If you’re anything like me, at times it may feel like you’re running around like a chicken with its head cut off. It seems like I’m always busy and on the go, running around to kid’s practices, work, and trying to manage a home. Finding time to cook breakfast for myself and my family in the morning has become a challenge, as I really value my beauty sleep!
The Solution: Overnight Oats!Â
By making these super easy overnight oats, I’ve been able to take some stress out of my day by feeling more prepared and by knowing that what I’m eating is healthy and good for my body, which helps me keep up with my busy schedule. Being a student and a young adult means I’m also running on a college budget. Overnight oats start with just two ingredients, but you can add anything you want to change the flavor and mix things up all while staying within my budget. Other oats overnight benefits are the unending flavor options; peanut butter and jelly, chocolate, blueberry maple, pumpkin pie and even indoor s’mores flavor! The flavor possibilities are virtually endless, and there’s usually zero cooking involved; minimal time and effort in the kitchen. Plus, the time-saving opportunities are great, as you can easily create multiple jars worth all in a short period of time, the night before you need them! These super easy oats overnight recipes have been a great solution for me and I know that they will be for you too!
What are overnight oats?Â
Overnight oats are just rolled oats mixed together with your choice of milk; dairy, almond or soy milk. Other ingredients such as coconut, chocolate chips, peanut butter or fruit can be added to ramp up the flavor. These ingredients all go into a mason jar and hang out in the fridge overnight, to be ready for you in the morning.
Original Oats Overnight RecipeÂ
What you’ll need:
- rolled oats – ½ cup
- dairy, almond or soy milk – 1 cup
- cinnamon – 1 teaspoon
- vanilla extract – 1 teaspoon
- honey – 1 to 2 teaspoons
- mason jar with lid
- refrigerator
DirectionsÂ
First, add the half cup of rolled oats to the mason jar.
Then, pour in your cup of milk, covering the oats.
Add in a teaspoon of cinnamon, and vanilla extract.
To make your oats sweeter, add a couple tablespoons of honey, or another sweetener.
Stir and mix well before securing the lid onto the mason jar.
Put your jar in the fridge and wait for your oats overnight!
Toppings like berries, coconut, or chocolate chips can be added in the morning.
Bonus Oats Overnight Recipes to Please the KidsÂ
Use coconut milk instead of dairy milk, and add chocolate protein powder, coconut flakes, and chopped almonds for a healthy take on the Almond Joy candy bar.
Mix in some vanilla yogurt, sprinkles and top with more sprinkles or even crumble up some cake on top for a birthday cake inspired treat.
For a healthy apple pie overnight recipe, add applesauce and apple slices to your oats!
The flavor possibilities are truly endless and effortlessly easy to create, but the best part about making these easy oats overnight is that they can be super healthy. There are many oats overnight benefits that can also contribute to a healthier lifestyle. If you’re constantly crunched for time in the mornings, you may be tempted to grab something unhealthy on your way out the door. This can become a habit and can make you hungry later in the day and cause you to eat even more. By prepping oats overnight the night before, you can just grab them on your way out the door instead of a less healthy choice. The oats are high in carbs which is good for weight loss, as the carbs keep you feeling full for longer, minimizing your caloric intake for the day. Also, when the oats are soaked overnight, they expand, as opposed to regular oatmeal, that, when cooked, makes the oats shrink. Eating a bigger volume of food is what fills you up, not the number of calories.
Making this oats overnight recipe with added flavors to mix things up has helped make my life, as well as my family’s lives, way less hectic and a lot healthier. I no longer have to give my kids an unhealthy granola bar in the morning or, even worse, let them skip breakfast altogether. If you’re looking for an easy and healthy morning meal for the whole family, try out some overnight oats!
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