By Macaela Mackenzie
Say goodbye to soggy oats forever.
Overnight oats can be the bomb—not only are they packed with healthy fibre and fruits to kick your day off right but they’re easy AF. But they can also be—well, let’s be honest—a soggy mess. To up the ante on your overnight oats, we scoured the internet for the best tips. Here are eight ways to make your overnight oats way, way better.
Switch up your milk
If you’ve been stuck in a milk rut, try switching it up. Swap skim for whole milk to give yourself a creamier treat; switch up almond for cashew and get acquainted with a new nut; try soy for an extra dose of protein. Whichever milk you choose, just don’t go overboard—adding too much liquid is a one-way ticket to a soggy breakfast.
READ MORE: 6 Meal-Prep Mistakes That Are Making You Gain Weight
Pick the perfect oat
If you’re not loving the texture of your usual recipe, your oat choice might be to blame. Rolled oats have a silkier texture after soaking, while steel-cut oats will give you something to chew. Both types are nutritionally similar, according to Prevention, so it’s ultimately just a matter of preference.
Forget the fridge
While overnight oats are awesome out of the fridge in summer, those chilly winter mornings might call for something warmer. If you’ve got a slow-cooker you can totally whip up a warm overnight breakfast. Just prep before you head to bed and let them cook away while you sleep.
READ MORE: These Are The Best, Healthiest Cereals To Eat For Breakfast Right Now
Get seedy
If you’re looking to up the nutritional power of your oats, toss in a spoonful of chia seeds. They’re packed with iron, fibre, and omega-3 fatty acids. If you want to get really wild, add pomegranate seeds to get extra antioxidant benefits.
Add your toppings in the a.m.
Adding your toppings with the oats and milk overnight can really screw up the texture of your breakfast—who likes soggy bananas? As a general rule of thumb, fruits, nuts, and any crisp toppings like coconut flakes are better added in the morning before you’re about to eat. You can add spices, nut butters, yogurt, and seeds in at night.
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Pump up the protein
Protein boosts at breakfast are always big winners in our book. Bonus points if they also make our recipes taste better. We love how Lauren Conrad uses Greek yogurt in her morning oats to add a little texture and flavour. Pro tip: You can also use nut butters for the same effect.
Sweeten things up (with limits)
You might feel like your oats are missing something if you’ve got a sweet tooth. Rather than add raw sugar (we know, it’s so tempting) try a healthier option like agave or honey. But be warned—going overboard on the sweetener could make your healthy breakfast not so good for you very quickly. Try relying on fruit, nuts, and spices like cinnamon and nutmeg for flavour as much as possible.
Looking for some delicious oat recipes to try? Here are six oat recipes that’ll kickstart your mornings.
This article was originally published on www.womenshealthmag.com
