Overnight Oatmeal


My hubby gets up at the crack of dawn for work. He adores his sleep, so he tends to get up at the very last minute, leaving little time for breakfast. He also adores his food, so I often hear that he wishes there were more quick, simple, and WARM breakfast options.

When he mentioned yesterday that he thought he'd like to try taking a few extra minutes in the morning to make himself a bowl of oatmeal, a number of frightening images popped into my mind. I pictured burned, sticky pots on the stove and forgotten bowls on the kitchen table. He simply doesn't fare well in the morning, in the kitchen. There isn't enough time!

But then, an old Apartment Therapy {the kitchn} post came to mind. I knew the recipe had been posted for make-ahead steel cut oats, which aren't what he wanted, but it gave me enough hope to keep searching.

{Are you still with me? How about another picture?}


What I came up with is what you see in the pictures above. It's a combination of suggestions and my own ideas, and it tastes so, so yummy. Topped with a bit of brown sugar, it's like a warm little slice of heaven in a jar. A jar! I think I'll try to join the food-in-a-jar movement, because eating my oats from a jar today made me pretty darned happy.

Anyway.

A very happy hubby called this morning to let me know that he LOVED his overnight oatmeal. Success! The best part is that he can grab the jar on the way out the door, and then make his oatmeal at work while he gets ready for the day.

You'll Need:
A Pint Jar {another microwave-safe container would work too}
1/2 Cup {gluten-free} Oats*
1 Cup Almond Milk*
A Sprinkle of Salt
Agave Nectar

Optional toppings... raisins, dried cherries, fresh fruit, brown sugar, peanut butter... you name it!

To Make:
The night before you plan to eat your oatmeal, fill a clean jar with the oats, almond milk, salt, and a bit of agave nectar. If you'd like to include raisins or dried fruit, add it the night before as well. The milk will soften the fruit.
Close up the jar, give it a shake to mix the ingredients, and stash it in the fridge.
When you're ready to eat your oatmeal, remove the metal lid and place the jar in the microwave for two minutes.
Carefully remove the jar from the microwave, as it'll likely be a bit hot. Stir in other toppings or sweeteners if you wish. I only added a bit of brown sugar to mine.

*Note: the same recipe can be made with non-gluten free oats and your milk of choice.

10 comments:

  1. It was, Alisa! If you try it, I'd love to hear :)

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  2. This was yummy :)

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  3. we really enjoyed this recipe although I didn't actually make it the night before. a nice change from our usual oatmeal made with water.

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  4. Okay I admit I altered the recipe (a lot) because I don't have the dietary restrictions, but I failed! There was entirely too much milk to oats. I'm not sure if that has something to do with the fact that I did regular old fashioned Quaker oats or because I used skim milk, but I don't like my oatmeal soupy...and it was. I'm going to try again, but I'm going to fiddle with amounts in hopes of making it more...solid? :) I'll update accordingly!

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  5. That is *very* strange, Shara! I make Ryan's with traditional oats (not GF, etc.) and almond milk with great success. The measurements match up with the recommended amount from the package, too. I wonder what would happen if you were to try warming it a bit longer? or stirring at the one-minute mark, perhaps?

    Anyway, I'm interested to see what you come up with!

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  6. I *loved* this. Loved it, loved it, loved it. I used rice milk and brown rice syrup and added some dried cherries. The only issue I had was that mine overflowed in the microwave. I think I will make it in a slightly larger container but I will be making it again tonight!

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  7. Hooray!! It's such a yummy, but healthy treat, isn't it?? Every now and then, mine overflows as well. It isn't a regular problem, so I can't figure out what triggers it!

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  8. Thank you Christina I absolutely hate Greek yogurt I am not sure why but I can't handle it and I couldn't find recipes without it but I love the oatmeal idea!! I use PB2 its in the fridge I cant wait to try it what is the minimum amount of hours that I should wait?

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