There’s a quiet satisfaction that comes from opening the fridge on a busy morning to find a delicious, nourishing breakfast already waiting for you. No clattering pans, no last-minute decisions, just a simple, chilled jar of goodness. This overnight oats recipe is the secret to a calmer start to your day. It’s a method I’ve refined over years of early mornings and school runs, resulting in a breakfast that’s consistently creamy, flavourful, and wonderfully satisfying. I make this at least once a week – it’s become a family favourite.

What sets this particular recipe apart is the balance of textures and the subtle sweetness that doesn’t overwhelm. We use whole rolled oats, which soak up the liquid beautifully overnight without turning to mush, retaining a pleasant, chewy bite. The addition of Greek yoghurt and chia seeds creates a luxuriously thick, pudding-like consistency that feels far more indulgent than it is. It’s the kind of healthy breakfast that genuinely feels like a treat.

This recipe works beautifully for anyone looking to streamline their morning routine, from busy professionals to parents managing the morning rush. It’s also a fantastic option for meal prep enthusiasts who want to set themselves up for a week of healthy eating. You can customise it endlessly, so it never gets boring, making it a brilliant staple to have in your culinary arsenal.

Recipe Overview

This overnight oats recipe provides a foundational base for a creamy, customisable, and healthy breakfast. Expect a thick, pudding-like texture from the chia seeds and Greek yoghurt, with the gentle sweetness of maple syrup and vanilla cutting through the richness. I’ve found that letting it rest for a minimum of eight hours gives the oats the perfect amount of time to soften while still retaining a bit of texture.

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes (8 hours chilling)
• Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
• Servings: 1 person
• Difficulty: Easy

Why You’ll Love This Overnight Oats Recipe

• Wonderfully Creamy Texture: The combination of Greek yoghurt and chia seeds works magic overnight, creating a thick, smooth consistency that is incredibly satisfying. The oats become tender but not mushy, providing a lovely gentle chew.
• Ready in 5 Minutes: The hands-on time for this recipe is genuinely just five minutes. You simply mix everything together in a jar, pop it in the fridge, and wake up to a finished breakfast.
• Utterly Flexible Recipe: This is more of a template than a strict rulebook. You can swap the milk for any dairy-free alternative like almond or oat milk, use honey instead of maple syrup, or add a scoop of protein powder for an extra boost.
• Ideal for Meal Prep: This is a cornerstone of my weekly meal prep. You can make three or four jars on a Sunday evening, and your breakfast is sorted for the busiest days of the week. They hold up beautifully in the fridge.
• Family Tested: My children adore having their own little jars to customise in the morning. They get to choose their own toppings of berries, nuts, or a drizzle of chocolate, which makes them much more excited about a healthy breakfast.

Overnight Oats Recipe

⏱️ 5 min prep  •  🍳 0 min cook  •  👥 1 servings

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe is its simplicity and reliance on pantry staples. For the oats, I always recommend using jumbo rolled oats, not the instant kind. I find brands like Flahavan’s or Quaker’s traditional rolled oats give the best texture – they absorb the liquid without disintegrating. They are a key component of what makes this a truly healthy breakfast.

• 50g jumbo rolled oats
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 120ml semi-skimmed milk (or any milk of your choice)
• 60g plain Greek yoghurt
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• A small pinch of salt
• For Topping (Optional): A handful of fresh berries (raspberries, blueberries), sliced banana, a sprinkle of toasted seeds or chopped nuts, a spoonful of almond butter.

Sophia’s Tip: Don’t skip the pinch of salt! It seems minor, but it genuinely enhances all the other flavours, balancing the sweetness of the maple syrup and bringing out the nutty character of the oats.

How to Make This Overnight Oats Recipe

The process for making these oats is straightforward and requires no cooking at all. It’s all about combining the ingredients and letting time do the work. The goal is to get everything well-incorporated so the oats and chia seeds can hydrate evenly.

1. Choose Your Container: Select a clean glass jar or a small bowl with a lid. A 400-500ml jar works well, as it gives you enough room to stir in toppings later.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the 50g of rolled oats, 1 tbsp of chia seeds, and the pinch of salt to your jar. Give it a little shake or stir to mix them together.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the 120ml of milk, 60g of Greek yoghurt, 1 tbsp of maple syrup, and ½ tsp of vanilla extract.
4. Mix Thoroughly: This step is key. Secure the lid on the jar and shake it vigorously for about 20-30 seconds until everything is well combined. Alternatively, you can stir everything together with a spoon, making sure to scrape the bottom to ensure no dry pockets of oats remain. What works best for me is shaking, as it seems to prevent the chia seeds from clumping.
5. First Rest: If you have time, let the jar sit on the counter for 10 minutes, then give it one final shake or stir. This helps to break up any chia seed clumps that may have formed.
6. Refrigerate Overnight: Place the sealed jar in the fridge and leave it for at least 6 hours, but ideally overnight (8-10 hours). This gives the oats and chia seeds ample time to absorb the liquid and create that perfect creamy texture.
7. Serve: In the morning, take the jar out of the fridge. The oats should be thick and creamy. Give it a gentle stir and add your favourite toppings. Fresh berries, a drizzle of peanut butter, and a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds are my go-to combination.

