Fruit Flavored Overnight Oats

I posted a recipe for overnight oats awhile ago but I've been experimenting with different fruit flavored versions now. With so many fruits and berries in season right now, I wanted to post a few favorites I've been trying. With the weather so hot, I have not been feeling like a hot breakfast so overnight oats are perfect. Food in jars are popular right now so I make my overnight oats in half pint canning jars and use storage caps that I bought to give them a secure seal for storage. I've really gotten in the habit of eating this everyday and will even grab an extra one from the refrigerator and throw in my bag when I know I'm having a busy day when I have to eat on the run. (Must keep plastic spoons in my car now! Is this as dangerous as texting?) In the middle of a busy day, one of these is like eating fresh fruit on ice cream. The overnight oats get very smooth and creamy as it sits overnight. I usually make four at a time (set up an assembly line in the kitchen) so by the time you eat the fourth one, it has set in the refrigerator for a few day and is very creamy. Love it. Here are four of my favorites.

First, make a standard recipe that you can use for any fruit flavor. Get some 8 ounce (half pint) canning jars and storage caps.

Standard Overnight Oats 

1/4 cup uncooked old fashioned oats
1/4 cup nonfat milk
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
2 teaspoon dried chia seeds
1/4 teaspoon vanilla flavoring
1 teaspoon honey, optional or substitute any sweetener such as maple syrup or agave nectar

Sometimes I will use Fage greek yogurt with zero fat yet very rich and creamy.

Start by lining up your jars. Add the oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds and vanilla extract. 

Why the chia seeds, you ask? Chia seeds add crunch which I like, just like I like adding sunflower seeds to my salad. Chia seeds are a lot like flaxseeds but they contain even more of the omega-3 fatty acids and you don't need to grind them up first because their nutrients become available - as is - to the body. They are also higher in antioxidants than flaxseeds and will not deteriorate for long periods so you can store them without worrying about them becoming rancid. They will add more fiber to your overnight oats, as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and many trace minerals. A real winner, I say. These are a good way to increase the fiber content of your breakfast, as well as some healthy fats.

After you add the first five ingredients, screw the lids onto each jar and shake well to mix thoroughly.

Add the honey or sweetener of choice, if you prefer. I use honey because I always loved oatmeal with honey and I love my sweets. 

Stir well with a spoon and then shake to mix.

The nutrient content of this standard recipe is:

212 calories,
10 grams of protein
5 grams of (healthy) fat
6 grams of fiber

58% carbs, 22% protein and 20% fat - a very well balanced breakfast and good way to start your day.

Raspberry Overnight Oats 

Right now my favorite flavor is raspberry overnight oats. This combination is superb. The raspberries are glorious. 

To the Standard Overnight Oats recipe, add 1/4 to 1/3 cup of raspberries or enough to fill the jar. Stir until mixed thoroughly. Fill free to really chop up the berries with the spoon as you stir. Screw the lid back onto the jar and refrigerate overnight or up to 2-3 days. Eat chilled.


Nutrient Content:
228 calories
10 grams of protein
5 grams of fat
8 grams of fiber

Apple-Cinnamon Overnight Oats 

My previous favorite flavor is the apple-cinnamon. This tastes like the oatmeal we're all familiar with and is a good staple recipe when berries are not so abundant.

Make the Standard Overnight Oats recipe but omit the honey or sweetener. Instead, add 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or enough to fill the jar. Then add 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Stir until mixed thoroughly. Screw the lid back onto the jar and refrigerate overnight or up to 2-3 days. Eat chilled.

Nutrient Content:

204 calories
10 grams of protein
5 grams of fat
6 grams of fiber

Blueberry Overnight Oats 

To the Standard Overnight Oats recipes, add 1/4 cup blueberries and stir until mixed thoroughly. Screw the lid onto the jar and refrigerate overnight or up to 2-3 days. Eat chilled.

Nutrient Content:

223 calories
10 grams protein
5 grams of fat
7 grams of fiber

Banana-Peanut Butter Overnight Oats 

This is a good one to eat when you know you're going to have a busy morning. This recipe has about 120 calories more than the others but they are healthy extra calories coming from the peanut butter. Sometimes I just crave this in the morning.

To the Standard Overnight Oats recipe, add 1 Tbsp. peanut butter. Screw the lid onto the jar and shake until well combined. Remove lid and add 1/4 cup diced ripe banana, or enough to fill the jar (approximately half of a small banana) and stir until mixed thoroughly. Fill free to really chop up the banana and mix up the peanut butter with the spoon as you stir. Screw lid onto jar and refrigerate overnight or up to 2-3 days. Eat chilled.

Nutrient Content

342 calories
15 grams of protein
10 grams of fat
9 grams of fiber