What's not to love about overnight oats. They’re quick, easy, super healthy and ready to eat when you get up. These are such a family favourite in our house. Oats for me, are a soul food that always create a sense of wellbeing. It's something that I can make in 5 minutes the night before in a jar or tupperware, pop in the fridge and then give the girls straight from the fridge on a morning to fuel them up before they head to school/nursery. O, and they taste like pudding. Yum.

So what are they? 

Simply oats soaked in liquid overnight.  The liquid is usually dairy or nut milk or for a thicker texture, natural yoghurt. That's it.  They are ready to eat. No cooking required. No pans to wash. 

The fun bit comes in trying different flavours and textures and this is really where you just need to have some fun and play around and make these oats your own. 

I like my oats to be a creamy pudding consistency, the girls both like them a bit runnier.

I love banana and chocolate (made with nutrient dense cacao not the sugary shop bought stuff) - the girls love apple and cinnamon. No matter what flavour you go for, they take 5 minutes to make the night before and are ready to go when you wake up.

You can superfood charge your oats with nuts and seeds or keep them plain and simple. 

However you like them, you’re guaranteed a quick, healthy, super tasty and nutritious breakfast.

Here are a few of my favourite recipes. But  experiment with different amounts of liquid, flavours and textures to find what puts the biggest smile on your face.

For evenings where you might have a bit more time - get the kids to help make their own.

You can also multiply the recipes below and make up a big salad bowl size and keep in the fridge and just serve up each morning for 2-3 days.

Plain and simple

  • 50g rolled oats
  • 150ml milk (dairy or nut)
  • Splash of honey or maple syrup (go easy on the sweet stuff)
  • Just put together into a jar or Tupperware, give a stir and pop in the fridge. Done.


Apple and Cinnamon

  • 50g rolled oats·       
  • 150ml milk (dairy or nut)
  • 1 apple grated
  • Pinch of cinnamon
  • Handful of seeds for topping
  • Just put together into a jar or Tupperware, give a stir and pop in the fridge. Done.


Chocolate and Banana

  • 50g rolled oats
  • 150ml milk (dairy or nut)
  • 1/2  banana mashed (or sliced if preferred)
  • 1tsp cacao powder or 70% coco powder
  • 1tsp almond butter (optional)
  • Seeds for topping (optional)
  • Just put together into a jar or Tupperware, give a stir and pop in the fridge. Done.


Blueberry and Vanilla

  • 50g rolled oats
  • 150ml water
  • 100g natural yoghurt
  • Handful of frozen blueberries (frozen are cheapest and it means you always have some in.)
  • Just put together into a jar or Tupperware, give a stir and pop in the fridge. Done.


Some handy tips:

  • Plain and simple rolled oats are all you need - they are super cheap.
  • Tupperware works well or you can invest in some mason jars  - less plastic which is always a good thing. You can put each family members version in their own jar/Tupperware.
  • Want your oats thicker - use less liquid.
  • Want your oats thinner - use more liquid.
  • Want a crunch - top with seeds in the morning and mix through.
  • Want it sweeter - add a dash of honey or maple syrup (go easy.)
  • Want to add more protein - add a scoop of protein powder and a splash more liquid.
  • Want to eat them warm - warm through in a saucepan or whizz up in the microwave. It's still a quick breakfast.


 Are you an overnight oats advocator? What are your favourite combinations and toppings? I'd love to hear your ideas in the comments below.