This article was reviewed by Felix Gussone, MD.
If you’re looking for a healthy, hassle-free breakfast, overnight oats are the way to go.
We might be a little biased, but we think our chocolate almond butter version is the best overnight oats recipe out there. Packed with protein and fiber, it’s the perfect make-ahead meal to fuel busy mornings.
Whether it’s your first time making overnight oats or you’re a seasoned quick oats enthusiast, this high-protein, fiber-rich recipe is sure to win you over. Trust us — once you try it, you’ll wonder why you didn’t start prepping overnight oatmeal sooner.
Get the details below.
Related: 10 Healthy Snacks for Weight Loss
What Are Overnight Oats?
Overnight oats are basically just oats soaked in milk overnight.
The milk softens the oats up, so you don’t have to worry about doing any stovetop cooking. Just mix and refrigerate everything overnight, and you’ll have a delicious, nutritious breakfast waiting for you in the morning.
Why We Love This Overnight Oats Recipe
There are many reasons we love this easy, healthy recipe for overnight oats. Check out the main benefits below. It’s Endlessly Versatile and CustomizableThe base recipe for overnight oats is the perfect canvas for various toppings with different flavors and textures. Its versatility allows you to mix things up daily or even batch your toppings for the week.
If you get bored eating the same thing over and over again, this might be a good solution for you.
By keeping your favorite ingredients stocked in the pantry, you can make your mornings more exciting and motivating — because you’ll eagerly spring out of bed to enjoy a delicious breakfast (well, maybe not eagerly, but you get the picture).
It’s Packed With Nutrients
This recipe calls for Greek yogurt and oats. Oats are rich in fiber, which supports heart health, digestion, immune function, and can help stabilize cholesterol levels. It can also reduce inflammation and help you feel fuller longer, lowering your overall caloric intake and preventing overeating: Research has shown over and over again that dietary fiber helps adults with overweight or obesity lose weight and stick to a calorie-restricted diet.
Our overnight oats recipe is also high in protein thanks to the Greek yogurt. Dietary protein helps preserve lean muscle mass, which is particularly important when you’re working on fitness and weight management.
Because of the versatility of overnight oats, the nutritional value of the whole meal will really depend on the toppings you add.
For example, if you want to up the fiber ante even further and bring in some antioxidants — which help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals — add strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, or raspberries. Berries offer a nice balance between sweet and tart. Citrus fruits, on the other hand, can turn up the vitamin C.
One last thing that’s worth pointing out for those wondering: Pure oats are actually gluten-free and generally considered safe for those with a gluten intolerance.
It’s Easy to Make Ahead
It’s incredibly easy to make this chocolate almond butter overnight oats recipe in batches. You can store it in an airtight container for up to five days or longer, depending on what kind of milk you use.
Whether you’re meal prepping just one serving or a week’s worth, it’s a simple and time-saving option. This make-ahead breakfast lets you enjoy a nutritious start to your day without having to rush or deal with a big production and clean-up on busy mornings.
Chocolate Almond Butter Overnight Oats Ingredient Highlights
Being high in fiber and protein, oats contain omega-3 fatty acids, essential minerals like potassium, iron, and magnesium, and B vitamins for energy and cognitive function. If you have steel-cut oats on hand, you can use those, but they’re chewier and firmer, so they take a little longer to set and soften.
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Unsweetened vanilla almond milk. You can use your milk of choice, whether coconut milk, oat milk, cashew milk, or dairy milk. That said, unsweetened almond milk is a fantastic option because it’s low in calories and sugar while still upping your calcium intake.
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It’s a good source of probiotics, which may help enhance gut health, support the digestive system, and fight inflammation. You could also use a plant-based option if you’re trying to keep the recipe dairy-free.
- It can bring extra fiber, protein, vitamins, and minerals that support heart and digestive health. Flax seeds are also a good option.
- Maple syrup. Grade-A maple syrup is a good sweetener option since it’s less processed than others. Agave works, too, if you have that on handAlmond butter. Have we mentioned the importance of protein? Almond butter also has more healthy and less saturated fats than peanut butter. Beyond adding nutritional value, almond butter tastes slightly less rich and distinct than other nut butters, so it won’t overpower the recipe. Still, peanut butter isn’t a bad option — especially if you want to channel a PB&J.
Possible Toppings and Add-Ins
- Dried fruit (which lasts in the pantry longer)
- Sugar-free chocolate chips or cacao nibs
- A drizzle of almond butter on top for an extra punch of protein and flavor
- Chopped pecans, almonds, or whatever nut combo you prefer
- A sprinkle of cocoa powder or ground cinnamon
The possibilities are truly endless.
How to Make Overnight Oats
Ready to get started with breakfast meal prep? Here’s how to make overnight oats, whether you whip up our chocolate almond butter version or tweak the flavor combo with other ingredients:
- Gather your ingredients.
- Mix everything together in a mason jar with a spoon until the ingredients are combined.
- Cover the mason jar securely.
- Pop it in the fridge and let it chill overnight.
- When you’re ready to eat it, take it out of the fridge and add your toppings of choice.
Chocolate Almond Butter Overnight OatsServings: 1
Cook time: 0 minutes
Total time: 10 to 15 minutes
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt (2%)
- 1 Tbsp. chia seeds
- 20 grams chocolate protein powder (one to two scoops)
- 1 Tbsp. maple syrup
- 1 Tbsp. almond butter
Instructions:
- Mix in the oats, almond milk, yogurt, chia seeds, protein powder, maple syrup, and almond butter in a 16-ounce mason jar.
- Stir everything together with a spoon to combine the ingredients.
- The next day, open the lid and garnish your oats with your desired toppings.
Overnight Oats Nutrition Information
See how the nutritional information breaks down for this overnight oats recipe.
Kcal: 463
Total fat: 18 grams
Saturated fat: 0 grams
Trans fat: 3 grams
Sodium: 212 milligrams
Total carbohydrates: 41 grams
Dietary fiber: 10 grams
Total sugars: 17 grams
Added sugars: 0 grams
Protein: 36 grams
High-protein overnight oats are considered one of the best breakfasts for those looking to eat healthier and lose or maintain weight. Check out our weight loss diet plan for women for more simple recipe ideas.
This article originally appeared on ForHers.com and was syndicated by MediaFeed.org.
Featured Image Credit: AnnaPustynnikova/Istockphoto.
