Nutritious Flaxseed Overnight Oats (2024)

• Old-fashioned rolled oats: These are the best types of oats to use to make perfect overnight oats. Steel-cut or quick oats won't work so I don't recommend them.
• Flaxseed meal: Also known as ground flaxseeds. This is a great way to add more nutrients to your overnight oats. Flax seeds are high in fiber and omega 3s, but not only that, they also help to thicken your oatmeal.
• Yogurt: I like to add it for more protein and creaminess, but you can also leave it out. I use soy yogurt, but any yogurt can work - coconut yogurt and Greek yogurt are two of my favorites.
• Sweetener: Since overnight oats have a mild flavor, I recommend sweetening them with your favorite liquid sweetener - maple syrup, agave syrup, or honey.
• Milk of choice: I use soy milk, but any milk can work - cows, almond milk, coconut milk, etc.
• Vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla goes a long way here, although it's optional don't skip it if you have it on hand.
• Salt: Just a tiny pinch of salt to enhance the rest of the flavors.

See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

👩🏼‍🍳 Petra's Tips

• Use the right kind of oats. I always recommend usingold-fashioned rolled oats for the best results. Quick oats will get too soft and mushy, and won't provide the same chewy texture, and steel-cut oats won't soften at all. This recipe has the perfect ratio between oats and milk, leaving you withsoft,chewy, andthickovernight oats.
• Use ground flax seeds, also known as flaxseed meal. Whole flaxseeds may pass through you undigested, which means you won't reap all the benefits they provide. You can either buy pre-ground flaxseed or ground them yourself in a high-speed blender until you have a fine powder.
• Warm it up.Some people are not a fan of cold oatmeal, and I get it! You can warm your flaxseed overnight oats in themicrowave for 1-2 minutes, oron the stovetop until warmed through.
• Use gluten-free certified oats to make this recipe gluten-free. All of the rest of the ingredients are naturally gluten-free.

FAQs

Flavor Variations

• Protein powder: Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to make the breakfast more filling. If your protein powder is already sweetened, skip the liquid sweetener in the oats.
• Chocolate: If you want to add a chocolaty flavor, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of cacao powder. I recommend using Dutch-processed for a richer flavor.
• Naturally sweetened: If you don't want to use refined sweeteners, add 1-2 tablespoon of apple sauce.
• Fruity: Add ¼ cup of mashed fruit such as banana, strawberries, or raspberries to thicken your oats, add sweetness, and add more flavor.
• Lemon blueberry:Add the zest of ½ lemon, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice, and a handful of fresh blueberries.
• Coffee: Add a shot of espresso for coffee-flavored overnight oats.
• Pumpkin pie:Add a few tablespoons ofhomemade pumpkin puree, alongside ½ teaspoon ofpumpkin pie spice. If you're feeling extra, top with a swirl of whipped cream.
• Extracts:They're great if you want to add more flavor without adding too many ingredients.Almond extract, rum extract, andmint extractwill all work here.
• Spices:Any of your favorite spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, ground ginger, etc. For best results, stick to ¼ - ½ tsp.

Topping Ideas

• Fruits: Feel free to add any fresh fruit of your choice, such as bananas, fresh berries, chopped apples, and more. Frozen fruit works well too just like in my frozen fruit overnight oats.
• Caramelized fruits:Similar to my applesauce overnight oats, I like to caramelize apples or bananas on the stovetop with a touch of coconut oil or butter, and a sprinkle of brown sugar. This takes your oats to the next level and takes less than 10 minutes to prepare!
• Dried fruit: If fresh fruits aren't available, dried fruits are a great alternative! Consider options like dried apricots, figs, raisins, cranberries, and more.
• Nut/seed butter: To add more healthy fats, add a drizzle of peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.
• Granola: Add a sprinkle ofhomemade granolaor your favorite store-bought granola to add some crunch and more fiber.
• Chopped nuts and seeds: I love topping my oats with chopped pecans or walnuts and hemp seed for added protein and omega 3s.
• Shredded coconut or coconut flakes: For those with nut allergies, or simply looking for variety, try adding coconut flakes instead. For added flavor, toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat for a few minutes, until golden brown.

Storage & Freezing

• Fridge: Store in anairtight containeror amason jar, in thefridge for 4-5 days.
• Freezer: This recipe is not freezer-friendly.