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How to Make Overnight Oats (Basic Recipe)

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Learn how to make overnight oats for an easy, healthy breakfast. This is a basic recipe for overnight oats for you to add your favorite oatmeal toppings.

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A bowl of overnight oats in a glass Weck jar with a wood handled spoon sticking out. The oats are topped with sliced banana, chopped walnuts, chia seeds, raw oats, and honey. Made from the recipe How to Make Overnight Oats.

Overnight Oats

If you’ve ever wanted to try overnight oats and just haven’t yet for any reason – now’s your chance. Learn how to make overnight oats with this basic recipe. Once you master the basics, you can start experimenting with your own toppings and flavor combinations.

Cold oats are hearty and delicious when mixed with Greek yogurt (for protein overnight oats), milk, sweetener, a little vanilla, and chia seeds.

When first mixed, the oatmeal is thin and runny. But overnight oats need to chill in the fridge for 8 hours where the magic happens.

blog post for How to Make Overnight Oats with two overnight oats meal prepped into 2 glass Weck jars stacked on each other.

Once they’re chilled, the oats will soften and the chia seeds absorb some of the the liquid. Oats overnight become thick and creamy.

Make this healthy overnight oats recipe for weight loss by staying in a calorie deficit for your low calorie diet.

If you’re looking for more low calorie breakfast recipes with oatmeal, try these Healthy Pumpkin Smoothies!

Overnight Oats Ingredients

  • Old Fashioned Oats (gluten free if needed)
  • Vanilla Greek Yogurt (plain or non-dairy can be used)
  • Fine Sea Salt
  • Honey
  • Chia Seeds
  • Vanilla Extract
  • Milk (dairy or non-dairy)

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overhead shot of ingredients for How to Make Overnight Oats
Overnight Oats Calories by ingredient
  • Bob’s Red Mill Old Fashioned Oats – 125
  • Organic Chia Seeds – 20
  • Fine Sea Salt – 0
  • Danon Light & Fit Vanilla Greek Yogurt – 40
  • Raw & Unfiltered Honey – 60
  • Organic Vanilla Extract – 5
  • Organic 2% Milk – 40

Total Calories – 290

*Calories are approximate and vary depending on specific products/brands used and whether measured by volume or by weight/grams. Calories were calculated using LoseIt App.

Save even more calories by using a low calorie or zero calorie sweetener. You can also use a lower calorie milk like non-fat milk or a dairy free milk alternative.

How To Make Overnight Oats

Step 1. Add the oats, fine sea salt, chia seeds, yogurt, honey, vanilla extract, and milk to a bowl. Mix until completely combined.
Step 2. Divide the mixture into 2 even portions in resealable glass jars. Cover and refrigerate overnight (at least 8 hours).
Step 3. Top with desired toppings before serving.

Tools you’ll need

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Tips for Making the Best Overnight Oats Recipe

  1. Be sure to make these at least the night before eating, they can’t be made the morning you want to eat them. The oats need time to soak and soften and the chia seeds need time to absorb the liquid.
  2. You can make a larger portion and use 1/2 cup oats and 1/2 cup milk if this portion is too small for you. However, as written, it’s a great portion size for adding extra toppings like fresh fruit, nuts, or a drizzle of nut butter or extra honey.
  3. Vanilla Protein Powder can be subbed for the Vanilla Greek Yogurt if you prefer. Just add a splash of extra milk and adjust the calories for the ingredients you used.
  4. Prep the oats ahead of time but add the toppings just before serving.
  5. Storage: Overnight Oats are best stored in glass jars. I use Weck 741 Jars (0.25L). They’re the perfect size with room for toppings.
  6. Toppings for Overnight Oats – sliced banana, fresh berries, raw chopped nuts (I like walnuts or pecans), nut butter, peanut butter powder, toasted coconut, honey or maple syrup, chocolate chips, dried cranberries. Be sure to calculate the calories for any added toppings.
  7. Read the Overnight Oats FAQs section below the recipe.

