Question: Can you heat up overnight oats? (Asking for a friend). The answer is yes, you can, but honestly, why would you want to?
In case you are unfamiliar with overnight oats, they are oatmeal that is served chilled. Usually made the night before (hence overnight oats), overnight oatmeal provides a delicious and nutritious breakfast with essentially no cooking time, just soaking time. This minimal prep the night before means when you wake up in the morning your breakfast is ready and waiting. What a fantastic way to have a stress-free morning!
Overnight oats are meant to be eaten cold, but if you are not a fan of cold porridge and prefer warm oats for breakfast instead, well, keep reading... in this blog we will share our favorite options for both cold oats and hot oats!
First, let’s discuss chilled and refreshing overnight oats.
Overnight Oats (A.K.A Overnight Oatmeal)
When making a batch of overnight oats, all you have to do is gather a few simple ingredients like old-fashioned oats and your liquid of choice. Think of things like almond milk, dairy milk, coconut milk, oat milk, unsweetened almond milk, or water. If you prefer your oat mixture to have an extra creamy texture or smooth texture, try adding Greek yogurt. Mix these ingredients together in a mason jar (like thisjar right here) then pop it in the fridge overnight so the oats soak can absorb all of the liquid. That's it for an overnight oats recipe. Simple, right?
The next morning, you can enjoy your oats as they are since they are ready to eat! Or, you can add your favorite healthy breakfast toppings like chia seeds, fruit (either dried fruit or fresh fruit), ground cinnamon, maple syrup, and nut butter like almond butter or cashew butter. Viola! Now you have a healthy breakfast complete with healthy fats and whole grains. Eating a healthy breakfast has never been so simple!
Plus, overnight oats can easily be made into individual servings or multiple servings in large-batch cooking. Perfect for a Sunday night when you do not know what to make for breakfast Monday morning. Just make your big batch and refrigerate overnight, and everyone in the family can choose their own toppings to keep everyone happy. One single serving of overnight oats, please!
This all sounds super delicious, right? We think so anyways, but if you are way too busy to even comprehend deciding between instant oats, old-fashioned oats, quick-cooking oats, or steel-cut oats and then finalizing your toppings, save yourself the grocery shopping trip and the impending headache because here are some overnight oat recipes that just so happen to be some of the best overnight oats recipes out there. (You can thank us later).
Favorite Overnight Oats Recipes
#1 Apple, Cinnamon & Walnut Overnight Oats
If you are all about apples then you will love thisApple Cinnamon Overnight Oats. This is a favorite overnight oats recipe as it has the classic oats flavors of apple and cinnamon that everyone loves when it comes to hot oatmeal, but with a refreshing twist for chilled overnight oats! The apples are a fruit that lends a sweet taste while the walnuts give this recipe a craveable crunch factor. Gluten-free rolled oats hold the delicate notes of cinnamon and make every bite tasty incredible. What a way to wake up in the morning! And, if you fancy it, pair these classic flavors with additional toppings like almond butter and maple syrup. Yum!
#2 Blueberry Coconut Overnight Oats
Are you bonkers about blueberries? If you dream about blueberries then start your morning with a single serving ofBlueberry Coconut Overnight Oats. Juicy blueberries mix well with butterfly pea powder, crunchy pumpkin seeds, and toasted coconut flakes. Add a dollop of Greek yogurt for extra protein or a scoop of nut butter, like almond butter.Great idea, right? We thought so. Extra fruit on top works wonderfully too!
#3 Chocolate, Peanut Butter, and Banana Overnight Oats
If you love oatmeal, then you will love this triple threat. EnterChocolate, Peanut Butter, and Banana Overnight Oats. Dutch cocoa is combined with extra creamy peanut butter and crunchy banana pieces that taste like a decadently delicious peanut butter cup for breakfast. Rolled oats mixed with this chocolate banana medley will bring you back to the good old days of childhood nostalgia. Plus, eating breakfast that tastes like dessert? Don’t mind if we do!
