Overnight Raspberry Oatmeal

This simple and delicious Raspberry Overnight Oatmeal makes a filling hearty breakfast that you can grab and go on a busy morning.

It's funny, I just realized over the weekend while I was meal prepping, that I haven't had overnight oats in months. While they are normally a staple for me, it seems like I just forgot about them. Does that ever happen to you? I feel like it's always happening to me. I love something, eat it constantly, and then completely forget about it for months. What triggered my memory you may be wondering - seeing some beautiful raspberry overnight oats in a juice place. I almost bought them until I realized they were $7.95. I couldn't out of principle.

Of course, I had to make some when I got home. I started with my favorite overnight oat base - oats, almond milk, and yogurt. Then I added some maple syrup for sweetness. You could also throw in some chia seeds or flaxseed meal as well. I decided to hold off on adding the raspberries and banana until the end since I wanted the raspberries to maintain some texture. Easy, filling, and delicious.

Key Ingredients and Easy Swaps

• Rolled oats: The key to any good overnight oats recipe is oatmeal. It's important you choose either rolled oats or quick-cooking oats. Steel-cut oatmeal and instant oatmeal will not work in this recipe. Quick-cooking oats (not instant), will result in a softer texture. 
• Greek yogurt: Using Greek yogurt adds some extra protein to the oats and the yogurt also helps to soften the oats. Any yogurt will work in this recipe. If you opt for a flavored option like vanilla, raspberry, or coconut flavored yogurt, leave out the maple syrup since the yogurt is already sweetened. 
• Almond milk: Any dairy or non-dairy milk will work in this recipe. If using sweetened milk, consider leaving the maple syrup out or using less. 
• Maple syrup: Any sweetener will work. Add a little at a time and adjust to your preference. You can also leave the sweetener out entirely if the raspberries and bananas provide enough sweetness.
• Cinnamon: Adding spices to the oats is totally optional but adds a nice punch of flavor.
• Raspberries: Any berries will work in this recipe. Fresh raspberries or frozen will work.
• Bananas: Bananas are packed with fiber and help to add natural sweetness to the oats. Swap in another fruit if you like or use extra berries. You can also mash the banana and add it to the oats if you prefer.

Ways to Customize Overnight Oats

There are so many ways to switch up this recipe and make it your own. In fact, consider making up a big batch of the base recipe, and then you can make lots of flavors and variations for the week. 

If you are looking for some crunch, consider adding some chopped nuts like almonds or walnuts. Seed are another great option for adding nutrients and crunch. Consider adding some pumpkin seeds, hemp seeds, chia seeds, or sunflower seeds.

For more protein, consider adding some nut butter, protein powder, or hemp seeds. You could also look for protein-fortified milk or yogurt. Or just serve it with some hard-boiled eggs.

To create different flavor profiles, switch up the fruit and add some additional fresh, frozen, or dried fruit. Almost any fruit will work in overnight oats. Another way to change up the flavor is with spices like cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and cardamom.

Add more nutrients with vegetables. Vegetables like grated carrots, shredded zucchini, and cauliflower rice are all delicious, nutritious additions for overnight oats.

What does soaking oats overnight do? 

Soaking rolled oats overnight in a combination of milk and yogurt will soften the oast to give them a texture similar to when they are cooked. While the oats soak, the starches break down, and also the natural phytic acid in the oats is reduced. This could actually help your body to process the oats and utilize the nutrients more effectively.