Make overnight oats by mixing and refrigerating overnight
Combine oats with your wet ingredients, mix well, and let the mixture sit in the fridge overnight to soften and thicken.
Mix oats with ingredients like yogurt and milk (plus flavorings/sweeteners), then refrigerate overnight. By morning the oats hydrate and the mixture sets up into a spoonable texture.
The short version
- Mix first, then chill overnight to hydrate oats without cooking
- Refrigeration time is the main ‘cooking’ step for texture
What you need
- mixing container or jar with lid
- spoon or spatula
- refrigerator
How to do it
- 1
Add oats and your wet ingredients/flavorings to a container (e.g., yogurt, milk, sweetener, vanilla, citrus zest/juice).
Use a container with a lid so it can go straight into the fridge.
Watch this step - 2
Mix thoroughly until evenly combined.
Scrape the sides/bottom so there are no dry pockets of oats.
Watch this step - 3
Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Letting it sit overnight is what softens the oats and thickens the mixture.
Watch this step
What goes wrong
Not mixing well, leaving dry clumps of oats
Stir until the mixture is uniform before refrigerating
Why it works
Time in the fridge allows the oats to fully hydrate and absorb liquid, thickening the mixture without cooking.
Put it to use
Learn next
Bake granola in two stages, shaking the tray halfway for even toasting
Bake granola, shake/stir it partway through, then finish baking to promote even browning and reduce burnt spots.
Make a one-pan meal by browning aromatics first, then simmering grains until the liquid is absorbed
Start by browning onion and garlic for flavor, then add the rest of the ingredients and simmer your grains in stock until the liquid is gone.
Make oat flour by blending oats
Turn rolled oats into oat flour by blending them, then use it as a flour substitute in baking.
Set chocolate coatings quickly by chilling briefly in the fridge
After dipping or topping, refrigerate for about 5 minutes to firm and set the coating.