Overnight Oats
Overnight Oats
This is a great breakfast idea that you can make a big batch of over the weekend and just grab-and-go throughout the week. I must admit that the thought of cold oats turned me off in the beginning too, but now I'm a total convert. If you really can't stomach cold porridge, try heating it in the microwave for a minute or two before adding your toppings. I will sometimes make this in the morning and leave it at the fridge at work for my afternoon snack - over-"shift" oats!
Author: Vincci Tsui, RD
Recipe type: Breakfast/Brunch, Vegetarian
Makes: 1 cup or more, depending on toppings
Ingredients
⅓ cup (85 mL) rolled oats or steel cut oats
2 Tbsp (30 mL) chia seeds
1 cup (250 mL) milk or plant-based alternative (i.e. soy or almond)
Toppings: Fruit (fresh, frozen or dried), spices, chopped nuts, seeds, cacao nibs, etc. (See below for suggestions)
Instructions
Mix oats and chia seeds in a bowl, container or pint-sized mason jar. Stir in milk (and spices and/or frozen fruit, if using). Cover and refrigerate overnight.
The next morning, microwave for one minute (if desired) or enjoy cold with your favourite toppings.
Notes
Suggested Flavour Combinations
Apple Pie: Add diced apple, 1 tsp of apple pie spice (or add cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and cloves) and ½ tsp vanilla extract. Add a bit of brown sugar or maple for extra sweetness, if desired. Top with walnuts for additional crunch.
Berry Ginger: Add berries (if frozen, add them with the oats so they can thaw out overnight) and dried ginger. Top with dried cranberries for some extra sweetness and fibre.
Mango Coconut: Add mango (if frozen, add them with the oats so they can thaw out overnight) and dried coconut for some tropical flare!
Peanut Butter Chocolate: Add a chopped banana and stir in 1 Tbsp each of peanut butter and cocoa powder. Top with peanuts and/or raw cacao nibs (or mini chocolate chips!)