Overnight oats. I’m sure you’ve heard about this amazing invention by now. You have either tried it or you keep telling yourself “I’ve got to try this!”. I’m here to give you 5 reasons as to why you NEED to try it today along with some tips that I’ve learned along the way as to which items I found most necessary. If you have any tips or tricks that you have learned along the way, please feel free to share. The great thing about making a recipe repeatedly is that each time I learn a newer and better way to improve it until I feel that I’ve perfected it. Don’t be afraid to change recipes up and make them your own, we all have different taste and different nutritional needs for our beautifully diverse bodies.

Tip: Chop all of your ingredients prior to making the overnight oats. This makes it much easier to stay on track and helps cut down on time in the end. If you chop up too many, store them all in a storage container for a mixed berries snack later on. Fresh fruits are a great choice but if you are wanting more of a parfait style, try preserved versions. Just be mindful as to which one you choose. Make sure you read the label and scan for extra sugars or color dyes.

Below are listed my top 5 reasons as to why you NEED overnight oats in your life.

1. Time Efficient 

Who doesn’t want to save time? Especially in the morning! Since Theo is still EBF, as soon as I wake up I have the option of either brushing my teeth or using the restroom. Guess which one wins most of the time? I’ll let you sit on it. With the oats being in a jar ready to go, I’m able to run to the fridge spoon in hand and run back to the couch to nurse my hungry boy.

2. Less Dishes

Even from the beginning of making overnight oats, there are a few things you need in order to make each jar. Separating the fruit in its own bowl was mainly for aesthetics but you can totally leave them in their original container. When you are a busy person or just have a deep hatred for dishes (like myself) every dish matters. Seriously. I’ll clean the entire house, scrub toilets, mop the floor, wipe down the counters  and still “accidentally” forget the dishes in the sink. Why do I leave the worst for last?! Please tell me that I’m not the only one.

 Cacao nibs, these took a little to get used to considering how bitter they are compared to the chocolate that I grew up eating. As an adult I got used to eating dark chocolate after finding out how much better they are for you than regular chocolate. I can eat the same foods daily, all kinds of vegetables… but don’t you take away my dark chocolate. Incorporating more cacao nibs and subbing them for whenever I want dark chocolate is my way of controlling the amount I eat and choosing a healthier alternative. It helps to split the amount of chocolate chips a recipe will call for in half. For example, if were to make my Power Balls: I would use 1/2 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of cacao nibs. Cacao nibs are a MUCH healthier choice and I’m all for finding healthier ways of enjoying treats.

3. Tons of Flavorful Options

If you are careful you can find delicious recipes without turning it into a dessert for breakfast. Trust me, it is super easy to considering that I’ve found recipes that are called Double Chocolate Brownie Chunk WITH ACTUAL BROWNIE CHUNKS. I’m sure that’s a delicious option for dessert, but not for breakfast. Can you imagine the sugar crash afterwards while trying to focus at work? Cinnamon Apple Pie Oats (comment below if you want this recipe next) and PB Mini Chocolate Chip Oats are definitely my jam right now. Today I’m sharing the PB Mini Chocolate Chip Oats since Peanut Butter is life. Right?

4. Health Benefits

Oats are healthy on their own, but as you add ingredients like flax seeds, chia seeds and berries you make your own cocktail of a heart healthy breakfast. With the Cinnamon Apple Pie Oats, you have a combination of Chia Seeds, Cinnamon, Oats, Honey and Apples! All a great combination for a heart healthy breakfast. Now with the PB Mini Chocolate Chip Oats, you’ve got an awesome combination of peanut butter, chocolate protein powder (for a great boost of protein), chia seeds, rolled oats coconut yogurt and cacao nibs/ or mini chocolate chips. 

More on the ingredients in the recipe card down below 🙂

5. You Can Have Breakfast Literally Anywhere

Now I do not condone eating and driving but when you forget that you had an appointment to get to, popping one of these in the cup holder of your car and not missing out on breakfast is a lifesaver. Every one deserves to have a hassle free morning. Also, these are awesome for playdates! Peanut Butter and Jelly sandwiches are a childhood favorite but you can get sick of eating those after a few playdates. I’ve made it a habit to pack our snacks and lunch the night before but when I do forget, I quickly pop one of these jars in the lunch bag and it’s super easy.

Flaxseeds are such a great way to sneak Omega-3s and Fiber into your meals. There are many great articles to read if you are interested to learn more ways flaxseeds benefit you.

Here are 5 of my favorite benefits:

1. They are High in Fiber but Low in Carbs which is great for your digestive system.

2. High in Omega-3 Fatty Acids

3. Helps Make Skin Glowy

4. Helps Lower Cholesterol, Gluten-Free.

My Husband is spoiled and wanted his chocolate melted into the oats versus having chocolate chips to munch through. Is he even my Husband?! I will admit that I now prefer this recipe with Mini Vegan Chocolate Chips instead of full size ones. Although I’m a huge chocolate lover, the mini’s make me feel less guilty for having chocolate before 8 am. (How cute is that miniature glass mixing bowl?)

 Here other delectable flavors:

• Chunky Monkey

• Fresh Berries

• Strawberry- Banana

• Mocha Coconut Coffee (sounds strange, but it’s delicious)

Print

PB Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats

Ingredients

• 1/3 c plain Greek yogurt (or your choice of "yogurt")
• 1/2 c (heaping) rolled oats
• 2/3 c unsweetened milk of choice
• 1 tbsp chia seeds or ground flaxseeds
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp natural peanut butter
• 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• Pinch of sea salt
• Your desired amount of Honey or Maple Syrup

Instructions

1. These are the easiest instructions I've ever had to follow. You could start with adding the base ingredients (oats, vanilla extract and milk) to each mason jar and than add in your toppings.

4.21

https://www.getfitforyou.com/5-reasons-overnight-oats-are-taking-over/

Your end result will look a little something like this. It’s a great feeling knowing that you’ve got breakfast covered for the rest of the week. When Madison (my toddler) wakes up literally an 30 minutes after I’ve gone back to bed after nursing Theo, its great knowing that breakfast is made.

As always, I hope that you found this post helpful and that you give Overnight Oats a try. If you guys would like to see a blog post with any of the flavors mentioned above, please let me know down below. There are so many delicious flavors to choose from that I could only talk about my top favorite. I really wanted to give a you a little more info on overnight oats before sharing all of my favorite recipes.