Easy Vanilla Overnight Oats

My family LOVES overnight oats and these Vanilla Overnight Oats are the OG oatmeal recipe around here.  So simple to make, nothing for the kiddos to complain about (well, except the one who loves chocolate oats) and they are great way to start the day!

As you know I’m a busy mom of three kiddos and like to keep my recipes simple and under 7-ingredients.  You likely have all the ingredients you need to make these overnight oats in your pantry already.

I'm all about getting a filling, good for you breakfast into my kiddos on even the busiest of mornings, and you can make it happen too! While, some of us gravitate to the warm flavors of fall (think carrot cake overnight oats and cinnamon roll overnight oats) this recipe is one that everyone can customize just how they like it!

INGREDIENTS

• Vanilla Yogurt: I like to use Greek yogurt for its creamy texture, but any vanilla yogurt variety will work.
• Oats: Old fashioned oats are the way to go here
• Vanilla Almond Milk: Easy to find in any grocery store, this just help kick up the vanilla flavor an extra bit.  If you don’t have it on hand, any milk will work.
• Vanilla Protein Powder: This is optional but a great way to add an extra protein boost to your breakfast.

STEP BY STEP DIRECTIONS

First lay out your jars and find the lids and bands to go with them.  It’s the worst when you’ve made all of your jars, but can’t find the last lid. 

Then, I measure out the oats into each jar. 

Using a measuring cup, I pour the vanilla almond milk into each jar.

After the milk is in, I add in the yogurt and the flavorings. In this case, I would add in the vanilla yogurt, the vanilla protein powder and a bit of brown sugar. 

From there, all you need to do is put a lid on it and put it into the fridge. When you are ready to eat, open the jar, stir everything together, add topping if desired and voila, breakfast is served!

Helpful Tools

I don't always insist on having specific tools for my recipes, but when making overnight oats, these items come in really handy!

• Mason Jars: I like to use these 8oz wide mouth mason jars for my oats. I think they hold the right amount for a good breakfast.  The wide mouth jar allows easy access so that you can get to every last bite. Mason jars also stack well in the fridge which is great because the recipe will last in the fridge up to 5 days.
• Bulk Oats: Buy old fashioned rolled oats in larger quantities to save money. Try either the bulk bins at Whole Foods or another bulk food store, or get them from Costco.
• 4 cup liquid measuring cup: helps speed up the process and keeps me on track with how much milk I’m pouring into each jar.
• Dry goods scoop: I like this one because it connects to a container that is perfect for storing your oats in.

FLAVOR VARIATIONS

If my kiddos are like yours, they have definite opinions about what they want to eat. If someone isn't into the simple vanilla flavor, you can offer these ideas to them as a way to customize their own jar.

• Applesauce Cinnamon Overnight Oats: skip the cinnamon and double the applesauce. This is a great option for feeding babies and toddlers. Use baby oatmeal in place of the rolled oats for a smoother texture.
• Blueberry Overnight Oats:
• Make it Vegan: Use a plant based milk and plant based yogurt. Siggi's makes a vanilla plant based yogurt that would work well.

Additional Toppings

• Granola:  Crumble Vanilla Almond Granola over the top of the vanilla overnight oats for a great combination of crunch and creaminess.
• Fresh fruit: Cherries and berries of all types pair really nicely with the vanilla flavor.  Strawberries are a fan favorite in our house.
• Fruit purees: Stir in either cherry puree or mango puree to make it a fruity twist on the classic vanilla flavor.
• Coconut shavings: Adds a nice crunch and tropical feel to your breakfast
• Homemade Whipped Cream: For a bit of indulgence, whip up a quick batch of homemade whipped cream with a splash of vanilla and a bit of powdered sugar.  Dollop on top of the vanilla overnight oats before serving.

📖 Recipe