Overnight refrigerator oatmeal is kind of making its rounds around the interwebs, so I decided to give it a shot. And I loved it. It’s a little different from cooked oats–it’s (obviously) not cooked and lacks that kind of cohesive consistency of cooked oatmeal. But it doesn’t bother me, and when I pair it with a few slices of precooked bacon (I use that Hormel precooked bacon that’s 70 calories for 4 slices), it keeps me full until lunchtime. One thing I love about it is that you can totally customize it however you want to, you just need equal amounts of oats and liquid, then you can round it out however you want. Fresh fruit, dried fruit, peanut butter, chocolate, nuts, seeds, however you like it, you can make it work! I’ve had a lot of fun the last few weeks playing around with different combinations and finding things that we love.
Ingredients Needed
This is just a preview of ingredients and method, keep scrolling for full printable recipe.
- Oats – Regular or quick cooking oats will work, but not steel-cut or instant oats.
- Milk – I use 1% milk, but any milk will work, even non-dairy options.
- Vanilla extract – A little bit of vanilla bean paste would also work.
- Almond extract – We’re just using a touch of almond here, but it really adds another layer of depth to the finished oatmeal.
- Brown sugar – Or your favorite sweetener.
- Ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt – If desired. It helps bring out the other flavors.
- Fresh raspberries – Or your fruit of choice.
- Sliced almonds – Or other nut, toasted or raw.
How to Make Overnight Refrigerator Oatmeal
- This couldn’t be easier: Combine the oats, milk, vanilla and almond extracts, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt.
- Gently fold in the raspberries and divide the mixture among 4 8-ounce jars. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- When ready to eat, stir it up, top with sliced almonds and enjoy cold!
Storing and Other Tips
- Store leftover portions in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within 2-3 days if you are using fresh fruit mixed in, as that will be the first thing to break down.
- If you are not adding fresh fruit, enjoy within 4-5 days.
- This recipe is extremely flexible. As long as you have equal parts oats and liquid, you can change up the flavors and added ingredients however you’d like!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yep! Rolled oats are heat-treated during processing and don’t need to be cooked before eating. If you’re referring to them containing phytic acid that can reduce mineral absorption somewhat, that is reduced a bit by soaking the oats and should not be a problem for someone with a well-balanced diet overall.
Absolutely! Heat in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until warm. You may need an extra splash of milk as the oats will absorb moisture as they heat.
Yes, although it’s safest to use oats that are specifically certified gluten-free, as farmers often rotate grain fields and there can be cross contamination from fields that have previously grown wheat.
Overnight Raspberry-Almond Refrigerator Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 2 cups oats regular or quick-cooking, but not steel-cut or instant
- 2 cups milk I used and calculated the nutrition with 1%, but you can use whatever milk you like, including things like unsweetened almond or coconut milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar or your favorite sweetener
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt optional
- 1 6- ounce package raspberries
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the oats, milk, extracts, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and the salt (if using).
- Gently add the raspberries, then divide evenly among 4 8-ounce jars or containers. Refrigerate overnight. In the morning, top with sliced almonds and serve cold.
Notes
- Store leftover portions in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within 2-3 days if you are using fresh fruit mixed in, as that will be the first thing to break down.
- If you are not adding fresh fruit, enjoy within 4-5 days.
- This recipe is extremely flexible. As long as you have equal parts oats and liquid, you can change up the flavors and added ingredients however you’d like!
Nutrition
Questions & Reviews
This is good. I have tried it. I ALSO like (for one serving) one-quarter cup homemade granola, one-quarter cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt, and one teaspoon of raspberry jam stirred together, placed into the 8-ounce glass jar, covered, and refrigerated overnight. So good in the morning. A lot less sugar than most cereals and yogurts. Also VERY delicious. The grains, nuts and seeds in the granola soften to a lovely consistency. Add fresh or frozen fruit if you want before putting into jar in the evening.
Is it okay to use frozen fruit, or will that change the consistency?
Totally fine! 🙂
I can never seem to finish a bowl of cooked oatmeal, but I LOVE overnight oatmeal! Just threw this together for tomorrow’s breakfast, but with blueberries! Sometimes I even add a spoonful or two of yogurt to it just before eating to add some creaminess. Yum!!
It looks like this oatmeal is not cooked right?
Yep, no cooking involved! 🙂
So, I can heat it and it will be ok.
What size jars did you order?
Yep, just pop it into the microwave for about 90 seconds or so. 🙂
I used 8 ounce jars, but going a little bigger, especially if you’re reheating, wouldn’t hurt.
Good luck! 🙂
Thanks. I’ll get the jars and try it. I need a quick breakfast for school mornings, and my 90 year old Mom, too!
I’ve made something similar before and some of us eat it cold, some of us warm it up. Everybody’s happy! 🙂 You can quickly slice bananas into it in the morning, if you’re worried about them turning yucky.
I absolutely ADORE cooked oatmeal. Regular cook, never instant. I grew up on it. But, I’m having a hard time wrapping my old brain around COLD oatmeal. Tell me I will love it!
I know. It’s crazy, haha. If you don’t like it cold, you can always warm it up, but it turns out I love it cold–kind of like cold rice pudding. 🙂
I understand that there are plenty of people who just can not drink dairy milk health wise, but the very idea of blending almonds and water together and drinking the strained “milk” or actually paying to buy that stuff amazes me. I cannot understand how they can even call it milk. Milk comes from mammals, only. sheesh! Thanks for allowing me a short rant, and now I will thank you for the great fill in for boxed cold cereal, which I also refuse to buy. Homemade granola is good but it is nice to try something a little different.
My insides cannot tolerate milk anymore; I have tried soy milk, almond milk, and various other milks but I could never get use to the tastes, even with vanilla added to them BUT I do like lactose- free milk and tolerate that well. So that is what I use. And this recipe is delicious!
I love some good oatmeal and can’t wait to try this recipe!
I actually tried this recently with steel cut oats. Very bad idea. I wish mine turned out at pretty as your.