So if you’ve never heard of a Refrigerator Oatmeal recipe before…aka “Overnight Oats” or even more well-known…muesli!… let me just tell you that it is as easy as pouring yourself some cereal…I’m serious!
Refrigerator oats — and look! You can see me in the spoon reflection :-)
I’ve found that sometimes we get into a rut where we can’t even be energetic enough to make a healthier breakfast...sometimes I can’t even get myself to make a smoothie. I know, I know…I can be pretty lazy. So you know, you get stuck in a cereal rut… Or you just skip breakfast and then binge later. Or you go to Starbucks and have a croissant and a coffee or even a dreaded BREAKFAST SANDWICH…!!!
Dun, dun, dunnnnnn!!!!! :P
All ready to go the next morning.
When Laziness Sets In
Just kidding! Hey, I promise I’m the last to judge. But when we get in these ruts, it’s super helpful to have a go-to that only takes 10 seconds to make, and is not only super comforting, but also totally adaptable and nutritious.
And that’s where Refrigerator Oats come in!
The concept couldn’t be easier: to a jar or bowl, add rolled oats, add milk of choice (I prefer almond), cover and refrigerate for a few hours to overnight. It’s the best to do that right before bed, so it’s just done and ready and waiting for you the next morning. Then to those ingredients, you can add whatever extras you want for extra flavor, fiber and nutrition.
I’m not gonna pretend like this thing hasn’t been done before. Overnight Oats are a huge sensation all over the vegan breakfast world, and you see a new recipe almost every day.
And c’mon, we’ve all heard of muesli…which is a Swiss “invention” from around the year 1900. Of course, that’s exactly what this is, but Wikipedia told me the original dish was made overnight with lemon, water and some yogurt. For me, I’d just use almond milk, lemon and maple syrup and have Lemonade Muesli for breakfast. SOUNDS AMAZING! (note to self: post that soon!)
My Favorite Mix-Ins to Add:
- Raw cacao powder
- Nut butter
- Maple syrup
- Cinnamon
- Chopped nuts
- Frozen or fresh berries/fruit (bananas, blueberries, kiwi, etc!)
- Maca powder
- Chia seeds
- Hemp seeds
- Protein powder
- Unsweetened coconut
- Pomegranate juice/arils
- The list goes on and on! Be creative!
Yum / Drool
You Can Even Use Steel-Cut Oats
I will be doing another recipe at some point soon where I’ll show that you can do this with steel-cut oats as well. And I never fuss with all the things people say like you gotta soak ’em first or whatever. They’re fine without soaking!
Just replace the rolled with steel-cut in this recipe and you’re good to go.
On the texture: they’re definitely a lot more chewy/chewing work to eat them, but I actually love the texture of them. I use steel-cut oats about 50% of the time I make this breakfast. Give it a try!
Great for Busy Mornings at Work or for the Kids
You can even just grab the jar and take it with you on the way to work…it’s even great for your kids and can make that morning crazy time a little less so… :)
So check out the recipe and the super quick (1 min 23 sec) video about my Chocolate Peanut Butter Coconut Refrigerator Oatmeal. I swear, you’ll be hooked on this breakfast for WEEKS!
Video for How to My Make Refrigerator Oatmeal Recipe
- ¾ cup rolled oatmeal
- ¾ cup milk of choice (I prefer non-dairy unsweetened almond)
- 2 teaspoons raw cacao powder (or just use cocoa powder)
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup (or honey or agave, etc)
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter (or any other nut butter)
- handful raisins or cranberries for sweetness
- In a mason jar or bowl, add all ingredients and stir to combine.
- Cover with the lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate 3 hours or as long as overnight.
- Eat from the jar or add to a bowl and add in any other toppings you'd like!
Looks amazing! I’ll give it a try Enjoying my tea put it in my smoothey in the morning and have a cup befor bed ,very relaxing
Oh that is so wonderful John! Thank you. Let me know how you like the oatmeal recipe. :)
I have heard of this many times before, but I didn’t know it was eaten cold! I love oatmeal…maybe I’ll make some tonight! Thanks, Cheri.
You’re so welcome Aunt Sandy! I had tried it only very recently and read about it cold or hot…and that it’s great cold during the summer and hot during the winter!
Hey gal looks great gonna try this for tomorrow YUM!
Question where is the coconut??? xoxoxo
AHHHH good catch, Mindy, thank you so much!! I’ve added it to the ingredients: just add a tablespoon of unsweetened shredded coconut to everything before you throw it in the fridge! :D
How much of the chia seeds and the maca powder do you add? Do you use the same amount of steel cut oats as rolled oatmeal? This sounds so good!
Hi E! Yes I do use the same amount of steel-cut oatmeal as rolled oats, but make sure to add a bit more nondairy milk, like 1/4 cup extra. I have added that note to the recipe. And I use about 1/2 teaspoon of maca powder and 1 teaspoon of chia seeds when I add them. If you’re using chia seeds, it’s best to let them soak up a little of the liquid first before you eat them. Better for digestion sometimes. :) I hope you love it!! Let me know!! <3
When I cook steel cut oatmeal I don’t like the starchy liquid left after cooking. Is this ok for the gut. Mucusy ????