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Overnight Oatmeal is Power Packed for Pennies

Healthy, easy, no-cook breakfast in a jar? Yes, please! Overnight oatmeal is power packed for pennies. Delicious, nutritious and CHEAP!

 

When it comes to cheap eats it doesn’t get more frugal and fabulous than oatmeal. It’s a whole grain, packed with fiber and nutrients, the neutral flavor is compatible with endless variations, and costs mere pennies per serving.

 

Are you sold yet?

 

How about this: you can literally make it in your sleep.

 

Did that appeal to your inner multi-tasker? Yup mine, too.

 

Unlike traditional stove-top oatmeal where we cook the oats, we place uncooked oats with added liquid in the refrigerator. The oats become thick and creamy by absorbing the liquid as it sits overnight. It looses that “raw” flavor even thought it’s never actually cooked.

 

What a pleasure to wake up to a delicious concoction that puts instant oatmeal to shame.

 

The best thing about this technique is the pure convenience. You can make individual servings or prepare it in quantity according to your family’s needs.

 

The dry, shelf stable ingredients can be mixed, and stored indefinitely, in either single serving containers or in a bulk container to be scooped when needed.

 

Your perishable ingredients are added as you put them in the fridge. Once in the fridge they can hold safely for up to five days. You can literally make a week of healthy family breakfasts in under 15 minutes.

 

And now, here’s my commercial for ch-ch-ch-chia seeds because I want you to love them.

 

These minuscule seeds are nutritional powerhouses. They absorb 10 times their weight in liquid and transform into a neutral flavored gel-like substance.

 

Their unique combination of soluble and insoluble fiber slows down your body’s conversion of starches into sugars helping keep blood sugars level and making you feel full longer. Ounce for ounce, they are the richest non-marine source of Omega-3 fatty acids (better than salmon!) which is important for heart health. They’re high in protein and loaded with calcium, potassium, Vitamin B, and antioxidants. Add them to your oatmeal and you won’t even know they’re there, but your body sure will. I promise.

 

Depending on your morning appetite, 8-ounce, 12-ounce or 16-ounce sized containers will work.

 

You can use any container you like that holds at least one cup and has a lid. You can use plastic containers, reuse glass jars, or bust out the canning jars. Whatever will make you happiest to see in the morning.

 

Healthy, easy, no-cook breakfast in a jar? Yes, please! Overnight oatmeal is power packed for pennies. Delicious, nutritious and CHEAP!

 

I hesitate to call this a recipe, more like a technique. If you can remember this ratio; 1:1 you’ve got the best place to start. You’ll need one part old fashioned rolled oats (not instant!) and an equal part liquid. It’s all about adjusting the ratio to get the consistency you love. Start  at this suggested ratio then add more or use less liquid until you find the perfect ratio for you. 

 

Traditionally you’d use dairy milk of any kind; skim, whole, or in between. You can even add a splash of cream or half and half. You could also use almond milk, hemp milk, soy milk, coconut milk, cranberry or apple juice or any combination thereof.

 

Healthy, easy, no-cook breakfast in a jar? Yes, please! Overnight oatmeal is power packed for pennies. Delicious, nutritious and CHEAP!

That’s it. Easy, right?

 

Of course you’ll want to add healthy, flavorful goodies to endlessly customize your practically instant breakfast.

Adding protein to your oats helps ensure you’ll stay fuller longer.  To add protein, stirring in a dollop of plain, unsweetened yogurt, or Greek yogurt makes the oats deliciously creamy and offers extra benefits for gut health and greater mineral absorption. A spoonful of nut butter or a scoop of protein powder is another way to increase the protein. 

Sweeten the oatmeal with whatever appeals to you – brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, cinnamon, vanilla extract, agave, or jam. 

To add flavor, add a pinch of salt then stir in some dried fruit, chopped nuts, coconut, mini dark chocolate chips. Whatever floats your breakfast boat. Don’t be shy, you want this to be flavorful.

 

Healthy, easy, no-cook breakfast in a jar? Yes, please! Overnight oatmeal is power packed for pennies. Delicious, nutritious and CHEAP!

 

I find it easiest to use a large (32 ounce) mason jar with a lid, or several single size jars (12 ounce), fill it half way with oats, add whatever goodies you wish, stir and then top it off with liquid. Now pop on the lid and give it a good shake. Leave it in the fridge overnight and you’ll wake up to a delicious concoction that puts instant oatmeal to shame.

 

When you’re ready to rise and dine you can either enjoy your oatmeal cold right out of the fridge, heat up a bowl in the microwave, or toss thwe whole thing in your bag for a grab-and-go breakfast on the run.

 

It’s equally delicious hot or cold and I recommend topping it with fresh last minute add ins. Get creative with fresh, canned, or frozen and thawed fruit, like bananas, apples, berries or peaches. Add crunch with nuts and seeds or a sprinkle of granola.

 

Healthy, easy, no-cook breakfast in a jar? Yes, please! Overnight oatmeal is power packed for pennies. Delicious, nutritious and CHEAP!

 

We all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day. I hope this technique provides a new strategy that makes it easier to start your day the healthy way.

 

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OVERNIGHT OATMEAL

blankPatti Diamond
Healthy, easy, no-cook breakfast in ajar. Overnight oatmeal is power packed for pennies.  Delicious, nutritious and cheap!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Refrigeration Time 6 hours
Total Time 6 hours 5 minutes
Course Breakfast and Brunch, Meal Prep
Cuisine American
Servings 1 serving

Ingredients
  

  • ⅓ to ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 to 2 teaspoons chia seeds optional but highly recommended
  • pinch salt
  • ¼ teaspoon baking spices like cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
  • ⅓ to ½ cup liquid of choice dairy milk, almond, hemp or coconut milk
  • ¼ cup yogurt optional but highly recommended
  • Serving suggestions: fresh or dried fruit, nut butter, nuts, seeds, protein powder, granola, vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Into your container of choice with a lid, place all the dry ingredients and give it a stir or a shake.
  • Add your favorite liquid and yogurt, if using. and stir it up.
  • Add any additional ingredients that aren't bothered by an overnight soak, like dried fruits, nuts, protein powders or nut butters.
  • Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or better, overnight.
  • To serve, add more liquid if necessary and add any last minute additions like sliced banana, granola, or toasted nuts.
Keyword Frugal, Frugal and Fast, Gluten Free, Grains and Rice, How To, Vegetarian
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

For more make ahead breakfast ideas check out Breakfast bowls Save Time, Money and Morning Sanity

 

You may also like – DIY Coffee Creamer

 

 


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