Overnight Oats Three Ways

Author and Photographer: Taryn Kim

Recently, my social media pages have been flooded with different recipes and variations of overnight oats, ranging from S’mores Oats to Matcha Chocolate Chip Oats to Graham Cracker Cookie Oats. Coinciding with my “For You” page’s perforation of overnight oats options, my suitemate brought home a bag of Bob’s Red Mill Old Fashioned Rolled Oats, which put my instant oatmeal packets to shame. Inspired to create a quick, easy, nutritious breakfast with endless combinations, I began playing around with my own overnight oats recipes to see which flavor combinations worked best and which ingredients held up best overnight in the fridge. The following three variations are my favorite ways to start the morning on days when I do not have the time or cannot be bothered to make any fancier meal.

Overnight Oats’ Ingredients

Recipe: Apple Cinnamon

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup rolled oats

  • 3 teaspoons sugar (as much as desired) 

  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon (as much as desired)

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla yogurt

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1/2-1 cup milk 

  • 2 teaspoons granola 

  • 1/2 diced apples 

Recipe: Chocolate Strawberry

Ingredients: 

  • 3/4 cup rolled oats

  • 3 teaspoons sugar (as much as desired) 

  • 1 teaspoon cocoa powder

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla yogurt

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1/2-1 cup milk 

  • 2 teaspoons granola 

  • 1/2 diced strawberries  

Recipe: Peanut Butter Banana

Ingredients: 

  • 3/4 cup rolled oats

  • 2 teaspoons sugar (as much as desired) 

  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter (as much as desired) 

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1/2-1 cup milk 

  • 2 teaspoons granola 

  • ½ sliced banana 

  • Drizzle of honey 

Recipe Set-Up

Instructions

  1. Put the dry ingredients (oats, sugar, cinnamon, cocoa powder) together into an airtight container or jar (ie. mason jars, plastic tupperware). 

  2. Add the wet ingredients on top, excluding the milk (yogurt, vanilla extract, peanut butter, etc). 

  3. Pour the milk of your choice into the jar until it just covers all the ingredients. 

  4. Mix together until combined. 

  5. Place jars into the refrigerator overnight. 

  6. When you are ready to eat, add in the fruit, granola, and any other desired toppings, and enjoy! 

Oat Variations

Conclusions

Whether you are in a rush, live in a dorm room without a kitchen, or just do not feel like preparing a full breakfast in the morning, overnight oats will always get the job done. My personal favorite combination is the Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats, but the beauty of the recipe is that it can be modified to fit any desired (or expiring) fruit, sweetener, or topping. It is also a meal that is allergen-friendly and can be adjusted to avoid dairy (my three overnight oats were all dairy-free) or avoid gluten (Bob’s Red Mill also makes a comparable gluten-free option). Overnight Oats are for anyone and everyone! 

RecipesMelanie WangComment