I’m a big fan of oatmeal for both enjoyment and health reasons, but in the middle of summer a hot breakfast is less… enticing.
Overnight oats are a good solution for this. Mix them all up and stick them in the fridge, and in the morning you have a great cold breakfast.
…Except that I NEVER think to set that all up the night before.
Good thing you can have “overnight” oats in about 15 minutes! Rather than letting the oats hydrate overnight, using hot water hydrates them quickly without actually “cooking” them as you traditionally would. Giving it time to sit and hydrate also gives it time to cool, so when it comes time to eat, you actually get the “overnight” experience. I set them up to soak when I make my coffee, so when I’m done with my first cup they’re ready to eat. Throw on your toppings of choice, add a splash of milk, and enjoy!
The Super Simple Base Recipe
1/2 cup rolled oats (not instant)
1/2 cup boiling water
Pour water over oats and let sit until water is absorbed and cool, at least 15 minutes.
Great Topping Combinations
Peanut Butter Crunch
1 green apple, chopped
1 tbsp natural peanut butter
Berries and Cream
1 cupped handful of fresh or frozen berries
1/2 cup of plain yogurt
Sprinkle of cinnamon
Banana Nut
1 small banana, chopped
1-2 tbsp chopped walnuts
These topping combinations are just a few options. Try these oats with whatever suits your fancy and let us know what you used – we’re always looking for great ideas!
What do you think?