Overnight Steel Cut Oats

Love oats for breakfast? Try my protein oatmeal, protein overnight oats, and baked oats next. Overnight oats are one of my breakfast staples. They are filling and healthy and keep me energized right up until lunchtime! For some variety, I love changing my regular overnight oats and making overnight steel cut oatmeal, and the texture and satiety power is on another level.

Why I love this recipe

Easy to make. A simple 5-minute prep the night before will provide you quick grab-and-go breakfast in the morning. I love to meal prep around 5-6 servings on the weekend, so breakfasts are sorted for the week ahead! It’s healthy. There are tons of health benefits associated with steel-cut oats, including all the nutrients they provide, but my favorite is that it balances out my blood sugar, so I’m not hungry two minutes later. It has the perfect texture. These oats often get a bad rap for being too tough or chewy. But I’ve nailed the perfect combination to ensure every bite is creamy and satisfying with just the right amount of chew.

Ingredients Needed

Steel cut oats. For this recipe, I suggest you go with quick-cooking steel-cut oats. They are finely cut regular steel-cut oats. It expedites the softening process without affecting the nutritional profile whatsoever. However, classic steel cut oats work, too. Chia seeds. It helps thicken the oats and gives them a creamy texture. It also packs in an impressive amount of fiber and protein. Milk. I typically use whole milk as that is what we have on hand, which adds some healthy fats and protein. Almond milk, coconut milk, and other dairy-free milk will also work Greek yogurt. I love how creamy the oats turn out with adding a few spoons of yogurt. It also increases the protein content of your recipe! If you don’t have Greek yogurt, opt for any thick yogurt. Honey. If you plan on eating your oats plain, adding some form of sweetness is a must! Liquid sweeteners like honey or maple syrup are better than granulated sweeteners, as a little goes a very long way. Salt. Just a pinch of salt can bring out the natural sweetness of the overall breakfast bowl. Toppings. Anything and everything. As pictured, you’ll see strawberries and almond butter and one with macadamia nuts and honey. Other ideas include banana, apple, nut butter, cinnamon, berries, walnuts, tahini, and almonds.

How to make overnight steel cut oats

I’ve included step-by-step photos below to make this recipe easy to follow at home. For the full printable recipe instructions and ingredient quantities, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this post. Steel cut oats are less processed than rolled oats, so they have a chewier texture and a more impressive nutritional profile. The downside? They typically take longer to cook than standard quick or old-fashioned oats. However, there is a shortcut to that, and that is where steel cut overnight oats come into the picture! Step 3- Top and serve. Transfer the oats into bowls or mason jars, add toppings, and serve.

Arman’s recipe tips

Soak in hot milk. To help soften the steel-cut oats, sometimes I soak them in hot milk instead of cold milk. The oats will still be enjoyed cold, but this trick is a surefire way for them to be soft and creamy. Adjust the consistency. If you find your oats too runny, add more oats or add a spoonful of chia seeds. Reserve the add-ins for the next day. If you want the crunchy elements to retain their texture, I suggest you stir them on the day you eat the oats.

Storage instructions

To store. Steel-cut overnight oats keep well for seven days in the refrigerator. Store them covered and enjoy them through the week. Not everyone is a fan of the overnight oatmeal method, which is fine! If you do prefer to have your steel cut oats fully cooked, you can prep them that way and still enjoy them directly from the fridge. To make- Combine the oats, milk, and chia seeds in a medium saucepan, place over medium heat, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes until some of the moisture has reduced. Transfer the oats into a bowl, add the yogurt, vanilla extract, and drizzle of honey, then cover and refrigerate overnight.

Add protein. Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder and increase the liquid by two tablespoons. Make fun flavors: Oats are like a blank canvas, and you can dress them up in many ways. Add peanut butter and jam for a PB&J-inspired breakfast or add some espresso and chocolate chips for a coffee-flavored bowl.

To freeze. Freeze single-serve portions of these oats in freezer-safe containers for up to 6 months.