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Basic Overnight Steel-Cut Oats

June 18, 2015 by theeverykitchen@gmail.com 28 Comments

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This recipe for Basic Overnight Steel-Cut Oats takes just 60-seconds at night to give you a happy, hearty, and healthy breakfast in the morning. Add any toppings you like as long as you follow the basic ratio of 1 part oatmeal to 2 parts milk. | theeverykitchen.com
I’m officially obsessed with Basic Overnight Steel-Cut Oats. Like, can’t-go-a-morning-without-this obsessed. Like, might-cry-into-my-bowl-once-it’s-empty obsessed. Why? Because they’re EASY and chewy and satisfying without added sugar and with plenty of protein and fiber. 

So normally I eat eggs for breakfast. By normally, I mean almost every day because they are delicious and because they are a good source of protein and because they keep me full until lunchtime. But eggs are now the stuff of Breakfasts Past and now I’m all about the Basic Overnight Steel-Cut Oats.


But has anyone heard about the egg shortage? The bird flu is running rampant. Seriously! I can’t make this stuff up. Apparently, more than 35 million egg-laying chickens in the U.S. have been laid to rest. So don’t be surprised to see prices jump at the supermarket… or at your favorite brunch place… or at McDonald’s.

This recipe for Basic Overnight Steel-Cut Oats takes just 60-seconds at night to give you a happy, hearty, and healthy breakfast in the morning. Add any toppings you like as long as you follow the basic ratio of 1 part oatmeal to 2 parts milk. | theeverykitchen.com
So long, favorite brunch frittata. And pancakes and cakes, cookies, croissants, frozen custard. Does an egg shortage mean shortage of these things too? I’m in tears.

In honor of all these egg-containing foods, I’ll tip up an extra Bloody Mary over my Basic Overnight Steel-Cut Oats.

This recipe for Basic Overnight Steel-Cut Oats takes just 60-seconds at night to give you a happy, hearty, and healthy breakfast in the morning. Add any toppings you like as long as you follow the basic ratio of 1 part oatmeal to 2 parts milk. | theeverykitchen.com
So here’s the good news: I’ve discovered overnight oats. I’m so totally late on this trend and for that, apologies are in order. But I’m officially obsessed, like, can’t-go-a-morning-without-this obsessed. Like, might-cry-into-my-bowl-once-it’s-empty obsessed.

Why?

  • Because steel-cut overnight oats are gloriously chewy and satisfying
  • There’s no added sugar, just the natural sweetness of milk and handfuls of fresh berries
  • Protein + oodles of fiber = full until lunchtime
  • Literally 60 seconds spent in the kitchen before bed, and you wake up to magically ready-to-eat Basic Steel-Cut Overnight Oats.

This recipe for Basic Overnight Steel-Cut Oats takes just 60-seconds at night to give you a happy, hearty, and healthy breakfast in the morning. Add any toppings you like as long as you follow the basic ratio of 1 part oatmeal to 2 parts milk. | theeverykitchen.com
This recipe for Basic Overnight Steel-Cut Oats takes just 60-seconds at night to give you a happy, hearty, and healthy breakfast in the morning. Add any toppings you like as long as you follow the basic ratio of 1 part oatmeal to 2 parts milk. | theeverykitchen.com
I’m not even sure that you can call this a recipe. It’s 1 part steel-cut oats to 2 parts milk. THAT’S ALL. Talk about easy. I can make it with my hands tied behind my back. I can just imagine it into being. I’m sure that with practice, you could pick up that skill too.

This recipe for Basic Overnight Steel-Cut Oats takes just 60-seconds at night to give you a happy, hearty, and healthy breakfast in the morning. Add any toppings you like as long as you follow the basic ratio of 1 part oatmeal to 2 parts milk. | theeverykitchen.com
4.86 from 7 votes
Print

Basic Overnight Steel-Cut Oats

60-seconds at night = happy, hearty, and healthy breakfast in the morning. I like mine with berries, chia seeds, and chopped nuts. You can add whatever you like as long as you follow the basic ratio of 1 part oatmeal to 2 parts milk.

Course Breakfast
Prep Time 1 minute
Total Time 1 minute
Servings 1 bowl
Calories 395 kcal
Author Danielle Cushing

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup steel-cut oats*
  • 2/3 cup light soy milk** or skim milk
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds optional
  • Berries or chopped fruit optional
  • Dried fruit optional
  • Chopped nuts or nut butter optional

Instructions

  1. In a Tupperware container or jar, mix steel-cut oats with milk. Add chia seeds if desired and mix well. The chia seed will float to the top -- that's okay.
  2. Refrigerate overnight or at least 4 hours. In the morning, mix chia seeds in with a spoon. Top with fresh berries or fruit, dried fruit, chopped nuts, or nut butter, and enjoy.

