Overnight Oats

I really should have sold this recipe, but I didn’t invent it either. It’s just that now Quaker and other companies are making money by charging you and packaging something you can so easily do on your own!

For anyone who does not like cooked oatmeal, this is a nice alternative because it is not gooey and some people don’t like hot cereal at all.

The basic idea is that you soak whole/rolled/old-fashioned oats in liquid with whatever flavors and fruits you want overnight and in the morning, breakfast is ready for you to grab and go! This breakfast is high in fiber and between the fiber, good fats, natural sugar and protein, it will keep you going for a few hours.

These are gluten free and can be totally vegan if you go with a non-dairy milk option. These are just ideas; feel free to experiment!

For all of these I use:

1. Organic whole oats (also called ‘rolled’ or ‘old-fashioned’). I also sometimes mix half steel cut oats with half whole oats for extra fiber. I think quick oats make this too gooey.
2. A ‘seed blend’ of ground (they must be ground) flax seeds, chia seeds  and ground hemp seeds.
3. A fluid of unsweetened juice, milk or milk substitute
4. A fruit (dried, fresh or frozen) to add sweetness and fiber
5. A nut to add unsaturated fat, protein and omega-3
6. Option to add honey to any of them.

Instructions: Combine, stir, refrigerate overnight, stir and eat.

I usually have this after my lemon water and my smoothie.

*All measurements are estimates and can be adjusted for taste or consistency.

Vegan Apple Oats

1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup organic, cloudy, unsweetened apple juice or apple cider (diluted with water if you want to reduce sugar)
1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/2 – 1 tablespoon of the seed blend
A few chopped raw pecans
A few raisins, dried apples, or chopped prunes
This one is also good with chopped fresh apples

Power Vanilla Blueberry (pitured)

1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla (or plain) almond milk
1/4 cup fresh, frozen or dried blueberries
1/2 – 1 tablespoon of the seed blend
A few chopped raw almonds
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Banana-Berry Blend

1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla soy milk
1/2 sliced banana
A few sliced fresh strawberries or frozen strawberries
1/2 – 1 tablespoon of the seed blend
A few chopped raw walnuts

Jazzy Raspberry

1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup milk
1/4 fresh or frozen raspberries and/or blackberries
1/2 – 1 tablespoon of the seed blend

I am sure there are endless combos, so have fun mixing and matching!