What are overnight oats? They are simply the easiest, most delicious way to have a healthy breakfast waiting for you every morning. And the best part is that you can pretty much customize the recipe to fit your tastes. Here are some ideas.
Banana-Cocoa Overnight Oats
This recipe will keep in the fridge for up to three days, so you might want to adapt it to make it in larger quantities. You will need two cups of rolled oats to mix with 1 ½ cups of milk (you can use almond milk if you want). Add half a cup of yogurt, one chopped banana, two tablespoons of cocoa and one tablespoon of honey or maple syrup for sweetness. Mix all the ingredients together and stick them in the freezer overnight. When you wake up, take a portion out, top with nuts if you want and munch away. This is a great breakfast choice because it will fill you up with healthy fats and proteins and it contains slow-digesting carbs that will keep you going until lunchtime.
Apple-Cinnamon Overnight Oats
This recipe is like an apple pie for breakfast, but in oat form. Mix half a cup of rolled oats with half a cup of milk, a quarter cup of plain yogurt, a quarter cup of apple sauce, one teaspoon vanilla extract, one teaspoon maple syrup, half a teaspoon of cinnamon, half an apple (diced), a pinch of ground cloves and a tiny bit of ground nutmeg. Leave in the fridge and come back in the morning for breakfast that will make you think of the holidays.
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
Veggies for breakfast? Check. Breakfast that tastes like desert? Also check. Healthy breakfast? Super check. Blend two pitted organic dates, half a peeled banana, one peeled and chopped carrot and a cup of your favorite milk, dairy or non-dairy. Add half a teaspoon of cinnamon, a quarter teaspoon of ground nutmeg, a quarter teaspoon of ground ginger and a pinch of ground cloves. Mix with half a cup of rolled oats and let it sit in the fridge overnight. You can top with chopped walnuts, raisins and coconut flakes before eating for an even better experience.
Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats
These oats don’t contain actual shortcake, but they do taste like ice cream, which makes them perfect for the kids. Mix 12 chopped strawberries, two cups of rolled oats, one and a half cups of milk, half a cup of Greek yogurt, one tablespoon of strawberry jam and a quarter teaspoon of vanilla extract. Keep in the fridge covered overnight and enjoy the next morning while still cold. You can substitute regular milk for almond milk if that’s more to your taste.