The following post is sponsored by ICED Media on behalf of Arrowhead Mills and Maranatha. The opinions expressed are honest and my own.
My favorite thing about overnight oats is that they’re so simple to make, and easy to grab and go in the morning. There is no cooking when it comes to “ONOs,” just combine everything, mix it up, and let it soak overnight while you get your beauty sleep! Then come morning time, you can quickly grab your jar of fully prepped oats amidst the morning madness and eat them on your way to work or while getting ready. There is no excuse for skipping breakfast when it’s already prepared for you! I loveeee eating them cold, right out of the fridge.
Some of you may ask, what is the difference between whole rolled oats & steel cut oats?
The difference between rolled and steel cut oats is that while both contain whole grain oats, they are processed differently. Rolled oats are steamed, rolled, steamed again and toasted, ending up as thin flakes. Steel cut oats are made from oat kernels that have been chopped into thick pieces.
Both types of oats are great choices (especially compared to extremely processed instant oatmeal), but steel cut oats get even more points in my book because they digest slower than rolled ones. Like all other grains in whole or cracked form, steel cut oats rank lower on the glycemic index than rolled oats because they take longer for digestive enzymes to reach the starch inside the thicker pieces, slowing down its conversion to sugar. In a nutshell, they don’t cause a spike in blood sugar!
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Overnight Oats
Serves 1
1/2 cup strawberries, sliced
1/2 cup almond or soy milk
1/4 cup Arrowhead Mills Gluten Free Steel Cut Oats
1/2 ripe banana, mashed
1 Tbsp chia seeds
1/2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 Tbsp maple syrup
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a glass jar and mix until well combined. Cover with lid and store in the refrigerator overnight.
Tip:
If you’re feeling adventurous, add some fun healthy toppings to send your tastebuds over the top into mouthwatering goodness!
Optional Toppings:
1 Tbsp Maranatha Sunflower Seed Butter
1/2 Tbsp dark chocolate chips
The Rabbit Food Pyramid Breakdown
Produce: strawberries and banana
Whole Grain: steel cut oats
Protein: milk
Plant Based Fat: chia seeds
Free Extras: cocoa powder and vanilla
Show Arrowhead Mills & Maranatha some love!
Arrowhead Mills
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Website: arrowheadmills.com
Maranatha Foods
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Website: maranathafoods.com
Arlene
January 28, 2014 at 1:40 pm (11 years ago)I see lots of these refrigerator oatmeal recipes around these days but wanted to know if the chai seeds are necessary? I just don’t have them on hand 🙂
Catherine
January 28, 2014 at 1:42 pm (11 years ago)Hi Arlene! Chia seeds soak up all of the liquid (almond milk in this case) and expand to make the texture thicker. You can go without the chia seeds and cut the almond milk in half so that the oats absorb it all 🙂
Nancy A.
January 28, 2014 at 2:15 pm (11 years ago)I love overnight oats and this one looks wonderful! Will try it as soon as I get strawberries. All I have is frozen one, don’t guess they would work?
Catherine
January 28, 2014 at 3:57 pm (11 years ago)Hi Nancy! You could most definitely use frozen strawberries as they will defrost in the refrigerator overnight 🙂
jane
January 28, 2014 at 2:58 pm (11 years ago)looks yummy! except almond milk is very low in protein (barely 1 gram)..
Catherine
January 28, 2014 at 3:56 pm (11 years ago)Hi Jane! Silk Pure Almond has a new Almond milk with protein and fiber! http://silk.com/products/original-proteinfiber-almondmilk
Katie @ Produce on Parade
January 28, 2014 at 3:13 pm (11 years ago)I’ve never tried overnight oats with steel cut oats! What a grand idea. The rolled ones get a bit mushy I think. Also, unrelated…did you dye your hair?! I’ve been wanting to go from dark too light but I’m too chicken!
