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This single serving overnight oats recipe uses a simple formula of rolled oats, milk, and yogurt, with apple cinnamon as the featured flavor. It’s easy to customize and perfect for making ahead.
Featured Comment
“Delicious way to start the day! I used the apple version topped with almonds.”
– Sylvia
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple Overnight Oats Formula: This recipe teaches a basic overnight oats method you can use to create many flavor combinations.
- Single Serving or Meal Prep Friendly: Make one serving or easily double or triple the recipe for easy meal prep.
- Customizable Flavors: Apple cinnamon is the featured version, with additional variations you can mix and match.
- Make Ahead Breakfast: Prep the oats in advance and enjoy a ready to eat breakfast straight from the fridge.
- Works With Many Diets: Use dairy or plant based milk, different sweeteners, and your favorite add ins to fit your needs.
Overnight oats are one of those breakfasts I keep coming back to. You mix rolled oats with milk, yogurt, and a few flavorings, then let them rest in the refrigerator overnight. By morning, the oats are soft, creamy, and ready to eat.
What I love most is how dependable they are. Once you know the basic formula, you can change the flavors, make one serving or several, and always have a breakfast that’s already taken care of.
Looking for more single serving breakfast ideas? Try our creamy easy cheesy baked eggs, avocado toast for one, quick breakfast bagel, or our French toast recipe for one . Each recipe is simple to make and sized just right.
Base Ingredients For Overnight Oats
This single serving overnight oats recipe follows a simple formula you can use to create endless flavor variations. If you have any ingredients leftover, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder.
- Oats: Use old fashioned or rolled oats for the best texture. They soften overnight while keeping their shape, which is ideal for overnight oats. Quick oats tend to become too soft and are not recommended. If you need a gluten free option, choose certified gluten free rolled oats. Extra oats can be used apple crisp for one, single serving blueberry crisp, or small batch butter pecan granola.
- Milk: Any milk works for overnight oats, including whole, 2 percent, or low fat milk. Plant based options like almond, soy, coconut, oat, or cashew milk also work well. Lactose free milk is a good choice if needed. Using milk instead of water creates a creamier texture.
- Yogurt: Yogurt adds creaminess and boosts protein. Regular yogurt works well, along with coconut or almond milk yogurt for dairy free options. Cottage cheese can also be used and blends smoothly into the oats.
- Sweetener: Honey or maple syrup add natural sweetness and mix easily into the oats. Agave syrup works well for a vegan option. For a sugar free alternative, use stevia or monk fruit sweetener to taste.
- Flavoring or Spices: Vanilla extract, cinnamon, nutmeg, or other spices add flavor without changing the base ratio. This is where you can adjust the oats to match different flavor combinations.
Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats Add Ins
- Apples: Use diced fresh apples for texture and natural sweetness. Peel them if you prefer a softer bite.
- Cinnamon and Nutmeg: These spices add warmth and classic apple cinnamon flavor. Adjust the amounts to suit your taste.
- Optional Toppings: Chia seeds, chopped nuts, or raisins can be added for extra texture and flavor.
Overnight Oats Recipe Variations
Once you have the base overnight oats formula, you can easily change the flavors using these variations.
- Peanut Butter Banana: Stir 2 tablespoons of peanut butter, 1 sliced banana, and 1 teaspoon of honey into the base overnight oats mixture.
- Berry Filled: Add a handful of fresh or frozen berries, 1 tablespoon of chia seeds, and 1 teaspoon of honey.
- Pumpkin Spice: Mix in 1/3 cup of pumpkin puree, a pinch of nutmeg, 1 tablespoon of chopped walnuts, and 1 teaspoon of maple syrup.
- Chocolate: Stir in 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder, 1 mashed banana, 1 tablespoon of mini chocolate chips, and 1 teaspoon of honey.
How To Make Overnight Oats
Overnight oats follow a simple formula that works every time. For a single serving, use equal parts rolled oats and milk, then add yogurt for creaminess, a sweetener, and flavorings of your choice.
Base Overnight Oats Method
- Add 1/2 cup rolled oats and 1/2 cup milk to a jar or small bowl.
- Stir in 1/4 cup yogurt, your preferred sweetener, and any spices or flavorings.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight, until the oats are soft and creamy.
- Stir before eating and add toppings if desired.
This base can be used to create any overnight oats variation.
Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats Recipe
See the recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full instructions.
To make apple cinnamon overnight oats, follow the base method, then stir in diced apples, cinnamon, and a small pinch of nutmeg before refrigerating. Sweeten with honey or maple syrup to taste.
Expert Tips
- Use Rolled Oats, Not Quick Oats: Old fashioned rolled oats soften overnight while keeping their texture. Quick oats tend to break down and become too soft.
- Stick to the Base Ratio: For consistent results, use equal parts oats and milk, then add yogurt for creaminess. Adjust slightly if you prefer thicker or thinner oats.
- Stir Well Before Chilling: Make sure everything is fully mixed so the oats hydrate evenly and don’t clump at the bottom.
- Refrigerate Long Enough: Let the oats chill for at least 4 hours, but overnight gives the best texture.
- Warm If You Prefer: Overnight oats can be eaten cold or warmed. Remove the lid and heat in a microwave safe container, stirring before serving.
