Techniques
Meal Prep
Skill
Beginner
1 min

How to make overnight oats by soaking oats in the fridge

Mix oats with milk and yogurt, cover, and refrigerate overnight so the oats hydrate and set into a ready-to-eat breakfast.

Combine oats with a liquid/dairy base (here: milk plus Greek yogurt), stir well, then seal with a lid and refrigerate overnight. By morning the oats will have absorbed moisture and thickened into a spoonable texture.

The short version

  • Cover and refrigerate overnight so the oats hydrate and thicken without cooking.
  • A thicker dairy like Greek yogurt helps the mixture set creamy.

What you need

  • container with lidAny jar or tub that can be sealed
  • fork or masher
    optional
    For mashing banana
  • spoonFor mixing

How to do it

  1. 1

    Mash banana (optional for sweetness and flavor).

    Watch this step
  2. 2

    Add oats, milk, and Greek yogurt; mix until evenly combined.

    Mix thoroughly so there are no dry pockets of oats.

    Watch this step
  3. 3

    Cover with a lid and refrigerate overnight to set.

    Keep it sealed to prevent fridge odors and drying out.

    Watch this step

What goes wrong

Not mixing well, leaving dry clumps of oats

Stir until the mixture is uniform before refrigerating.

Leaving it uncovered in the fridge

Use a lid/container to keep it from drying out and absorbing odors.

Why it works

Time in the fridge lets the oats hydrate and soften without cooking, while yogurt adds thickness and creaminess as the mixture sets.

Put it to use

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