Catherine
January 28, 2014 at 3:55 pm (11 years ago)Oh my gosh, Katie you have to try it! They stay so chewy, it’s delish! I totally forgot that I never posted a picture of my new hair on my blog! There are a bunch of pictures on my Instagram :). My stylist used a bleach and ammonia free lightener so my hair is still in amazing condition! I’m still getting used to how light it is, but it’s so fun! Especially in this hot CA winter! haha
Alicia Cooper
January 28, 2014 at 3:22 pm (11 years ago)The topping on these overnight oats look amazing! <3
Catherine
January 28, 2014 at 3:53 pm (11 years ago)Thanks Alicia! Topping are my fav!!! The Sunflower Seed Butter is like nothing else 🙂
Amanda
January 28, 2014 at 5:05 pm (11 years ago)Yum, this sounds divine! I am not a fan of oats, but I think I will try some faux-oats with quinoa flakes!
Catherine
January 28, 2014 at 6:22 pm (11 years ago)Amanda, oh my gosh I bet this would taste so yummy with quinoa flakes!
Emily @ Greens and Granola
January 28, 2014 at 5:31 pm (11 years ago)Yum! I recently “discovered” steel-cut oats and I like them so much better anyway, so this is awesome news for me. 🙂 I’ll have to try this recipe!
Catherine
January 28, 2014 at 6:22 pm (11 years ago)Don’t you just love discovered healthy foods?! So much fun!
hillary
January 28, 2014 at 8:44 pm (11 years ago)Just made these– thank you! I don’t have glass jars (need to buy some!) so I used glass cups and covered with press and seal LOL
Catherine
January 29, 2014 at 6:34 am (11 years ago)Love it Hillary! You gotta do what you gotta do to get those oats made! haha
Stephanie @ Whole Health Dork
January 29, 2014 at 3:49 am (11 years ago)This sounds delicious! I’m going to try this weekend! Thanks for sharing!
Catherine
January 29, 2014 at 6:34 am (11 years ago)Awesome, I can’t wait for you to try them 🙂
D @ The Kosher Cave Girl
January 29, 2014 at 6:47 am (11 years ago)I make something similar, only with chia seeds since I don’t eat oats. Chocolate and strawberries are almost always a winning combination.
Catherine
January 29, 2014 at 5:27 pm (11 years ago)Love that, D! Chocolate & strawberries are always great!
Angella Pizzo
January 29, 2014 at 8:49 am (11 years ago)Catherine…..love your bunny ring. too cute. i seen a bunny license plate the other day and thought of u. Cant wait to try this one! sounds amazballs. <3
Catherine
January 29, 2014 at 5:27 pm (11 years ago)Thanks Angella! And omg too cute that you thought of me 🙂
Nikki K
January 29, 2014 at 4:04 pm (11 years ago)Totally made this last night and had it for breakfast this morning. It was so delicious! I am pregnant and so tired… It is way too easy to reach for a granola bar for breakfast but that doesn’t exactly cover my food groups! It was so nice opening up the fridge and having it just waiting for me. Making it again right now… But double so my honey can have his own. (I wouldn’t give him more than 1 bite!) 😉
Catherine
January 29, 2014 at 5:28 pm (11 years ago)Awww congratulations Nikki! I’m so glad you loved it and are making some for your honey! xo
Joann Woolley
January 29, 2014 at 4:41 pm (11 years ago)I’ve never tried steel cut oats and had been wondering what all the hype was so I really appreciated your clear explaination as to why they are better.
AND I’ve never tried over night oats but have been wondering – going to add this to Pinterest for my shopping list!
Catherine
January 29, 2014 at 5:29 pm (11 years ago)You are so welcome, Joann! I can’t wait for you to try them!
Hayz
January 30, 2014 at 12:11 am (11 years ago)All I can look at is your nails!! Girl please tell me that polish info! Superb color!
Jessi
January 30, 2014 at 12:21 pm (11 years ago)Hi Catherine, LOVE your blog! Just bought the ingredients to make these tonight, but want to make sure: can I make a few so that my breakfast for the next few days is ready, or is it better to do one each night (would they get too soggy if left a few days?)…Thanks!
