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

1. 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.

2. 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!)