Overnight Oats Three Ways
MAKES 1 SERVING EACH
The ultimate make-ahead breakfast, overnight oats have been done a million different ways. With these recipes, I wanted to bring you something unique. The basic overnight oats with berries and sunflower seed butter are for days you don’t want to think about breakfast. On other days, you have the healthy option of turmeric- and ginger-spiced oats. Finally, you have oats topped with buttery cinnamon pears for those days when you’re feeling a little decadent. Using homemade hemp milk (see sidebar) is a great way to get extra protein in addition to the sunflower seed butter. Each recipe makes one serving, but they’re easily multiplied to make more. Use certified gluten-free oats if desired.
½ cup rolled oats
½ cup milk of your choice
BASIC OVERNIGHT OATS
1 tablespoon sunflower seed butter
2 teaspoons chia seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
Berries of your choice
Sunflower, chia, and/or pepitas (pumpkin seeds) for topping
TURMERIC-GINGER OATS
2 teaspoons chia seeds
½ teaspoon maple syrup or honey
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
1 small apple
CINNAMON-PEAR OATS
2 teaspoons chia seeds
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 small Bartlett pear
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For any of the overnight oats, combine the oats and milk in a container.
To make the Basic Overnight Oats, add the sunflower seed butter, chia seeds, vanilla, and honey (if using) to the oat mixture and give it a good stir. Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours. The longer the oats and chia seeds soak, the softer they will be. In the morning, stir again, add berries of choice, top with seeds, and serve.
To make the Turmeric-Ginger Overnight Oats, add the chia seeds, maple syrup, ginger, and turmeric to the oat mixture and give it a good stir. Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours. The longer the oats and chia seeds soak, the softer they will be. In the morning, dice the apple, stir it into the oats, and serve.
To make the Cinnamon-Pear Overnight Oats, add the chia seeds and vanilla to the oat mixture and give it a good stir. Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours. The longer the oats and chia seeds soak, the softer they will be. In the morning, dice the pear and sauté it in a small skillet with butter over medium heat. Stir in the cinnamon. Top the oats with the warm cinnamon pears and serve.
