Overnight oats take mere minutes to put together the night before, and offers so much in return. Should you need any convincing, here’s a shortlist of the many benefits of overnight oats:

One, breakfast is ready. Waiting for you on a hectic morning.

Two, it is chock full of good-for-you foods. Fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals get your day off to a healthy start.

Three, it’s hearty, keeping you fueled for longer.

Last but not least, it’s infinitely riffable. There are so many different ways to make overnight oats, you’ll never get bored. 

I’ve made so many of these over time, that I rarely reference my recipes anymore. Once you get the hang of the basic ratios, you can use an infinite combination of mix-ins. This is particularly appealing, as I often reach for whatever I happen to have in the house at the moment, instead of heading out to the store to buy specific ingredients. Often, along with the base of oats and/or chia, my concoction will include some sort of seasonal fruit, nuts or nut butter, a sweetener like honey or maple, and yogurt, kefir, milk, or plant-based milks.

If it feels a little overwhelming to go without a plan, I’ve got four easy and tasty recipes below – a raspberry, almond butter and chia seed version bursting with flavor; another crowd pleaser where bananas and peanut butter are the star; a chocolate strawberry breakfast wonder that appears too decadent to be healthy; and finally an incredible apple cinnamon walnut jarful with chopped candied ginger. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll love the ease, and deliciousness of conquering your morning before it’s even begun. 

Raspberry Almond Butter Overnight Oats

This is a sort of hybrid between chia pudding and overnight oats. One thing to note, the chia seeds take 15-ish minutes to expand and soak up moisture. So, after mixing the ingredients together, you pop the bowl in the fridge, and then take it out and continue with the recipe, adding more liquid to adjust the consistency before moving on. I prefer only 2 tablespoons of maple syrup in this recipe, however if you like your oats on the sweeter side, go ahead and add a little more to taste.

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Banana Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

This recipe relies on the same base as the raspberry almond version, but swaps those ingredients for bananas and peanut butter. A great optional add-in would be cocoa nibs, or if you’d like to take it in a more decadent direction, mini chocolate chips. Like the raspberry recipe, the amount of maple syrup keeps this on the less-sweet side. If you know you like your oats sweeter, go ahead and add up to another tablespoon of maple syrup.

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Chocolate Strawberry Overnight Oats

This morning treat may sound decadent, however it is, in fact, a healthy way to start your day. Oats, hemp seeds, pecans and strawberries are mixed with yogurt, milk and a touch of cocoa powder, for a chocolatey, creamy breakfast that feels like you’re eating dessert.

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Apple Pie Overnight Oats

Shredded apples, oats and ground walnuts make for the beginnings of a tasty jar of overnight oats, but the star here is the candied ginger, which gives the mixture a sweet, spiced flavor reminiscent of apple pie. I like to use oat milk in this recipe, with a little yogurt to help with a thicker and creamier consistency, but you can use any variety of milk you prefer.

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