The Ultimate Overnight Oats Guide

We're fans of recipes that feature oats. Old-fashioned oats, quick oats, steel-cut oats ... it doesn't matter. We're an oat drink company, which means we're not very picky about your meal prep. (However, when you do choose to include Oatly in the recipe, we always know and always take it as a compliment.) It's long been an established fact that Oatly products work well in lunch and dinner recipes - we made a whole video series as proof - but we've recently been exploring how to incorporate Oatly in the best oats breakfast recipes. Because we're nuts for oats ... or maybe it's that we're oats nuts. 

Which brings us to our very important topic for today: overnight oats. What is it? Where is it? When is it? Is it just a version of oatmeal that you soak in the fridge overnight? Is it cooked prior? What's the expiration date? Adding fresh fruit is never not a great idea: blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, berries in general ... toss them in. But where does it end? How many ingredients can you include before your overnight oats become a disgrace? Is there a limit to the flavor add-ins? Oh, and by the way, is there a chocolate version? (Yes, of course.)

There's one certainty in life: That's too many questions. Too many questions about overnight oats, which is not as important a topic of discussion as macroeconomics or the mysteries of deep space. But, as we said above, Oatly cares a lot about your breakfast cuisine and your well-being, especially as you head into a work week. That's why we're treating the topic - and the questions we think you might ask - with as much care as we do the oat-based stuff we make and send out into the world. 

(It's probably worth noting that we desperately need to improve our SEO, which is another good reason this very long feature on overnight oats exists. So, when you're done reading this masterpiece, please mail us a handwritten letter and tell us how we did.) 

What Are Overnight Oats?  

Great question. Overnight oats are sort of like oatmeal, but don't call them oatmeal, because they're not exactly oatmeal. In reality, they're the great-great-grandchild of muesli, dreamed up by Swiss doctor Maximilian Bircher-Benner as a vitamin-rich meal for his patients to eat. Muesli features all the greatest hits: grains, seeds, nuts, fresh or dried fruit ... and good, old-fashioned rolled oats. But don't you dare cook a thing in the process - Maximilian was a raw foodist, and if you add any heat, his Swiss spirit will haunt you for all of eternity. 

To prepare a bowl of muesli, layer your ingredients in said bowl, add milk (or milk alternatives, duh), soak the concoction in the fridge overnight, wake up in the morning, stumble into the kitchen without tripping over the dog, open the fridge, give your oats a quick stir (with a spoon, not your finger), and eat it for breakfast with a little Greek Oatgurt (if you're feeling spicy). 

The gist is this: Overnight oats are basically a modern-day muesli. But please know that the Swiss still enjoy big bowls of muesli (and calling it muesli). So, the next time you're slopping your overnight oats concoction into a jar (or an airtight container) prior to a good night's sleep, remember that the Swiss gave you that gift. They might be neutral, but they're always willing to fight for proper credit. 

The Nutritional Value of Overnight Oats 

Here's where we planned on piling on 500 words of SEO-approved copy about the rise in the cultural popularity of overnight oats. But, honestly, the basic winning criteria of overnight oats is that they are just incredibly easy to make.

So, here's a quick overview: If you barely have time for a shower and shave in the morning, and if you also love nutritious breakfast cuisine that requires a simple recipe (and limited knowledge about operating kitchen appliances), then overnight oats are for you. TikTok influencers love overnight oats - probably because of how colorful and fun a recipe can look in a mason jar. So, now you can become a TikTok influencer too if you want. 

We actually think the biggest draw to overnight oats is the aforementioned nutritious part. In fact, the health benefits are so convincing that they deserve their own bulleted list (for dramatic effect). 

• First, oats are flat-out super - some might describe them as a "superfood". They contain a nutritious balance of the macro- and micronutrients we need in our day-to-day oats-loving lives, and they have naturally occurring, good unsaturated fats. Oats are also super fibrous and have naturally occurring protein that is easy to digest.
• Overnight oats are what you make of them. Add berries and fruit toppings - like raisins, blueberries, raspberries, bananas, and cranberries - to increase the fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals in your overnight oats. Include nuts like walnuts and almonds for their minerals and omega-3 fatty acids. Throw some chia seeds in there, too. Your heart will appreciate it.
• Because you'll undoubtedly use Oatly as your overnight-oat soaking milk (alternative) of choice - you wouldn't be here otherwise - let's take this opportunity to remind you that our oat drink (or oatmilk) is a source of, well, a bunch of stuff. Like ...
  
  
  • Calcium (you know, for strong teeth and bones!) and riboflavin (B2), which contributes to a normal energy-yielding metabolism and to the functioning of the nervous system, red blood cells, skin, and normal vision.
  • Vitamin B12, which contributes to normal red blood cells and nervous and immune system function.
  • And vitamin D, which helps facilitate calcium absorption, the maintenance of normal bones, teeth, and muscles, and the normal functioning of the immune system.
    
    

• Finally, overnight oats aid in stress relief - because now that you have your mason jar, your reusable spoon, and a better purpose in life, you don't have to wait in a packed café or drive-thru line for a sad, floppy breakfast croissant. 

