Easy Overnight Oats without Yogurt
So, Why Overnight Oats…and Why No Yogurt?
If you’ve ever rolled out of bed, eyes drooping and hair (still) slightly wild, and wondered how you’re actually gonna get breakfast into yourself—oh buddy, you’re among friends here. I started tinkering with overnight oats back in college, partly because my toaster rebelled against me, partly because I kept forgetting to buy yogurt. And honestly? Now I prefer it this way. Don’t tell the yogurt people.
Picture this: you toss random stuff into a jar at midnight, hope for the best, then wake up to a brekkie that’s just waiting for you. No stress, no burners, no dirty pans. Magic, honestly. Sometimes I feel like a lazy wizard.
Why You’ll Love This (Or at Least, Why I Keep Making It)
Honestly, I make this most when it’s Monday, I’m feeling a bit knackered, and the fridge looks like a barren tundra (except for that persistent jar of pickles). My family likes it because it’s endlessly adaptable (they argue over the toppings, which I pretend annoys me but actually does not). Oh, and if you’ve ever run out of yogurt and felt personally attacked by every recipe online, this one won’t betray you, promise.
I used to get stressed about the right oat-to-liquid ratio—let’s just say a few batches could’ve been mistaken for wallpaper paste—but after enough experimentation, I’ve finally got it down to an art. Or at least, a happy accident.
Here’s What You’ll Need (I Swear It’s Flexible!)
- 1 cup rolled oats (not instant, but, eh, in a pinch I’ve used quick oats. Comes out a bit mushier, but it’ll do)
- 1 to 1 1/4 cups milk (dairy, almond, oat – whatever is lurking in your fridge. Water works in dire straits, but it’s a bit less creamy)
- 1–2 teaspoons chia seeds (Not essential – sometimes I totally forget and no one dies)
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (My grandmother swears by honey, but the maple syrup bottle is easier to open, just saying)
- A small pinch of salt (Don’t skip it! Makes the flavor pop. Unless you forget. I do, sometimes)
- Optional jazz: dash of cinnamon, splash of vanilla, handful of chopped nuts, berries, banana, raisins – whatever needs using up
Let’s Throw It All Together
- Grab a jar, bowl, or, honestly, any container with a lid (I’ve literally used a washed-out salsa jar before, it works great).
- Dump in your oats, chia seeds, pinch of salt, and cinnamon if you’re feeling fancy. Give it a quick stir (I once tried shaking it—let’s just say it was messy but fun).
- Pour in your milk (start with a cup, add a splash more if it looks a little thick after mixing). Stir again. Here’s where I usually sneak a taste and pretend it tells me something useful.
- Drizzle in your chosen sweetener. If you’re using honey that’s a bit stubborn, warm it up for a sec so it blends in. Or just squish it in and call it “rustic.”
- Add any extras (fruit, nuts, whatever sparks joy). They’ll soften up overnight, which is either “delightfully jammy” or “slightly weird textured,” depending on who you ask in my house.
- Chuck it in the fridge for at least 6 hours, but overnight is best. Don’t worry if it looks slightly suspicious at this point—it always comes together by morning.
Notes From Too Many Tries
- If you use steel cut oats… well, I learned the hard way they just don’t soften up right, so I now stick to rolled oats like a loyal old dog.
- The chia seeds really do thicken it, but I’ve left them out plenty of times (once because I grabbed the pepper grinder by accident—would not recommend).
- Don’t overthink the liquid. Sometimes I just pour and hope. “A bit more” usually fixes any stickiness in the morning.
Things I’ve Tried (And Sometimes Regretted!)
- Chocolate chips: Real crowd-pleaser, unless you add too many (once turned mine into a cold porridge cookie disaster).
- Grated apple: Delicious, but turns a bit brown if you make too far in advance.
- Coffee instead of milk: Sounds wild, but actually works if you want that jittery breakfast rush. Decaf might be sensible, though.
- Pineapple: Nope, not for me; my tongue was not pleased.
Do You Need Fancy Equipment? I Don’t…
I’ve got loads of matching Tupperware lids that’ve gone missing, so honestly any jar with a screw-top or even just a covered mug works fine. Even plastic wrap in a pinch. If you do have one of those trendy glass jars – good for you, looks very Instagrammy, but not essential.
Storage Stuff (But Ours Never Lasts!)
Officially, you can keep these in the fridge 2–3 days. Realistically, my lot eats it up in 24 hours flat, so honestly I’m guessing. If it looks or smells odd, give it the old sniff test (scientific). And, erm, I once found a porridge jar from a week prior, way at the back… let’s just say it was an adventure I wouldn’t repeat.
Serving ‘Em Up (How We Do It)
I like mine with a big spoonful of peanut butter on top (sticky but excellent). Kids lunge for berries and extra honey. Sometimes we do a “build-your-own” bar at the breakfast table – more fun, sometimes more mess. One Sunday I even tried it sprinkled with crushed digestives, but that’s another story entirely.
Little Pro Tips I Learned The Hard (or Crunchy) Way
- I once tried using way less milk, thinking the oats would be extra creamy. Nah, just chewy and sad. Err on the side of more liquid.
- If you add fruit like banana, add it right before eating – otherwise, it goes from pleasing to… questionable.
- On second thought, don’t fuss about a perfect mix—sometimes the messiest oats taste best.
FAQ (The Stuff Friends Actually Ask)
- Can I make overnight oats without chia seeds?
“Yep! Just skip ‘em. Oats will still soak up the milk, promise. May be a bit runnier, but nobody ever minds.” - Do I have to use fancy milk?
Heck no. Skim, almond, oat, even weird shelf-stable stuff from the convenience store. Just avoid something that curdles (learned that the hard way… yikes). - Help, it looks too thick in the morning?
Just add a glug more milk, give it a stir, and all is right with the world. - Can this be heated up?
Certainly! 30 seconds in the microwave does wonders—especially on chilly mornings. Or, just eat it cold like a proper kiwi (that’s how we do back home anyway). - Is this actually filling?
Surprisingly, yes. Takes you from breakfast through mid-morning, at least until coffee break. - What if my oats are too soggy?
Use a smidge less liquid next time or throw in extra nuts/seeds. Actually, I find it’s best to treat ‘soggy’ as ‘creamy’ and go on about your day.
Alright, that’s my rambling guide to the easiest overnight oats—no yogurt needed, and no fancy fuss. Let me know if you try it; always keen to hear about kitchen victories (or disasters—I’ve plenty of stories of my own!).
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or other plant-based milk)
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- A pinch of salt
- 1/2 cup mixed berries (fresh or frozen), for topping
Instructions
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1In a medium bowl or jar, combine rolled oats, chia seeds, almond milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and a pinch of salt.
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2Stir well to ensure all ingredients are evenly mixed. Cover the jar or bowl tightly with a lid or plastic wrap.
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3Place in the refrigerator overnight, or for at least 6 hours, to allow the oats and chia seeds to absorb the liquid and soften.
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4In the morning, stir the oats to loosen the mixture. Add more milk if desired for a thinner consistency.
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5Top with mixed berries and enjoy immediately, or store covered for up to 2 days.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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