Let’s face it. Mornings aren’t pretty. Sure, the sunrise is gorgeous, but even that’s happening later now that fall is in full swing and we wake up in the dark.
It’s hard to get going in the morning without sunlight peeping through the curtains and birds chirping us awake. Who can’t relate to hitting that snooze button a few extra times in the fall and winter? But then morning’s become a mad rush.
One way to ease that morning time crunch is overnight oats. You can make them the night before and put them in the fridge. They’re a complete breakfast in a jar that’s perfect for a long commute. You can grab a few mouthfuls at the stoplight, or eat them leisurely on the bus to work or school. What parent can’t relate to herding their kids out the door in a mad dash, so what’s more perfect than shoving a container of these ready-to-eat oats into their grabby little hands as you all stampede out the door. It’s great as a ready-made after school snack between extra-curricular activities, too.
Tasty, perfect as a go-to meal and at the same time nutritious, this meal is definitely the solution to anytime you’re feeling rushed.
Overnight oats are a healthy meal prep idea. It’s recommended that half of your grain choices include whole grains. Because whole grains supply benefits such as fiber, along with other heart-healthy essential vitamins and minerals, it’s important to incorporate them into your diet. Uncooked oats are also perfectly safe to eat.
While oats are naturally gluten-free, they may come into contact with gluten-containing grains such as wheat, rye and barley at the farm, in storage or during transportation. If gluten is an issue for you, Quaker has a gluten-free option that offers the same great taste and benefits as their original oats.
So there’s no excuse not to eat your oatmeal!
Want to try this idea? Here are a few recipes to help you get started:
Maple Pecan Overnight Oats with Apple, Raisins & Hemp Seeds
Start the morning off with lots of flavours with these oats. The perfect combination of apples, maple syrup, pecans, raisins and hemp seeds will turn any morning into a good one.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Quaker® Oats
1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
1/4 cup fresh apples, cubed
1 tablespoon pecans
1 tablespoon raisins
2 teaspoons hemp seeds
2 teaspoons chia seeds
1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Preparation:
1. Add all ingredients into a mason jar or small food storage container.
2. Stir or shake well to combine.
3. Refrigerate overnight or for at least 3 hours.
4. In the morning add additional milk if you’d like and top with more apples, pecans, raisins or hemp seeds. Or any combo that’s your favourite.
4. Let steep for at least 8 hours in a refrigerator 40° F or colder. Best to eat within 24 hours.
5. Crawl out of bed and enjoy!
Mocha Banana Overnight Oats
Start your morning off with a kick with mocha overnight oats topped with bananas. Prep this recipe the night before in just a few minutes, pop it in the fridge, and enjoy the next morning.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Quaker® Oats
1/2 cup milk
1/2 tablespoon cacao powder
1/2 shot warm espresso
1/4 vanilla bean, seeds scraped or 1/16 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 banana, sliced
1/2 tablespoon walnuts, crushed
Preparation:
1. Add Quaker Oats to your container of choice.
2. Mix milk, cacao powder, and espresso.
3. Add mixture to container and top with vanilla bean, banana, and walnuts.
4. Sprinkle cinnamon on top before refrigerating overnight. Let steep for at least 8 hours in a refrigerator 40° F or colder. Best to eat within 24 hours.
5. Wake up and enjoy!
Blueberry and Honey Overnight Oats
These overnight oats with honey are a super-easy recipe that includes only 5 ingredients which are ready to eat the moment you wake up.
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Quaker® Oats
1/2 cup low-fat milk
1/4 cup Greek yogurt
1/4 cup blueberries
1 tablespoon honey
Preparation:
1. Add Quaker Oats to your container of choice, pour in milk, and add in blueberries and Greek yogurt.
2. Sweeten by topping with honey before refrigerating.
3. Let steep for at least 8 hours in a refrigerator 40° F or colder. Best to eat within 24 hours.
4. Rise, shine and enjoy!
Visit quakeroats.com for more delicious overnight oatmeal recipes. Enjoy!