How to Make Overnight Oats

How many of us wish we could incorporate more whole grains into our diet?

In case you have not heard, we’re supposed to eat lots of whole grains to make our bellies full, keep our blood sugar steady, and increase our fiber intake to keep things (ahem) moving along smoothly.

{Related: 6 ways to eliminate constipation and build a better poop}

But sometimes it seems too time-consuming to cook up all those little grains, right? So how about a recipe that requires no cooking- and can be made with ingredients you probably have on hand right now?! Here’s how to make Overnight Oats to help your make breakfast (and your body) better.

These Overnight Oats are delicious, easy, and totally wholesome. You only need a few ingredients and a few minutes today in order to wake up to a wholesome breakfast tomorrow. On top of that, you save heaps of electricity/gas by not turning on your stove in the morning– this fact alone made my boyfriend revise his 20-year cooked oatmeal habit! This is a small batch (two servings), so double or triple depending on how many mouths you are feeding.

Overnight Oats

⅓ cup whole rolled oats
⅓ cup milk of choice
⅓ yogurt of choice (alternatively, skip yogurt and use extra milk)
¼ cup shredded coconut
1 Tablespoon chia seeds
pinch sea salt
¼ cup chopped fresh or dried fruit (banana, berries, figs, apples, etc.)

1. Stir all ingredients together in a bowl or a big jar. It will seem very soupy, but that’s ok.
2. Cover, and let sit overnight in fridge.
3. To serve: remove desired amount of oatmeal. Eat as is, or warm in a saucepan or in microwave. Add more water or milk if it is too thick.
4. Top with your favorite fruit, nut butter, jam, cereal, or dried fruits. Enjoy!

Notes: I’ve made these Overnight Oats with soy yogurt, homemade coconut yogurt, and many varieties of non-dairy milk; if you don’t like yogurt, you can also make this recipe with just the milk- simply double the amount. And if you’ve never heard of them before, chia seeds are awesome little nutritional powerhouses, full of protein, fiber, and good-for-your-brain fatty acids. You can find chia seeds in bulk food stores or in packages. For more chia inspiration, check out my recipes for Strawberry Chia Lemonade or Cherry Chia Drinks.