Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (2024)

Published: · Updated: by Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC · 9 Comments

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Making overnight steel cut oats is a quick and easy way of making a delicious and filling vegan breakfast. Made with steel cut oats, nut milk, salt, and water. It just requires 5 minutes of your time right before you go to sleep and another 5 minutes in the morning.

Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (1)

These overnight steel cut oats are filling, creamy, chewy, and so delicious. Make a large batch and have breakfast ready to go for the entire week.

They are so easy to make have a delicious texture, perfect for breakfast or even as a filling snack.

Ingredients you'll need

Making overnight steel cut oats requires the least amount of time and leads to delicious results. All you need are a few ingredients, including:

  • Steel cut oats: These are normally sold in packages or in the bulk section.
  • Water
  • Almond milk: Since we're making a vegan version, use store-bought or homemade almond milk.
  • Salt

You can also use additional toppings and ingredients to add flavor, including ground cinnamon, fresh berries, nut butter, hemp seeds, or chia seeds.

How to make overnight steel cut oats

1. Boil water: In a small pot, bring water to a boil. As soon as the water comes to a boil.

2. Add ingredients: Add oats, salt, and stir. Cover the pot and let it sit overnight. Turn off heat and cover the pot.

3. Warm oats: In the morning, mix the oats and warm on medium-low heat for 5 minutes.

4. Add milk: Add milk and stir well. Add toppings and serve.

Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (2)

Storing and reheating

If you have leftovers, let them cool down and place them in an air-tight glass container for up to 4-5 days. When you're ready to enjoy them, simply reheat the oatmeal on the stove top for a quick and easy breakfast. If the oats appear too thick, Just add a little water or milk and stir.

Top tips and suggestions

You can do so much with these basic overnight steel cut oats to boost the nutrition level, flavor, and more. Here are some of my favorite tips:

  • Use high-quality steel-cut oats: If your oats have been sitting for over a year, it might be best to compost them.
  • Add superfoods: Ingredients such as cinnamon, chia seeds, hemp seeds, and nut butter will boost the nutrition level in these oats. Be sure to add them in the morning when you're ready to enjoy the oats.
  • Sweeten naturally: Chopped dates, honey, and maple syrup are great options.
  • Use water: Adding nut milk will make your oats creamy, but you can also stick to water if you don't have milk on hand.
Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (3)

Frequently asked questions

What's the difference between steel cut oats and rolled oats? The primary difference between rolled oats and steel cut oats lies in the amount of processing.

Steel cut oats, also called pinhead oats, are groats of whole oats that have been cut into a few pieces. Therefore, steel cut oats are the least processed and maintain the best texture when cooked. However, they also take the longest amount of time to cook, but with a little prep the night before, you can easily mitigate this.

Rolled or old-fashioned oats are made by steaming and pressing flat. If you are in a hurry and need breakfast in a few minutes (and didn't do any prep the night before), rolled oats are always a great option. Click here for the recipe that uses rolled oats instead.

Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (4)

More easy breakfast recipes

  • Cherry Breakfast Bars
  • Breakfast Cookies
  • Chocolate Chip Banana Bread
  • Overnight Oats Recipe
  • Banana Chocolate Chip Bars
  • Roasted Cherry Yogurt Bowl

I hope you love this overnight steel cut oats recipe as much as I do.Sign up for email updatesto receive new recipes delivered to your inbox or check out my new cookbookPlant Power Bowls.

Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (5)

Overnight Steel Cut Oats

Print Pin Rate

Prep time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook time: 10 minutes minutes

Total time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 2

Calories: 313kcal

Author: Sapana Chandra

Making overnight steel cut oats is a quick and easy way of making a delicious and filling vegan breakfast. Made with steel cut oats, nut milk, salt, and water. It just requires 5 minutes of your time right before you go to sleep and another 5 minutes in the morning.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup steel cut oats
  • 2 cups water
  • ¼ cup almond milk
  • pinch of salt

Additional Toppings

  • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ cup fresh berries, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries
  • 1 tablespoon nut butter
  • 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds

Instructions

  • In a small pot, bring water to a boil the night before. As soon as the water comes to a boil, add the oats, salt, and stir.

  • Immediately turn off the heat and cover the pot. Let it sit overnight.

  • In the morning, mix the oats and warm on medium-low heat for 5 minutes.

  • Add milk and any other ingredients you'd like to. Serve and enjoy.

Nutrition

Calories: 313kcal, Carbohydrates: 53g, Protein: 13g, Fat: 6g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 53mg, Fiber: 9g, Sugar: 1g, Calcium: 85mg, Iron: 3mg

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

More Breakfast Recipes

  • Vegan Blueberry Scones
  • Raspberry Smoothie
  • Banana Chocolate Chip Bars
  • Roasted Cherry Yogurt Bowl

About Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC

Sapana Chandra is a certified health coach, author of Plant Power Bowls, and founder of Real +Vibrant. Here you’ll find simply delicious vegetarian recipes with step-by-step photo instructions – recipes you’ll be excited to enjoy and share with your loved ones.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Maggie says

    Can regular milk be used? Or would I just skip and use water and get the same consistency? Also do you just leave the pot on the counter all night or in the fridge?

    Reply

    • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

      Hi Maggie, you can use regular milk instead of almond milk when you warm up the oats in the morning. I just leave the pot on the counter all night.

      Reply

  2. Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

    Hi JC!! Thank you for bringing this to my attention. The 1195 was an error in the system and has been corrected now. The sodium is coming from the pinch of salt which can be omitted.

