Easy Overnight Oats

Elena Butuc

For a long time I've been meaning to try this cold porridge or "overnight oats", which is very popular now on blogs and rightly so. The idea is clever, and the porridge prepared in this way can be a healthy and quick breakfast, a snack pack or even a healthy dessert for children. Just soak the whole oats in milk overnight and enjoy the next day - nothing needs boiling!

The nice part comes also from the fact that you can make various combinations with fruits, sauces, chocolate, flavors and colors. In addition, the dessert can be prepared directly in a jar if you want to pack it, or in a bowl or glass if you serve it at home.

show all description

Ingredients

Metric US

●

Oat flakes

1 cup

preferably, use whole oat flakes, the large ones

●

Milk

1 cup

plain or vegan milk, as preferred

●

Chia seeds

2 tbsp

●

Greek yogurt

2 tbsp

in the vegan version, you can omit or use 1 tablespoon of ground flax seeds

●

Honey

2 tbsp

to taste, you can use any sweetener

●

Vanilla Extract

1 tsp

or other flavors, cocoa

●

Fruits

200 g

any favorite fruit - fresh, dried, compote, frozen etc.

Step by step

Step 1

It would be a good idea to use the same glass for measuring all the ingredients. For me, it's a 250ml glass.

I recommend using large flake oats.

Step 2

The ratios for the classic overnight oats should be:

- 1 glass of oatmeal

- 1 glass of milk

- 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt (will bring extra taste to the pudding)

- 2 tablespoons of chia seeds

Step 3

The ratios for the vegan overnight oats would be like this:

- 1 glass of oatmeal

- 1 glass of vegetable milk

- 3 tablespoons of chia seeds

Step 4

From now on, the preparation process is similar.

Combine the above ingredients in a bowl, add the vanilla essence or any other favorite flavor - cinnamon, cocoa etc.

Step 5

Add your favorite sweetener to taste - honey, sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, agave syrup, banana puree etc.

I really like the taste of maple syrup in this porridge, but if I don't have, I use 2 tablespoons of honey.

Step 6

Another option is adding pieces of fresh or dried fruit.

It was surprising for me to find out how tasty goji berries were in milk. I actually recommend trying, especially if you don't really like them dried.

Step 7

Cover the bowl with foil or lid and refrigerate overnight for 8-10 hours.

You can mix all the ingredients directly in individual jars (especially if you plan to pack them). I prefer to prepare a base mixture and then create combinations in serving bowls.

Step 8

In the morning, mix all the ingredients again. If you like the porridge more liquid, you can add a little more milk or yogurt.

Then I split it into serving bowls, according to the preferences of each family member.

Step 9

Here is a combination of goji, cranberries and cashews - goji was the only one to stay in the pudding to hydrate and I put the rest over the top or in layers.