Last Updated on March 8, 2020 by April
I find that the way I approach my morning sets the tone and pace for the rest of the day. If I wake up and skip breakfast, my eating habits get all kinds of messed up later on. Being prepared is key and it doesn’t even require much extra effort if you’ve got the right tools.
What are Overnight Oats?
Overnight oats are rolled oats soaked overnight as opposed to quickly cooked oatmeal. While they take longer, overnight oat recipes don’t require you to watch them while they cook on the stove. Because they are less work, many people choose to meal prep overnight oats. That way there is no need to stumble around your kitchen to make breakfast in the morning.
How to Make Overnight Oats
Overnight oats consist of oats, liquid, your favorite fruits, and seeds. If you don’t have time to look up a vegan oats recipe online, a general rule of thumb is 1/2 cup oats, 1/2 cup milk, and 1/2 tablespoon of seeds.
Base
Oats–Rolled oats are a common choice for the oatmeal base but steel-cut oats are another great option.
Milk–If you are looking to keep your overnight oats vegan you can use any plant-based milk like rice milk, almond milk, cashew milk, oat milk, coconut milk, etc. Otherwise, regular milk works too.
Optional Sweetener–Liquid sweeteners work best as they are easier to mix. For vegans, you’ll want to use maple syrup. For nonvegans, honey is a great option with many health benefits.
Optional Salt-A pinch of salt will help boost the flavor of your oat recipe.
Toppings
Fruit-Your favorite fresh or dried fruit will work great. See below for some delicious recipe ideas.
Seeds-Chia seeds and flax seeds are a great way to increase your fiber intake for the day. They both boast many health benefits like protein, fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats.
Tips for Meal Prepping Vegan Overnight Oats
Get a Good Container
One of the best parts about vegan overnight oats in a jar is the container. By using a glass jar container, you can enjoy your quick breakfast hot or cold.
Use Fresh Ingredients
To keep your oats from becoming soggy, use fresh fruits instead of frozen ones. Save your frozen fruits for smoothie bowls!
Steel Cut Oats Are Best if You Like Them Chewy
If you’re a fan of mushy oatmeal or want the health benefits of steel-cut oats, feel free to use them for your vegan oats.
11 Vegan Overnight Oats Recipes
Personally, my favorite breakfasts are pretty simple and I like them to taste fresh. If I have something too heavy upon waking up, then I just end up feeling like it’s time to go back to sleep! That’s why overnight oats are such a perfect option. You can combine healthy ingredients before you go to bed, throw them in the fridge and let them prepare themselves for morning nom time.
Here are some great dairy-free oatmeal recipes I’d like to share with you! Â When you are done here, have a look at these amazing vegan ice cream recipes as well.
Mango Coconut
If you’ve got the right mango cutting/scooping technique, then preparing this mango coconut oats recipe should be a total breeze. I simply cut three sections with the pit in the middle, cut a grid into the two meaty slices and then scoop out the squares.
Birthday Cake Batter
Be sure to swap out the Greek yogurt for coconut yogurt and the honey for vegan honey.
Blueberry Banana
This recipe is a great option if you’ve got to make batches for a family of different tastes because blueberries and bananas are pretty universally enjoyed.
Matcha Green Tea
Skip that morning coffee and replace it with something much healthier and more energizing, such as matcha.
Peanut Butter & Jelly
If you’re up for something pumped with antioxidants but a bit more indulgent, try this recipe that tastes like your favorite childhood sandwich. ;P
Blueberry Coconut
Coconut flakes are awesome for oats because they add a nice texture to such a creamy dish.
Multi-berry
Add a variety of berries to get interesting and fresh-tasting oatmeal.
Fruity Chia
Chia seeds work wonders for your body because they hold a ton of moisture to keep you hydrated and are full of important nutrients.
Perfect Skin
A great aspect of these antioxidant-rich breakfasts is that they give you glowing skin!
Carrot Cake
Who says carrot cake is only for dessert time?
Strawberry
I couldn’t resist sharing this one since strawberries are one of my favorite fruits. : )
Don’t shy away from taking care of yourself, especially when it’s this easy! As a bonus, these vibrant oats are great for picture taking. Be sure to send a photo to your friends so they see your amazing breakfast.
SO GOOD! Thanks so much for including my Strawberry Overnight Oats. They’re a long-time favorite of ours!
Your recipes are AH-MAZING!! Thank you for being so talented. <3 Also, your photography is to die for!