Breakfast On the Go - Overnight Oats

Being creatures of habit, we all have a tendency to eat the same things for breakfast most of the time. Unfortunately this can get boring after a while and our taste buds yearn for something new and different. From Chocolatecoveredkatie.com, this recipe for overnight oats is refreshing, and can easily be vegan. There is the basic recipe, then several suggestions for different variations to accommodate most everyone's favorite flavors. There is even a version for chocolate overnight oats, which I'm sure will be a favorite for this chocolate lover.

Overnight Oats

1/2 cup rolled oats or quick oats

1/2 cup milk of choice

1/2 cup yogurt or additional milk of choice

sweetener of choice, as desired

1/8 tsp salt

optional 1/2 cup fruit of choice

optional 1-2 tbsp nut butter

optional 1 tbsp chia seeds, or add-ins of choice

*This recipe is easily vegan if you choose nondairy yogurt and milk. Options include almond, cashew, soy, rice, oat, or coconut.

Other  Flavor Options

• Peanut Butter Overnight Oats: Add 2 tbsp peanut butter to the recipe. Throw in a handful of mini chocolate chips if desired.
• Chocolate Chip Cookie: Use vanilla yogurt or add 1/8 tsp pure vanilla extract. Stir in 3-4 tsp chocolate chips, optional crushed walnuts, and a dash of cinnamon.
• Nutella: Use your favorite brand of chocolate hazelnut spread. Top with toasted hazelnuts if you want.
• Blueberry Overnight Oats: Use fresh or frozen blueberries as the fruit. You can also use blueberry yogurt if you wish.
• Monkey Oats: Substitute mashed banana for the yogurt. Add 1-2 tbsp peanut butter and a handful of mini chocolate chips.
• Banana Bread: Add 1/4 tsp cinnamon and 1-2 tbsp crushed walnuts or pecans with the dry ingredients. Use sliced banana as your fruit of choice.
• Cinnamon Apple: Add 1/4 tsp cinnamon or apple pie spice. Use diced apple as your fruit of choice, and add 1-2 tbsp raisins and some crushed walnuts if desired.
• Mint Chocolate Chip: Add 1/8 to 1/4 tsp pure peppermint extract, depending on desired strength. Stir in 2-4 tsp mini chocolate chips. If you wish, you can also add a little spirulina powder for color and added nutrition.
• High Protein Overnight Oats: Stir 1 scoop of your favorite protein powder into the base recipe. Add extra milk if needed.
• Pumpkin Pie: Substitute canned pumpkin for the yogurt. Add 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice or cinnamon and a few drops of pure vanilla extract.
• Carrot Cake: Add 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 2-3 tbsp shredded carrot, and optional 1 tbsp almond or coconut butter. You can also stir in a handful of raisins, shredded coconut, or chopped walnuts.
• Piña Colada: Use coconut yogurt and coconut milk. Add a few drops pure vanilla extract, and use diced pineapple as your fruit of choice (or skip the pineapple for plain coconut oatmeal).
• Creamy Coffee: Add 1 tsp instant coffee to the recipe. For an even creamier result, substitute nondairy creamer for half the milk of choice. You can also add 1/8 tsp pure vanilla extract if desired.
• Strawberry Shortcake: Use strawberry yogurt, and replace the milk of choice with either canned coconut milk or nondairy creamer. Use strawberries as your fruit of choice, and stir in some strawberry jam at the end if desired. The same idea can be applied to raspberries, blackberries, peaches, or cherries.

Chocolate Overnight Oats - Ingredients

1/2 cup rolled oats

1 1/2 tbsp cocoa powder

2 tsp chia seeds, optional

1/8 tsp salt

1/2 cup plain yogurt, such as nondairy Coconut Dream

1 tbsp nut butter or melted coconut oil, optional

1/2 cup milk of choice

2-4 tsp chocolate chips or mini chocolate chips

sweetener of choice, to taste

Stir together the first 3 ingredients (and chia, if using) in a mason jar or lidded container. Top with the remaining ingredients, then seal the lid tightly. Shake to evenly combine all ingredients. Transfer to the fridge, and let sit overnight. The next day, simply take off the lid and breakfast is ready! (If you’d prefer, you can also heat it up at this time.) Sweeten as desired, either before or after letting it sit.