There’s something uniquely satisfying about waking up knowing that a delicious, wholesome breakfast is already waiting for you. No pots to watch, no toast to burn – just a creamy, flavourful jar of goodness ready to grab and go. That’s the magic of a great overnight oats recipe. It transforms your morning routine from a frantic rush into a moment of calm enjoyment. For years, I struggled to find a breakfast that was both healthy and genuinely appealing, something that didn’t feel like a chore to eat. Then I discovered the simple brilliance of soaked oats.

This particular recipe has become an absolute staple in our house. I make this at least once a week – it’s become a family favourite, with everyone customising their own jar the night before. What makes this version so special is the balance of textures and flavours we’ve perfected over time. The oats become wonderfully soft and creamy, but not mushy, thanks to the addition of chia seeds which create a lovely pudding-like consistency. The hint of vanilla and the natural sweetness from a touch of maple syrup elevates it from simple healthy oatmeal to something that feels like a proper treat.

It’s the ideal breakfast for anyone with a busy schedule, from parents getting children ready for school to professionals needing to get out of the door promptly. But it’s also wonderful for a slow weekend morning when you just want something nourishing without any effort. It’s a blueprint for a better breakfast, and once you have the base recipe down, the possibilities for customisation are endless.

Recipe Overview

This overnight oats recipe is your foundation for a perfect make-ahead breakfast. The flavour profile is creamy, subtly sweet, and incredibly versatile, acting as a canvas for your favourite toppings. Expect a rich, thick texture from the Greek yoghurt and chia seeds, with the wholesome, nutty taste of rolled oats at its heart. After trying various ratios, I found that adding just a tiny pinch of salt is crucial; it doesn’t make the oats salty but sharpens all the other flavours, especially the sweetness of the fruit.

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

Why You’ll Love This Overnight Oats Recipe

• Genuine Flavour: The combination of creamy Greek yoghurt, nutty chia seeds, and sweet maple syrup creates a base that’s rich and satisfying without being heavy. The vanilla extract adds a lovely warmth that complements almost any fruit topping.
• Ready in 5 Minutes: The hands-on preparation is genuinely just 5 minutes of measuring and stirring before you pop it in the fridge. It’s the ultimate low-effort, high-reward meal.
• Flexible Recipe: This is a fantastic base for experimentation. Swap the berries for sliced banana and a spoonful of peanut butter, try a tropical version with mango and coconut flakes, or add a teaspoon of cocoa powder for a chocolatey twist.
• Works Brilliantly for Meal Prep: You can prepare several jars at once to sort out your breakfast for the next few days. It’s a game-changer for staying on track with healthy eating during a busy week.
• Family Tested: My children absolutely love being in charge of their own breakfast jars. They have a great time adding their chosen fruits and a little sprinkle of granola just before they dig in. It always gets compliments from everyone who tries it.

Overnight Oats Recipe

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

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple, wholesome ingredients. I always recommend using old-fashioned rolled oats rather than instant or jumbo oats. They absorb the liquid perfectly overnight, resulting in a creamy texture with a satisfying, gentle chew. I find brands like Flahavan’s or Quaker consistently deliver great results. For the best flavour, use a good quality vanilla extract, not essence.

• 50g old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 120ml milk of your choice (dairy, almond, oat, or soya all work well)
• 60g plain Greek yoghurt (or a dairy-free alternative)
• 1-2 tbsp maple syrup, to taste
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• A tiny pinch of sea salt
• A handful of mixed berries (about 75g), fresh or frozen
• For Topping (Optional):
• Extra berries
• 1 tbsp chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans) or seeds (pumpkin, sunflower)
• A drizzle of honey or maple syrup

Marcus’s Tip: If you’re using frozen berries, there’s no need to thaw them first. Just stir them directly into the mixture. As they defrost overnight, they release their lovely juices, which infuse the oats with extra flavour and a beautiful colour.

How to Make This Overnight Oats Recipe

The process couldn’t be more straightforward. All you need is a jar or container with a secure lid – a 450-500ml jam jar or a Kilner jar works wonderfully. The key is to ensure everything is mixed thoroughly before chilling to avoid any dry clumps.

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In your jar, add the 50g of rolled oats, 1 tbsp of chia seeds, and the pinch of sea salt. Give it a quick stir with a spoon to distribute everything evenly.
2. Add the Liquids: Pour in the 120ml of milk, 60g of Greek yoghurt, 1-2 tbsp of maple syrup, and ½ tsp of vanilla extract.
3. Mix Thoroughly: This is the most important step! Stir everything together vigorously until it is fully combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the jar to make sure there are no pockets of dry oats or clumps of chia seeds. The mixture will look quite liquidy at this stage, but it will thicken up overnight.
4. Add Berries (Optional): Gently fold in your 75g of mixed berries if you want them mixed throughout.
5. Seal and Chill: Secure the lid on your jar and place it in the fridge. Let it sit for at least 4 hours, but for the best texture, leave it overnight (around 8 hours). This gives the oats and chia seeds ample time to absorb the liquid and soften.
6. Serve: In the morning, give the oats a good stir to loosen them up. If the mixture is too thick for your liking, you can add another splash of milk. Top with your favourite extras like more fresh berries, a sprinkle of nuts, or a final drizzle of maple syrup before serving.

