Overnight Oats

By Genevieve Ko

Updated Oct. 27, 2025

Overnight Oats
David Malosh for The New York Times
Total Time
5 minutes, plus overnight soaking
Rating
4(10,878)
Comments
Read comments

Overnight oats are, of course, a healthy breakfast and they’re easy to make, but they also feel like a special treat, sweet with dried fruit. Unlike oatmeal, uncooked but softened oats retain a fresh flavor and taste delicious cold. Top it with nuts just before eating for an irresistible crunch against the creamy oats.

  • or to save this recipe.

  • Subscriber benefit: Give recipes to anyone

    As a subscriber, you have 10 gift recipes to give each month. Anyone can view them - even nonsubscribers. Learn more.

    Subscribe

  • Share this recipe

  • Print this recipe

Advertisement

Ingredients

Yield:2 cups
  • ½cup old-fashioned oats
  • ¼cup dried fruit, cut into small pieces, if needed (see Tip)
  • 1tablespoon chia, flax, poppy or sesame seeds
  • 1cup milk or unsweetened dairy alternative, such as almond or oat milk
  • ¼teaspoon kosher salt
  • Maple syrup, honey or brown sugar (optional)
  • 2tablespoons chopped or sliced nuts, toasted, if desired
Ingredient Substitution Guide
Nutritional analysis per serving (4 servings)

128 calories; 4 grams fat; 1 gram saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 3 grams monounsaturated fat; 2 grams polyunsaturated fat; 21 grams carbohydrates; 3 grams dietary fiber; 7 grams sugars; 3 grams protein; 207 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

Powered by

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Mix oats, dried fruit, seeds, milk and salt in a pint jar or 2-cup airtight resealable container. Seal tightly and refrigerate for at least 5 hours or up to 5 days. (The soaked oat mixture will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.)

  2. Step 2

    Uncover, stir well, and taste. If you prefer more sweetness, stir in some sweetener. Top with the nuts just before eating.

    Image of finished oats in a jar with a spoon for making overnight oats.
Tip
  • If you'd prefer to use fresh or frozen fruit, top the oats with it just before eating. Soaking fresh or frozen fruit in the oats mixture affects the texture and flavor in a not-good way.

Private Notes

Leave a Private Comment on this recipe and see it here.

FAQS

  1. Old-fashioned oats, also known as rolled oats, become tender and creamy when soaked. Quick-cooking oats, which are smaller, can end up pasty and steel-cut oats, which are sturdier, stay quite firm even after soaking.

Ratings

4 out of 5
10,878 user ratings
Your rating

or to rate this recipe.

Have you cooked this?

or to mark this recipe as cooked.

Comments

P.M.

I guess this is a silly question, but- when the recipe says "old-fashioned oats," does this mean steel-cut oats or rolled oats? Clarity, please. Thank you.

EJG

I don't like ANYTHING super cold for breakfast so when I make oats like this I use almond milk and leave it on the counter overnight for room temperature pleasure in the morning!

Patricia

HI, It means rolled oats instead of quick cook or instant. Steel cut don't work that well overnight.

Gina

The nutritional information seems way off, at least on calories. It states 2 cups (which is one recipe) is 128 calories. Just 1 cup of 2% milk is 130 calories. (Reduce to 85 cal for nonfat milk) According to my calculations, one 2 cup serving = 480 calories before any added sweetener or nut topping: 1 c. 2% milk: 130 1/2 c. oats: 170 1/4 c. raisins: 120 1 tbsp chia seeds: 60

Twitter acct Lauren Woolcott lewoolcott

Can you offer suggestions on how to increase the fiber content of this recipe by at least 4 grams?

Nancy

Yes. It is easy to prepare and delicious

Private comments are only visible to you.

Recipe Tags

or to save this recipe.