When you hear the words “pour over,” your first thought may be of coffee served at a fancy coffee shop. But here at Proper Good, when we hear pour over, we think of overnight oats!
That’s because pour overs to go with this simple, nutritious breakfast staple can easily be customized to fit specific diets or preferences … all while remaining delicious! Have pour over options ready to go with hot oatmeal ready on gloomy days, and cold oatmeal is perfect for summertime!
Find your perfect overnight oats pour over combo in this blog post.
Milk Options
Getting that perfectly creamy texture with your overnight oats isn’t as hard as you’d think. However, with so many milk options out there, it can be tough to know which one is right for you! Let’s break down each.
Cow's Milk
Those without a dairy allergy or sensitivity may really enjoy the flavor and texture of cow’s milk. Milk is filled with healthy vitamins and minerals, including B12, calcium, and vitamin D, all of which tend to be lacking in many diets.
Organic and grass-fed cow’s milk contain higher amounts of conjugated linoleic acid and omega-3 fatty acids, which can help reduce your risk of diabetes and heart disease.
Almond Milk
Some people don’t enjoy the flavor of cow’s milk, have a dairy allergy, or don’t drink cow’s milk for animal rights reasons. So when it comes to overnight oats, you need an alternative that tastes great … like almond milk!
This liquid is derived from almonds and gives a wonderfully nutty flavor to overnight oats. Almond milk is versatile and goes with any topping, either sweet or savory, and it’s also dairy-free.
Coconut Milk
If you aren’t a fan of the nutty flavor of almond milk but still want a dairy-free liquid for your overnight oats, coconut milk could be a fit. A bit lighter in flavor and texture than almond milk, coconut milk gives off a “just got back from the beach” vibe.
Coconut milk also has amazing health benefits. It is ample in antioxidants, promotes electrolyte balance, and can help prevent anemia.
Cashew Milk
Cashew milk is another nut-based plant milk option. With a slightly nutty yet milder flavor than almond milk, cashew milk is slightly lower in calories. So for those watching their macro or calorie intake, cashew milk is a good bet.
Other milk options
While the milk options listed above are certainly popular, there are even MORE options for those looking to try ever pour over:
- Soy milk
- Oat milk
- Hemp milk
- Pea milk
- Hazelnut milk
- Macadamia nut milk
Yogurt Varieties
Looking for a little extra creaminess in your overnight oat pour over? Well, you’re not alone! Yogurt is a popular way to add thickness and flavor to your everyday overnight oats.
Plain Yogurt
Plain yogurt is a dairy product made by the bacterial fermentation of milk. And don’t worry! In this case, bacteria is a good thing–the bacteria used to make yogurt are called “cultures,” which ferment lactose, the natural sugar found in milk.
Plain yogurt can be made from different types of milk. Skim milk tends to produce yogurt that is fat-free, and whole milk procures yogurt that is full fat. Yogurt contains many vital nutrients, such as calcium, vitamin B12, and riboflavin, which protect against heart disease.
Greek Yogurt
Compared with regular plain yogurt, Greek yogurt is higher in protein and lower in carbs. Since Greek yogurt is high in protein, it’s a perfect overnight oats pour over for those hitting the gym in the morning and looking for a fueling breakfast!
Greek yogurt benefits bone health, supports strong gut health, and aids in muscle recovery between workouts. It has a thick and tangy flavor, so those looking to add ultimate thickness to their overnight oats can opt for Greek yogurt.
Flavored Yogurt
While flavored yogurts are tasty, beware that many brands add sugar to flavored varieties, so flavored yogurt can be less healthy than plain counterparts. That said, healthy flavored yogurts should contain minimal added sugar, and not contain artificial colors or preservatives.
We recommend buying plain unsweetened yogurt at the grocery store and adding fresh fruit for flavor. Voila! Healthy flavored yogurt at your fingertips, ready to top your overnight oats with.
Sweet add ons
The milk and yogurt pour over options above are tasty, and they’re made even better when you add in a sweet topping. Try mixing and matching several options to see what your favorite overnight oats pour over combo is!
Maple syrup
Pure maple syrup is high in antioxidants, plus every spoonful offers nutrients like riboflavin, zinc, magnesium, calcium and potassium. According to Helen Thomas of the New York State Maple Association, maple syrup has a higher concentration of minerals and antioxidants, yet fewer calories than honey.
Pure maple syrup goes well with autumn-themed overnight oat toppings like pecans, pumpkin puree, and cinnamon.
Honey
Where maple syrup is perfect for autumn, honey is an excellent overnight oats pour over choice for summertime! Sweet and succulent, honey provides just the right amount of sweetness without being overpowering.
Best yet is that there are around 320 varieties of honey, all of which vary in color, smell, and flavor (plenty to try!) Honey contains mostly sugar, so it’s best enjoyed in small doses, but it also contains a mix of amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
Try honey with a mild plant-based liquid, like oat milk, and a tangy yogurt, like plain Greek yogurt, to really make the sweet flavor pop. And if you’re wanting to really make your overnight oats deluxe, add in a chopped up banana, flax seeds, or a tiny pinch of brown sugar.
Hazelnut spread
If maple syrup or honey are too sweet for you, try a hazelnut spread, like tbh. This blend uses less sugar than other brands and is naturally vegan. The hazelnuts within this blend are USA-grown and rich in nutty flavor.
We recommend heating up hazelnut spread in the microwave, then drizzling it on top of overnight oats in the morning for mouthwatering flavor. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, chop up strawberries, then drizzle hazelnut spread on top.
More sweet topping ideas
Can’t get enough sweet overnight oats topping ideas? Us, either! Here are even more options you can try:
- Pineapple and coconut shavings
- Dates
- Candied pistachios
- Apple
- Apricot jam
Overnight oat pour overs … so many options, so little time! However, we hope this blog post helps make the selection process a little less overwhelming and more fun. :)
Sometimes it's fun to make Overnight Oats from scratch but if you're looking for all the benefits of overnight oats without the hassle look no further than Proper Good Overnight Oats! Ready to simply pour into a jar, add your favorite milk and pop in the fridge! Simply oatstanding :-)
There are three amazing flavors to enjoy plus a lovely jar & carry bag to make it easy to take your overnight oats wherever you need them!
🍎 Apple, Cinnamon & Walnut Overnight Oats
🫐 Blueberry, Coconut & Maple Overnight Oats
🍌 Choc, Peanut Butter & Banana Overnight Oats
🫙 + a lovely Overnight Oats Jar & Carry Bag
For more information about oatmeal, check out these blog posts:
