5 Healthy and Delicious Overnight Oats Ideas (Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Options)

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These Overnight Oats are a simple, healthy, and delicious breakfast option. Five delicious flavor combinations for each day of the work week!

How to make five overnight oats recipes

Overnight oats are a simple, healthy, and delicious breakfast option that’s ready to eat with minimal preparation.  

A few weeks ago, I shared how to make smoothie freezer packs for quick breakfasts on the run. But when you want something a little more substantial, you’ll be glad you tried this overnight oats recipe.

While we all know oatmeal is a nutritious breakfast staple, sometimes it gets a bad rap for being boring. We can fix that though – with five different ways to customize your oatmeal breakfast, you’ll never think of oatmeal as being boring again!  

While this recipe includes a few topping recommendations I just so happen to love, feel free to personalize your overnight oats to fit your taste buds! I’d love to hear your ideas!

Overhead view of Steel cut oats alongside other ingredients to make an Overnight Oats recipe

Overnight Oats Ingredients:

You only need a few ingredients to prepare this make-ahead breakfast. You’ll also need small jars to store them in. I use these 9.8 oz jars from The Container Store, but you can pick whatever works for you.  Mason jars work great! Just be sure it has a very tight lid to keep your oats fresh.

Start with your favorite oats, then add yogurt and almond milk to your container, then stick them in the fridge overnight.  You can even let them sit a few nights if you’re meal prepping! In the morning, simply add the toppings of your choice right before you eat.

Steel cut oats: Oats are the foundation of a delicious overnight oats recipe. While I prefer steel cut oats, you can use any kind you want, except quick cooking or one-minute oats.  The quick cooking oats turn to mush, and you don’t want that.

Greek Yogurt: I like to top my overnight oats with greek yogurt because it’s so high in protein.  Plus, it’s delicious! You can use vegan greek yogurt if you prefer a dairy-free breakfast. For that, I really love using Trader Joe’s cultured coconut milk. 

Coconut Milk: I prefer unsweetened coconut milk for this recipe because it’s super tasty, and I usually have it on hand for my morning coffee. But you can use the dairy or non-dairy milk of your choice. Almond milk also works really well in this recipe. 

Fruits and Nuts: The topping combinations you can choose from for your overnight oats are endless! Below you will find a few of my favorite choices, but go ahead and get creative. Just remember not to add your toppings until you’re about to eat. Otherwise, they can get mushy.  To save even more time, portion out your toppings into small containers or bags in advance. This reduces the amount of time you spend preparing your meal in the morning.

5 Healthy and Delicious Overnight Oats Ideas (Gluten-Free and Dairy-Free Options) 3

Delicious Overnight Oats Ideas

Mixed Berry and Chia Seed Overnight Oats

  • Oats
  • Coconut milk
  • Greek yogurt
  • Mixed berries
  • Chia seeds

Banana and Walnut Overnight Oats

  • Oats
  • Almond milk
  • Greek yogurt
  • Sliced bananas
  • Chopped walnuts

Pomegranate and Kiwi Overnight Oats

  • Oats
  • Coconut milk
  • Greek yogurt
  • Pomegranate seeds
  • Kiwi slices

Strawberry and Nut Butter Overnight Oats

  • Oats
  • Almond milk
  • Greek yogurt
  • Strawberry jam 
  • Peanut butter (or homemade cashew butter!)
  • Sliced strawberries

Apple and Granola Overnight Oats

  • Oats
  • Coconut milk
  • Greek yogurt
  • Apple slices
  • Granola

Overnight oats with bananas

How to make five overnight oats recipes

Healthy and Delicious Overnight Oats

With only 3 simple ingredients as the base for this recipe, it doesn’t get much easier. Customize your breakfast with your favorite combination of toppings. You can eat your overnight oats cold, but if you prefer a warm breakfast you can heat them in the microwave for 1-2 minutes before adding your toppings!
5
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Course: Healthy Breakfast Recipes
Cuisine: American
Keyword: breakfast, meal prep breakfast, overnight oats
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Additional Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 4
Calories: 262kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 cup steel cut oats
  • 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 cup coconut milk or milk of your choice

Instructions

  • Add uncooked oats to the jar or container of your choice.  (Note: Ingredient amounts may need to be adjusted based on the size of your container. This recipe is based on a 9.8 oz jar.)
  • Add yogurt, and coconut milk to the container, put the lid on your jar and place it in the refrigerator.  
    Refrigerate at least 8 hours, to allow the oats to soak up the liquid ingredients.
  • Remove your container from the refrigerator, stir the ingredients, and enjoy warm or cold with the toppings of your choice.

Notes

Make It Dairy Free: Use dairy-free milk and dairy free-yogurt to make vegan overnight oats
Make It Gluten Free: Use gluten-free oats
Meal Prep Option: Your overnight oats should last in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition Facts
Healthy and Delicious Overnight Oats
Amount Per Serving (1 g)
Calories 262 Calories from Fat 117
% Daily Value*
Fat 13g20%
Saturated Fat 10g63%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 6mg2%
Sodium 50mg2%
Carbohydrates 27g9%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 11g22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @HealthyDelish or tag #HealthyDelish!
lauren

Hi, I'm Lauren!

I'm a certified plant-based cook and enthusiastic omnivore who loves looking for creative ways to make weeknight meals more nutritious. I'm the author of Heathy Eating One Pot Cookbook and Healthy Meal Prep Slow Cooker Cookbook. I also blog at The Busy Foodie. Read more...

 

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