Overnight No-Cook Oatmeal Yogurt Cups
A 12- to 16-ounce jelly or Mason jar is an ideal size for this healthy, make-ahead meal. Put the lid on and store in your refrigerator for up to three days for a speedy, satisfying breakfast. Frozen fruit is a surprisingly delicious option and allows you to whip up these single-serve cups any time of year.

Yield: 1 serving


Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup (32g) old-fashioned oats (the kind that cook in 5 minutes, gluten-free if necessary) plus an extra teaspoonful for topping
  • ⅓ cup (80g) Greek yogurt (nonfat, 2%, or whole; plain or vanilla, as desired)
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) milk (I use almond milk but, again, use what you prefer)
  • 1 teaspoon (4g) chia seeds (may omit if you don’t have them)
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract (or ¼ teaspoon almond extract)
  • 1-2 teaspoons pure maple syrup (optional/to taste; may sub sweetener of choice)
  • ½ cup fruit, frozen or fresh (see notes)

Instructions

  1. Add the oats, yogurt, milk, chia seeds, vanilla or almond extract, and maple syrup to a 12- to 16-ounce jar. (You may use a cereal bowl or large mug if preferred.) Stir to thoroughly combine.

    Fold in the fruit. Sprinkle an extra teaspoon of oats (I like a slightly rounded teaspoon) over the top and do not stir. In the morning, stir and enjoy straight from the jar.

    Storage: The jars can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

    For serving: In the morning, feel free to stir in other traditional oatmeal toppings. Lately, I’ve been adding a tablespoon of toasted, slivered almonds (which I toast in bulk, cool, and store in an airtight container in the fridge, where they will keep for several months) and a rounded tablespoon of homemade granola.


Notes

While I do vary the fruit, my personal favorite when using frozen fruit is blueberries, and I sometimes add half of a chopped banana in the morning. Strawberries, peaches, mango, raspberries, and cherries are also delicious. I keep bags of frozen fruit on hand and add while still frozen. For the larger pieces of fruit, chop before adding. Frozen fruit can be cut fairly easily without thawing.


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