Be sure to check out the full recipe below

recipe for How to Make Overnight Oats with oats ready to eat in 2 glass jars with wood handled spoons. 1 jar of oats is topped with fresh strawberries, fresh blueberries, chia seeds, and raw oats. The second bowl is topped with sliced bananas, chopped walnuts, chia seeds, raw oats, and honey.

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A bowl of overnight oats in a glass Weck jar with a wood handled spoon sticking out. The oats are topped with sliced banana, chopped walnuts, chia seeds, raw oats, and honey. Made from the recipe How to Make Overnight Oats.

Basic Recipe for Overnight Oats

Learn how to make overnight oats for an easy, healthy breakfast. This is a basic recipe for overnight oats for you to add your favorite oatmeal toppings.
5 from 68 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Diet: Low Calorie
Keyword: easy, low calorie meals, meal prep, quick
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Chill Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 2 servings
Calories: 290kcal
Author: Sharon Lachendro

Equipment

Ingredients

  • ⅔ cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats, gluten free if needed
  • 1 pinch fine sea salt
  • 2 teaspoons Chia Seeds
  • ½ cup Vanilla Greek Yogurt, Plain or non-dairy can also be used
  • 2 tablespoons Honey
  • 1 teaspoon Pure Vanilla Extract
  • ⅔ cup Milk, regular or non-dairy

Instructions

  • Add the oats, fine sea salt, chia seeds, yogurt, honey, vanilla extract, and milk to a bowl. Mix until completely combined.
  • Divide the mixture into 2 even portions in resealable glass jars. Cover and refrigerate overnight (at least 8 hours).
  • Top with desired toppings before serving.

Notes

  1. Read the FAQ’s section below.
  2. Overnight Oats can be stored in the refrigerator up to 5 days.
  3. Nutrition facts were calculated with LoseIt! App and will vary depending on specific ingredients used.
  4. These little jars are perfect for Overnight Oats. They even come with spoons that attach for a portable breakfast!

Nutrition

Serving: 1g | Calories: 290kcal | Carbohydrates: 50g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 24g

FAQs About Overnight Oats Recipes

Overnight oats are a hearty and healthy breakfast. They’re made with wholesome ingredients. They’re also a great source of fiber and protein.

Overnight oats will last up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

If you prefer warm oats, you can heat these overnight oats up in the microwave. However, overnight oats are really meant to be eaten cold.

Overnight oats are best with old fashioned oats. Quick oats break down faster and tend to get mushy.

Yes, you can omit the yogurt from this recipe. However, overnight oats without yogurt will be a little less thick and creamy.

Yes, you can meal prep overnight oats. Double this recipe and you’ll have breakfast for 4 days.

No, you don’t have to. Overnight oats are meant to be eaten cold.

a bowl of overnight oats in a glass Weck jar with a wood handle spoon sticking out. the overnight oats are topped with a fresh strawberry that's been sliced in half, fresh blueberries, chia seeds, and some raw oats. In the background is a bowl of oats topped with banana slices, chopped walnuts, and honey.

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14 Comments

  2. 5 stars
    This is one of my favorite breakfasts. I love the taste of honey in it, and the chia seeds are a fun good addition. Thanks for this variation on a classic breakfast. I always feel so satisfied after this.

    Reply

  3. 5 stars
    I love this basic recipe for overnight oats! I’ve used it again and again to make different combos of flavors for my oats. Such a useful breakfast idea!

    Reply

  4. 5 stars
    We eat oatmeal for breakfast all the time but I’d never tried overnight oats until today! I made a batch last night and am eating them right now as I type. So good! I LOVE the chia seeds in there. It tastes like I’m eating dessert for breakfast, something I think I could get used to! 🙂 Thank you for a great recipe! We are going to have this for breakfast all the time now.

    Reply

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