It is possible to make creamy and thick overnight oats without chia seeds! This easy breakfast recipe only calls for a handful of simple ingredients and is ready in 5 minutes.
If you are not a fan of chia seeds or have run out of them, try making this version of overnight oats! Chia seeds and its substitute (like flaxseed and psyllium husk) are not needed to make these delicious overnight oats.
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🤔What are overnight oats
Overnight oats are a way of preparing oats that do not require cooking. Ingredients like rolled oats, yogurt, and chia seeds are soaked in milk overnight, allowing oats enough time to absorb the liquid and soften up. This results in a creamy texture that is similar to cooked oats.
As overnight oats are usually eaten cold, they are a great breakfast option for warmer weather. It is also a highly customizable recipe, so feel free to add any toppings you like!
💚Why you will love this recipe
- A satisfying and filling breakfast that tastes like pudding
- Nutrient-dense, wholesome, and packed with fiber
- A great grab-and-go breakfast that can be made ahead of time
- Budget-friendly - homemade overnight oats are much cheaper than store-bought ones!
- Easy to throw together and is ready in 5 minutes
🥣What you will need
📃Ingredient notes and substitutions
- Oats - Both rolled oats and quick oats will work. Rolled oats will yield a chewier and chunkier texture, while quick oats produce a smoother mouthfeel. You can opt for a certified gluten-free brand to keep this recipe free from gluten.
- Yogurt - Give oats extra richness and creaminess. Greek yogurt, plain yogurt, or vegan yogurt can be used.
- Milk - Any milk, like full-cream, skimmed, and plant-based alternatives (almond, soy, pea, etc.), works here.
- Maple syrup - Can be substituted with other kinds of sweeteners. You can also omit it if you prefer your overnight oats to be unsweetened.
🔪How to make
Mixing everything - In a mason jar or bowl, add all ingredients and mix until the mixture is smooth with no clumps.
Soaking - Let the mixture soak for at least 2 hours or overnight in the fridge.
Serving - Add toppings of choice, like fresh fruits and nut butter, before serving. Give everything a quick stir, and enjoy!
✅Helpful tips
- Do not use steel-cut oats - They are much tougher than regular oats and will not soften enough just by soaking. This will yield super chewy oats that are unpleasant to chew on. Insead, I recommend you try my protein steel-cut oats.
- Batch-make overnight oats - These stay well in the fridge for up to 4 days. Hence, I love making a big batch for my meal prep. One thing to note is to add fruits right before serving, as they are unlikely to stay fresh for days.
- Make it in a jar - It is much more convenient to mix and store oats in mason jars. They are also easy to have on the go on busy mornings! Use a 16oz mason jar so you will have space to add toppings and stir your oats.
- Heating overnight oats - If you are not used to cold oatmeal, heat your oats in the microwave before enjoying them. Add oats and a splash of milk to a microwave-safe bowl, and heat it in 30-second bursts until oats reach the desired temperature.
✨Variations and add-ins
Here are some flavor variations for your overnight oats -
Banana bread - Stir in ½ a mashed banana, a tablespoon of almond butter, and a pinch of cinnamon to your oats.
Chocolate - Add 1-2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to your oats. I also love topping it with chocolate chips or cacao nibs.
Apple pie - Add some ground cinnamon and a small pinch of nutmeg to your overnight oats, and top with chopped apples and pecans before serving.
High protein - Stir in ½-1 scoop of your favorite protein powder. You might need to add more milk, around ¼ to ⅓ cups.
🍌Topping ideas
Here comes the fun bit - toppings for overnight oats! I like to go wild and add multiple toppings, but feel free to skip them if you prefer plain oats. Below are some of my go-to toppings:
- Chocolate chips or cacao nibs
- Fruits - sliced banana, fresh or frozen berries, cherries, chopped apples
- Nut butter - Peanut butter, cashew butter, coconut almond butter
- Nuts and seeds - pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, chopped peanuts or walnuts, almond flakes
- Jam or fruit compote
- Granola, especially my protein granola
❔Commonly asked questions
Although overnight oats are commonly eaten cold straight out of the fridge, you can heat them if you prefer them warm. The easiest way to heat it is by using the microwave.
Add overnight oats and a splash of milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat it in 30s bursts or until the oats are thoroughly warmed.
Overnight oats can be stored in a sealed container or glass jar for up to 4 days. Hence, they are a great meal prep recipe!
It is not recommended to use steel-cut oats to make overnight oats. They are much tougher and hence will not soften enough just by soaking.
Let oats soak for a least 2 hours before enjoying. This allows time for oats to absorb the liquid and soften.
🍽️More vegan breakfast recipes with oatmeal
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📖 Recipe
Overnight Oats without Chia Seeds
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup oats quick or rolled*
- ½ cup soy milk or other kinds of milk (plant-based/dairy)
- ¼ cup soy yogurt or coconut/greek/almond/plain
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or another liquid sweetener
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a mason jar, add all ingredients and stir well.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or ideally overnight. Give it a quick stir, add toppings of choice, and enjoy!
Notes
- Batch-make overnight oats so you will have breakfast ready to go for the next few days. They will stay well in the fridge for up to 4 days. If adding fruits, do so right before serving.
- Mixing and storing overnight oats in mason jars is much more convenient. They are also easy to have on the go on busy mornings! Use a 16oz mason jar so you will have space to add toppings and stir your oats.
- If you are not used to cold oatmeal, heat your oats in the microwave before enjoying them. Add oats and a splash of milk to a microwave-safe bowl, and heat it in 30-second bursts until oats reach the desired temperature.
Nutrition
Nutrition info calculated is just a rough estimate and is provided as a courtesy. Bear in mind that value will vary based on variables like specific brand or type of product used. To obtain the most accurate representation, it is highly recommended that you calculate it on your own with the actual amount and type of ingredient used.
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