Overnight Oats With Chia Seeds (Printable)

Creamy make-ahead breakfast with oats, yogurt, and chia seeds, customized with fresh toppings

# What You'll Need:

→ Base

01 - 1 cup rolled oats
02 - 1 cup unsweetened milk, dairy or plant-based
03 - ½ cup Greek yogurt
04 - 2 tablespoons chia seeds
05 - 1 to 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
06 - ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Toppings

07 - ½ cup fresh berries such as blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries
08 - 1 small banana, sliced
09 - 2 tablespoons chopped nuts such as almonds, walnuts, or pecans
10 - 1 tablespoon nut butter such as peanut, almond, or cashew

# How To Make:

01 - In a medium bowl or large jar with lid, combine rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir thoroughly until well blended.
02 - Cover the jar and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight, allowing oats and chia seeds to fully absorb the liquid and develop a creamy texture.
03 - In the morning, stir the mixture well. If the oats have become too thick, add a splash of milk to reach your desired consistency.
04 - Transfer to a serving bowl or serve directly from the jar. Top with fresh berries, banana slices, chopped nuts, or nut butter as desired. Serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Zero morning decisions needed—your breakfast is literally waiting for you, already creamy and ready to eat.
  • It actually tastes better the longer it sits, so you're not sacrificing flavor for convenience.
  • The chia seeds absorb liquid and add a gentle thickness that feels indulgent without being heavy.
02 -
  • If you use instant oats or quick oats, they'll turn to mush and lose their texture—rolled oats are non-negotiable for this recipe.
  • The chia seeds thicken the mixture as they sit, so if you're making it more than a day in advance, the consistency shifts; add milk when you eat it to restore that perfect creaminess.
03 -
  • Freeze berries and add them straight from the freezer; they thaw as you eat and stay fresher longer than fresh berries sitting in the jar.
  • A tiny pinch of sea salt in the base makes everything taste more of itself, even if you can't identify what it is.
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