Buzz
Overnight oats, like these tasty bowls with strawberries and granola, offer a nutritious breakfast option. Arx0nt/Getty ImagesOatmeal is a breakfast favorite for many, but not everyone has the time to cook it, especially the slower-cooking steel-cut variety. So, what's the solution for those in a rush to satisfy morning hunger?
The perfect time-saver for a healthy breakfast is preparing your oats the night before. Hello, convenient overnight oats!
Overnight oats are exactly what the name suggests: oats prepared the night before you want to eat them. Both rolled and steel-cut oats can be used, but they create different textures. The best part is that oats are incredibly versatile, perfect for both sweet and savory tastes.
Slow Cooker Method
For long-cooking steel-cut oats, the slow cooker method is ideal. It's a simple approach that requires minimal effort from you.
- Only use regular, long-cooking steel-cut oats. Other varieties will become too mushy after the extended cooking time.
- The method calls for a ratio of 4 cups of liquid (water, milk, or non-dairy milk) for every 1 cup of oats, with a pinch of salt. This yields about four servings, so feel free to adjust the amounts.
- Generously coat the slow cooker with nonstick spray or use a pot liner to avoid sticking.
- Cook on low for 7 to 8 hours.
- Be mindful of your slow cooker's characteristics. If it runs hot, you may need to add more liquid or shorten the cooking time to prevent burning.
Refrigerated Overnight Oats
Most people prefer using rolled oats for this method. While steel-cut oats aren't the best substitute for rolled oats, they can work with a few adjustments, like soaking them beforehand. These tips are for preparing overnight rolled oats.
- Use a 2:1 liquid-to-oat ratio (2 cups of liquid to 1 cup of oats, either rolled or quick oats) for a porridge-like consistency.
- Don’t forget the pinch of salt—it’s an essential step.
- Be mindful of when you add ingredients. Soak chia seeds and dried fruit overnight as they need time to absorb moisture. Add fresh fruit, nuts, and seeds in the morning, as they don’t require soaking.
- Before digging in, stir (or shake if using a Mason jar) to ensure the flavors and textures are well combined. The oats at the bottom may be softer than those at the top.
The flavor possibilities with overnight oats are endless, like this version with banana and mixed berries. Rafael Ben-Ari/Getty ImagesOvernight Oats Flavor Combos
What about adding flavor to your oats? The key is variety, so here are a few ideas to keep things interesting.
Sweet flavorings: dried fruits, cinnamon, brown sugar, nutmeg, pie spice, and other seasonings.
Savory flavorings: nuts, bacon, cheddar cheese, eggs, and pretty much anything else that excites your taste buds.
Check out the list below for more flavor combinations to try.
- Peanut butter, chocolate almond milk, and banana
- Cinnamon, crushed walnuts, and sliced banana
- Vanilla yogurt, chia seeds, and fresh blueberries
- Almond butter, flax, sliced almonds, and sliced bananas
- Fresh mixed berries and chia seeds
- Mango, ginger, and coconut milk
- Lemon, thyme, honey, and yogurt
- Apples, brown sugar, and vanilla
- Bacon, maple syrup, chopped walnuts, and cinnamon
- Strawberry, banana, chia seeds, and almonds
Oats are among the earliest cereals ever cultivated by humans, with origins tracing back to around 7000 B.C.E. in China. The ancient Greeks are credited as the first to turn oats into a cereal.
