milk as oats. Note: You can also use whey, buttermilk or thinned yogurt for a tangier flavor.

What is the secret to overnight oats? ›

Add Twice as Much Milk as Oats

Whether you prefer whole milk, rice milk or coconut milk, you can use it. Just make sure to add twice as much milk as oats. Note: You can also use whey, buttermilk or thinned yogurt for a tangier flavor.

What not to add in overnight oats? ›

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

What happens to your body when you eat overnight oats everyday? ›

They provide sustained energy and can help keep you full throughout the morning. Oats are particularly rich in soluble fibre, specifically beta-glucans, which can help lower cholesterol levels and regulate blood sugar levels. Fibre also supports digestive health.

What is the formula for overnight oats? ›

Mix equal parts old-fashioned oats (rolled oats, that is, not quick-cooking-they'll get too mushy) and water along with a pinch of salt in a jar, cover and refrigerate overnight and up to 3 days. For one serving, we recommend using: 1/2 cup oats. 1/2 cup water (or milk or nondairy milk)

What not to mix with oatmeal? ›

Whatever you do, steer clear of the worst offenders: dried fruit with added sugars, like Craisins or dried pineapple. "These are almost always made with added sugar, if not also an artificial sweetener, says Pennsylvania-based RD Gina Consalvo. "Always choose a fresh fruit instead." Need hard proof?

Why did my overnight oats not work? ›

Another mistake people make is not adding enough liquid to their overnight oats. If you don't add enough liquid, your oats will be dry and clumpy in the morning, making them less enjoyable to eat. Make sure to add enough milk or yogurt to fully cover your oats and give them a creamy consistency.

What milk is best for overnight oats? ›

But, anything from whole to skim milk works, or a non-dairy option like soy milk, almond milk, or another option that you prefer. Here you can see (on the right) the more soupy-liquid version is the overnight oats before they have soaked overnight.

Is overnight oats better with milk or yogurt? ›

Milk: You can make overnight oats with any kind of milk — dairy or non-dairy. If using non-dairy milk, it's best to stick with unsweetened. Greek yogurt: Not only does Greek yogurt make overnight oats more filling, but it also gives the oats a super-creamy texture.

Do overnight oats spike blood sugar? ›

Oats are rich in carbohydrates and a fibre called beta-glucan, which helps in the slow release of glucose into the bloodstream. However, consuming oats in isolation and in the morning may lead to a spike in blood sugar levels due to the Dawn effect.

Why does Dr Gundry say not to eat oatmeal? ›

Did you know that oats in oatmeal are packed with lectins which poke holes in your gut lining and can lead to health issues in the future, according to Dr. Gundry. One great way to avoid this is by using sorghum in your breakfast bowl rather than oats.

Why put chia seeds in overnight oats? ›

Why Do You Put Chia Seeds in Overnight Oats? Chia seeds up the nutrition content in overnight oats. They're loaded with good-for-your-gut fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which help calm inflammation in your body and may protect you from chronic disease. They also add a nice protein boost to this recipe.

Is there a downside to eating oatmeal? ›

As it is bland in nature, overconsuming oats may lead to an increase in sugar intake. Opting for an oats-only diet may deprive your body of getting nourishment from other healthy food sources.

What can I use instead of yogurt in overnight oats? ›

Yogurt Substitutions

I used peanut butter but oftentimes use almond butter, cashew butter, and granola butter! All are equally delicious.

Do you eat overnight oats cold? ›

Though typically served cold, overnight oats can be eaten warm if you wish. But it is usually eaten cold; that's why it's a grab-and-go breakfast. If you prefer warm oats in the morning, just place them in the microwave for a minute.

Why do you soak oats in vinegar? ›

This means soaking them to allow enzymes to help break down and neutralize the phytic acid. We can use an acid to do this, this can be in the form of whey, kefir or yogurt. Or if you can't handle dairy then lemon or apple cider vinegar will do the same thing. By soaking your oats you neutralize the phytic acid.

What makes overnight oats better? ›

When soaked overnight, the starch in the oats is naturally broken down, allowing more nutrients to be absorbed by the oats. This causes the oatmeal to swell up and absorb the liquid through every pore, making it a healthy and filling breakfast meal on its own.

How do you make overnight oats not soggy? ›

Yogurt: Give your oats an extra boost of protein with a scoop of your favorite Greek yogurt. Tip: While you can add the mix-ins the night before, I like to portion them out separately as pictured, but wait to add them until right before serving. That way my oatmeal is extra fresh and not soggy!

How do you increase the texture of overnight oats? ›

Make sure you have at least double the liquid per each serving of oats (so, 1 cup of milk to ½-cup of oats), increasing the amount if you want a soupier texture.

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