Creamy Overnight Oats

Oh the infamous overnight oats. This style of preparation for oatmeal exploded in the last few years because it can be prepped ahead, requires no cooking, and takes such little amount of time to make but it’s packed with tons of nutrients, what’s not to love? Everyone I know who thinks regular ole’ oatmeal is gross slop (which I definitely don’t agree with) actually loves overnight oats since it’s essentially a form of cereal, and everyone loves cereal. The issue with cereal is that many store-bought packaged cereals are filled with sugars, preservatives, artificial additives, and a laundry list of excess ingredients. Overnight oats is a wonderful alternative since it still feels like you’re eating a fresh bowl of cereal but with WAY less and more nourishing ingredients. This creamy overnight oats recipe is packed with fiber and whole grains from the rolled oats, protein from the greek yogurt and milk, and tons of micronutrients found in all ingredients. It’s lightly sweetened with a natural sweetener, maple syrup, and flavored with pure vanilla extract. It is a breakfast that will help you feel energized and satisfied to take on the day.

It’s hard having the time and energy to put in to make a nourishing, healthy breakfast every morning. Oatmeal is a wonderfully nutritious breakfast, but I completely understand not always having the time to slow cook a gorgeous bowl of hot oatmeal in the morning. So, your solution to add this amazing food to your weekly breakfast rotation without the hassle? Overnight oats! This particular recipe is truly just a gateway into the overnight oat world. There are SO many variations of overnight oats that can be created and I highly recommend getting creative, especially when it comes to the change in seasons. Try a pumpkin spice version in the fall or gingerbread flavored in the winter time. Take advantage of all the fresh produce in spring and summer and top with your favorite fruit or get creative and try lemon-blueberry or strawberry cheesecake. Not going to lie, one of my favorite things to do in the kitchen is experiment with my oats and it just makes breakfast that much more fun, exciting, and delicious. A tip to adding extra nutrients to this recipe no matter the flavor you choose is to top with fresh or dried fruit for extra vitamins and minerals and some chopped nuts or a drizzle of nut butter for healthy fats and bit more protein. This way you are giving your body all the nutrients it needs right at the start to your day.

Nutrition Facts:

• Oats are an incredible carbohydrate source that are filled with heart healthy whole grains and fiber that have been seen to help support a range of health factors including cardiovascular health, blood sugar levels, satiety, and GI health. They also contain a variety of vitamins and minerals including phosphorus, B vitamins, magnesium, zinc, and more.
• Cow’s milk has definitely gotten a bad rep in recent diet culture years, and I am going to stick to the conversation of strictly nutrition-based. Cow’s milk is actually an incredible source of many key nutrients and can be an excellent addition to your diet. It is high in protein, it can be a good source of healthy fats depending on the percentage of fat you prefer, and contains a variety of micronutrients. These nutrients include calcium, vitamin A, vitamin D, B vitamins, potassium, phosphorus, selenium, and others.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats (my favorite is Bob’s Mills)
• 1/4 cup greek yogurt
• 1 small banana (or 1/2 large) cut into quarters
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 cup milk

Instructions:

1. Put all of the ingredients in an air tight container in the order they are listed in the ingredients list.
   • Note: I find mason jars work the best because it’s easy to shake, but any airtight container will work!
2. Put the cover on your container and vigorously shake until all of the ingredients are well mixed together, about a minute or so.
3. Place in the fridge and let sit overnight.
4. Roll out of bed in the morning, grab your ready-to-go oats out of the fridge, and top with your favorite toppings!
   • I recommend topping with a healthy fat source such as nuts, seeds, and/or nut butter and some fresh fruit like berries
   • My favorite combination right now is: 1/4 cup of Wildway Granola (you can buy on Amazon), chopped strawberries, and some blueberries