Toasted Overnight Oats with Maple Syrup and Chia Seeds
Make the most of your mornings with Toasted Overnight Oats with Maple Syrup and Chia Seeds. Toasting the oats adds texture and flavor, while maple syrup, chia seeds, and quick-cooking oats come together for an easy, make-ahead breakfast. Customize with your favorite add-ins for a satisfying meal.
This Toasted Overnight Oats with Maple Syrup and Chia Seeds recipe is a game-changer for busy mornings. You’ll love how easy it is to prepare a make-ahead breakfast that’s full of flavor and texture. Toasting the oats adds an extra layer of richness and crunch, making these oats stand out from typical overnight oat recipes. Plus, it’s incredibly versatile, allowing you to customize with your favorite toppings or add-ins, like healthy fats or even a protein boost. This is the recipe I use all the time for a quick and satisfying breakfast that doesn’t sacrifice flavor for convenience.
Why You’ll Love My Easy Gluten Free Overnight Oats Recipe
- Time-saving breakfast: Prep this the night before and enjoy a quick, flavorful meal in the morning.
- Customizable: Easily adapt with your favorite toppings, healthy fats, or a protein boost.
- Extra flavor: Toasting the oats adds a rich texture and depth to the traditional overnight oats.
- Perfectly balanced: The combination of oats, chia seeds, and maple syrup gives a satisfying taste and texture.
Ingredients & Substitutions
Quick Oats: Substitute with old-fashioned rolled oats for a heartier texture. Steel cut oats would need to be cooked and softened before use, resulting in a different texture.
Milk (Almond Milk): Use any milk or milk alternative you prefer, such as soy milk, oat milk, coconut milk, vanilla almond milk, cashew milk, regular milk, or cow’s milk if not following a dairy-free diet. You can also replace some of the milk with greek yogurt for an extra creamy texture.
Pure Maple Syrup or Honey: Replace with agave nectar, brown rice syrup, or date syrup for a different sweetener option.
If you want to reduce sugar, try using stevia or a sugar substitute.
Chia Seeds Flax seeds or hemp seeds can be used as alternatives for added texture and nutrition.
Cinnamon: You can use nutmeg, cardamom, or pumpkin pie spice for a different flavor profile.
Vanilla Extract: Substitute with almond extract, coconut extract, or any other preferred extract for a unique flavor.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Lemon juice or white vinegar can be used as a substitute for a similar acidity.
Salt: Reduce or omit the salt if you’re watching your sodium intake or prefer a lower-sodium option.
How to Make My Easy Gluten Free Overnight Oats Recipe
Step 1: Toast the Oats
Toasting the oats first is an optional step but adds a ton of flavor to the oats. Begin by melting one tablespoon of butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Then stir in 1 cup of quick oats and a pinch of salt. Stir until the oats are all coated with the butter. Spread the oats out on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Bake in the oven for 12 minutes at 350ÂşF.
You can use the toasted oats exclusively in this recipe or use 1/2 cup toasted oats and 1/2 cup untoasted oats. The latter is my preference.
Step 2: Fill your Jar
I love using pint-sized mason jars for making my healthy overnight oats. Begin by adding the following ingredients: almond milk (or milk of choice), maple syrup, chia seeds, cinnamon, vanilla, and apple cider vinegar. Give it a quick stir to make sure all the ingredients are incorporated. Then you can add oats, twist on the lid, and shake the jar quickly. That’s it! Store your jar of oats in the fridge until you’re ready to enjoy a delicious breakfast.
Delicious Serving Suggestions
- Fresh berries: Top with strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries for a fruity twist.
- Nut butter drizzle: Add a spoonful of almond or peanut butter for extra richness.
- Sliced bananas: Sweeten your oats naturally with a few slices of ripe banana.
- Nuts or seeds: Sprinkle chopped nuts or seeds for a bit of crunch and healthy fats.
- Yogurt swirl: Stir in a dollop of Greek yogurt for added creaminess and protein.
- Chocolate chips: For a fun twist, add a few mini chocolate chips to the mix.
Helpful Recipe Notes
Sweetness Level: Adjust the amount of sweetener (maple syrup, honey, or alternatives) to your taste. You can start with the recommended amount and add more if needed.
Texture Variation: If you prefer a thicker consistency, use less milk; for a creamier texture, use more milk. Experiment to find your preferred consistency.
Toasted Oats: Toasting the oats is optional but adds a delightful crunch and nutty flavor. It’s worth trying at least once, but you can skip this step for a quicker preparation.
Add-Ins: Get creative with add-ins like fresh fruit (berries, sliced banana, diced apple), nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans), peanut butter, almond butter, chocolate chips, or dried fruits (raisins, cranberries) to enhance the flavor and nutrition of your oats. You could also add a scoop of protein powder. Have fun with your favorite toppings!
Texture Enhancement: If you enjoy a thicker texture, you can mash a ripe banana into the oats mixture before refrigerating. This adds natural sweetness and creaminess.
Stir Before Serving: Give your overnight oats a good stir before eating to evenly distribute the ingredients and flavors.
Temperature Preference: Overnight oats can be enjoyed cold, but if you prefer them warm, you can heat them in the microwave for 30-60 seconds before serving.
Do you love oats for breakfast? Check out more of my easy and nutritious overnight oats recipes:
Toasted Overnight Oats with Maple Syrup and Chia Seeds
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick oats
- 1 cup milk (almond milk is my fave)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 pinches salt
Instructions
Toasted Oats (optional)
- Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a microwave-safe bowl.
- Add 1 cup of oats and a pinch of salt to the bowl and stir until all the oats are lightly coated with the butter.
- Spread the oats out on a parchment paper-lined cookie sheet.
- Bake 350°F for 12 minutes or until lightly golden brown.
- Store in an airtight container until use.
Overnight Oats
- Add all the milk, maple syrup, chia seeds, cinnamon, vanilla extract, apple cider vinegar, and salt to a jar or container. Gently stir with a spoon until incorporated.
- Add 1 cup of oats.
- Place lid on jar and store in the fridge overnight or at least 3 hours.
Just made this recipe again and it will forever be my go-to for breakfast!
That’s awesome, Emily!! They’re so versatile you can make them in a variety of ways to keep it fun and flavorful 🙂
These were so easy to make!