The Turquoise Table

Kristin Schell

in Breakfast· Gluten Free· Recipe Collection

Overnight Oatmeal

 

I don’t know about you, but breakfast isn’t always our most important meal of the day.  Trying to feed four, sleepy Littles breakfast at 6:30 am before they rush out the door to school puts a damper on the whole make-breakfast-the-most-important-meal-of-the-day theory.  I’ve been thinking a lot about the foods we are eating and how I can do a better job fueling the Littles with nutrient-rich choices to help power them through the day.  I thought I’d share with you some of the experiments I’m trying and pass along those that rate at least two (out of four) thumbs up!

Overnight Oatmeal was an instant success.  Three out of the four Littles love this breakfast, so it has permanently found a place on our morning rotation.  The best part? You make it the night before!

Overnight Oatmeal

2 cups oatmeal (not instant)

2 cups almond milk

2 Tbs flaxseed (optional)

Mix almond milk, oatmeal, and flaxseed in a bowl.  Cover and refrigerate overnight.  My Littles like the chill taken off their oatmeal, so I microwave the entire bowl for a minute or two, then dish into 4 bowls and let them pick their toppings.

Topping Options:

banana slices

almonds

fresh berries

cinnamon

honey

mini chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life brand which are dairy, soy & gluten free)

PRINT RECIPE

 

Maybe your eyebrows raised a bit at Almond Milk?

Well, it’s all part of my experimentation.  I’ve mentioned before that at least one of the Littles may have a dairy intolerance.  It’s not a full-blown allergy, but it definitely merits monitoring our dairy intake.  Husband & I have almost completely eliminated dairy from our diets (well, since Christmas anyway) and so I’m trying out options to see what passes muster.  So far Almond Milk is tolerated.  Not straight out of the glass, but definitely in Overnight Oatmeal.

Have fun experimenting with the toppings and please, please share with us any favorite breakfasts you have!

*** Gluten-Free Update: We now use Bob’s Red Mill Gluten-Free oats for this weekly staple at The Schell Cafe. And, we love our Almond Milk!

Comments

  2. Carol says

    Wow! I tried it this morning with banana slices and pecans…mmmmmm! Thank you!!!!

    • Kristin says

      Carol, So glad you liked it! It’s a hit for us too!

  3. sis621 says

    No boiling the oatmeal mixture the night before?

    • Kristin says

      Sis — No boiling! That’s the beauty. The oats soak up all the milk overnight. It’s so quick and easy. Let me know what you think.

      • sis621 says

        I’m going to try it today, I had oatmeal this morning but it took too much time. Im excited to try this.

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  4. mat says

    I lift weights so I eat loads of oat meal, so thanks for another recipe for oatmeal, I’m always looking for ways to change it up! 🙂

    Will give it a try…

      • Nathan says

        So good!

      • mat says

        Hey Kristin,

        Just thought I’d stop by and say I’m addicted to those pancakes you reccommended – great way to start the day!

  5. m says

    Almond milk is a bit too much for me, but maybe mixed in the oatmeal it’s okay? Like you said, not straight out of the glass. All the other toppings sound divine!

    • Kristin says

      M,

      The toppings are sort of a bargain. I figure if the Littles eat the oatmeal and fruit a bit of chocolate chips or honey won’t hurt! At least that’s how I justify it. 😉

      Thanks for stopping by the cafe today.

      Kristin

  6. Giselle says

    Wow!! This sounds like it will just be so delicious to eat in the morning. I can’t wait to try it!

  7. Giselle says

    Wow!! This sounds like it will just be so delicious to eat in the morning. I can’t wait to try it!

  8. cafejeannie says

    Wow! I’m going to try this, thanks!

    ***Jeannie

  9. kristacooks says

    I eat my oatmeal religiously every morning, and have been wondering about overnight oats. I’m kind of addicted to bananas cooked into it though (so that they get all marshmallow-y) So we will see! I’ll try it tonight since I ACTUALLY have something on the schedule Thursday!

    xoxo

    • Kristin says

      Krista,

      Try putting the bananas in overnight! Let me know what happens because 2 of the Littles (and you can guess which ones) like marshmallow-y bananas too.

      xoox

  10. Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) says

    I adore overnight oats! Usually I’ll mix in plain yogurt the next morning, but if you’re looking for dairy free options, I love, love, love adding mixed pumpkin AND banana slices before popping it in the fridge. It makes for such a tasty bowl of overnight oats. 😀

    I also eat breakfast “cookies” every morning, which is kind of a spin off on the overnight oats, but it’s eaten in cookie form. I have it under my “recipe” section if you’re interested. 😀

  11. Kristin says

    Sarah,

    I’m so glad you stopped by today. I’m headed over to your blog to see what the breakfast cookies are! I need as much help as I can get for the Littles.

    And, I’m all over the pumpkin idea. Littlest would love that. Thank you for the great ideas. Hope you’ll come back soon.

