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If you’re new to making overnight oats, I can’t wait for you to try this recipe!! To start, you only need a 2-ingredient base of oats and milk, and then you can literally mix in any toppings or add-ins you like. It’s a simple recipe to remember, great for beginners, and one of my top grab-and-go breakfasts because there’s no cooking involved.

I also shared the ratios for my favorite way to make overnight oats with chia seeds, Greek yogurt, and a little honey for extra texture, protein, and flavor. I also usually prep three or four days’ worth of overnight oats at a time, store them in the fridge, and change up the toppings so breakfast feels a little different each day, even when I am eating pretty much the same thing. (I’ve been making this recipe for over 10 years now, multiple days a week, and I have yet to get sick of it.)

Before we get into the recipe, I just want to say how wild it is that it’s been almost seven years since I first shared these overnight oats on Feel Good Foodie (January 2019 is when I first published the recipe!) . This has become one of the most-loved recipes on the site, with nearly 1,500 comments and more 5-star reviews than I can count. It’s one of my original recipes, and still one I truly love and stand by. Thank you sooo much for making it, rating it, commenting on it, and bringing it into your mornings.

“This is the best recipe for overnight oats I have found, even better one of the simplest and straightforward recipes too. Absolutely delicious. I need look no further for other morning recipes 😊” – Carol Trill

Below you’ll find some tips for meal prepping them in batches, and some topping and add-in inspiration with six of my top overnight oatmeal flavors

What are overnight oats?

If you’ve never had overnight oatmeal, they’re basically a no-cook method of making oatmeal. So, instead of cooking oatmeal on the stovetop or in the microwave, you soak the raw oats with milk. That soaking process allows the oats to absorb the liquid and soften them enough to eat uncooked. You only need to let the oats soak and rest in the fridge for 2 hours. But, it’s ideal if you soak it overnight…hence the name overnight oats!

The next morning you have a ready-to-eat, delicious, creamy bowl or jar of “oatmeal.” The consistency is like a porridge or pudding. It makes for an easy convenient breakfast that has a more dense and creamy texture than warm oatmeal.

Best of all, you reap all the healthy benefits of oats in a fun grab-and-go breakfast:

1. They contain more protein than most grains (5g per serving).
2. They’re a rich source of fiber, which helps you feel fuller longer (4g per serving).
3. They are a nutrient dense food, which makes your feel more satiated.

Base Ingredients You need To Make Overnight Oats

You only need two ingredients to make overnight oats: milk and oats. But it probably won’t taste very good, and by adding in Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and a drizzle of your favorite sweetener, you’re really creating a well-rounded breakfast.

1. Oats: This is really the only ingredient that’s non-negotiable. Make sure to use plain old-fashioned oats and not quick oats because the consistency is best with rolled oats. You can also use gluten-free oats. Do not use steel cut oats.
2. Milk: For the liquid part, you can actually make this with water! But it’s more common to use milk. You can use full fat, 2% or low-fat milk. You can also use plant-based milk like almond milk, coconut milk, cashew milk or oat milk.
3. Chia seeds (optional): These seeds are packed with tons of nutrition, and they help give the oats a pudding-like texture. So I always like to include them in my base recipe.
4. Greek or vegan yogurt (optional): This gives the oats a tangy flavor, creamy texture and boost of protein.
5. Vanilla extract (optional): This enhances all the flavors that go into the overnight oatmeal as well as giving it sweetness without any sweetener.
6. Sweetener (optional): Use honey or maple syrup to sweeten the mixture, especially because oats can be somewhat bland on their own.
7. Toppings: This is where you can have some fun with fresh fruit, dried fruit, nut butters, nuts, seeds and spices (like cinnamon, nutmeg or cardamom). There are so many topping ideas and combinations, and I think that’s what makes this such a great versatile recipe!

How to Make 2 Ingredient Overnight Oats

These photos walk you through both versions: the simple 2-ingredient base and the version I actually make with add-ins. Full ingredient amounts and instructions are in the → Overnight Oats Recipe below

How I make my overnight oat base

The 2-ingredient version works great on its own, but personally I like to add chia seeds for the omegas and Greek yogurt for some extra protein. I also add a little honey, but I don’t like my overnight oats too sweet, so I keep it minimal. You can adjust the amount to your taste or just leave it out completely.

One thing to keep in mind: anything that absorbs liquid, like chia seeds or ground flaxseed, needs to be balanced with more wet ingredients. In this case, the Greek yogurt takes care of that. But if you add chia seeds without the yogurt, bump the milk up a little so the oats don’t end up too thick or dry by morning.

The next morning, grab a spoon, add your favorite toppings, and dig in!

Overnight Oats Step-By-Step Video Tutorial

Full Overnight Oats Recipe

Reader Fav Add-ins & Flavor Combos

I first put this recipe out in 2018, and it’s been made over 1 million times, if not more. I get emails, comments, and DMs on social all the time with people saying how much they love this recipe, and they often include the flavors they dreamt up, which I love. Some of my favorites are below.

“This is a great recipe that I use as a blank canvas to flavor many different ways. Today I used Irish oats, oat milk, Siggi’s non fat vanilla yogurt, Penzey’s Pie Spice, and ¼ cup of homemade vanilla apple sauce, and a touch of maple syrup. The smell alone is making me swoon!! I can hardly wait until tomorrow morning.” – Josee Marchessault

• Pistachio Raspberry: Add a handful of crushed pistachios and fresh raspberries along with a drizzle of honey for a colorful, textured twist.
• Mexican Hot Chocolate: Incorporate a dash of cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper to chocolate oats for a spicy twist on a classic.
• Pumpkin Pie: Canned pumpkin, pumpkin spice, and a dollop of whipped cream on top has made this a fall favorite among readers.
• Maple Sweet Potato: A spoonful of cooked, mashed sweet potato combined with a drizzle of maple syrup, a sprinkle of cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg, and chopped pecans.

