Easy Overnight Oats: Make Now, Enjoy Tomorrow

Buzzy breakfast alert! Overnight oats are the master of morning convenience. Transform a power trio of rolled oats, chia seeds, and Greek yogurt into luscious, creamy oatmeal without any cooking or mess. Simply soak the ingredients in milk, pop the mixture in the fridge, then get a good night's sleep. The magic happens overnight!

Overnight oats, refrigerator oatmeal, chia pudding: The names for this simple breakfast recipe are as varied as its mix-ins, toppings, and flavor possibilities. Follow our 3 simple steps to make the easy, no-cook breakfast, plus see our top sweet and savory overnight oats recipes.

Step 1: Prep for Success

In a large bowl, mix together a 6-ounce carton of plain, low-fat yogurt or whole-milk Greek yogurt, 2/3 cup regular rolled oats, and 2/3 cup milk.

Now is your chance to get creative. Stir in any variety of your favorite toppings. Some of our favorites include fresh or dried fruit, chopped nuts, peanut butter, honey, and chocolate chips. 

Increase the nutritional value of your oatmeal with a tablespoon of chia seeds and/or flaxseeds.

Step 2: Chill Out

Carefully pour the oatmeal mixture into canning jars -- either two 8-ounce, single-serving jars or one pint-size jar.

Note: A half-pint mason jar makes a convenient, portable, and adorable 1-portion serving.

Cover the jars, and chill in the refrigerator overnight or up to 3 days. Over time, the oats will absorb the milk and become fabulously rich and creamy.

Step 3: Indulge!

The best feature of overnight oats is that they're ready when you are.

To serve the breakfast-in-a-jar, top each serving with fresh fruit or more of the ingredients you've mixed in. Make your oatmeal pop with a dollop of thick Greek yogurt and a generous drizzle of maple syrup.

And there you have it! Heavenly overnight oatmeal as easy to make as it is delicious.