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Here’s everything you need to know to make healthy and delicious overnight quinoa oats. It’s the perfect make-ahead breakfast, and I’ve included a base recipe PLUS 6 recipes to help get you started!
Overnight Oats with Quinoa
Overnight oats are basically
As they rest, the oats and seeds will absorb the liquid, making the uncooked oats soft enough to eat. Texturally, it’s also denser and creamier than the stove-top oats, like this baby oatmeal.
We love our banana overnight oats and overnight blended oats. And when we want more texture, we go for the overnight steel cut oats.
Now for an extra boost of protein and subtle nutty flavor, you HAVE to try this overnight quinoa oats. It’s an easy and delicious way to use up any leftover quinoa (I always seem to cook way more quinoa than I need at the time)!
It’s also a great way to serve this nutritious grain to your baby without losing your sanity. We did baby led weaning, and it’s not so fun to see tiny grains flying everywhere. Although my son would tell you otherwise.
You can prep it the night before, so mornings are a breeze. Dealing with early-rising, always-hungry kids, make-ahead breakfasts are total life-savers.
Table of Contents
Ingredients
- Oats – old-fashioned rolled oats will work best. You’ll get that creamy and smooth texture with just the right amount of chew.
- Quinoa – Be sure to cook and chill prior to adding to the jar/container. White and red quinoa are the two types I recommend for this –
white if you want a milder, lighter texture and red for a richer, nuttier, slightly chewier texture. - Chia seeds – gives the overnight quinoa oats the pudding-like texture. You can leave them out if you wish, but I highly recommend that you give it a try first.
- Milk – I like to use whole milk since that’s why my kids are drinking, but feel free to use whatever you have on hand, whether it’s dairy or non-dairy milk.
- Yogurt – makes it rich and creamy. It’s also a great source of probiotics and protein. Leaving it overnight does enhance the tanginess as it absorbs into the oats. So if you’d like to lessen the flavor, you can
- a.) add something sweet to create a balance or
- b.) leave it out completely and add it in the morning
- Sweetener: fruit, applesauce, maple syrup, honey, date syrup, chopped dried fruits. They will all work. You can also top with more when you’re ready to eat
- Spices: again, feel free to use whatever you fancy!
How to Make Overnight Quinoa Oats
Step 1: In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients. Be sure to stir really well. Either cover and refrigerate the mixture or divide it into individual serving containers.
Step 2: Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Give it a good stir and add extra splash of milk, if desired. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Toppings
Pro Tip: It is best to add the toppings after the overnight quinoa oats have chilled, so right before eating.
That way, you get a mixture of textures and the toppings don’t get mushy. As you can see, there are endless options! And if you tend to gravitate towards sweet oatmeal, try flipping the switch to savory variations (see below for ideas)!
- Finely chopped or ground nuts and seeds
- Peanut butter, almond butter, or sunflower seed butter
- Grated carrots
- Mashed sweet potatoes or butternut squash
- Fresh fruits – like strawberries, blueberries, mangoes, apples, banana
- Granola – (try this homemade no added sugar granola)
Tips for Success
- Oats + Quinoa and Milk Ratio: I generally like a
1:1 ratio. Start with this ratio and feel free to adjust to your desired consistency. You can always add more milk the morning of, or when you’re ready to eat. - Stir, Stir, Stir! It’s really important that you give everything a good stir before placing it in the fridge AND right before eating. This will ensure that you’ll get all those yummy flavors and textures in every bite.
- As mentioned earlier, you can leave
out the - They don’t have to be refrigerated overnight, but I do recommend at least 4 hours in the fridge.
- Store chia seeds in the freezer to keep them fresh longer and prevent them from going rancid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Feel free to use almond, coconut, cashew, pea, or soy milk. All of these will work. Although I recommend these two non-dairy milks for maximum nutrition. You can also use water, but I don’t recommend it. You’ll definitely be missing the rich, creamy factor.
Storage
Once assembled, store in an airtight container. Will keep in the fridge for 3-5 days.
I personally love to use small mason jars (and these reusable lids for toddlers and these overnight oats jars with extra long spoons for older kids and adults (pictured above).
6 Overnight Quinoa Oats Variations
1. Apple Pie Overnight Oats with Quinoa
A classic, oh-so-comforting dessert that is totally appropriate to enjoy first thing in the morning! Freshly chopped apple, walnuts, and the warm flavor of cinnamon make for the perfect accompaniment to the creamy oat/quinoa base.
For babies, finely grate apples and finely ground walnuts.
