Overnight Oats with Chia
Effortlessly prepare delicious Overnight Oats with Chia for a nutritious, grab-and-go breakfast. Simple ingredients, maximum convenience.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rolled oats old-fashioned, certified gluten-free if desired
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 cup milk dairy or plant-based, such as almond, oat, or soy
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 to 2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey optional, adjust to taste
- Pinch of salt
Optional Toppings
- Fresh berries strawberries, blueberries, raspberries
- Sliced banana or other fruit
- Chopped nuts almonds, walnuts
- Seeds flax, hemp, pumpkin
- Nut butter peanut, almond
- Shredded coconut or granola
Instructions
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid, combine the rolled oats and chia seeds. Stir them well to ensure the chia seeds are evenly distributed among the oats, preventing clumping.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the milk of your choice, vanilla extract, maple syrup (if you prefer a sweeter taste), and a small pinch of salt. Stir thoroughly using a spoon or fork until all the ingredients are fully combined and there are no dry clumps remaining, particularly at the bottom of the container.
- Chill Overnight: Securely cover the jar or container with its lid. Place it into the refrigerator for a minimum of 4 hours, though ideally, allow it to chill overnight. This crucial step permits the oats and chia seeds ample time to fully absorb the liquid and thicken to a creamy consistency.
- Stir and Serve: The following morning, carefully open the jar and give the mixture a good, vigorous stir. If you find the overnight oats to be too thick for your preference, feel free to add a splash more milk, stirring until you achieve your desired smooth consistency.
- Add Toppings and Enjoy: Now comes the fun part! Top your delicious Overnight Oats with Chia with any of your favorite fresh fruits, crunchy nuts, various seeds, or a decadent dollop of nut butter. Serve immediately and savor your healthy, perfectly ready-to-eat breakfast without any morning fuss!
Notes
- **Prevent Grittiness/Thickness:** Why are my overnight oats with chia gritty or too thick? Ensure your liquid-to-oats-and-chia ratio is correct. If still too thick, add an extra splash of milk or reduce chia seeds slightly. Use proper rolled oats, not instant.
- **Customize Sweetness:** Adjust maple syrup or honey to your taste, or omit it entirely for a sugar-free option that relies on fruit for sweetness.
- **Layer for Freshness:** If meal prepping, store oats plain and add fresh fruits, nuts, or seeds just before serving to maintain their texture.
- **Flavor Boosts:** Add a pinch of cinnamon, cocoa powder, or citrus zest along with the vanilla for different flavor profiles.