For those who don’t want the hassle of preparing breakfast in the morning, this amazingovernight steel cut oatsrecipe is just for you. This oatmeal recipe is so quick to put together and super easy!

It’s easy to dress up with fruit, nuts, or add it to someInstant Pot Yogurt, but it also tastes great as it is — you’ll love it for fast and busy mornings.

closeup of overnight steel cut oats with blueberries in white bowl

Raise your hand if sometimes you don’t want to get up and get breakfast going in the morning *raising hand.* Now raise your hand if you get up and do it anyways *still raising hand.* Great job, momma! It’s not always easy, but we do it. Ok, ok, enough of that. We all know that before-school is not always the calmest part of the day. Not only do people need nourishment that will last them until lunch (because there are no snacks in first grade, folks), but they also need shoes relocated (for the millionth time), hair brushed, and homework signed.

My go-to meals are eggs and toast (backyard chickens are the best),whole wheat waffles(because they need less babysitting than pancakes), or oatmeal. I try my best to avoid cold cereal on school mornings because it just doesn’t keep my kids full, but sometimes I totally give in to the ease of cold cereal. That stuff is a million dollar (billion, even) market for a reason; it’s easy. So in an effort to have a cold cereal-type option, I started playing around with soakingsteel cut oatsovernight in the fridge. I figured out a great ratio after a few tries, and we totally love it. I’ll make up a batch of these the night before bed, stick them in the fridge, and they are ready to eat in the morning.

The overnight steel cut oats soak up a lot of the milk during the night, but still have a nice light chewiness to them. Mmmm! You can see in the picture below how much the oats swell overnight. Neat huh!

Ingredients:

before and after image of steel cut oats soaking overnight

Steel cut oats:This is the star of the show! Make sure you get steel cut oats, not old fashioned or quick oats.
Milk:You can use any kind of milk you like, including dairy milk, coconut, or almond milk!
Chia seeds:Chia seeds are optional and add more fiber, minerals, and protein!
Cinnamon:Cinnamon is also optional but adds the nicest warmth to the oats.
Maple syrup or honey:Another optional ingredient, using syrup or honey adds a little sweetness to the oats.

See recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities

Mix-In Ideas:

You can mix in so many fun flavors to boost the health benefits and flavors of overnight oats! Try some of these:

Fresh or frozen fruit — berries, banana or mango are great!
Nuts
Seeds (like chia or flaxseed)
Coconut flakes
Blueberry sauce or another fruit jam or preserves
Peanut butter or almond butter
Spoonful of yogurt for extra creaminess
More honey or maple syrup for sweetness

Flavor Variations:

To make this vegan, use coconut or almond milk.

For added flavor, mix in some cinnamon and honey or maple syrup before refrigerating overnight.

If you have a milk preference (dairy, almond, soy, coconut, etc.), I’ve had success using any and all!

steel cut oats with fruit in white bowls

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are steel cut oats?

Steel cut oats are groats of whole oats that have been split into two to three smaller, pinhead-sized pieces. It creates a chewier, coarser texture than other oatmeals.

Do steel cut oats have protein?

Yes! They are full of protein, fiber, and minerals that help to keep you full and energized for a busy day ahead.

Can I eat steel cut oats cold?

You can eat these cold like cold cereal, straight from the fridge, or warm them up in a pot over medium heat or in the microwave if you prefer hot oatmeal. (This just takes some more time.) Serve with any mix-ins you love!

How do I store steel cut oats?

This stores well for up to 4 days, so you could make a bunch of batches on a Sunday night to get you all the way to Friday! Each jar has two servings in it.I make them in glass jars and screw on the lid for the fridge, and we don’t even dump it in a bowl. We just eat it right out of the jar in the morning (yay for fewer dishes). And because these are in a glass jar with a lid, they are really easy to take on the go and eat in the car if you need to. Convenient real food at it’s best!