2. Peanut Butter and Raspberry Overnight Quinoa oats
Super straightforward but is one of my personal favorites! It hits the spot every.singe.time. Simply mash a banana and stir it into the oat/quinoa mixture along with a tablespoon of peanut butter. You can also swap it out with any nut butter of choice and fruit.
3. Pumpkin Pie Overnight Quinoa Oats
Eat dessert for breakfast while getting whole grains and protein? Sign me up! Thick and creamy, it truly tastes like fall in a jar. I more often than not use canned pumpkin for convenience but you can certainly make your own. We honestly enjoy this
4. Carrot Cake Overnight Oats with Quinoa
This is one of my son’s favorite. It’s creamy, crunchy, chewy, and sweet, and is packed with all the good-for-you nutrients. Oh! and may I draw attention to the fact that you get 1/4 cup of carrots per serving? You’re welcome ;). Ooh, and a dollop of cream cheese will be a lovely touch too!
5. Savory Avocado Egg Overnight Quinoa Oats
Simply add scrambled eggs and avocado right before eating. I personally like to add some Everything bagel seasoning ;).
6. Cheesy Roasted Vegetable Overnight Oats
Such a great way to repurpose leftover veggies! I recommend serving this warm. Toss in some cheese and reheat in the microwave briefly until cheese has melted.
More Healthy Breakfast Ideas
Did you make this recipe? Leave a rating below and let me know how you liked the recipe! Your feedback means so much to me!
Overnight Quinoa Oats
Equipment
Ingredients
Basic Recipe
- 1/2 cup uncooked rolled oats (50g)
- 1/2 cup cooked quinoa (60g)
- 1 cup unsweetened milk of choice
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt or dairy-free alternatives (optional, see notes)
Optional
- 1/2 medium ripe banana (mashed) or sweetener of choice (honey, maple syrup, date syrup)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together all the ingredients. Be sure to stir really well. Either cover and refrigerate the mixture or divide it into individual serving containers.
- Refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours.
- If you'd like, add additional liquid in the morning. Once you achieve the desired consistency, enjoy with toppings.
Notes
- to oats/quinoa, milk, and chia seeds, add: 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce, 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- toppings: chopped (or grated) apples, pecans, maple syrup
- Add: 1 tablespoon peanut butter, 1/2 medium banana, mashed
- Toppings: a drizzle of peanut butter and fresh raspberries
- Add: 1/2 cup pumpkin puree, 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice, 2 teaspoons maple syrup/date syrup
- Toppings: pecans
- Add: 1/2 cup finely grated carrots, 1 tablespoon chopped dates
- Toppings: walnuts, unsweetened coconut
Love these oats. My daughter and hubby both always eat them. Did you change the recipe recently? I don’t remember using 1 full cup of milk before 🤔 but maybe I’m just crazy lol
Hi! Yes I did as many people suggested that they wish it made more servings. But you can absolutely half the recipe, if preferred!
So easy, so perfectly creamy! I have been looking for make ahead breakfasts to make this week easier because it’s a hectic one. I’ve used this recipe twice now and it’s a lifesaver! I’ve been making the one with PB and banana, because the flavor combo is a favorite of my toddler. He can’t get enough of it. Satisfied boy, happy mama 😉
I should mention – I am making the rolled oats variation!
I was wanting to try Overnight Oats and it’s so great to have the extra tips to adapt to my toddler. Always love your recipes. I saw a note on another site that it is best to use “old fashioned” oats rather than the quick oats as they get too mushy. Are the old fashioned ones better nutritionally, too? I assume they are more “whole grain”. Some other flavour combos I’m excited to try are raspberry / coconut, pineapple / coconut, peach / yogurt / almond / honey, homemade nutella / banana / PB 🙂
Yes I recommend using old fashioned oats as well. Nutritionally they are similar! You can learn more about the differences in this post – https://www.mjandhungryman.com/banana-oatmeal-cookies/. And those are all delicious combinations!! I will definitely try them as well!
We love these, so easy to make the night before for breakfast!
SO easy right?! Makes mornings that much less hectic
Hi,
Am so excited to try both sweet m savoury options. Just wanna ask for the sweet overnight oats, you mentioned “sweetener of choice”. As my boy is below a year old, is real maple syrup the best alternative? And I am a stickler for measurements!! How much sweetener should be in the basic recipe?
Hi Lisa! Yay! Super excited for you guys to try as well! Yes for under 1, fruits, maple syrup or date syrup will be great choices. I provided specific recipes for some fun flavor combos you can try. You’ll see for apple pie, you can use applesauce. For PB and raspberries, banana. So you don’t need to always add maple syrup. But if you want to, 1/2-1 teaspoon should be plenty! Hope this helps!