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Overnight oats
Oats soaked overnight in milk and yoghurt, ready when you wake up. 10 minutes tonight, plus chilling.
Overnight oats are breakfast made the night before: rolled oats soaked in milk and yoghurt until they turn soft and creamy, no cooking needed. Ten minutes in the evening gives you a grab-and-go breakfast for several mornings, which is exactly when there is no time to cook.
Ingredients
- 200 g rolled oats
- 2 tbsp chia seeds (optional)
- 1 pinch salt
- 400 ml milk
- 200 g Greek yoghurt
- 2 tbsp honey, or maple syrup, plus a little extra to serve
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 200 g mixed berries, fresh or frozen
- 30 g flaked almonds (optional)
Method
- Tip the oats, the chia seeds (if using) and the salt into a large bowl. The pinch of salt brings out the nutty taste of the oats, and the chia seeds make the finished oats thicker and silkier.
- Whisk the milk, yoghurt, honey and vanilla together in a jug until smooth, then pour it over the oats and stir well, scraping the bottom so no dry pockets are left. It should look looser than you would want to eat it, because the oats drink up most of the liquid as they sit. For grab-and-go mornings, divide it between four jars with lids.
- Cover and chill overnight, or for at least 6 hours, so the oats soften all the way through and the mixture sets to a thick, spoonable cream. It keeps in the fridge for up to 3 days, so one batch covers most of the week.
- In the morning, give it a stir and loosen it with a splash of milk if it is thicker than you like. It is good cold, straight from the fridge, and that is how most people eat it on a busy morning.
- To eat it warm, heat it one of two ways, not both. Microwave: heat in a bowl on medium for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring halfway, until warm all the way through. Hob: heat in a small pan over a low heat for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring, until steaming.
- Spoon into bowls and top with the berries, the flaked almonds (if using) and a little more honey. Frozen berries thaw in a few minutes on top and stain the oats purple.
Tips
- Use rolled oats, not quick or jumbo oats. Quick oats turn mushy and jumbo oats stay chewy after one night.
- Make a batch on Sunday in four jars and breakfast is sorted until Wednesday.
- Honey is not for babies under one year old; use maple syrup for little ones.
Common questions
Do you eat overnight oats hot or cold?
Usually cold, straight from the fridge. You can warm them in the microwave for a minute or two, or in a small pan over a low heat, if you prefer.
How long do overnight oats keep?
Up to three days in a covered jar or bowl in the fridge. Add the berries and nuts just before eating so they stay fresh.