How to Make Overnight Steel Cut Oats (Easy Recipe)

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:

1. Place the steel cut oats into a large bowl. You will need 1/4 cup of oats per portion. (Photo 1.)
2. 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.)
3. 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.)
4. Remove the cover and drain the oats. (Photo 4.)
5. Divide the soaked oats equally between jars or glass containers. (Photo 5.)
6. Add the chia seeds. You will need about 1 tablespoon per portion. (Photo 6.)
7. 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.)
8. 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