Tips From My Kitchen

• The Right Ratio: The ratio of liquid to oats is crucial. A 2:1 ratio of liquid (milk + yoghurt) to oats is a great starting point. If you prefer your oats a little thinner, add an extra splash of milk in the morning before serving.
• The Secret to Creaminess: I learned that adding Greek yoghurt is non-negotiable for the creamiest result. It adds a wonderful tangy richness and a protein boost that you just don’t get from milk alone. Full-fat yoghurt will give the most decadent texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: You can prepare a batch of these for up to 4 days in advance. Simply line up your jars and create an assembly line. Keep them sealed at the back of the fridge and add toppings just before you eat each one to keep them fresh.
• Storage: Store the sealed jars in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The texture will get slightly softer each day, but they will remain delicious. I do not recommend freezing them, as it can ruin the creamy consistency.

Equipment You’ll Need

You don’t need any fancy gadgets for this recipe, which is part of its charm.

• Glass jars with lids (approx. 400-500ml) or small airtight containers
• Measuring spoons and cups
• A spoon or spatula for mixing (optional if shaking)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using the Wrong Oats: Avoid instant or quick-cook oats. They are processed differently and will turn into a soggy, unappealing mush. Stick to jumbo rolled oats (sometimes called old-fashioned oats) for the best texture. If you’re interested in the different types of oats, you can read more about them in this helpful guide to oats.
• Not Mixing Enough: If you don’t mix the ingredients thoroughly, you can end up with dry patches at the bottom and clumps of chia seeds. Ensure everything is fully incorporated before you put it in the fridge.
• Skipping the Rest Time: Patience is key. If you try to eat them after only an hour or two, the oats will be chewy and the mixture will be watery. They need at least 6-8 hours to fully absorb the liquid and develop that signature creamy consistency.

Delicious Variations to Try

This base recipe is a blank canvas for all sorts of delicious combinations. It’s a great way to keep your healthy breakfast routine interesting.

• Chocolate Peanut Butter: Add 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder and a tablespoon of peanut butter to the base mix. Top with sliced banana or some of my favourite Peanut Butter Truffles crumbled on top for a real treat.
• Apple & Cinnamon: Stir in ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon and 2 tablespoons of finely grated apple before refrigerating. In the morning, top with a few chopped walnuts for a lovely crunch.
• Vegan & Tropical: Use coconut milk instead of dairy milk and a plant-based yoghurt. Add 2 tablespoons of desiccated coconut and top with fresh mango and pineapple chunks in the morning.

What to Serve With This Overnight Oats Recipe

Honestly, these oats are a complete meal in a jar! However, if you want to make it part of a larger breakfast or brunch, here are a few ideas.

• Fresh Fruit Salad: A bowl of vibrant, fresh fruit salad on the side complements the creamy oats beautifully and adds extra vitamins.

– **A Hearty Protein: If you fancy something savoury to go with it, my Bacon Brown Sugar Chicken Tenders are surprisingly delicious for a weekend brunch.

• Coffee or Tea: A hot cup of freshly brewed coffee or a soothing green tea is the ideal companion to start your day alongside these oats.

Frequently Asked Questions

Overnight Oats

A simple and delicious make-ahead breakfast. Creamy oats and chia seeds are soaked overnight with your favorite milk and yoghurt, ready to be topped with fresh fruit and nuts in the morning.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 6 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Servings: 1 serving

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Calories: 415

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 50 g jumbo rolled oats
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 120 ml semi-skimmed milk or any milk of your choice
• 60 g plain Greek yoghurt
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• A small pinch of salt

For Topping (Optional): A handful of fresh berries (raspberries, blueberries), sliced banana, a sprinkle of toasted seeds or chopped nuts, a spoonful of almond butter.

Method

 

1. Choose Your Container: Select a clean glass jar or a small bowl with a lid. A 400-500ml jar works well, as it gives you enough room to stir in toppings later.
2. Combine Dry Ingredients: Add the 50g of rolled oats, 1 tbsp of chia seeds, and the pinch of salt to your jar. Give it a little shake or stir to mix them together.
3. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the 120ml of milk, 60g of Greek yoghurt, 1 tbsp of maple syrup, and ½ tsp of vanilla extract.
4. Mix Thoroughly: This step is key. Secure the lid on the jar and shake it vigorously for about 20-30 seconds until everything is well combined. Alternatively, you can stir everything together with a spoon, making sure to scrape the bottom to ensure no dry pockets of oats remain. What works best for me is shaking, as it seems to prevent the chia seeds from clumping.
5. First Rest: If you have time, let the jar sit on the counter for 10 minutes, then give it one final shake or stir. This helps to break up any chia seed clumps that may have formed.
6. Refrigerate Overnight: Place the sealed jar in the fridge and leave it for at least 6 hours, but ideally overnight (8-10 hours). This gives the oats and chia seeds ample time to absorb the liquid and create that perfect creamy texture.
7. Serve: In the morning, take the jar out of the fridge. The oats should be thick and creamy. Give it a gentle stir and add your favourite toppings. Fresh berries, a drizzle of peanut butter, and a sprinkle of pumpkin seeds are my go-to combination.

Notes

Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 3 days. The oats will continue to soften over time. Add toppings just before serving for the best texture.

I truly hope this basic overnight oats recipe helps you reclaim your mornings and start your day on a delicious, stress-free note. It’s a simple act of self-care that pays off when that morning alarm goes off. If you give it a try, please let me know how you customise yours in the comments below. I love hearing about your creations!