Description
This Easy Chai Spiced Overnight Oats recipe combines rolled oats, chia seeds, and warm chai spices soaked overnight in milk for a creamy, flavorful, and ready-to-eat breakfast. Sweetened with maple syrup or honey and enhanced with a touch of vanilla, it offers a comforting blend of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg. The oats develop a thick, pudding-like consistency overnight in the refrigerator, making it a perfect quick, nutritious, and customizable morning meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned oats are best for texture)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon chai spice blend (or a mix of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch ground nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
- 1.5 cups milk of choice (dairy or non-dairy like almond, oat, or soy)
- 1–2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (adjust to your sweetness preference)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Toppings (optional)
- Fresh fruit (berries, sliced bananas, etc.)
- Chopped nuts or seeds
- A dollop of yogurt (Greek or plant-based)
- A sprinkle of extra chai spice
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients: In a medium-sized jar, bowl, or airtight container, combine 1 cup rolled oats, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, and 1 teaspoon chai spice blend along with 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon and a pinch of ground nutmeg. Stir thoroughly to evenly distribute the spices throughout the oats and chia seeds for consistent flavor in every bite.
- Add wet ingredients: Pour in 1.5 cups of your preferred milk—be it dairy or plant-based like almond, oat, or soy. Add 1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup or honey based on your sweetness preference, then stir in 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract to enhance the warming aroma of the chai spices.
- Combine thoroughly: Stir all the ingredients gently but completely to ensure there are no clumps of oats or chia seeds stuck to the container. This helps chia seeds swell evenly and develop the gel-like texture essential for thickening the oats.
- Refrigerate overnight: Securely cover your container with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. This resting period allows the oats to absorb the liquid, soften, and develop a creamy pudding-like consistency.
- Serve with toppings: In the morning, stir the oats well. If too thick, add a splash more milk to reach desired consistency. Spoon into a bowl and top with fresh fruit, chopped nuts, seeds, yogurt, or extra chai spice for a flavorful finish.
Notes
- You can substitute the chai spice blend with equal parts cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cloves to create your own mix.
- For a vegan version, use plant-based milk and maple syrup as the sweetener.
- The oats can be made in larger batches and stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Adjust sweetness and spice levels per your preference to customize flavor.
- Overnight oats can be eaten cold or warmed gently if preferred.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: overnight oats, chai spice, easy breakfast, healthy oats, chia seeds, make-ahead breakfast, plant-based milk, vegan option
