The revelation that is ‘Overnight Oats’ seems to have gripped our imaginations, with everyone wanting an inspiring and different recipe. It took a colleague of mine to ask me for an official recipe to realise that the possibilities are endless. So I set about developing 3 different combinations to share with you.
Once you have the base recipe you can experiment with numerous connotations. It’s not difficult to adapt the base if you have any dietary requirements, such as non-diary, by using plant or nut milk, or if you are following a diet plan such as Slimming World or Weight Watchers, Overnight Oats is adaptable too. For Slimming World simply use the oats and milk as your healthy choices.
Make the basic recipe the evening before and store it in the fridge overnight. The general rule is to add frozen or dried fruit when you make the initial mixture, then when you come to serve or decant your oats, add fresh or soft fruit, yoghurt and any toppings you fancy. The exception to this is grated apple or pear, which I often add in the evening.
It’s very simple to make the base Overnight Oats.
Ingredients
50g Porridge Oats
150ml your chosen Milk
1 Teaspoon Runny Honey
1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds
Fresh and frozen fruit of your choice
2 Tablespoons of Yoghurt
Chopped nuts and seeds to garnish
Method
Place the container on your scales. Weigh your porridge oats into the container and add your chosen milk. A good tip is that liquid weighs the same as solids, so 150g is equivalent to 150ml. Using your scales to measure liquid saves on washing up a jug and pouring the right amount is much easier. Now give your oats a good mix and add any dried, grated or frozen fruit you want to add. I sometimes add a scoop of protein powder at this point too, and then it makes a nutritious, re-fuelling breakfast if you’re going to eat your oats after the gym or exercise.
Next add the Chia Seeds (I add these to all my recipes for Overnight Oats) and the honey. and give it a good stir.
Now all you need to do is pop the sealed container in the fridge and wait until morning.
When you are ready to eat or serve your oats, then it’s time to begin transforming your rather sludgy looking mixture into a gorgeous breakfast! It’s at this point I choose my container if I’m transporting my oats, and I add a layer of yoghurt to the base of the container to begin the layering effect. I find a wide glass Kilner jar works well as the neck is wide and it just looks kind of pretty in layers. Next, transfer your mixture of oats and milk into the serving container, scraping out all the oaty goodness. Now you can add your toppings and fresh or soft fruit. Get creative and seasonal – choose nuts, seeds and fruits to complement your choice of yoghurt and base. Seal your jar or container and off you go! If you are not transporting your oats, then carry out the same layering effect in a pretty bowl, arranging your soft fruit, nuts and seeds etc around the bowl.
Don’t forget to store your finished creation in the fridge if you’re not eating it straight away.
There is something satisfying about overnight oats – maybe because they look so pretty all layered in a jar – it’s like eating art!
Why not try these different combinations:
Chocolate Orange:
Add a Tablespoon of good quality cocoa powder to the base recipe, along with a few chopped dried dates. In the morning, use passionfruit yoghurt as a base layer and garnish with fresh orange segments, pomegranate seeds and pistachios.
Tropical:
Add 1 tablespoon of desiccated coconut to the overnight mixture. Use coconut yoghurt as a base layer and top with chopped kiwi fruit, passion fruit puree and coconut flakes.
Banana and Raspberry:
This is my absolute favourite and my usual go-to recipe, as I always have frozen raspberries in the freezer and I usually have bananas. Use raspberry yoghurt as your base layer, top with bananas and a few fresh or frozen raspberries and a few chopped nuts (I use pistachios as I love their lime green colour).
You can have fun enjoying different flavour combinations.