How To Store And Meal Prep Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are easy to prepare in advance and can be made as a single serving or scaled up for meal prep. Simply double, triple, or multiply the ingredients based on how many servings you want to make.
After assembling the oats, cover and refrigerate them in an airtight container. Overnight oats will stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Stir before serving and add any toppings just before eating for the best texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Overnight oats are made by soaking rolled oats in milk and yogurt in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight. The oats soften without cooking and are ready to eat the next day.
Overnight oats need at least 4 hours in the refrigerator to soften, but soaking overnight gives the best texture.
Yes. Overnight oats can be eaten cold or warmed. Remove the lid and heat them in a microwave safe container, stirring before eating.
Yes. This overnight oats recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for meal prep. Simply multiply the ingredients based on how many servings you want.
Related: Simple Cooking For One Tips and Tricks
Ways To Use Leftover Ingredients
If you have any ingredients leftover from this recipe, check out our Leftover Ingredients Recipe Finder or you might like to consider using them in any of these single serving and small batch recipes:
If you’ve tried these overnight oats or any recipe on One Dish Kitchen please let me know how you liked it by rating the recipe and telling me about it in the comment section below.
If you take a picture please tag us on Instagram (@onedishkitchen) we’d love to see!
Overnight Oats For One
Ingredients
Base Overnight Oats Ingredients
- ½ cup old fashioned oats
- ½ cup milk (regular, almond, soy or coconut)
- ¼ cup yogurt (plain, vanilla or Greek)
- 1 -2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional Apple Cinnamon Variation (add to the base)
- ¼ cup diced apples
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅛ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- walnuts for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Add the rolled oats, milk, yogurt, sweetener, and vanilla extract, to a jar or small bowl. Stir until well mixed.
- If making the apple cinnamon version, stir in the diced apple, cinnamon, nutmeg, and walnuts, if using.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight, until the oats are soft and creamy.
- Stir before eating and add walnuts or extra diced apples, if desired.
Notes
- Use Rolled Oats, Not Quick Oats: Old fashioned rolled oats soften overnight while keeping their texture. Quick oats tend to break down and become too soft.
- Stick to the Base Ratio: For consistent results, use equal parts oats and milk, then add yogurt for creaminess. Adjust slightly if you prefer thicker or thinner oats.
- Stir Well Before Chilling: Make sure everything is fully mixed so the oats hydrate evenly and don’t clump at the bottom.
- Refrigerate Long Enough: Let the oats chill for at least 4 hours, but overnight gives the best texture.
- Warm If You Prefer: Overnight oats can be eaten cold or warmed. Remove the lid and heat in a microwave safe container, stirring before serving.
Nutrition
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.
Delicious way to start the day! I used the apple version topped with almonds. Thanks for sharing
Love your recipes and can’t wait to try this one for the win! I eat oatmeal every morning to stay regular! I am not an oatmeal fan. But this looks like a win! Can’t wait to add it to my diet!
Thank you so much! I’m so glad this recipe caught your eye, and I hope it’s a game-changer for your mornings. It’s such a fun and tasty way to enjoy oatmeal—let me know how you like it!
I live in the United States, where they sell a brand of ice cream In plastic pint containers with a screw-on lid called “Talenti”. They are the perfect container for thid, particularly if you want to take theIs prepared oatmeal to work.
I happened upon a 5 oz glass yogurt container that is the perfect measure for the rolled oats and for the milk.
I take a 5 oz measure of the rolled oats, some raisins or dried cranberries, a shake or 2 of pumpkin spice, some chopped mixed nuts and a little bit of honey, and the same measure of milk as the rolled oats.
I mix it up tonight, and put it in the fridge for the morning. It is ready in the morning.
Quick oats won’t work because they get too mushy too fast. Steel cut oats aren’t good because you’d need to let them soak for at least 2 nights.
I use whole milk. You could use You could use 2% or skim, or any of the vegan options. I’ve put in jam instead of the dried fruit. I’ve made this for years. It’s easy, and the container I use is very portable.
I think of this as the perfect no recipe- recipe. Start with the oats and liquid, and add what you like.
The only thing I’ve never considered is heating it up. I think that defeats the purpose of the overnight oats, but that’s just me.
Question, i do not like cold oatmeal. Could I take this out of the refrigerator and warm it up before adding things?
If you prefer our overnight oats warm, remove the lid and microwave in a microwave-safe jar for 1-2 minutes.
What can you use in place of the yogurt?
You can use a little additional milk or add applesauce or mashed banana.
I plan to bump up the protein by adding a scoop of protein powder. I think I’ll add my daily scoop of unflavored collagen powder supplement as well.
I’m not fond of cold oatmeal. Could you heat this up in microwave before eating? Or will it be too mushy>
You can briefly heat it in the microwave if you’d like. It’s delicious.
Can you use quick oats for this?
I don’t recommend using quick oats. They will almost completely dissolve in the milk.
Thanks. I’ve put old fashioned oats on my grocery list.
How long do they last before you need to eat them?
Hi Debbie,
The overnight oats keep well in the fridge for 4 days. They will soften as they remain in the fridge which makes them extra creamy.
Joanie
Oh great, thank you so much. Anxious to try now and make a couple so as to use an entire apple!
I absolutely love making overnight oats. Your delicious Apple Spiced Overnight Oats contains so many wonderful breakfast flavors packed into a single fabulous dish. Yum, yum!