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Overnight oats. It’s the breakfast trend that has probably taken over your Instagram and Pinterest feeds, and FYI, they’re actually delicious. Those beautiful and professionally taken photographs of breakfast meals may not be attainable for all, but the great food is. Before I decided to try overnight oats, I would have cereal for breakfast. Cereal is great, but sometimes it can get a little boring and I want to be able to mix things up without sacrificing my time.
Many Pinterest recipes seem extremely intimidating and without the right technique often don’t turn out well. I was skeptical at first, and on my first attempt it didn’t go so well. I ended up with a bowl of soggy oats that was really just like the mush you get at school cafeterias. But I gave it another try with a different mixture of ingredients and they were amazing. To give you an idea of how good they are, my Dad is more of a coffee for breakfast person, but he will eat overnight oats (and he thinks they taste great as well).
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Being a college student, I’m always looking for ways to save time in the mornings, especially when trying to make it on time to that dreaded 8 a.m. class. Overnight oats are a make ahead meal (hence, the name ‘overnight’ oats) so all you have to do in the morning is eat. I’ve learned that the trick to overnight oats is all about a balance of liquid to oat ratio so they’re not mushy in the morning, but still soft as if they were cooked. Adding fruit, nuts, and seeds are another way to make the oats less bland. A type of sweetener is another must when it comes to overnight oats. This can be anything like honey, peanut butter, or almond butter.
I’ve found recipes that work for me by trial and error with different types of ingredients. Here are a couple of different ways that I make my overnight oats (it only takes 5 minutes).
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Peanut Butter Banana overnight oats:
½ cup of old-fashioned oats
½ cup of almond milk (or your preferred type of milk)
About a tablespoon of peanut butter (I just take a big scoop out with a spoon)
½ of a banana, sliced
1 tsp of chia seeds (you can also use flax seeds or nuts)
Place ingredients in a mason jar or plastic container, stir until the peanut butter is mixed in and no longer clumpy and put in the fridge overnight. Stir again in the morning and enjoy.
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Honey Blueberry overnight oats:
½ cup of old-fashioned oats
½ cup almond milk (or your preferred type of milk)
¼ cup of plain Greek yogurt
About a tablespoon of honey
1 tsp of chia seeds (you can also use flax seeds or nuts)
A large handful of blueberries
Place ingredients in a mason jar or plastic container, stir well and put in the fridge overnight. Stir again in the morning and enjoy.
With these easy recipes you’ll be able to have a healthy and yummy breakfast any day of the week and hopefully make it to class on time!