Vegan Overnight Oatmeal

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For the last four and a half years, my daily breakfast consists of celery juice and a fruit smoothie. At least, most of the time it does. Occasionally, during the colder winter months, I’ll substitute a bowl of hot oatmeal for the smoothie.

I grew up eating stick-to-your-ribs oatmeal, with added milk and sweetener. As one who avoids animals products, sugar and gluten, my oatmeal today is healthier. Gluten free oats, no sugar and no dairy milk. For convenience I typically use packets of organic, gluten free oatmeal.

For several years I’ve wanted to try vegan overnight oatmeal, a breakfast recipe prepared the night before and then popped into the refrigerator until morning. I finally did so, with the awareness that January is National Oatmeal Month. Last night I prepped my first two vegan overnight oatmeal jars and Greg and I enjoyed them for breakfast this morning, after our celery juice.

They are so easy to make.

 

Simple Wholesome Ingredients

After researching overnight oatmeal I discovered the basic recipe consists of two ingredients: oatmeal, in my case gluten free, and a liquid. I used plant based milk.

Oatmeal

Start with half a cup of rolled oats, also considered the “old fashioned” kind of oatmeal. I prefer gluten free oats, due to a gluten sensitivity. If you tolerate regular oatmeal, use that. (Not sure if you are gluten intolerant? Check out these eight symptoms.)

Plant Based Milk

Add two thirds cup of plant based milk of choice. I used unsweetened almond milk. Unsweetened coconut milk or unsweetened almond/coconut milk works too.

The combined milk and oats chilling overnight creates a creamy, ready to eat oatmeal by morning, as the oats absorb the milk.

Add Additional Ingredients

After combining the two main ingredients, the fun begins. Add fresh berries, bananas or other fruit, about one fourth to half a cup. Include walnuts or pecans…a couple of tablespoons. Love raisins? Add those. Any kind of fruit, chopped into small pieces works.

If using apples, add a half teaspoon of cinnamon. Need a little sweetening? Skip the processed sugar. Add chopped dates or a spoonful of pure maple syrup.

Chia seeds add protein and help the oats set up. Sugar free nut butters add flavor and protein as well. Play around with the foods that you like and create your own delicious flavor combos. Just start with half a cup of uncooked rolled oats and two thirds cup of plant based milk as the base.

 

Vegan Overnight Oatmeal Tips

For the apple cinnamon oatmeal, I made the recipe the same as the blueberry except that I added half a teaspoon of cinnamon and replaced the blueberries with half a cup of chopped apple. Next time I’ll toss in a tablespoon of chopped walnuts.

These 8 ounce mason jars, with lids, are the perfect containers.

For creamier oatmeal, use a bit more milk. Or slightly reduce the amount of liquid and add two or three tablespoons of plant based yogurt.

Try fun combinations such a banana and peanut butter oatmeal or mixed berries and unsweetened shredded coconut or chocolate and almonds. Use two to three tablespoons of cocoa powder. How about pumpkin oatmeal? Add one third cup of pumpkin puree, half a teaspoon of cinnamon, a dash of nutmeg and a tablespoon each of pumpkin seeds and dried cranberries.

Eat the oatmeal cold, straight from the fridge or warm it to take the chill off. You don’t need to cook the oatmeal, just warm it. I placed my blueberry oatmeal in the microwave for 6o seconds.

Delicious Breakfast

I enjoyed the vegan overnight oatmeal this morning for breakfast! It was creamy and delicious with semi-tart pops of blueberry flavor. And vegan style, overnight oats are healthy too and just as filling, I discovered, as the steaming bowls of oatmeal my mother made.

Although I’ll continue to drink a fruit smoothie most mornings, the overnight oatmeal is perfect for a weekend breakfast. I look forward to trying out a variety of flavor combos!

Have you tried overnight oats?

Make Vegan Overnight Oatmeal with these finds from Amazon:

 

 

 

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