Don’t forget to send me your favorite overnight oat recipe variations so I can add it to the list!

My Top 6 Overnight Oatmeal Recipe Ideas

I literally eat overnight oats 5 days a week because the flavor combinations and recipe variations are in the millions. Once you get your base recipe to where you like it, texture and taste wise you’ll be adding mix-ins and toppings. Below are six of my fav recipe variations that I make at home!

Peanut Butter Jelly:

It’s like having a peanut butter jelly sandwich in overnight oats form. Layer peanut butter, strawberry jelly, fresh cut strawberries and crushed peanuts. It has a sweet and salty taste that’s irresistible.

Apple Pie

With the combination of chopped apples, pecans, maple syrup and ground cinnamon, this variation is a great fall recipe that has a warm sweet taste and satisfying crunch from the fruit and nuts.

Banana Nutella

The name of this recipe says it all – bananas and Nutella – match made in heaven, and a great flavor for kids to try! The banana and Nutella together have a rich decadent taste that makes it feel like you’re enjoying dessert, instead of a nutritious breakfast. Try also adding crushed hazelnuts and chocolate chips to enhance the flavor.

Almond Joy:

This recipe is a play on the popular chocolate bar. Use shredded coconut, crushed almonds, mini chocolate chips and maple syrup.

“This is by far the most delicious breakfast I’ve ever had never thought oatmeal would actually taste so delicious this way, especially cold. I can’t wait for more easy, quick recipes. My most 2 favorites are the *Banana Nutella* and *Almond Joy*” – Zenny B.

Maple Brown Sugar

Maple brown sugar has got to be one of the most loved oatmeal flavors of all time! The hint of molasses paired with the earthy maple and cinnamon is so good! You can eat this variation hot or cold and any time of the year!

Blueberry Lemon Muffin

Fresh blueberries with tangy lemon zest and floral honey…need I say more? So good, and it just feels like Spring in a bite. I like this one cold, but you could set it out for 15-20 minutes to take some of the chill off the oats or even microwave it to let the blueberries burst.

Tips For aking the Best Overnight Oats

1. Make it inside of a jar or a mason jar (with measurement lines on the side). This way you can measure, mix, chill, carry and eat the overnight oats all in one convenient container.
2. Use plain old fashioned rolled oats, not quick oats. Quick oats will get too soggy when soaked with milk. And do not use steel cut oats because they won’t soften enough to eat just with milk unfortunately. Try this steel cut overnight oatmeal instead.
3. Warm it up if you prefer warm oats in the morning. Although overnight oatmeal is typically served cold, you can definitely eat them warm. Just place them in the microwave for one minute and be sure to use a microwave-safe jar.
4. Make a bunch for the week. Because overnight oats typically stay good in the fridge for up to 5 days, try making a batch on Sunday and having it on hand in the fridge for the whole week. Be careful if you’re adding fruit beforehand because they will typically not remain fresh for more than a couple days.
5. Be mindful of the milk-to-oats ratio. Too much liquid and you’ll have a runny mess; too little and it’ll be too thick. The ideal ratio is usually 1:1, but you can adjust depending on your texture preference.
6. Layer, don’t mix, add-ins. If you’re using fruits, nuts, or syrups, layer them rather than mixing. This helps maintain the texture of the ingredients until you’re ready to eat.
7. Chill for at least 4 hours. While two hours might do in a pinch, a longer soak will give the flavors time to meld together better, making for a more delicious breakfast.
8. Temperature matters. Cold milk will take longer to soak into the oats than room-temperature milk. If you’re short on time, consider using milk that’s closer to room temperature.

Popular Add-ins & Toppings

Fruits for Freshness:

• Sliced bananas for natural sweetness
• Diced apples for a bit of crunch
• Fresh berries for a burst of flavor

Nuts for Crunch:

• Almonds to elevate texture
• Walnuts for earthy richness
• Pecans for a buttery bite

Seeds for Nutrition:

• Chia seeds for added fiber and omega-3s
• Pumpkin seeds for a touch of zinc and magnesium
• Flaxseeds for an extra dose of fiber and protein

Sweeteners for Flavor:

• Maple syrup for a natural sweetness
• Honey for a floral note
• Agave syrup for a smooth finish

Spices for Depth:

• Cinnamon for warmth
• Nutmeg for a touch of spice
• Vanilla extract for aroma and sweetness

Creamy Elements:

• Peanut butter for a savory twist
• Nutella for a luxurious treat
• Coconut cream for a tropical vibe

Unexpected Twists:

• Matcha powder for an antioxidant boost
• Cocoa powder for a chocolaty touch
• Lemon zest for a burst of citrus

FAQs

If you try this healthy-ish feel good Easy Overnight Oats recipe or any other recipe on Feel Good Foodie, then don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave a comment below! It helps others who are thinking of making the recipe. We would love to hear about your experience making it. And if you snapped some shots, share it on Instagram so we can repost on Stories!

More Oatmeal Recipes:

• Baked Cranberry Pecan Oatmeal
• Basic Oatmeal Recipe
• Steel Cut Overnight Oatmeal
• Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal
• Oatmeal Breakfast Bars
• Baked Blueberry Oatmeal
• Protein Oatmeal
• Savory Oatmeal with Egg
• Banana Oatmeal Cups