I am relatively new to overnight oats, only in the last couple of years have I experimented with different recipes, flavours and textures. Two recipes, in particular, are now staples on my monthly breakfast list. In this article I'll share with you these two favourites; one overnight oats recipe with no yoghurt, vegan-friendly and packed with fibre, and another made with greek yoghurt and fresh fruit. There'll also be a nod to a chocolate recipe I've dabbled with!
What makes these recipes even better is that they are super low in refined sugar - yet packed with natural sweetness. Overnight oats are also full of fibre and, if you have the greek yoghurt recipe, there’s plenty of protein in there too.
Let's get into it...
What are overnight oats?
Essentially overnight oats are oats soaked in a liquid- that doesn’t sound very appetising does it? Let me rephrase. Jumbo oats soaked in the sweetness of orange juice or creamy thickness of greek yoghurt, combined with fresh fruit and given time to absorb all the flavours overnight to enjoy the next morning with zero effort! There, that's better.
Do you have to soak the oats overnight?
Not at all, an hour or two will give you a similar result, however prepping the night before for the next day, especially if it's a busy day is a no-brainer. These overnight oats recipes are ideal for energy-packed lunches on the run. Last year my friends and I climbed Mount Snowdon. We got up super early to set off on our climb and I took a container of overnight oats with me to eat en route (see pic below)
I also took a sandwich bag full of my sugar-free granola with me to snack on the climb!
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How long do overnight oats last?
In theory, you can keep the overnight oats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. However, I've personally never left mine that long, I always eat mine within 48 hours so they are still tasting fresh.
What can you use to soak the overnights oats in?
Whole milk
Oat milk
Coconut milk
Almond Milk
Greek Yoghurt
Coconut Yoghurt
Orange Juice
And many other liquids, but the above I've personally tried and enjoyed.
Do you have to use oats?
Overnight 'oats' to me says yep oats, but note you can use other grains and soak them overnight, such as rolled spelt.
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Recipe 1 of 2:
Overnight Oats Recipe UK
Makes 1 serving
5 minutes (and overnight soaking time)
Super-Easy
Ingredients
1 orange (juice of real orange)
30-40g oats
1 tbsp flax seeds
1 tbsp chia seed
1 tbsp sunflower seeds
6-8 cashews
6-8 almonds
2 tbsp raisins
2-4 pieces soft dried apricots or mango chopped
To Serve:
Yoghurt (I enjoy Greek or coconut), or kefir
Fruit (I love banana, raspberries or blueberries)
Toasted coconut flakes
Method
Mix all ingredients in the orange juice well, cover and leave in the fridge overnight
Serve
Serve with a dollop of Greek or coconut yoghurt or kefir, and top with blueberries or fruit of your choice and coconut flakes.
Shoutout to Hugh Fearbley-Whittingstall!
This overnight oats recipe was inspired by a recipe by Hugh Fearbley-Whittingstall, the author of the cookbook Eat Healthy Forever. I highly recommend reading this book - he puts healthy eating with scientific facts in simple terms.
Recipe 2 of 2:
Overnight Oats With Greek Yoghurt
Makes 1 serving
5 minutes (and overnight soaking time)
Super-Easy
Ingredients
30g jumbo oats
1/2 mashed banana
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tsp flax seeds
1 tbsp raisins
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp Truvia (or another stevia sweetener)
1 tbsp peanut butter (I love PipnNut brand)
3 tbsp Greek yoghurt
Splash of oat milk
Palmful of blueberries
Topping:
No-added sugar jam (I love SkinnyFoodsCo blackcurrant)
Extra blueberries
Method
Mix all oat ingredients well in a bowl and place in a jar
Top with jam and blueberries (sometimes I add a layer of jam and blueberries in between 2 oat layers for extra yum-points)
Seal and leave overnight in the fridge
Enjoy this super-thick protein-packed recipe!
BONUS RECIPE!
Chocolate, banana and peanut butter overnight oats recipe UK
Makes 1 serving
5 minutes (and overnight soaking time)
Super-Easy
Ingredients
30g jumbo oats
1 tbsp raisins
1 tbsp mixed seeds
1 tsp chia seeds
1 tbsp peanut butter
1 tsp cinnamon ground
1 tsp Truvia
3 tbsp Greek yog (or plant based)
Splash of oat milk
1/2 banana mashed
Topping:
1/2 sliced banana
2 tbsp no added sugar jam ( i like SkinnyFoodsCo)
Choc:
1/2 tbsp Cocoa
2 tbsp warm water
1 tsp Truvia (or another stevia-based sweetener)
Method
Mix all oat ingredients well in a bowl and place in a jar
Top with the banana slices then spread a thin layer of jam
Separately, mix cocoa water and Truvia well then pour on top of the banana
Refrigerate overnight
Delicious!
So will you be adding any of these Overnight oats recipes (UK) to your weekly menu from now on?
The great thing about overnight oats is it's so versatile and great for a busy next-day - you can experiment with different fruits, nuts, and seeds and yoghurts. I must admit the orange-soaked oats are my personal fav!
Feel free to share your variations on this recipe with me and my new food-based Instagram profile: @foodwholefood. If you're in need of some delicious organic fresh fruit then look no further than Riverford too!
Happy cooking!
Jen - Author
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