Oh-So-Customizable Chia Overnight Oats

For some reason I could take or leave hot oatmeal, but give me cold, mushy oats left in a jar overnight in the fridge, and I’m all in! Seriously though… I love overnight oats. They’re a make-ahead, one-bowl recipe that need almost zero prep and pack a punch of fiber and protein to keep you full for hours.

Chia Overnight Oats

Ingredients:
1/3c rolled oats
1 tbsp chia seeds
1/2 tbsp your favorite nut butter
1/2 banana or your favorite fruit, peeled & chopped
1/2 scoop your favorite protein powder or collagen
1/2c your favorite milk

Couldn’t be easier to make these - just mix all of the above together in a bowl then pour into a 4 ounce mason jar. Store in the fridge overnight - and these will keep up to 5 days. Obviously it would be really easy to multiply this recipe to make as many servings as you’d like!

You may notice how many times I said “your favorite”… these are so easy to customize a million different ways! For me personally, I like using salted, crunchy peanut butter (especially this flax & chia kind from TJs), not-too-ripe banana, Tone it Up protein (either vanilla or peanut butter flavor), and I’m almond milk all the way (preferred brand for this and almost all my cooking is Califia Farms unsweetened coconut-almond milk).

Experiment and figure out what you like! Instead of banana, you could do any sort of berry, or raisins (combine with almond butter and some cinnamon for an oatmeal raisin flavor… yum) or I’ve even added chopped pineapple and shredded coconut along with the banana for piña colada! But as a true peanut butter freak (and salt lover), I will always go back to the ol’ PB + banana combo.

I think the chia seeds add a little je ne sais quoi to this version of the oats - as they gel overnight they add a nice thickness and texture to your jar. I love chia pudding so this is great for me. If you don’t love chia pudding, maybe add less or omit them altogether. (Or if you haven’t tried chia pudding? No time like the present to throw some chia seeds in your overnight oats and see what you think!)