My husband’s job has his alarm going off at 5:30 most days. I’m not exactly what you would call “coherent” at that time of day, so I wanted to figure out some homemade breakfast options that wouldn’t require me waking up in the middle of the night to start prep.
These Overnight Oats have been a great solution! Like the name suggests, this is oatmeal that you put together the night before, so it’s all ready to go when you wake up. The end results are rich and creamy, and it can be served either cold or hot.
These also are a healthy way to start your morning. The oats and chia seeds are a great source of fiber, while the milk and yogurt provide calcium and protein. Serve it with some fruit, and you’re good to go!
This recipe is just the base. There are plenty of ways to personalize this to your taste:
- Add in dried fruits or even chocolate chips. In the cover photo, I have dried apricots diced up and mixed into the oats.
- Use a different kind of milk. My husband has mentioned that he likes chocolate almond milk the best in his.
- Yogurt is also a good way to play around with the flavors. I’ve found that salted caramel yogurt adds a perfectly sweet touch when mixed with chocolate milk in here.
- Add in some of your favorite nut or seed butter. I’ve found that a couple tablespoons of cashew butter adds a delicious richness to this dish. (See below.)
- And there are plenty of other ideas—just use your imagination!
Overnight Oats
1 cup rolled oats
2 TBSP chia seeds
2 TBSP raw honey
1 1/3 cup milk of your choice
2/3 cup yogurt
Pinch of salt
Optional mix-in ideas: dried apricots, fresh berries, cashew butter, chocolate chips, cinnamon, etc.
Whisk together all ingredients in a medium bowl, and let sit for about 10 minutes before pouring into glasses or jars. Cover tightly, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. This keeps well in the fridge for up to 3 days (but it probably won’t last that long!).
Serves up to 4.
Hapanese Cuisine 