Recipe Notes

*A word on oats. I used Trader Joe's Steel Cut Oats and they work really well. I have been told by a couple of people that Irish oats do not work in this recipe, but I have not tried it myself. 

**A word on milk. I've made this now with light soy milk and skim milk. The skim milk seems to be 100% absorbed by the oats, resulting in a thicker, drier oatmeal. The soy milk leaves the oats slightly more liquidy. If your family purchases cow's milk, but you like your oats with more liquid, just add an extra splash of milk before you eat this in the morning!

Nutrition information for oats + light soy milk + 1 cup berries + 1 tablespoon chia seeds + 1 tablespoon chopped nuts


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This recipe for Basic Overnight Steel-Cut Oats takes just 60-seconds at night to give you a happy, hearty, and healthy breakfast in the morning. Add any toppings you like as long as you follow the basic ratio of 1 part oatmeal to 2 parts milk. | theeverykitchen.com

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Filed Under: bowls, bread and breakfast, favorites, gluten free, healthy, lightened up, quick and easy, sugar free, sweet breakfast, vegan Tagged With: almonds, berries, blueberries, chia seeds, chopped nuts, milk, no-bake, no-cook, oatmeal, oats, overnight, pecans, raspberries, refrigerator, soy milk, steel-cut oats, walnuts

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Comments

  1. Pailette

    June 18, 2015 at 4:50 pm

    Hmmmmm…no cooking? Eat it cold? Both those things intrigue me. Do you have a favorite brand of steel cut oats? I’m definitely gonna try this!

    Reply
    • Danielle

      June 18, 2015 at 11:51 pm

      No cooking! Eat it cold! SO GOOD and filling! You will definitely love this! I use Trader Joe’s steel cut oats, but probably all brands are similar.

      Reply
      • Jeri L Young

        March 26, 2018 at 8:36 am

        Can we warm these in the microwave on cold mornings??

        Reply
        • theeverykitchen@gmail.com

          March 30, 2018 at 9:06 pm

          Hi Jeri –
          I’ve never done that before, but I’ve spoken to many people who prefer them that way!

          Reply
  2. Vicky

    June 24, 2015 at 8:26 pm

    Hello!
    I love overnight steel cut oats. I’ve tried them before, but I find that they are hard to digest this way. My stomach is in knots by the end of the day. Any ideas on how to fix that? I love them so much, but can’t deal with the discomfort later in the day.

    Reply
    • Danielle

      June 24, 2015 at 8:37 pm

      It might be that your diet is otherwise low in fiber. The fiber load (8 grams per 1/2 cup uncooked) is quite high and may cause stomach issues if you’re not used to it. You should gradually increase fiber in your diet at other meals too. It could also be a lactose sensitivity if you’re using cow’s milk. Have you noticed the problem with other foods?

      Reply
  3. Sam

    January 23, 2017 at 12:04 pm

    Can you use steel cut oats instead of rolled oats when making overnight oats? So far I found a ton of recipes using rolled oats, so as long as I follow the 1-2 ratio can I use steel cut oats instead? Also what are your thoughts on using almond milk? Thanks in advance!

    Reply
    • theeverykitchen@gmail.com

      January 23, 2017 at 12:26 pm

      Hi Sam!
      Yes, I use steel cut oats and the same rule applies, 1:2 ratio! I prefer the steel-cut, they have a chewier texture as they don’t soak up QUITE as much of the liquid. And yes, use any “milk” that you prefer. I prefer dairy milk or soy milk because of the high protein content, but almond milk is certainly the lowest in calories!

      Reply
  4. Lori

    March 14, 2017 at 5:05 pm

    I have scottish oatmeal which is finer than the steel cut. Would this work just as well?

    Reply
    • theeverykitchen@gmail.com

      March 15, 2017 at 8:25 pm

      5 stars
      Hi Lori, good question! The scottish oatmeal would work just fine! It may absorb a bit more of the liquid, but you can always add more milk in the morning if you prefer your overnight oats a little more liquidy (I do!). Let me know how it turns out!

      Reply
  5. Lori

    March 15, 2017 at 8:29 pm

    Thanks for the quick response. I’m going to make some fresh cashew milk and make the oats before bed tonight. I will let ya know how they turn out!

    Reply
    • Lori

      March 16, 2017 at 11:37 am

      Eating my oats right now! When I stirred them this morning, I didn’t think I was going to like it. I thought it was a bit chalky tasting. But then I added chopped bananas, coconut, granola and some agave and it is really very good!!

