Start your day the quick and easy way with a jar full of tasty ingredients—no cooking required!
Overnight oats are having a moment. You’ve probably seen those trendy videos on social media of chefs whipping up their custom versions. They usually have cute little jars, an abundance of fruits to choose from, and their favorite kind of milk. But wait—what if you don’t have milk? No worries! This overnight oats with water recipe has your back. These are just as tasty and even more convenient.
The trick lies in the ingredient ratio, the amount of time they chill, and one special addition. For the ratio, pair every half cup of oats with three-quarters cup of water. Then let them soak in the fridge for at least four hours, but ideally while you sleep. This creates a natural kind of oat milk in the jar. The not-so-secret special ingredient? Yogurt. It helps the overnight oats fluff up and keeps them from getting too watery. You’ll wake up to a jar full of dreamy breakfast that delivers sweetness from the honey, earthy spice from the cinnamon, creaminess from the yogurt, a touch of vanilla from the extract, and a hint of savoriness from the peanut butter. Talk about a satisfying start to the day!
Probably the handiest part of this recipe is the fact that you can take a jar with you on the go. Whether you have a long commute to work or the teacher lets you bring breakfast to class, overnight oats with water can be your new best friend.
Tips for variations
Once you’ve made this recipe a few times, you might want to play with all of its potential. It’s an incredibly versatile dish that you can customize to your preferences. For instance, I prefer Cinnamon Roll Homemade Cashew Butter over peanut butter. Then I like to add a handful of pumpkin seeds for extra crunchy plant protein. While I like to add slices of banana to the mix, you can add any berry you’d like—or switch it up entirely with other fruit, like this Cinnamon Apples Recipe. Some people also like to add cacao nibs or powder into their overnight oats, both of which are delicious if you crave a double chocolate version. Try the combos that pique your interest and have fun!
How do I store leftovers?
Although overnight oats are designed to be enjoyed all in one go, you can store leftovers in the fridge for up to 5 days. Note that the oats will continue to soften and the mixture will get mushier the longer you store it. Enjoy leftover oats cold from the fridge, or set them out for an hour or 2 so they can come to room temp.
Serving suggestions
Top your overnight oats with fresh fruit, Chocolate-Covered Raspberries, this Strawberry Whipped Cream Recipe, or a drizzle of maple syrup. They also pair really well with these Delicious Cottage Cheese Pancakes or Breakfast Sausage and Air-Fryer Hash Browns. If you want to keep it simple, pair yours with a Blueberry Banana Smoothie or a Homemade Caramel-Vanilla Iced Coffee.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 1/2 tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 2/3 cup fresh berries optional
Instructions
- Combine the oats, chia seeds, and cinnamon in a bowl.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the water, honey, vanilla extract, yogurt, and peanut butter until smooth.
- Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients. Stir until well combined with no lumps.
- Cover the bowl or jar. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight) so the oats soften.
- Before serving, stir the oats well and optionally top with fresh berries.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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