Place milk, vanilla extract, salt, flaxseed, and chia seeds into a jar that is fitted with a lid. Secure lid and shake each jar until ingredients well combined.
Open the jar and add in oats and secure lid once again and shake until ingredients are well combined.
Refrigerate overnight or up to 5 days.
Before serving, stir in fruit, nuts, yogurt, peanut butter, or chocolate chips as desired.
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Notes
Nutritional values are based on base oatmeal.
This recipe is for 1 serving, but increase to create as many jars of overnight oats as desired.
Overnight Oats will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Toppings are best added right before serving.
Use any variety of milk you like in this oatmeal. I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk, but regular milk, coconut milk, soy milk all work great.
If you prefer your oatmeal warm, be sure your jar is heat safe, remove the lid, microwave for 1-2 minutes, and then serve.
If desired, add 1 scoop of protein powder to the base recipe when adding the chia seeds and flaxseed.
Flavor Ideas
Almond Joy: Instead of regular milk, use coconut milk to make the base of the overnight oats. Before serving, add ½ tablespoon chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon toasted coconut, and ½ tablespoon sliced almonds.
Banana Pie: Mash ½ very ripe banana into the milk mixture before adding oats. Top with additional banana and crushed graham crackers if desired.
Peanut Butter Banana Pie: Top overnight oat with sliced banana and a drizzle of peanut butter before serving.
Apple Cinnamon: Before serving, stir in ½ tsp cinnamon and a couple of tablespoons of freshly diced apples or ¼ cup apple sauce. Top with chopped walnuts if desired.
Peanut Butter Cup: Top the overnight oat with 1 tablespoon each of chocolate chips and peanut butter.
Peaches and Cream: Before enjoying the oatmeal, stir in 2-3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt and peach 2-3 tablespoons of diced peaches.
Blueberries and Cream: To serve, stir in 2-3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt and peach 2-3 tablespoons of fresh blueberries
Strawberries and Cream: Before serving, stir in 2-3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt and peach 2-3 tablespoons of diced peaches.
Cinnamon Roll: Stir in ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon, ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg, and the tiniest pinch of ground cloves. Top with a dollop of vanilla yogurt if desired to mimic a cinnamon roll's frosting.
Cinnamon Raisin: Stir in ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, 2 tablespoons of raisins, and 1 tablespoon of chopped nuts if desired.