Catherine
January 31, 2014 at 1:42 pm (11 years ago)Hi Jessi! I’ve always made my oats the night before eating them, but I think they would be fine in the fridge a few days in advance 🙂
Angela
February 3, 2014 at 9:27 pm (11 years ago)I really love this idea! Do you have any idea of a replacement for the banana, or is it needed at all? Unfortunately I just can’t eat banana in anything, but the rest looks great!
Lauren
February 11, 2014 at 7:10 pm (11 years ago)Just made this today, it was so great! I used a Chia and flax blend because that was all that was available at my grocery store. It still absorbed everything properly and had a great texture. I just got done making a new batch for tomorrow! Thanks for sharing!
Catherine
February 11, 2014 at 8:27 pm (11 years ago)This is so great to hear! I’m glad you loved the oats, Lauren : ) and flax chia blend sounds delish!
ronda
April 7, 2014 at 9:18 pm (11 years ago)Just made two on for myself and one for the hubby can’t wait to try!
Kati
June 25, 2014 at 6:10 pm (10 years ago)I was wondering if you could use chocolate protein powder instead of the cocoa powder, for the added protein. Any idea?
Catherine
June 25, 2014 at 7:50 pm (10 years ago)Hi Kati! You could definitely add some chocolate protein powder! I wonder if half protein powder/half cocoa powder would work?! Let me know if you give it a try!
Erin
July 6, 2014 at 4:27 pm (10 years ago)Do these get mushy if they sit for more than one day? I was thinking of preparing a few days worth in advance but I’m not sure how it would turn out. Thanks!
sharene
July 29, 2014 at 8:28 pm (10 years ago)I was wondering if you could use quick oats instead of the steel cut oats?? that’s all I have
on hand right now and want to make them tonight??
Catherine
July 30, 2014 at 3:35 pm (10 years ago)Hi Sharene! You could definitely use quick oats for this recipe!
Amy
September 8, 2014 at 9:24 pm (10 years ago)I just came across your blog because of Pinterest. I am so excited to try your recipes! I just made 2 of these for my husband and I for breakfast tomorrow. Thanks for all of the great ideas! I have struggled off and on with weight my whole life. I’m needing to start tracking again and your blog is very motivating to me. I also love that you warn about getting carried away with weight loss. Thanks for blogging!
Anthea
October 13, 2014 at 2:52 am (10 years ago)Hi i was wondering if it’s possible to make overnight oats with instant oat? I know its nutrition value is definitely inferior if you compare it to rolled/steel-cut oats but i just want to know if it will turn out the same in terms of texture and taste if i use instant oats for this recipe??
murr
January 8, 2015 at 6:15 pm (10 years ago)Just found your blog and wondering if you have nutritional info for this recipe. Looks delicious and easy, but I’m trying to track calories, carbs, etc daily. Help?
Kate
January 27, 2015 at 10:41 am (10 years ago)If you join “myfitnesspal.com” you can copy/paste the ingredients into the “make your own recipe” tab. This will give you the overall nutrition for the meal and you can save the entry for the next time you have it.
Alexa [fooduzzi.com]
February 11, 2015 at 9:57 am (10 years ago)This sounds absolutely wonderful! Overnight oats are such an amazing breakfast – they’re so quick for my crazy mornings!
Beth
February 27, 2015 at 6:17 pm (10 years ago)Do you have to cook the oats? Or do they go in raw?
Diana D.
March 8, 2015 at 10:53 pm (10 years ago)I would love to try this recipe! My question is whether 1% milk would work vs. the almond milk. I never tried almond milk, but I suppose it’s always good to try new things. But your feedback would be appreciated!
Catherine
March 9, 2015 at 2:49 pm (10 years ago)Hi Diana! Yes, 1% milk will work great! I personally love using almond milk, but any type of milk works for overnight oats!