These overnight steel-cut oats are delicious, nutritious, and filling. And the best part is that they don’t require any cooking! You can make them in advance and then just grab and go in the morning.
This overnight oats recipe is very customizable, so you can easily adapt it to your taste and dietary preferences.
Steel-cut oats are one of my favorite dishes to have for breakfast.
Unfortunately, they take a long time to cook.
If you decide to make a fresh bowl of steel-cut oatmeal in the morning, you are looking at about 20 to 30 minutes of cooking time.
Most people don’t have so much time in the morning to make breakfast. We all want something easy and healthy that we can just grab and go.
That’s why overnight oatmeal recipes have become so popular on the internet in the last couple of years.
Anything that helps us to make getting out the door in the morning less stressful is a winner.
Can You Eat Steel-Cut Oats Without Cooking Them?
Raw steel-cut oats are very hard, so you can’t really soak them the way you would do with rolled oats. They just don’t soften enough.
But there is still a way to prepare steel-cut oats without cooking them.
The trick is to soak them first in hot water and then place them in the fridge overnight. The hot water will speed up the process of soaking the oats, significantly reducing the required soaking time.
By the time you get up in the morning, the oats will have a nice chewy texture.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
A nourishing bowl of oats makes a delicious, hearty breakfast.
Here are a few reasons to try this easy recipe:
- No-cook overnight steel-cut oatmeal is very easy to make. You don’t have to follow long recipes or learn complicated cooking techniques. Just put the ingredients together, mix them up a bit, and you are done.
- It’s quick. Preparing the oats takes just a few minutes, so you won’t have to spend a long time in the kitchen.
- Overnight steel-cut oats are portable. If you prefer to take your breakfast to work or school, overnight steel-cut oats are perfect for you because you can make them in mason jars or glass containers and then take them with you in the morning.
- This recipe is very customizable. Once you know how to make the basic recipe, you can tailor it to your taste and dietary preference. For example, you can make them with different types of milk, such as cow’s or your favorite non-dairy milk. You can also experiment with adding your favorite oatmeal toppings (see below for some topping ideas).
- Overnight steel-cut oats make a very healthy breakfast. Steel-cut oats are full of important vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein, and even fat. Adding chia seeds and other healthy toppings makes them a breakfast of champions.
Ingredient Notes
Here is a brief overview of the ingredients you’ll need to make a batch of overnight steel-cut oats with chia seeds:
- Steel-cut oats: Keep in mind that steel-cut oats are not the same as rolled oats (also known as traditional or old-fashioned oats). Steel-cut oats are less processed than rolled oats. They are also much harder and cook differently.
- Chia seeds: One downside of no-cook overnight steel-cut oats is that they don’t get as creamy as regularly cooked steel-cut oatmeal. For this reason, I always add some chia seeds to overnight steel-cut oats. Chia seeds improve the mouthfeel of the dish by adding a subtle creamy texture. Chia seeds are also a nutritional powerhouse and will boost the nutritional benefits of the breakfast.
- Milk: You can use any milk you like. Regular cow’s milk works perfectly for this recipe. Any non-dairy milk, such as coconut or almond milk, is also a great choice.
How to Make Overnight Steel Cut Oats
Here are the step-by-step instructions on how to make overnight steel-cut oatmeal:
- Place the steel cut oats into a large bowl. You will need 1/4 cup of oats per portion. (Photo 1.)
- Carefully add boiling water to the bowl. The oats will swell quite a bit, so make sure that they are covered by at least 1 1/2 inches of water. The more portions you are making, the more water you will need. (Photo 2.)
- To keep the water warm longer, place a cover on the bowl. I just use a small plate because it fits perfectly over my bowl. Let the oats soak for at least one hour. (Photo 3.)
- Remove the cover and drain the oats. (Photo 4.)
- Divide the soaked oats equally between jars or glass containers. (Photo 5.)
- Add the chia seeds. You will need about 1 tablespoon per portion. (Photo 6.)
- Add your favorite non-dairy or cow’s milk, about 1/2 cup per portion, and mix to combine. Cover with a tight lid and place in the fridge overnight. (Photo 7.)
- Add your favorite toppings, such as nuts and fruits, before serving. (Photo 8.)
Recipe Video
Here is the recipe video to help you make it:
Variations
Here are a few ideas on how to customize this overnight steel-cut oats recipe with different toppings:
Sweeteners
I don’t usually add any additional sweetener to my morning oatmeal because I find that with fruits and berries, it tastes sweet enough.
If you want it to taste sweeter, you can add a little bit of natural sweetener:
- Maple syrup
- Honey
- Coconut sugar
- Raisins
- Dried dates
Topping Ideas
Toppings add flavor and nutrition to the overnight steel cut oats. Choose your favorite toppings or experiment with new ones.
