Description
This No-Cook Refrigerator Oatmeal is a quick, nutritious, and effortless breakfast option. Combining rolled oats with chia seeds, milk, and a touch of natural sweetener, it creates a creamy, pudding-like texture after chilling overnight. Perfect for busy mornings, it’s customizable and requires no cooking, making it an ideal make-ahead meal.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned oats work best for texture)
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy like almond, oat, or soy milk)
Add-ins
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1–2 teaspoons sweetener (honey, maple syrup, agave nectar, or your preferred choice, adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, but highly recommended for depth of flavor)
Instructions
- Gather Ingredients: Measure out the rolled oats, your choice of milk, chia seeds, sweetener, and vanilla extract to ensure a smooth and quick preparation.
- Add Oats to Container: Pour 1/2 cup of rolled oats into a jar, reusable container with a lid, or a large mug to hold the mixture.
- Combine Milk and Add-ins: Pour 1 cup of your chosen milk into the container. Add 1 tablespoon chia seeds, the sweetener (start with 1 teaspoon and increase to taste), and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract if using.
- Mix Thoroughly: Stir the ingredients well to prevent clumps of oats or chia seeds, ensuring everything is evenly distributed.
- Refrigerate: Secure the lid tightly and place the container in the refrigerator to chill.
- Chill and Thicken: Let the mixture sit for at least 4 hours or ideally overnight, allowing the oats to soften and chia seeds to absorb the liquid and thicken the oatmeal.
- Serve: Stir the oatmeal before eating. Adjust consistency with more milk if desired, and top with fruits, nuts, seeds, or yogurt as preferred.
Notes
- Use old-fashioned rolled oats for the ideal texture; instant oats may become too mushy.
- Sweetener amount can be adjusted or omitted based on personal preference or dietary needs.
- Non-dairy milks like almond, oat, or soy milk work well and offer flavor variations.
- This oatmeal can be prepared in advance and stored in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- Feel free to add toppings such as fresh berries, sliced bananas, nuts, or a spoonful of yogurt for extra flavor and nutrition.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: no-cook oatmeal, overnight oats, refrigerator oatmeal, healthy breakfast, chia seeds, easy oatmeal recipe, make-ahead breakfast
