By Reese Meister
Do you eat breakfast every day? Many students skip this important meal, often to save time for those extra 10 minutes of sleeping in. Overnight oats are not only a tasty breakfast item perfect for students on the go, but they are also healthy and fun to make.
If you take about five minutes to make them at night, they will be ready to eat in the morning. You can even make a larger batch on the weekend to eat throughout the week.
- Oats and milk: To start, add around ⅓ – ½ cup of old-fashioned (rolled) oats to an empty jar (or other sealed container) and pour in an equal amount of milk to create a 1:1 ratio. Any type of milk will work and can fit your preference; I personally enjoy using almond milk.
- Seeds: Next, you may choose to add some sort of seed, whether it be chia, flax or anything else. These don’t add much flavor to the oats, but they provide an extra nutritional boost.
- Fruit: I recommend adding around ½ cup of fruit, which can be whichever type you want. Fresh berries, bananas and diced apples or peaches tend to work especially well, but frozen fruits also taste great and can improve convenience. Sometimes in the fall, I even use pumpkin puree to enjoy a seasonal flavor.
- Yogurt: Yogurt can add a fantastic creamy texture to your oats, as well as another layer of flavor. While this component is not necessary, it is fun to experiment with different kinds of yogurt, from simple vanilla to strawberry or fun flavors like coconut.
- Nut butter: Adding 1-2 tablespoons of nut butter supplies more protein to your meal and can help balance the sweetness of the yogurt and fruit. To me, this ingredient is the most delicious and fun to use. From cinnamon monk fruit almond butter to chocolate coconut peanut butter, there are so many types to explore.
- Fun toppings: Your oats can be made in whatever style you enjoy. One great way to customize them is with toppings. People who prefer sweeter flavors can add a bit of honey or maple syrup, or somebody who wants a crunchy texture can sprinkle nuts or granola on top. If you are looking for a bit of extra protein, you can even mix in protein powder. Other powders like cacao or matcha and spices can incorporate more flavor.
Once you add all of your ingredients, close the jar and place it in the fridge. In the morning, just grab a spoon and enjoy your breakfast! If you don’t have time to eat at home, simply take it with you to school.
You may include any ratio of these ingredients depending on how you prefer your oats. Some of my favorite flavor combinations include pumpkin and cinnamon, peanut butter and cacao powder or strawberry with coconut. Experiment with different ideas and see what you like the best!