Best Ingredients for Your Overnight Oats  

OK, since we've explained what overnight oats are and laid out their basic nutritional value, the next thing to do on our checklist is list ingredients that taste delightful in overnight oats recipes. Yes, we kind of just did that above, but we're not here to split hairs. We're here to continue typing and creating excellent content about overnight oats. So, let's go over some other ingredients and provide even more flavor options - because every bowl of overnight oats is a bowl with which you get to show your authentic, creative self. 

• Your number one best basic ingredient: oats. Our recipe below (you're almost there!) calls for old-fashioned rolled oats, but steel-cut oats work as well. It's all about personal preference. The world is your oyster.
• Next, forget the almond milk, the soy milk, and the dairy milk. We only deal in milk squeezed from oats. So, make sure your fridge is stocked with Oatly. We recommend you have on hand 6 to 10 cartons for breakfast purposes at all times.
• If you want to enhance flavor and texture, add peanut butter, add vanilla extract, add yogurt (or, better yet, Oatgurt), add a dash of coconut, a sprinkle of chia seeds, or a dusting of ground cinnamon at the end. Maple syrup is a fun option to turn your overnight oats into a pancake. If you want to add chocolate chips, add chocolate chips. This is judgment-free overnight oats content. 

An Oatly-Style Overnight Oats Recipe 

It's recipe time! Finally. We've spent long enough waxing poetic about the innovations of the Swiss and the nutritional positives of oats and overnight oats. It's time to give you, the breakfast-loving reader, something actionable to take away from this - something delicious and healthy to eat that involves very little prep and no real cooking. Lucky you! 

Our Overnight Oats with Shiro Miso recipe encourages you to improvise - which, if you've read this far, should come as no surprise. Aside from using porridge oats (or rolled oats), Oatly (duh), and shiro miso, you can open your refrigerator and start riffing with berries, Oatgurt, and maybe even some extra Oatly for a creamier texture to round out the recipe. 

We actually designed an image for our overnight oats recipe ... and it looks way nicer than a bunch more words on a computer screen. But we'll do both anyway. 

How to Store Your Overnight Oats 

We're not done yet. You just used our recipe to make your overnight-oat creation, so you need to learn how to properly store it. And though this is an important tidbit because people like to make overnight oats in batches, it's also incredibly straightforward.  

Our minimal research says that you can store overnight oats in airtight containers for up to five days and they'll stay good in the refrigerator. Glass mason jars or plastic containers ... dealer's choice. Airtight is key. And the longer they're in the refrigerator, the more they'll soften. It's science - we can't explain it. So, if you like your overnight oats with a super creamy texture, keep them in the fridge a couple of days so the oats have time to soak in all the goodness. Then give them a good stir to blend the ingredients together (with a spoon, not your finger), and eat them on a power walk around your neighborhood. 

If you're wondering about freezing your overnight oats - and people do wonder about such things - you can do that, too, if you want. For up to three months, apparently. But for the purposes of this substantive SEO-rich content, we think that's kind of silly. 

Frequently Asked Questions About Overnight Oats 

Typically, near the end of a wildly informative, expertly written feature about a niche, focused topic, you might find an FAQ section. Therefore, we included some frequently asked questions about overnight oats to keep up appearances. 

Can I use water instead of oatmilk/milk ? 

What?! No, don't do that. Use oatmilk and only oatmilk. What a strange question. 

Are Overnight Oats Gluten-Free? 

Oats are naturally gluten-free, but they often contain traces of other grains like wheat, barley, or rye. So, if you need your oats to be gluten-free, buy oats that are gluten-free and, of course, confirm that all of the ingredients you're adding to the overnight oats are also gluten-free - because there's plenty you can experiment with. 

In the U.S., Oatly sources guaranteed gluten-free oats, and all of our products are guaranteed gluten-free, so you should feel confident in adding Oatly to your overnight oats. Outside of the U.S., however, we don't promise a completely gluten-free drink. 

How do I make my overnight oats creamier? 

Easy. Let them sit a while longer in the refrigerator so that the oats soak in the liquid and become softer. Then when you're ready to eat/scarf them down, add a bit more Oatly to unlock a new level of creaminess. 

Go Make Some Overnight Oats Already 

We have reached the end of this overnight oats feature. It has actually happened. You now know the origin story of overnight oats. It was invented by the Swiss, it's not really oatmeal, and it often is stored in mason jars. You also learned the nutritional value of overnight oats (broadly speaking) and were even gifted a pretty decent overnight oats recipe by us, Oatly.  

The only thing left to do is head to the market with a laundry list of main ingredients and ideas for toppings (chia seeds, raisins, honey, walnuts, cinnamon, coconut, and so on) and start fixing yourself a bowl of overnight oats. We like the idea of going simple and pure the first go-round - don't overcomplicate it, find a good texture - before unleashing the true artist inside of you and going off the wall by creating a flavor that does justice to the 2,000 words about overnight oats you were just subjected to.