There are so many combinations that you can create a new flavor every day.
Topping # 1 – Berries and Fruits:
I usually add about 1/2 cup of fresh berries or cut-up fresh fruit.
Here are some of my favorite fruits and berries to add to overnight steel cut oats:
- Blueberries
- Strawberries
- Blackberries
- Raspberries
- Peaches
- Apples
- Plums
- Pineapple
- Pomegranates
- Oranges
- Mango
- Kiwi
- etc.
Topping # 2 – Nuts, Seeds, and Nut Butters:
Don’t forget to add some nuts or nut butter. I usually add about two tablespoons of chopped nuts or one tablespoon of nut butter:
- Almonds
- Sunflower Seeds
- Pumpkin Seeds
- Flax Seeds
- Shredded Coconut
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Cashews
- Hazelnuts
- Almond Butter
- Cashew Butter
- Cacao Nibs
- etc.
Storing
Store these overnight steel cut oats in the refrigerator in a glass jar with a tight lid. Consume within 48 hours
More Breakfast Recipes
If you are looking for healthy breakfast ideas, check out these recipes:
- Quinoa with Fruit for Breakfast
- Homemade Muesli
- Egg Avocado Toast
- Blueberry Kale Smoothie
- Apple Cinnamon Quinoa Breakfast Bowl
- Raspberry Oatmeal
How to Make Overnight Steel Cut Oats
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup steel cut oats
- 2 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1 cup your favorite non-dairy or cow's milk
Toppings:
- 1 cup berries or cut up fruit
- 2 Tbsp chopped nuts or 1 Tbsp nut butter
Instructions
- Place the steel cut oats into a large bowl.
- Carefully add boiling water to the bowl, making sure that the oats are covered by at least 1½ inches of water.
- Place a cover on the bowl and let the oats soak for at least one hour.
- Remove the cover and drain the oats.
- Divide the soaked oats equally between 2 jars or glass containers.
- Add 1 tablespoon of the chia seeds to each jar.
- Add your favorite non-dairy or cow’s milk and mix to combine. Cover with a tight lid and place in the fridge overnight.
- Add your favorite toppings such as nuts and fruits before serving.
Recipe Notes
- Consume within 48 hours.
- The nutrition information is a rough estimate for one serving of the base recipe made with almond milk without any toppings or sweeteners.
The nutrition facts are an estimate. Variations in ingredient brands, portion sizes, or substitutions can affect the final nutritional values. For the most accurate information, please use a nutrition calculator or consult with a healthcare provider. Always ensure that each of the ingredients is allowed in your diet.
Meet Maria
Maria Ushakova is a holistic nutritionist and food blogger. She focuses on developing easy recipes using real food ingredients. She believes that healthy food is delicious and anyone can learn how to cook it. Maria’s work has appeared on numerous popular websites as well as in print.
Do you use one cup of nondairy milk per portion, or half a cup? Both are stated in the recipe.
Hi Amber! The recipe calls for 1 cup of milk which makes two portions of the oats. I am not sure where it says half a cup?
@Maria Ushakova, In your description above the recipe you state, one cup milk per 1/4 portion.
@Kate, Oh, I see what you mean. Yes, there was a typo there. Thanks for catching it! The amounts in the recipe card are correct. So, the ratio per portion is 1/4 cup of steel cut oats, 1/2 cup of milk and 1 Tbsp of chia seeds.
Is there supposed to be a lot of liquid in the morning? I found that nothing really dissolved into the milk overnight
Hi Becky! Yes, there should be some liquid left. These oats are not the same consistency as cooked steel cut oats. This is why I add chia seeds to make them more creamy. It also depends on the quality of the steel cut oats you are using. One reader commented on pinterest that she puts less milk because she doesn’t like too much liquid in the oats, so maybe try that?
those jars are precious!
To cook steel cut oats use this easy method.
Boil 4 cups water in heavy steel casserole dish that has a tight fitting lid.
Once boiling rapidly add 1 cup steel cut oats. Return to fast boil and boil for 2 minutes.
Place the tight fitting lid on the pot and leave to sit overnight.
In the morning remove oats to glass dish. Microwave warm enough for breakfast and put rest in fridge for next couple of days.
Easy as and delicious hot or cold.
I add 1/2 cup thread coconut at cooking stage just for taste. Delicious and so good for you.
Do u eat it cold?
Hi Jessica! I think it tastes great cold or warm. I prefer it cold in summer but warm it up a bit in the winter time.
Where are the jars you have pictured, from?
Hi there! We bought some jam from an ethnic food store here in Toronto and the jam came in those jars.