If you’re looking for a quick and easy breakfast that’s both nutritious and delicious, overnight oats are the perfect solution. And the best part? You can make them with just water! No milk or yogurt required. Overnight oats made with water are a fantastic option for those who are lactose intolerant, vegan, or just looking for a lighter alternative to traditional oatmeal.
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Get ready to rock your taste buds and nourish your body with rolled oats—the ultimate whole-grain powerhouse! These versatile oats are a fantastic way to kick-start your day, whether you’re in the mood for a warm bowl of oatmeal or a tasty overnight oats creation.
Speaking of overnight oats, have you tried them yet? Not only do they make mornings a breeze, but they also have an amazingly creamy texture with no cooking required! Plus, rolled oats are loaded with fiber, protein, and essential vitamins and minerals to fuel your body and keep you feeling full and energized. So, next time you’re looking for a healthy and delicious breakfast or snack, grab some rolled oats and get ready to rock your taste buds!
Why you’ll love this recipe
Overnight oats are a delicious and nutritious way to start your day. Here are some of the reasons, it’s my go-to breakfast:
- Simple ingredients: This is a great base recipe made with just water, so it’s vegan-friendly and super simple to make.
- Customizable: You can customize it with your favorite toppings for a delicious breakfast that’s ready when you wake up!
- Low effort: The best part about this recipe is that it requires minimal effort. All you have to do is mix the ingredients together the night before and let them sit in the fridge overnight. In the morning, you’ll have a creamy, flavorful breakfast that’s ready to eat!
Ingredient notes
This basic overnight oats recipe uses just seven simple ingredients that you most likely already have on hand!
- Rolled oats: Rolled or old-fashioned oats work best for overnight oats. Quick oats or instant oats can also work but will have a softer texture. I don’t recommend using steel cut oats for overnight oats as they will not soften enough for this recipe. Use certified gluten-free oats as needed.
- Water: No need for any type of milk, water will do just fine! However, if you want your oats creamier or to add extra calories, feel free to use whichever non-dairy milk you prefer whether that’s almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, or soy milk.
- Chia seeds: These simple seeds are the secret to thick overnight oats. They create a gel-like consistency that makes overnight oats chewy, not to mention the extra omega-3s they provide! Flax seeds are a great substitute if you don’t have chia seeds.
- Nut Butter: Since we’re cutting out some flavor and nutrition by just using water, I like to add a nut butter to make it more filling and flavorful. Peanut butter or almond butter are my go-to’s but sunflower seed butter is also great for those with a nut allergy.
- Maple syrup: A little bit goes a long way and provides some sweetness and flavor that would otherwise be missing. Honey, agave syrup or coconut sugar can be used as well.
- Vanilla extract: Adds such a delicious aroma, you won’t even notice the final result was made with water!
You can also add in any other ingredients you like such as dried fruit or nuts for extra flavor and nutrition.
Reference the recipe card at the bottom of this post for exact measurements.
How to make
To make overnight oats with water, simply combine all of the ingredients in a bowl or jar (a mason jar works great!) and stir until everything is evenly mixed together. Cover the bowl or jar with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator overnight.
Next morning, your oats will be creamy and ready to eat! Top with fresh fruit or your favorite toppings and enjoy! See below for more topping suggestions.
Topping and flavor ideas
This overnight oats recipe is delicious on its own but can also be topped with your favorite fruits, nuts, seeds, nut butters, or sweeteners for extra flavor and nutrition.
Some of my favorite toppings and flavors to include per serving are:
- Apple sauce – 2-3 tablespoons
- Yogurt – 2-3 tablespoons
- More sweetener – Up to 2 tablespoons of either maple, agave, honey, coconut sugar, or date paste
- Cinnamon and nutmeg
- Jam or jelly – Any flavor!
- Dairy free chocolate chips – 1-2 tablespoons
- Shredded coconut
- Cocoa powder – 1 teaspoon
- Chopped walnuts or pecans
- Protein powder – I love making my own pea protein flour and adding it to overnight oats and smoothies.
- Pinch of salt – Helps bring out the other flavors
Top tips
Here are some top tips for making this overnight oats recipe:
• For best results, use rolled oats. Old-fashioned rolled oats are the Goldilocks of oat varieties when it comes to overnight oats. Quick-cooking oats can become too mushy after sitting in liquid overnight while steel-cut oats don’t soften enough and can still be crunchy after soaking.
• If you want your oats to be extra creamy in the morning add a couple of tablespoons of your favorite yogurt when mixing everything together. I love a good soy yogurt that provides extra protein, or dairy-free greek yogurt.
• Feel free to customize this recipe with any other ingredients you like such as dried fruit or nuts for added flavor and nutrition. See the topping variations section for more ideas.
• If you don’t have time to make this recipe every evening before bedtime, try batching several servings at once! Overnight oatmeal is the ideal make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings because you can meal prep multiple servings at the same time, even in the same container. Just prep ahead, leave them in the fridge until ready to eat, and have a healthy breakfast ready for you all week long!
Frequently asked questions
Yes! In fact, oats need to be soaked or heated in some form of liquid for easier digestion. This recipe calls for water but feel free to use any type of milk (I love a good plant-based milk) if desired. You can also use juice but keep in mind that this will change the flavor of your oatmeal slightly so adjust accordingly! Have fun mixing it up with some strawberry juice or mango juice instead of water!
These overnight oats with water will last up to 5 days when stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
More easy overnight oat recipes
- Overnight Oat with Coconut Milk – For extra creamy and indulgent oats, you gotta try making them with coconut milk!
- Easy Protein Overnight Oats – In just 5 minutes and with only 4 simple ingredients, you can whip up a healthy and scrumptious breakfast packed with a whopping 33 grams of protein!
- Overnight Oats with Frozen Fruit – Fresh fruit can get expensive but you can have a delicious breakfast on a budget with frozen fruit!
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Creamy Overnight Oats with Water (No Milk or Yogurt)
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats
- ¾ cup water
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon all-natural peanut butter optional
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a sealable container and mix well to combine. Cover and place in the fridge for a few hours or overnight to soften and thicken.
- When ready to eat, top with fresh fruit or nuts as desired and enjoy!
