The only guide to overnight oats you'll ever need + 4 summer recipes
At the first sight, porridge might seem like a cosy, nasty-weather-only breakfast crafted to create a warm feeling. An English staple, isn’t it after all?
There are, however, a thousand ways to eat oats, which are a great source of protein, have gluten-free options, and are available as old fashioned, steel cut and quick (instant) depending on the texture and cooking time.
Overnight oats are particularly great for the summer because of the variety of fresh fruits and berries as a topping, chilled feel and ability to turn into a light dessert. Did we mention they take less than 5 minutes to prepare?
The core formula is:
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oats
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milk and/or yoghurt
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chia seeds
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seed, nut or other butter
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fruits or berries
Optional mix-ins: spices, coconut flakes, chocolate chips, protein powder, seeds, sweetener, vanilla extract.
Here is an inspiration for fresh, juicy, summery overnight oats to get you started!
Tiramisu Strawberry overnight oats
Ingredients: gluten-free oats, chia seeds, strawberries, cocoa powder, brewed coffee, vanilla extract, plant-based milk, agave or maple syrup, coconut yoghurt (preferably “greek style”), protein powder (optional)
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Stir in all the dry ingredients: oats, chia seeds and cocoa powder. Then stir in coffee, milk and syrup. Place the mixture into the fridge overnight.
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In a mixing bowl, mix yoghurt with protein powder and syrup.
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In the morning, assemble a bowl or a jar by creating yoghurt- and oats-based layers.
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Finish with the yoghurt-based layer and sprinkle cocoa powder on top. Arrange sliced strawberries on top.
Other ideas:
Strawberry Cheesecake overnight oats: mash strawberries with coconut yoghurt, add to the bottom. Top with a basic overnight oats mixture, then put a layer of coconut yoghurt on top.
Tropical Mango Coconut overnight oats: mix all the ingredients, add chopped mango and coconut flakes.
Peaches and Cream overnight oats: mix in ripe chopped peaches and add a layer of coconut yoghurt.
