What are overnight oats?

Overnight oats are the sleeping beauty of breakfast options! The magic happens as the ingredients marinate overnight. The clear jars display the layers, color, and texture, which are easy on the eyes. Simply adding rolled oats, plant-based milk, flax or chia seeds, and your favorite fruit in a mason jar and placing it in the fridge overnight gets you a delicious oat bowl that is creamy with a slightly chewy texture in the morning. The key to overnight oats is to ensure all the dry ingredients are immersed in the plant-based milk.

Are overnight oats healthy?

It depends on the ingredients in the overnight oats recipe. But yes, this overnight oats recipe is healthy. As a nutritionist, this recipe is a go-to favorite in my house. The oats and fruit in this recipe are packed with insoluble and soluble fiber, antioxidants, beta-glucan, vitamins, and minerals. Oats have been shown to have cholesterol-lowering benefits . Flaxseeds and chopped walnut topping are good sources of fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Because of the high fiber content, it helps to control blood sugar levels. Beyond this recipe, it's good practice to look out for added sugar. Adding sugar, syrups, or artificial sweeteners can sabotage the healthiness. In this overnight oats recipe, we use raisins and a fresh, crisp apple to provide sweetness while maintaining nutritional integrity.

What type of oats is best?

Rolled oats are recommended for this recipe. Quick oats lack nutritional value, and is highly processed, and are also popular for being prepackaged with added sugar. Quick oats soften much faster and give a mushy texture. Steel cut and oats groats, although high on the nutrient density scale, the process of softening these types of oats is difficult and harder to digest. Of course, choose gluten-free oats if gluten-sensitive.

Can I heat overnight oats?

Yes! If you like your oatmeal warm, you can microwave it for about a minute, or if you have time, you can throw it into a saucepan and heat it for a few minutes. Another option, if you don’t like cold oats, is to take out your jar an hour before you eat it and allow it to warm up to room temperature. This is my favorite way to eat my overnight oats. If you are looking for an easy “peezy” solution to your morning breakfast rut, then these overnight oats are a must-try.

Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats [VEGAN, NO ADDED SUGAR]

Description

This healthy vegan Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats recipe is not only yummy but makes a good case for helping with weight loss. The sweet, crisp apple pairs beautifully with chewy oats, plump juicy raisins, warm cinnamon, and crunchy walnut topping. Overnight oats are a quick, easy, and perfect grab-and-go breakfast for work, school, or traveling. This recipe is gluten-free, soy-free, and has no added sugar.

Ingredients

Units Scale

1/2 cup rolled oats (use gluten-free oats, if gluten-sensitive)
1/2 cup unsweetened plain almond milk (or other unsweetened plant-based milk)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 Tbsp ground flaxseed (or chia seeds)
1 apple, cored and diced (I used Fuji, but any apple will do)
2 Tbsp raisins (or pitted dates, diced)
1/2 Tbsp walnut, chopped for topping

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Instructions

There are a few different ways to whip this up. The fastest and easiest is to put all ingredients into a bowl and stir them together. Then, put the oat mixture it into a mason jar with a lid or whatever covered container you want and stick it in the fridge for at least two hours or overnight.

If you want the fun layered effect with a surprise in every bite, follow these steps:

Combine rolled oats, cinnamon, and unsweetened almond milk in a container and refrigerate covered for at least two hours or overnight.
Put a few tablespoons of the soaked oats at the bottom. Then add ground flaxseeds (or chia seeds) and some diced apple. The liquid from the soaked oats and juices from the apple will get soaked up by the flaxseeds (or chia seeds).
Continue to layer soaked oats, then raisins and diced apple. When you've layered in all the soaked oats and diced apples, top with chopped walnut and dust a little more cinnamon; that's it!

Overnight oats keep well in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Notes

EQUIPMENT / SUPPLIES

Knife
Cutting board
Measuring cup
Measuring spoons
Mason jars (16 oz.) or another air-tight container

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Soak Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Cuisine: American