If you're looking for the perfect make-ahead breakfast that will make your day, you've found it! These Strawberry Overnight Oats made with Homemade Strawberry Milk are so delicious, simple to prepare, and packed full of nutrients!
I've always been a skeptic of overnight oats. But in recent years, I've become obsessed. If made just right, with the perfect ratio of oats to liquid, you get this thick, creamy mixture of perfectly softened oats. It's almost like eating a cold piece of cake.
And, being the foodie that I am, I love that there are so many ways to customize overnight oats!
This version is made with Homemade Strawberry Milk (which is KILLER by the way), coconut milk, but butter and chia seeds. Let's make it!
What ingredients are needed to prepare Strawberry Overnight Oats and the Strawberry Milk?
For the Strawberry Milk - Fresh or frozen strawberries (about 20 ounces), granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and water.
For the Oats:
- Old Fashioned Rolled Oats - I love this brand!
- Chia Seeds - I LOVE to add chia seeds to overnight oats. You get a nice combination of chia pudding and oats, a protein powerhouse! (You could also add in some hemp seeds or flax seeds for an added nutrient boost!)
- Almond Butter - You can also use peanut, cashew, sunflower, or any sort of nut butter that you prefer.
- Greek Yogurt - Adding the yogurt to this recipe yields a nice creamy texture in the oats. I use plain non-fat Greek yogurt for this, because I feel like it takes on added flavors better than other yogurts. But feel free to use your favorite style of yogurt - plant based included!
- Agave or Maple Syrup - Just a teaspoon in each jar is enough to sweeten it. Agave's a staple in my house. I use it constantly. Here's a great brand.
- Toppings - I love to top this particular recipe with freeze dried strawberries and coconut flakes! Something about bright, sweet strawberries first thing in the morning gets me dancing at the counter! Best way to start the day.
Is there any equipment necessary for preparing Strawberry Overnight Oats?
To prepare the strawberry milk, you'll want a good sauce pan, a glass bowl, a large mesh strainer, a funnel, and a glass bottle to store the syrup in.
Then, for the oats you'll need 4 air tight jars to store them in. I love these from Amazon!
How to Prepare Strawberry Overnight Oats:
Make Homemade Strawberry Syrup - Place the strawberries, sugar, vanilla extract, and water in a medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a low boil and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the strawberries break down into a syrup. Pour the strawberries over into a glass bowl fitted with a large mesh strainer. Use the back of a spoon to push the strawberries through the strainer. Let the syrup cool slightly, removing any foam that collects at the top with a spoon. Place a funnel into the top of a glass bottle and pour the homemade strawberry syrup into the bottle. Store in the refrigerator until you are ready to prepare the oats. (This will create about 1.5 cups worth of syrup. Which is enough for 6 - 8 8oz glasses of fresh strawberry milk! You're welcome.)
Make Strawberry Milk - Combine ⅓ cup Homemade Strawberry Syrup with 1 ⅓ cups of your milk of choice. (My favorite for this recipe is coconut milk!)
Prepare the oat jars - Divide the oats, chia seeds, almond butter, Greek yogurt, agave or maple syrup into 4 jars. Top with ⅓ cup each of strawberry milk. Mix well to combine.
Toppings - Top with crushed freeze dried strawberries and coconut flakes. Yum! (Feel free to add fresh strawberries, hemp hearts, granola, or whatever else your heart desires!)
Chill - Place into the refrigerator to enjoy the next day.
Can I use instant oats or steel cut oats?
I don't recommend instant or quick oats for overnight oats. I find that they soften too quickly and become very mushy. It's hard to control the liquid to oat ratio with quick oats, so I just steer clear of quick oats for this.
Yes, you can use steel cut oats, you will just need to let them chill for a longer period of time before enjoying them. (see below)
How long should I wait to eat my overnight oats?
Overnight oats made with rolled oats don't need a full 6 - 8 hours to soften. 3 - 4 hours will be sufficient time to achieve the texture you want.
Overnight oats made with steel cut oats will need a longer period to soften appropriately. Leave them in the fridge for at least 8 hours ahead of enjoying.
Should overnight oats be eaten cold or warm?
That's all personal preference! It's certainly more simple to eat them just straight out of the fridge. And they taste better than you'd think this way!
But you could absolutely heat them up if you just can't get past the cold oats idea.
Storage:
I don't keep overnight oats any longer than 5 days. They are best eaten in the first couple of days, but can last a full 5.
I prepare mine on Sunday or Monday evenings to enjoy during the work week. And I never make more than 4 at a time.
More Breakfast Recipes from the Blog You Might Enjoy:
- Gluten-Free Vegan Banana Bread Oatmeal Recipe
- Potato Cheddar and Chive Egg Bakes (Starbucks Copycat Recipe)
- Apple Dirty Chai Chia Pudding
I hope you enjoyed this recipe for Strawberry Overnight Oats with Homemade Strawberry Milk! If you try it, I'd love to see your work! Leave a comment here and share it to social tagging @atoastedcrumb!
Strawberry Overnight Oats (with homemade strawberry milk!)
Ingredients
Homemade Strawberry Milk
- 20 ounces strawberries (fresh or frozen)
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅔ cup water
- 1 ⅓ cup milk of choice (I recommend coconut milk for this recipe!)
Overnight Oats
- 1 cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
- 4 teaspoon Chia Seeds
- 4 tablespoon Almond Butter
- 4 tablespoon Plain Greek Yogurt
- 4 teaspoon Agave (or maple syrup)
- Garnishes: Freeze Dried Strawberries, Coconut Flakes
Instructions
- Place the strawberries, sugar, vanilla extract, and water in a medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat to a low boil and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes until the strawberries break down into a syrup.
- Pour the strawberries over into a glass bowl fitted with a large mesh strainer. Use the back of a spoon to push the strawberries through the strainer.
- Let the syrup cool slightly, removing any foam that collects at the top with a spoon. Place a funnel into the top of a glass bottle and pour the homemade strawberry syrup into the bottle. Store in the refrigerator until you are ready to prepare the oats. (This will create about 1.5 cups worth of syrup. Which is enough for 6 - 8 8oz glasses of fresh strawberry milk!)
- Combine ⅓ cup Homemade Strawberry Syrup with 1 ⅓ cups of your milk of choice. (My favorite for this recipe is coconut milk!)
- Divide the oats, chia seeds, almond butter, Greek yogurt, agave or maple syrup into 4 jars. Top with ⅓ cup each of strawberry milk. Mix well to combine.
- Top each jar with crushed freeze dried strawberries and coconut flakes.
- Place into the refrigerator to chill overnight and enjoy the next day.
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