Basic Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds

Overnight oats are the ultimate weekday breakfast: easy to make, batch-able, don’t require cooking, and a great vessel for other superfoods like fruit and nuts.

Let’s face it: most of us eat lunch in front of the computer and dinner in front of the Netflix machine (or is that just me?). Breakfast is an amazing opportunity to eat an energizing, nourishing meal (like these overnight oats with chia seeds!) – perhaps your only one that day.

So What Are Overnight Oats?

Basic overnight oats are a mixture of dry rolled oats and milk, which is left in the fridge overnight. The oats are technically raw, but they soak up the milk and become soft overnight, taking on the texture of cooked oats. You can eat them cold, straight out of the fridge, or you can heat them up in the morning – on the stove or in the microwave – which I prefer during the colder months.

Overnight oats are the perfect breakfast because they’re assembled in advance, can be made in a large batch, and DON’T EVEN REQUIRE COOKING. A total game-changer.

Add-ins and Toppings

You want to make sure to sweeten your overnight oats – I recommend liquid sweeteners like maple syrup, date syrup, or honey.

I also like to stir in some chia seeds. Chia seeds are considered a “superfood” since they provide a lot of nutrition for their small stature. For instance, just two tablespoons of chia seeds contain as much protein as one egg. They’re rich in fiber, which helps control blood sugar and cholesterol, and promotes gut health. They’re also an awesome source of plant-based omega-3 fatty acids and calcium.

Another cool thing about chia seeds is that they take on a gel-like consistency when mixed with a liquid (see: chia pudding). The fact that they absorb water also means they expand in your stomach during digestion, which may help you feel full for longer.

As for toppings, the world is your oyster (as long as you don’t put actual oysters on your overnight oats). I like to drizzle mine with almond butter, and pile on fruit like blueberries and bananas. If you’re feeling luxurious, sprinkle on cacao nibs and toasted coconut flakes.

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