    Kristin

  12. Gloris says

    I’e been adding beaten eggs (1 whole egg, 1 egg white) to my son’s oats for extra protein. I pour them in when the oats are almost done and beat until thoroughly cooked. I like to sweeten mine with real maple syrup sprinkle cinnamon on top.

    My son prefers his doused with vanilla ice cream. Oh well…

    I’ll try this overnight method now. Like all the suggestions in the comments.

    Gloris

  13. Sherea says

    I have heard of some other variations on this cooking in the crock pot overnight… can’t wait to try it at any rate. I am in love with Almond Milk! I am lactose intolerant but missed my milk… I buy Blue Diamond, vanilla, unsweetened. it works great as a mixer in teas or coffees and I have used it in place of milk in recipes to no end. To drink a glass I add a packet of stevia (I prefer Truvia — to be able to add my own sweetener and have control over that is why i get the unsweetened) and viola, has the taste and texture of rich creamy dairy milk (with the added hint of almond/amaretto flavor).

    • Kristin says

      Sherea,

      I’m a newbie to Almond Milk, but I’m gathering from the comments I should taste test some other brands too. I bought Coconut Milk (and cream too!) and that hasn’t gone over as well as the almond milk.

      I’m a huge Truvia fan too!

  14. nikki says

    Congratulations on making the front page on WordPress! 🙂
    Almond milk really is great, and as someone who can’t have a lot of milk, it works perfectly in smoothies, blended coffees, and pretty much anything else that requires milk. (I still do have milk once in a while though.)
    Do you have Almond Breeze where you are? That is probably the best tasting almond milk I have ever had, my favourite is the chocolate flavour… They also have vanilla, and plain. Vanilla has a low calorie option also, that’s unsweetened (not as good though)…

    • Kristin says

      Nikki,

      Thanks for the well wishes on my WordPress front page coup! I had no idea it was even a possibility. Sure has been fun to have so many new friends stop by the cafe today. WOW!

      We can get Almond Breeze here. I think I’ll do a taste test with the Littles over the weekend and try the chocolate flavor too! Thanks for the tip.

      Kristin

  15. kuriouskitteh says

    I’d never heard of overnight oats before, and I too am usually in a rush in the mornings. Plus I love oatmeal. This recipe sounds great, will definitely give it a try!

    • Kristin says

      Let me know what you think about the overnight oats. And what your favorite topping is! Enjoy…

  16. Don Siebel says

    WOW, after 70 years I now find a new way to prepare Oatmeal. Will be setting it up tonight.
    Don

    • Kristin says

      Hi Don! I’m humbled you learned something new in my neck of the woods! Hope you enjoy the overnight oats.

      Kristin

  17. Michelle says

    Great idea! I prefer Blue Diamond brand – the chocolate heated makes the nicest hot chocolate I think.

    We’re Gluten Free and Dairy free & always on the look-out for new takes on old favs!

  19. edwilsonishere says

    Oatmeal, the breakfast of champions! A lot of people think I’m strange for enjoying it so much. So when I saw this post on freshly pressed, I leaped for joy. Almond milk is a delicious substitute for dairy, but I love Horizon Milk too much to use anything else. Thank you for the recipe.

    -Ed

  20. mark says

    Hi
    Me and my girlfriend just started soaking the oats overnight as well (not a euphemism!) It definitely saves the time and bother of cooking porridge in the morning.
    Also been mainly dairy free for some time. Have you tried rice milk? There’s a few brands (here in the UK), but Rice dream
    http://www.tastethedream.eu/Productrange/Products/ProductsRiceDream/tabid/60/language/en-GB/Default.aspx
    is great – not sweetened like some of the other ones we’ve tried (Provamel, etc). There’s also this new drink called Oatly, which is Oatmilk – just to really up the oat quotient for everyone.
    Good topping suggestions, cheers!
    Mark

  21. Sherry says

    So good to see other oatmeal options. Will try this in the near future, looks very tasty.

  22. Elizabeth says

    I wonder if you could tell me the nutritional facts on this yummy mixture?

  23. NanaK says

    Is it okay if I still love my bowl of cheerios every morning? I cannot bear to eat oatmeal, esp. after my sister took a big spoonful and lopped it at me, I ducked and it hit the front of the washing machine.
    Of course, that was over 45 years ago, I blame my mom for burning me out on oatmeal.

  24. >>-b−> says

    I made it with soy milk instead of almond milk, and chopped up apples and drizzled honey over the top of the mixture before popping it in the fridge. One of my new favorite recipes, thanks!!!

  25. Jennifer says

    Thanks for the recipe – I bought all the ingredients to try this one out and can’t wait for morning! Also, i noticed that you call your children “Littles” – this is so funny to me becuase I have a small dog who I am obsessed with I(she basically is my child) and i call her my “Little” and I’ve never heard anyone else use it in this way before. So cute!

  26. Beth says

    This is a great idea! We do lots of overnight casseroles for breakfast, on account of the dozen+ eggs we get everyday from the chickens! My bigs and littles don’t all like oatmeal, but we could try this and see if it changes anyone’s mind.

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