Although I’ve already posted two recipes for overnight oats (classic and cacao strawberry), I think in the case of this healthy staple, having more options is better. I also recently discovered that the overnight soak is not necessary. Turns out that a 3-4 hour soak at room temperature does the trick. With the increased versatility in preparation, I developed 13 new flavor combinations to make soaked oats an easy and never boring part of your breakfast routine.
I love the new room-temperature short soak method. If I get up at 6am, I can have morning oats by 9 or 10am, just in time for my intermittent fasting breakfast. Alternatively, I can throw them together around 9 or 10 for a fuss-free lunch. As part of this updated recipe, I simplified my classic overnight oats recipe and included it below. This recipe can be easily made vegan by using a plant-based protein powder and substituting the dairy kefir for coconut water kefir. Of course you could just use exclusively almond milk, but I like including some type of kefir to get a dose of probiotics. I also think it’s important to include the chia seeds for some omega 3 fats and protein. You can eat the basic recipe on it’s own, but I encourage you try one of the thirteen new flavor combinations. (Note: some of the new recipes suggest omitting or changing some of the basic recipe ingredients, so be sure to read the combination first and make any necessary adjustments.)
Hopefully with these new variations you never get tired of this super healthy, low-sugar, gluten-free option. It’s worth noting that kids love overnight oats, especially if they’re included in putting theirs together. Ella loves adding all her ingredients to a pint ball jar, putting on the lid (with an extra tightening twist from me), and giving it a good shake.
- ½ cup gluten free rolled oats
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk (or other milk/milk substitute)
- ½ cup plain kefir (or unsweetened coconut water kefir)
- 1 Tbl chia seeds
- ½ tsp vanilla
- ½ tsp cinnamon
- Optional but suggested: 2 Tbl collagen protein powder (or plant-based protein powder)
- Place all ingredients into a mason jar or other pint-sized jar with a lid.
- Put the lid on and shake to mix all ingredients thoroughly.
- Two preparation options:
- Place jar into the refrigerator and let soak overnight.
- Let the jar sit at room temperature for 3-4 hours. **Caution — don't let the oats sit at room temperature longer than 4 hours or you'll risk getting a food-borne illness.**
13 Combinations (basic oats + desired combo)
Cherry Cashew (pictured):
- 5 pitted and sliced fresh sweet cherries
- 1 Tbl cashew butter
Purple Monster (kids favorite):
- 1/2 frozen blueberries
- 1 Tbl unsweetened shredded coconut
- Once the mixture has soaked overnight or at room temp, stir vigorously so the oats turn purple.
Tropical Mango:
- 2 Tbl unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1/2 cup frozen mango
Peanut Butter Banana (kids favorite):
- 1 Tbl peanut butter
- 1/2 thinly sliced banana
PB & J (kids favorite):
- 1 Tbl peanut butter
- 1/2 cup frozen or fresh berries (blueberries or strawberries)
Peaches and Cream:
- 1/2 sliced fresh peach or 1/2 cup frozen peach slices
- 1/4 cup plain or vanilla greek yogurt (or dairy-free alternative)
Macaroon:
- Use unsweetened vanilla coconut milk in place of almond milk.
- Omit cinnamon
- 1 tsp honey or maple syrup
- 3 Tbl unsweetened shredded coconut (if you want to be super fancy, toast it in a dry skillet for a couple of minutes)
Matcha Mocha:
- Omit cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp matcha powder
- 1 Tbl cocoa powder
- Optional: 1 tsp honey or agave
The Montana:
- 1/2 cup huckleberries
- 2 Tbl slivered almonds
The Savory — Avocado:
- Omit the cinnamon, vanilla, and kefir from the basic recipe — replace kefir with unsweetened milk of choice.
- Pinch of salt & red pepper flakes
- 1/4 sliced avocado
- Optional: 1 sliced hardboiled egg (or medium-boiled duck egg)
- Optional: A little drizzle of olive or avocado oil and sprinkle of finishing salt.
The Savory — Salmon:
- Omit the cinnamon, vanilla, and kefir from the basic recipe — replace kefir with unsweetened milk of choice.
- Pinch of salt & fresh cracked black pepper
- 2 oz smoked salmon or leftover broiled salmon
- 1 sliced hardboiled egg (or medium-boiled duck egg)
- Optional: A little drizzle of olive or avocado oil and sprinkle of finishing salt.
The Savory — Vegetable:
- Omit the cinnamon, vanilla, and kefir from the basic recipe — replace kefir with unsweetened milk of choice.
- Pinch of salt & fresh cracked black pepper
- 1/2 cup leftover roasted veggies
- Optional: 1 sliced hard or medium-boiled egg
- Optional: A little drizzle of olive or avocado oil and sprinkle of finishing salt.
The Savory — Carbonara:
- Omit the cinnamon, vanilla, and kefir from the basic recipe.
- Use whole milk instead of almond milk
- Pinch of salt & fresh cracked black pepper
- 1 oz cooked bacon or pancetta
- 1 oz finely grated parmesan cheese
- 1 sliced hardboiled egg (or medium-boiled duck egg)
- Optional: A little drizzle of olive or avocado oil and sprinkle of finishing salt.