How To Make Overnight Oats: A Breakfast Inspiration

I don’t know about you guys, but quarantine has made me want to get my hands dirty making things. I just want to explore new foods that I’ve always liked but never ventured into creating myself. By doing this, I understand more about what I’m putting into my body and am also more appreciative of when I can sit down and eat them if I make them myself. One of these foods I have made and can’t stop making is a breakfast staple: overnight oats.

Just because I’m making and learning more about the food I eat doesn’t mean that I want to labor over a stove for long periods of time (my stomach starts to grumble after about the half-hour mark). If you are like me, these oats are the perfect meal to make as they only take about fifteen minutes to construct the night before. I go to bed excited for the morning as a healthy jar full of all of my favorite things will be waiting for me the next day. Note: “Healthy” is an intricate concept meaning different things to different people. It is also often misconstrued by the diet industry. As written here, healthy refers to food that is filling, nutritious, and satisfying.

Oats have long been most dietician’s recommended breakfast as the food provides a myriad of health benefits and consequently, is a great way to kick off your day. They are a good source of fiber and are rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. These components of oats have been shown to decrease cholesterol and lower blood sugar levels. Oats also provide a nutrient composition that is well-balanced and encompasses protein, carbs, and fat. Another reason to start making batches of overnight oats ASAP (as if you needed another one) is that they are easily customizable. I am often the one to make breakfast for my family, and everyone wants their meal catered to them. There is arguably no easier or more delicious way to accomplish this than making overnight oats. You can use nut milk or cow’s milk, any kind of fruit, seasoning, spice, nut…the list goes on. Here is a short recipe to make a berry banana nut overnight oats that can be used as a starting point. Feel free to get creative with your own favorite toppings (refer to the list at the end of this article for other ingredients to consider adding to your shopping list)!

Step 1: Purchase a glass, airtight jar. I recommend a Mason jar.

How To Make Overnight Oats

Step 2: Measure a ⅓ – ½ cup of steel-cut or old-fashioned oats and empty into each jar (one jar/person)

How To Make Overnight Oats

Step 3: Add chia seeds and flax seeds, stir to distribute throughout oats

How To Make Overnight Oats

Step 4: Slice banana into rounds and strawberries in half. Chop raw nuts. Layer over oats

How To Make Overnight Oats

Step 5: Sprinkle in raisins and douse in honey

How To Make Overnight Oats

Step 6: Pour in the milk of your choosing. It should be just enough to completely submerge the oats at the bottom.

How To Make Overnight Oats

Step 7: Place the metal top on the jar and screw on air-tight lid

Note: It’s very important to screw on the lid as tight as you can, especially if you have fruits such as bananas. If too loose, the fruits will get mushy overnight.

How To Make Overnight Oats