How to Perfect Your Overnight Oats Recipe
Read on for tips and tricks to make the best overnight oats recipe...
1) If you like to eat overnight oats that have more liquid just add more milk. Oats can soak up a lot of milk so sometimes they might have less liquid than you would like.
2) If you find that your oats have too much milk, either drain a bit out or add more oats. Equally, we can sometimes get a bit too excited when adding milk to our oats, and pour in too much... adding extra oats will ensure that extra milk gets soaked up. It just means there are more yummy oats to enjoy! We do not see any problem there.
3) If you want to eat overnight oats that have extra creaminess add in a bit of Greek yogurt half & half, or whipped cream.
4) For an extra decadent breakfast add in layers of additional berries, fresh or dried fruit, or nuts!
5) Once you have made your overnight oats, leave them in the fridge for at least 3 hours... sure that is not strictly overnight, but we have found a few hours of fridge time makes your oats soft, delicious and ready to eat!
If you're excited to learn more about making the perfect morning oats and revitalizing your breakfast, check out our blog aboutProper Good Overnight Oats - it has lots of extra tips, tricks, and insights for making overnight oats for breakfast and even ideas for sweetening things up and enjoying overnight oats for dessert.
What about Old Fashioned Rolled Oats?
Okay, okay, we get it. Hot old fashioned rolled oats are what everyone knows, whether it's made over the stove or in the microwave, there is a real nostalgia around hot oats.
Plus, not everyone likes overnight oats that are served chilled, so if you prefer to eat a hot breakfast and enjoy a bowl of hot oats, then skip the question, “Can you heat up overnight oats,” and instead consider trying one (or all) of these hot oatmeal recipes below, they are all made with steel cut oats and they're ready to heat and eat. Just heat them up in 90-seconds! Perfect for a cold crisp morning when you need a delicious hot breakfast to warm up!
Hot Oatmeal
All of the hot oatmeals below are fully cooked, ready-to-eat oatmeal options, there is no need to add any water or milk, they are ready to simply heat and eat! Do you know a quicker breakfast method for oatmeal? We don't!
These are all Proper Good oatmeal recipes that have a base made from simple whole foods like steel-cut oats, chia seeds, flax seeds and hemp seeds. This thick al-dente style oatmeal embodies an incredible texture, and once you add your Proper Good stir-in flavor packet your bowl of oats will be transformed to decadent bowl of delicious oats with layers of flavor.
Below there are different ready-made oatmeal recipes but they are all prepared in the same way...
1) We recommend preparing your hot oatmeal right before you are ready to eat, so it is hot and delicious!
2) Simply open the oatmeal pouch and microwave it for 60 seconds - talk about quick cooking oats!!! Or, if you prefer you can pour the oatmeal into a microwave safe bowl, then microwave for 60 seconds, check the temperature as depending on the material of the bowl you may need longer in the microwave to ensure your oatmeal is hot.
3) Stir in your packet of deliciousness. You do not need to add anything else to this delicious bowl of oats, it is ready to eat :-)
However, if you fancy adding toppings you can add berries, dried fruit, fresh fruit, nuts, a splash of milk, or whatever you feel goes with your oatmeal just add it on top!
Proper Good Hot Oatmeals
#1 Apple, Cinnamon & Walnut
You cannot go wrong with an all-time breakfast classic in this meal forApple Cinnamon & Walnut Oatmeal. Complete with cinnamon, dicey juicy apples, and English walnuts, this stir-in packet is a masterpiece all on its own. The filling based of steel cut oats and chia seeds makes this a filling breakfast that is sure to power up your morning!
#2 Banana Bread
Go bananas at breakfast with thisBanana Bread Oatmeal. The stir-in packet is made with crunchy bananas, an oat-based creamer, and walnut pieces that are beautifully blended with brown sugar, cinnamon, and spices for the perfect banana bread-inspired oats. Skip the actual baking and just make these oats instead.