      Reply
      • theeverykitchen@gmail.com

        March 16, 2017 at 10:04 pm

        5 stars
        Fresh cashew milk?!? YUM! I wouldn’t know the first thing about how to make that. I bet the finer grind makes it a little chalky. The Irish oats tend to be more chewy. I’m so glad you let me know how they turned out. Bananas + coconut + granola sounds AWESOME.

        Reply
  6. Lori

    March 19, 2017 at 11:28 am

    4 stars
    Fresh cashew milk is easiest thing ever!! Here is where I got my recipe. http://healthyblenderrecipes.com/recipes/home_made_raw_cashew_milk Although I enjoyed the oatmeal, I think I will use the Irish oats for overnight oatmeal and leave the scottish oats for a hot breakfast!! Let me know what you think if you try to cashew milk.

    Reply
  7. Andrea

    February 11, 2018 at 3:48 pm

    5 stars
    Never knew steel-cut could be used for overnight oats ! I have been using thick rolled oats for years. These are wonderful !! I use a bit of soymilk and homemade soy yogurt. I add the frozen berries in the evening so the juices are easy to incorporate in the morning. Many thanks for this post … love my steel cut oats and NO COOKING is a bonus.

    Reply
    • theeverykitchen@gmail.com

      February 25, 2018 at 1:31 pm

      I’m glad you’re enjoying the steel-cut now! I’ve also since heard this tip: Add cranberries or raisins (or other dried fruit) the night before and the liquid will hydrate them!

      Reply
  8. mustafa

    March 9, 2018 at 9:24 am

    i tried this recipe with steel cut irish oatmeal and put it in the fridge for about 7 hours, and it’s still very “uncooked”! most of milk wasn’t absorbed and the oats are still crunchy. any idea why? does it not work with irish oatmeal?

    Reply
    • theeverykitchen@gmail.com

      March 24, 2018 at 7:18 am

      Hi Mustafa – I use Trader Joe’s Steel Cut Oats and it works well. I have been told recently that Irish oats are “different” and that it doesn’t work. I will add that to the recipe notes! Thank you for letting me know!

      Reply
  9. Sharon

    May 17, 2018 at 10:52 am

    5 stars
    If you want to cook them in the microwave the next day, do you still use milk ?
    Thanks!

    Reply
    • theeverykitchen@gmail.com

      June 28, 2018 at 4:42 pm

      Hi Sharon,
      I would still use milk. However, if you prefer your oatmeal cooked with water, I’m sure that would be fine too. Did you experiment? Let me know how it turns out!

      Reply
  10. Wendy Charlton

    September 30, 2018 at 8:23 pm

    Does this work with Trader Joe’s “quick” steel cut oats, too, or just the regular? Thank you.

    Reply
    • theeverykitchen@gmail.com

      October 22, 2018 at 2:49 pm

      It does! The texture is different — a little softer — so you may want to eat them the next morning! The steel-cut can sometimes last an extra day or two without breaking down too much.

      Reply
  11. Christina Sundari

    October 9, 2018 at 2:56 pm

    5 stars
    AMAZING! Thank you so much for this recipe! I did try it with Irish steel cut oats, and I thought it worked just fine. I used almond milk, so perhaps that made a difference. I was going to take a photo, but it was so good I scarfed it all down. I added chia seeds, 1 banana, and RX peanut butter 🙂 looking forward to exploring more of your delicious recipes!

    Reply
    • theeverykitchen@gmail.com

      October 22, 2018 at 2:38 pm

      Thanks Christina! Glad to hear it worked for you! I’m newly obsessed with RX peanut butter!! YUM

      Reply
  12. Alyssa

    March 28, 2019 at 2:44 am

    5 stars
    DANIELLE, great breakfast idea, thanks for sharing!

    Reply
    • theeverykitchen@gmail.com

      April 7, 2019 at 8:20 pm

      Hi Alyssa, Thanks so much for the compliment!

      Reply
  13. Amanda Schmidt

    July 23, 2019 at 9:04 am

    Hi Danielle, aren’t Irish oats the same thing as steel cut? Thank you!

    Reply
    • theeverykitchen@gmail.com

      July 29, 2019 at 9:11 am

      They are supposedly the same, yes! When I mentioned Irish Oats, I’m referring to the brand, which for some reason does not have quite the same texture as the Trader Joe’s steel cut. Good question!

      Reply

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About Danielle

Danielle is a registered dietitian and the story teller behind The Every Kitchen. Three things that inspire her: Her parent's kitchen table, the way food nurtures relationships and nourishes souls, damn good chocolate chip cookies. EVERY KITCHEN has a story and Danielle shares them, one kitchen at a time. Read More…

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