Tips From My Kitchen

• The Right Oats Matter: For that classic creamy, slightly chewy texture, you must use rolled oats. Instant oats will turn to mush, and steel-cut oats won’t soften enough without being cooked, resulting in a very firm, chewy texture. This is a great overview of the different types of oats and how they behave.
• The Secret Step: I learned that giving the oats a final, vigorous stir in the morning before adding toppings makes a huge difference. It reincorporates any liquid that might have separated and makes the final texture incredibly smooth and consistent.
• Make-Ahead Master: This recipe is brilliant for meal prep. I often make three or four jars on a Sunday evening, which sets me up with a healthy breakfast until Wednesday or Thursday. They keep perfectly.
• Storage: Store your prepared overnight oats in an airtight jar or container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The texture may soften slightly each day, but the flavour will remain delicious.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using the Wrong Oats: As mentioned, using instant oats is the quickest way to a disappointing, mushy breakfast. Stick with old-fashioned rolled oats for the ideal consistency.
• Not Mixing Well Enough: If you don’t stir the mixture thoroughly, you can end up with dense clumps of chia seeds at the bottom and dry patches of oats on top. Take an extra 30 seconds to ensure everything is fully incorporated.
• Skipping the Soaking Time: Patience is key. The oats and chia seeds need several hours to absorb the liquid, soften, and create that creamy texture. Trying to eat them after just an hour or two will result in a soupy, gritty consistency. Aim for at least 4 hours, but overnight is always best.

Delicious Variations to Try

Once you’ve mastered the base recipe, it’s incredibly fun to experiment with different flavour combinations. Here are a few of our favourites:

• Apple Pie Oats: Instead of berries, stir in ½ a grated apple, ¼ tsp of cinnamon, and a tiny pinch of nutmeg. Top with toasted pecans and a drizzle of maple syrup in the morning. For another comforting breakfast idea, check out our Maple Pecan Sticky Buns.
• Peanut Butter Banana Oats: Omit the berries and stir in 1 tbsp of smooth or crunchy peanut butter with the wet ingredients. In the morning, top with freshly sliced banana and a sprinkle of chocolate chips.

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• Vegan Chocolate Oats: Use oat milk and a coconut-based yoghurt. Add 1 tbsp of unsweetened cocoa powder to the dry ingredients and an extra dash of maple syrup to balance the bitterness. This is so rich it almost feels like dessert, just like our Stuffed Cookies Recipe.

What to Serve With This Overnight Oats Recipe

Overnight oats are a complete meal on their own, but on days when you need a little something extra, here are a few ideas:

• A Hot Drink: A freshly brewed coffee, a strong cup of English breakfast tea, or a matcha latte all pair beautifully with the creamy oats.
• Extra Protein: If you’ve just finished a workout, serving your oats alongside a hard-boiled egg or a small protein shake can help with recovery.
• A Side of Fruit: While there is fruit in the oats, a small bowl of fresh melon or a segmented orange on the side adds a refreshing contrast.

Frequently Asked Questions

Overnight Oats Recipe

A simple, healthy, and customizable make-ahead breakfast. Oats and chia seeds soak overnight in a creamy mixture for a perfect grab-and-go meal.

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 8 hours hrs 5 minutes mins

Servings: 1 serving

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Calories: 440

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 50 g old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 120 ml milk of your choice dairy, almond, oat, or soya all work well
• 60 g plain Greek yoghurt or a dairy-free alternative
• 1-2 tbsp maple syrup to taste
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• A tiny pinch of sea salt
• A handful of mixed berries about 75g, fresh or frozen

For Topping (Optional)

• Extra berries
• 1 tbsp chopped nuts almonds, walnuts, or pecans or seeds (pumpkin, sunflower)
• A drizzle of honey or maple syrup

Method

 

1. Combine Dry Ingredients: In your jar, add the 50g of rolled oats, 1 tbsp of chia seeds, and the pinch of sea salt. Give it a quick stir with a spoon to distribute everything evenly.
2. Add the Liquids: Pour in the 120ml of milk, 60g of Greek yoghurt, 1-2 tbsp of maple syrup, and ½ tsp of vanilla extract.
3. Mix Thoroughly: This is the most important step! Stir everything together vigorously until it is fully combined. Scrape down the sides and bottom of the jar to make sure there are no pockets of dry oats or clumps of chia seeds. The mixture will look quite liquidy at this stage, but it will thicken up overnight.
4. Add Berries (Optional): Gently fold in your 75g of mixed berries if you want them mixed throughout.
5. Seal and Chill: Secure the lid on your jar and place it in the fridge. Let it sit for at least 4 hours, but for the best texture, leave it overnight (around 8 hours). This gives the oats and chia seeds ample time to absorb the liquid and soften.
6. Serve: In the morning, give the oats a good stir to loosen them up. If the mixture is too thick for your liking, you can add another splash of milk. Top with your favourite extras like more fresh berries, a sprinkle of nuts, or a final drizzle of maple syrup before serving.

Notes

Oats will keep in an airtight jar in the fridge for up to 3 days. The mixture will thicken over time; add a splash of milk before serving if needed.

This overnight oats recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a simple, effective way to make your mornings better. It’s nourishing, adaptable, and takes the stress out of breakfast. I truly hope you give this a try and see how easily it fits into your routine. Let me know your favourite flavour combinations in the comments below – I’m always looking for new ideas!

All the best,
Marcus Bennett