Overnight oatmeal porridge makes for a creamy, hassle-free breakfast packed with nutrients. Preparing it the night before ensures a delicious, no-fuss meal to kickstart your morning with healthy goodness.
Overnight oatmeal porridge
On mornings when every minute counts, Overnight Oatmeal Porridge is your best friend. So what is it? It’s a no-cook method of making porridge where you soak oats in milk (or any liquid of your choice) overnight. By morning, you’ll have a ready-to-eat, creamy, and nourishing breakfast. It’s a time-saving, no-cook breakfast option that’s as nutritious as it is convenient.
All you need to do is simply combine oats, milk, yogurt, and optional but recommended chia seeds with sweetener and let it rest in the refrigerator overnight. The mixture absorbs the liquid, resulting in a creamy and flavorful porridge.
You can serve it cold or warm and customize it with your favorite toppings like blueberries, coconut shavings, or a side of hard-boiled eggs. Leftovers can be enjoyed as a snack in between meals or even as a dessert after meals. This meal is super satisfying and enjoyable.
Why It’s Good
Effortless Preparation: No cooking required. Mix and refrigerate; your breakfast will be ready when you are ready the next day.
Nutrient-Packed: Oats are a fantastic source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, offering a wholesome way to kickstart your day.
Customizable: Whether you prefer sweet or savory, you can tailor your oatmeal with an array of toppings and flavorings.
Saves Time: Prepare it the night before, and you’ll have a satisfying breakfast that’s instantly ready in the morning.
Ingredients you’ll need
Rolled Oats: This is the main ingredient in this overnight oatmeal porridge recipe. Rolled oats absorb the liquid and soften overnight, creating a creamy and hearty texture that is perfect for a delicious and nutritious breakfast.
Milk (dairy or non-dairy): This adds moisture and helps soften the oats as they soak.
Greek yogurt: This enhances the texture and creaminess of the oats.
Chia seeds: These can be added for extra fiber and a thicker consistency.
Honey or sweetener of choice (optional): This adds sweetness to the oats.
Toppings: fruits, nuts, seeds, cinnamon, or other preferred garnishes. These toppings provide nutrition, flavor, texture, and visual appeal to the oatmeal.
How to make Overnight Oatmeal Porridge
Combine Ingredients: In a mason jar or airtight container, mix rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, and sweetener. Stir well.
Add Toppings: Customize your oatmeal with your choice of toppings. Popular options include sliced fruits, nuts, seeds, or a dash of cinnamon.
Refrigerate: Seal the container and refrigerate overnight, allowing the oats to absorb the liquid and soften.
Serve: In the morning, give your overnight oatmeal porridge a good stir, and it’s ready to enjoy.
If your oatmeal is too thick in the morning, you can adjust the consistency by adding more milk.
Servings Suggestions for Overnight Oatmeal Porridge
Fresh Fruit: Serve your oatmeal with slices of fresh fruit like bananas, strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries. They add a burst of flavor and juiciness.
Nuts and Seeds: A handful of chopped nuts like almonds, walnuts, or pecans or seeds such as chia seeds, flaxseeds, or pumpkin seeds can give your oatmeal porridge a satisfying crunch and extra nutrition.
Yogurt: If you haven’t used yogurt in your oatmeal, you can serve a side of yogurt. It complements the flavors and adds more creaminess.
Milk or Cream: If you prefer a bit thinner oatmeal, you can serve it with an extra splash of milk or cream.
Honey, Maple Syrup, or other sweeteners: Drizzle a touch of honey, maple syrup, or agave nectar over your oatmeal for extra sweetness.
Tips for making overnight oatmeal porridge
When making overnight oatmeal porridge, it is important to take note of some tips to help you have the best meal. Some of them include:
Use a standard oat-to-liquid ratio, like 1:1, for oats and liquid. Adjust to your desired texture and serving size.
Experiment with different sweeteners like agave nectar, dates, or mashed banana.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of oats should I use for overnight oatmeal?
Use the old-fashioned rolled oats. You can also use quick oats and steel-cut oats; however, quick oats can get too soft and mushy, while steel-cut oats require more time to soften.
How long should I let the oats soak?
Let the oats soak for at least 6 hours or overnight for the best results.
Can I use water instead of milk?
While water can be used, using milk (dairy or non-dairy) adds creaminess and flavor.
Should I add sweeteners to my overnight oatmeal porridge?
It’s optional. You can add honey, maple syrup, or sweetener according to your taste preferences.
Can I warm up the oatmeal before eating?
Yes, you can warm it in the microwave if you prefer it warm. Just remember to add toppings after heating.
Do I have to eat the overnight oatmeal porridge cold?
No, you can eat it cold or warm, based on your preference.
Can I add toppings before refrigerating?
I’ll recommend adding toppings like fruits, nuts, and seeds just before eating to maintain their texture. They can become too mushy after long hours in the refrigerator, and what we desire from these toppings are their freshness and crunchiness.
How can I adjust the thickness of the oatmeal?
If your oatmeal is too thick, add more liquid (milk or yogurt) and stir until you reach your desired consistency.
Can I use non-dairy yogurt?
Absolutely, non-dairy yogurt is a great alternative if you’re avoiding dairy products.
Can I use flavored yogurt like strawberry?
You can, but plain yogurt allows you to control the sweetness and flavor more easily.
Can I freeze overnight oatmeal?
Freezing can affect the texture, so it’s not recommended for the best taste and consistency.
What to do with leftovers
Leftover overnight oatmeal porridge can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days. The texture may change slightly, so you can add milk or yogurt to adjust it before eating. Remember to check for any signs of spoilage before consuming. Overall, it serves as a convenient and quick breakfast option.
Tools you’ll need to make overnight oatmeal porridge
Container: Use a container with a lid to mix and store the oats overnight.
Measuring Cups and Spoons: These are for accurately measuring the oats, liquids, sweeteners, and other ingredients.
Spoon: You’ll need a spoon or utensil to mix the oats, liquid, and other ingredients.
Refrigerator: This is where you’ll store the oats overnight to allow them to soak and soften
Microwave: If you prefer warm oatmeal, you might use a microwave to heat the oatmeal slightly before adding toppings.
Cutting Board and Knife: If you add fruits or nuts as toppings, you might need a cutting board and knife for preparation.
Need an easy breakfast and you don’t have a lot of time on your hands? You have overnight oatmeal porridge at your rescue. This rich and creamy meal doesn’t take long to make and is perfect for even the pickiest eater in the family.
Toppings: fruitsnuts, seeds, cinnamon, or other preferred garnishes
Instructions
In a medium-sized bowl, container or mason jar, combine the rolled oats, milk, and Greek yogurt (if using). If you want a thicker consistency, add chia seeds as well. Mix well.
Add honey or your preferred sweetener and mix until evenly distributed.
Cover your bowl, container, or mason jar with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Allow the oatmeal porridge mixture to rest and absorb liquid for at least 6-8 hours, preferably overnight.
In the morning, remove the oatmeal porridge from the refrigerator. Give it a good stir and, if needed, add a splash of milk to loosen the mixture.
Your overnight oatmeal porridge is now ready to be enjoyed either cold or at room temperature. If you prefer, you could also briefly warm it up in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Top it off with your favorite toppings like fresh fruits, nuts, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
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