A few months back I discovered overnight oatmeal. It was my go-to meal while on mat-leave and now that we are always rushing out the door with a toddler it’s the perfect meal for our family to eat before starting our day, even my toddler loves it! In addition to all of this, our kitchen renovation is finally complete (home tour coming shortly) and  I am so excited to be baking and cooking again! The amazing thing about this simple breakfast solution is that there is no oven or stovetop needed.

What could be better than a bowl full of rich, warm and delicious goodness in the morning?

Being a new mom, I’m always on the hunt for quick, healthy and, of course, delicious new recipes. So when a friend of mine recently posted a picture of her overnight oatmeal one morning, I had to find out more about this. After trying a few different versions of this new phenomenon, I started to get creative and make my own!

The fun thing about this recipe is that even if you’re not overly confident when it comes to playing with flavours and ingredients, it’s so simple to put  your own twist on this classic. The basics stay the same and you can add whatever you like to change it up.

Here are a few versions that I’ve come up with, paired with some of my favourite morning beverages.

Overnight Oatmeal

Part 1: The Basics (this part of the recipe is almost always the same)

Ingredients

2/3 cup of quick oats

3/4 cup of milk (this can be any kind of milk – almond milk adds a delicious flavour)

1/8 of a teaspoon almond or vanilla extract

1 tablespoon of maple syrup (honey, brown/white sugar or sweetener can be substituted)

Preparation

Measure out oats, milk, vanilla extract and maple syrup; pour into a mason jar. Give the ingredients a quick stir, twist the lid on tightly and shake until everything is well blended. Place the mixture into the fridge overnight. In the morning, heat the oatmeal in the microwave for 45 seconds or 1 minute.

Part 2: Flavourful Fun  (this is where you can get creative)

Add one of the following to your oatmeal before or after it’s been heated.If you like melted chocolate or softened blueberries I would  suggest adding them before heating.

• Two squares of dark chocolate (I love to use Lindt Dark Chocolate with Sea Salt)

Who says you can’t enjoy a little chocolate for breakfast! This oatmeal pairs really well with a rich cup of Muskoka Maple Coffee.

 

• Fruit! (dried or fresh cranberries,  fresh blueberries, or raspberries)

Adding fruit makes this a light and healthy option, perfect for a crisp spring morning. I love to eat this version with a light cup of tea. Sloan’s Heavenly Cream or Peaches and Cream are my two favourites.

This simple recipe is perfect for a weekday morning rush, just pop it in your lunch bag or heat before you head out the door. It’s also a great way to start off a slow Sunday morning. Enjoy the variations I’ve suggested, or be creative with your own flavourful fun.