    Reply

  3. Jess says

    This is the perfect ratio of ingredients! Turned out perfect, thanks!Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (10)

    Reply

    • Sapana Chandra, MS, CHC says

      So happy to hear! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply

  4. Carley says

    Made this for breakfast. Loved how good they turned out.Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (11)

    Reply

    • Sapana Chandra says

      So glad to hear!

      Reply

  5. Riley says

    I had no idea how easy it was to make overnight steel cut oats! I cooked them last night and after a few minutes of warming up, they were ready to go this morning for my family. Thank you!Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (12)

    Reply

    • Sapana Chandra says

      It's so easy, isn't it?! I'm so glad you and your family enjoyed!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Overnight Steel Cut Oats (5-Minute Recipe) - Real + Vibrant (2024)

FAQs

Why not steel cut oats for overnight oats? ›

We love the chewy, hearty texture of steel-cut oats, but they're too firm to use for overnight oats. Steel-cut are much better simmered slowly, although if you are short on time, soaking them in water overnight then draining them before simmering will drastically cut down the cooking time.

What is the secret to overnight oats? ›

Add Twice as Much Milk as Oats

Whether you prefer whole milk, rice milk or coconut milk, you can use it. Just make sure to add twice as much milk as oats. Note: You can also use whey, buttermilk or thinned yogurt for a tangier flavor.

What happens if you use quick oats instead of rolled oats for overnight oats? ›

Leave instant oats behind when making overnight oats. Since they are so small, they'll actually just end up almost dissolving in the liquid. Steel-cuts oats can be used but expect them to very chewy and fairly dense.

Why did my overnight oats not work? ›

If you don't add enough liquid, your oats will be dry and clumpy in the morning, making them less enjoyable to eat. Make sure to add enough milk or yogurt to fully cover your oats and give them a creamy consistency.

What happens if I eat steel cut oats every morning? ›

Oatmeal's high fiber content and prebiotic qualities may benefit your body in more ways than one. Making oatmeal a regular part of your menu can potentially lower your disease risk, help your gut health thrive, make bowel movements easier and keep you feeling fuller for longer.

Which is healthier, overnight oats or steel cut oats? ›

While all oatmeal types boast the same nutrition facts, steel cut oats are the least processed oat. They're cut with a blade and thus take longer to cook than rolled oats, which are steamed and flattened.

What happens to your body when you eat overnight oats everyday? ›

When combined with milk or yoghurt, overnight oats can be a source of protein, which is essential for muscle repair and overall body function. The fibre and nutrients in oats are associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. They can help lower bad LDL cholesterol levels and promote cardiovascular health.

What not to add in overnight oats? ›

Here's what not to do when making overnight oats.
  1. Using water instead of milk. ...
  2. Forgetting to add salt. ...
  3. Using instant or steel cut oats. ...
  4. Adding berries to your oats at night. ...
  5. Not stirring your overnight oats. ...
  6. Forgetting to add spices and seasonings. ...
  7. Omitting nuts and seeds. ...
  8. Assuming you have to eat it cold.
Oct 21, 2023

What not to mix with oatmeal? ›

High-sugar toppings like chocolate, syrup, and dried fruit

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

Do you have to put yogurt in overnight oats? ›

No, yogurt adds a creamy texture but it isn't mandatory. You can use nut butter, banana, applesauce, or coconut milk instead. Can I make overnight oats without chia seeds? Chia seeds add a nice thick and creamy texture.

Do you stir overnight oats before putting in the fridge? ›

In a large glass jar, combine the oats, milk, yogurt, maple syrup or honey, chia seeds, vanilla cinnamon, and sea salt. Stir well to make sure all the ingredients are combined. Cover with a lid and place in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, remove from the refrigerator and stir.

What kind of milk is best for overnight oats? ›

Dairy milk and oat milk both work well. Coconut milk adds rich flavor and yields an especially creamy texture. Maple syrup – For sweetness. Honey works too.

Why am I still hungry after overnight oats? ›

Oatmeal is lacking in two macronutrients that help you stave off hunger for hours. Fat and protein are key ingredients to add to your oatmeal to keep you fuller, longer. And while it does have some protein, it's not enough to keep hunger at bay. Fat does the best job keeping you fuller, longer.

Why did my overnight oats turn green? ›

Consumers occasionally report greenish colors generated in their oat products when cooking in tap water. Here we have investigated pH and ferrous (Fe(2+)) ion as possible mechanisms for this color change. Steel-cut oat groats can turn brown-green color when cooked in alkaline conditions (pHs 9 to 12).

Why do overnight oats hurt my stomach? ›

The Problem with Uncooked Oats

When simply soaking oats overnight without cooking them, they are more likely to be troublesome to your digestion than cooked oats. That means you're more likely to experience those GI symptoms like bloating, flatulence, and stomach cramps.

Is it okay to soak steel cut oats overnight? ›

Cover and soak for 6 hours or overnight (see notes for shortcuts). This will improve digestibility and also slightly speed cooking time. It also yields fluffier, creamier oats! The following day (or 6 hours later), add a pinch of salt and bring to bubbling boil over high heat.

Is it safe to eat overnight steel cut oats? ›

You can eat overnight oats cold, straight from the fridge, or you can heat them up if desired. Use a mason jar or other storage container to take your oats on the go if needed. If you haven't gotten on board with overnight oats yet, what are you waiting for?

Can steel cut oats be left out overnight? ›

I do prep oatmeal with steel-cut cuts (with water, not milk) and leave it at room temperature overnight, but I wouldn't make more than a single day's batch at a time.

Are overnight steel cut oats hard to digest? ›

Your body digests steel-cut oats slowly, but that doesn't mean they're hard to digest. It's actually better to digest slowly because it doesn't cause your blood sugar to spike.

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