#3 Blueberry and Coconut
Feeling blue? You will feel better after you indulge in this bowl of Blueberry and Coconut Oatmeal. Not only is it a beautiful hue of blue from the butterfly pea protein, but the stir-in toppings are also next level. We are talking crunchy pumpkin seeds, juicy blueberries, maple syrup powder, and toasted coconut flakes. High in fiber and 8 grams of plant-based protein, this recipe will transform that basic and boring microwave bowl of oats into a beautiful blue wonderland of delicious flavors and tastes. Your stomach and taste buds will thank you.
#4 Caramel, Pecan & Date
Dessert for breakfast? That is what this oatmeal recipe tastes like when you make a batch ofCaramel Pecan & Date Oatmeal. Crunchy pecans and decadent dates mix together with brown sugar, cinnamon, and an orange peel base that makes each and every bit a true full-flavored explosion. Oats have never tasted so much like a sweet treat!
#5 Chocolate, Peanut Butter and Banana
Chocolate and peanut butter are a classic combination that is decadent, rich, and savory. Top with fruit, like sweet banana slices, and you, have a culinary masterpiece that is way too good to share. And, the best bit... the chocolatey goodness over all the steel cut oats just tastes like chocolate... healthy ingredients disguised as chocolate, oh hello! Yeah, you may not want just one single serving of thisChocolate, Peanut Butter, and Banana Oatmeal. Just saying!
#6 Mint Chocolate Chip
If you love the refreshing combination and taste of chocolate and mint, you are going to want a single serving (okay maybe two servings) or thisMint Chocolate Chip Oatmeal. This oatmeal stir-in packet includes delicate coconut, delicious peppermint, dutch cocoa, and sweet maple syrup for a seriously scrumptious meal that tastes just like a bowl of mint chocolate chip ice cream only healthier.
#7 Pumpkin Pie
Passionate about pumpkin? Channel all of the fall feels with thisPumpkin Pie Oatmeal. This oatmeal stir-in combination includes protein-packed pumpkin seeds that lend a crunch along with a pumpkin pie spice blend and pure maple syrup that feels like one big fall hug. Every year as fall rolls around we cannot wait to grab our favorite pumpkin latte, pumpkin bread, pumpkin everything... and now we love pumpkin steel cut oats too. It is the perfect start for a pumpkin inspired morning!
#8 Perfectly Plain
Last, but certainly not least, try a bowl ofPerfectly Plain Oatmeal and get creative with different recipes! Enjoy all on its own or take this oatmeal to any flavor profile you crave... from sweet classic toppings like brown sugar, chia seeds, fresh fruit, Greek yogurt, and nut butter, like almond butter or peanut butter. To more savory options like topping your oats with bacon and a fried egg for a higher protein option. Any additional toppings are the chef’s choice! For more ideas about what to pair with your perfectly plain oatmeal and to discover your new favorite toppings check out our blog withToppings Ideas.
Can You Heat Up Overnight Oats?
Okay, so back to your original questions: Can you heat up overnight oats? Technically, yes, but only if it is in a microwave safe bowl - and remember... not all mason jars can be put in the microwave. To be fair, you could heat up your overnight oats on the stovetop too.
But, our question to you is why would you want to heat up overnight oats when you have so many different options of oatmeal that is crafted to be enjoyed hot?
Our recommendation is that you enjoy hot oatmeal hot, and overnight oats cold... two delicious real food options that make the most of oats in their different, but equally delicious ways!
Your morning just got seriously tasty. Whether you're utilizing your fridge overnight or your microwave, eating breakfast with Proper Good Hot Oatmeal or Proper Good Overnight Oats makes for a happy and full you!
With so many fun flavor combinations, take the guesswork out of recipe creation and leave that to us. All you have to do is fill your cart - we're thinking of a different flavor for every day of the week :-) Oats for the win!
If you're looking for more ideas for easy recipes, for breakfast, lunch or dinner you can find all of our recipeshere. Enjoy!
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