I’m not sure how it is that I wrote an entire cookbook on breakfast, including a whole chapter devoted to grains, and managed to leave out a recipe for overnight oats. It’s a simple-as-can-be way to breakfast whereby you mix together oats, milk and whatever other goodies strike your fancy, and leave it in the fridge to soak overnight. By morning, the oatmeal absorbs the liquid, softens, and is tasty served cold — muesli-style — or warmed in the microwave.
Everyday Ingredients
This particular spin on the idea involves ingredients you likely already have on hand: oats, banana, milk, honey, and almond butter. Eat it straight up or top it with fruit (mango is a personal favorite). For the almond butter, I prefer the freshly ground one sold at Sprouts Farmers’ Market. It’s available in pint-size tubs near the bulk bins and is seriously the best almond butter I’ve had.
Overnight Oats To Go
In addition to the make-ahead ease of overnight oats, packing this breakfast into little jars means it’s a good one to take on the go. From a nutrition standpoint, each jar comes in at under 300 calories, give or take depending on the type of milk you use. And it’s packed with everything you need to start your day: whole grains, healthy fats, protein, calcium, and fresh fruit. The recipe makes just one serving, but can easily be scaled up and made in several jars or one bigger bowl to serve up in the morning.
If you’re interested in more breakfast oats, you might like my recipe for Steel Cut Oats or this one for Make Your Own Microwave Oatmeal.
And for those of you who are way ahead of me with overnight rolled oats, I’d love to hear what you stir into yours.
Overnight Banana Almond Butter Oats
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon Sprouts salted almond butter (sold near the bulk bin section)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/2 ripe banana
- 2/3 cup almond milk or other favorite milk
- 1/3 rounded cup rolled oats
- Chopped fresh fruit for topping the oatmeal (optional)
Instructions
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Put the almond butter, honey, and banana into a glass jar that is 8 to 12 ounces. If you don't have a jar, use a cereal bowl. Use a fork to vigorously mash together the ingredients until blended and smooth. Add the milk and stir again to blend. Add the oats and stir well. Put the lid on the jar or cover the cereal bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
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In the morning, stir and enjoy chilled or warm it by microwaving on high in 30 second bursts, stirring after each burst, until warm, about 1 1/2 minutes. Top with fresh fruit, if desired.
