A brand new year has arrived and the chill of winter is in the air, which calls for a more comforting kind of breakfast… like oatmeal! January is National Oatmeal Month, and with good reason. This breakfast time staple boasts a whole host of health benefits including the ability to stabilize blood sugar, help to lower “bad” cholesterol, and reduce the risk of high blood pressure. Pretty cool, right?
While the healthiest kind of oats are whole rolled or steel cut (as opposed to the sugary processed stuff in the packet), we all know that getting out the door in the morning can be enough of a challenge without having to cook a meal. Whether your New Year’s resolution is to eat breakfast everyday, get healthy, or just get out the door on time, these 3 healthy overnight oat recipes can help you accomplish your goals in a quick and easy way. Just prep them the night before, stick ’em in the fridge, and be on your way in the morning. You can heat them up or eat them cold, and package them in a wide-mouth pint mason jar for extra portability!
Cinnamon Honey Nut Overnight Oats
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 4 tablespoons sliced almonds, divided
Directions: In a pint-sized mason jar, combine oats and milk. Stir in honey, vanilla, cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons sliced almonds. Cover and refrigerate overnight, then top with remaining 2 tablespoons of almonds and a sprinkle of cinnamon before eating.
Banana Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 1/2 banana, mashed
• 2 tablespoons peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Directions: In a pint-sized mason jar, combine oats and milk. Stir in banana, peanut butter, chocolate chips, and sea salt. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Top with sliced bananas and more chocolate chips as desired.
Berry Vanilla Overnight Oats
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
• 3 tablespoons dried berries (I used strawberries, blueberries, cranberries, and cherries)
• 1 tablespoon reduced-sugar raspberry jam
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• fresh raspberries for serving
Directions: In a pint-sized mason jar, combine oats and milk. Stir in dried berries, jam, honey, and vanilla. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Top with fresh raspberries as desired.
Have you ever tried overnight oats before? What’s your favorite oatmeal topping? Let us know in the comments!
