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Overnight Steel Cut Oats

Learn how to make overnight steel cut oats a ton of different ways. We've got the basic recipe for overnight steel cut oats and are then showing you six amazing flavor ideas! We've got peanut butter, apple, mango, mocha, chocolate chip, and vanilla raspberry.

You probably click on this post for one of two reasons.

  1. you love steel cut oats
  2. you were like, “wait, whaaat!? overnight steel cut oats!?”

Or maybe it's a combo of the two, but either way, happy your here because today we're talking all things steel cut oats AND we're showing you how to make overnight steel cut oats with a bunch of delicious flavor options.

What are Steel Cut Oats?

Steel cut oats are made from whole oat groats that have been chopped into pieces using a steel mill. That means because the pieces are bigger, they take longer to cook and have a chewier texture.

If you're not sure how to cook steel cut oats, let me quickly cover the basics:

  • In a pot: simmer your steel cut oats in a 2:1 ratio of liquid to oats and cook for a good 20 – 30 minutes until they're no longer crunch
  • In the instant pot: we have a whole post talking about how to cook steel cut oats in the instant pot, so check that out if you have one
  • Overnight: and then we have what we're talking about in today's post!

collage of the steps to make overnight steel cut oats in a mixing bowl

Can I Make Overnight Oats with Steel Cut Oats?

It's super easy to make overnight oats with steel cut oats, it just takes one extra step than traditional overnight oats.

You'll start by bringing your liquids to a boil, then you'll add in your oats, let it cook for about 30 seconds, then remove it from the heat. Cover your pan and allow it to sit for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight so the oats get nice and soft.

If they've soaked up more liquid than you want, just stir in a bit of almond milk before you serve it up!

white bowl of overnight oats with chocolate chips and banana slices

Flavor Ideas for Overnight Oats

Just like other kinds of oatmeal, you can flavor your overnight steel cut oats pretty much any way you'd like. In this style of post, I like to give you some ideas to get you started, but feel free to use any combo of ingredients you'd like!

Best Basic Overnight Oats Recipe

First up, let's chat basic overnight oats. Here's what you'll need:

  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup oats
  • Sweetener (if desired)

As I said earlier, bring your liquids to a boil, add in your oats, stir them for about 30 seconds, then remove them from the heat. Cover the pot and allow the oats to soak. From there you'll be able to add your flavors!

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats

Our first flavor is peanut butter chocolate chip! Use the same formula you've got above and then stir in some peanut butter, cacao nibs and maple syrup. This one reminds me of a Reeses but is a bit more peanut butter forward.

Apple Overnight Overnight Oats

Our second flavor is apple pie. This is such a great combo, especially in the fall! Use your plain recipe again and stir in some chopped apples, maple syrup, and cinnamon. We like topping it with a bit more apples, a sprinkle of cinnamon and sometimes a drizzle of almond butter (or more maple!).

Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats

Our third flavor is “chunky monkey” which is banana, chocolate and walnut. Stir in some mashed banana into your oats, then follow up with chocolate chips and chopped walnuts. Trust me, this combo is SO good!

white bowl of pink overnight steel cut oats with raspberries and vanilla

Vanilla Raspberry

Next, we have a berry-flavored one which is vanilla and raspberry. It's light and great for summer! I like to make the oats vibrant pink by mashing the raspberries and then stirring them into the oats. We'll also add some vanilla extract and maple syrup. I top mine with a dollop of yogurt, a few more raspberries, and another little drizzle of maple syrup.

Mocha

If you want to sneak a little more coffee into your morning, you will love this combo! It's a chocolate coffee base with some maple syrup for sweetness. It's delicious!! And then we finish with a few coffee beans, some cacao nibs, and almond butter.

Mango Overnight Oats

Lastly, our tropical variety! This one combines mango, coconut, honey, and cardamom and is such a fun twist on any other flavor you might expect. You could also use pineapple if you're not a mango fan!

white bowl of chocolate and coffee oatmeal with coffee beans on top

How Long Can I Store Overnight Oats?

What makes overnight oats a perfect breakfast is how meal prep-friendly they are! You can keep your plain overnight oats for up to 6 days in the fridge, and flavored ones last for at least 4. Just be sure to allow your oats to cool completely before putting them in the fridge!

More Easy Oatmeal Recipes

When you try our recipe for overnight steel cut oats, be sure to let us know what you think! Please drop a comment and star rating down below and tell us what flavor you tried!

Overnight Steel Cut Oats

4.8 from 9 votes
How to make overnight steel cut oats seven ways, including peanut butter, apple, mango, mocha, chocolate chip and vanilla raspberry.
author: Alyssa
yield: 4 servings
six bowls of overnight steel cut oats
Cook: 5 minutes
Soaking time:: 8 hours
Total: 8 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients
  

Simple Overnight Steel Cut Oats

  • 1 cup water
  • 1 cup almond milk
  • 1 cup steel cut oatmeal

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip

Apple Pie

  • 1 cup overnight steel cut oats
  • 1/4 cup chopped apple
  • 1 tablespoon honey
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon (about 1 lemon)
  • top with additional chopped apples & cinnamon

Mocha

  • 1 cup overnight steel cut oats
  • 2 teaspoons raw cacao powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon instant coffee/espresso powder
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • top with coffee beans, cacao nibs & a drizzle of almond butter

Chunky Monkey

  • 1 cup overnight steel cut oats
  • 1/4 cup mashed banana
  • 2 tablespoons chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
  • top with sliced banana, chocolate chips & walnuts

Tropical

  • 1 cup overnight steel cut oats
  • 1/4 cup chopped mango
  • 2 tablespoons coconut flakes
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1/8 teaspoon cardamom powder
  • top with chopped mango & coconut flakes

Vanilla Raspberry

  • 1 cup overnight steel cut oats
  • 1/4 cup raspberries, smashed
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • top with fresh raspberries, yogurt and a drizzle of honey

Instructions
 

  • Start with your base overnight steel cut oats. Add the almond milk and water into a small saucepan. Bring the liquid to a boil, then add the steel cut oats. Stir it for about 30 seconds, then remove the pan from the heat and cover it. Let sit for at least 4 hours or overnight.
  • When ready to serve, stir in a bit of almond milk to thin it out, then add your mix-ins!

for the Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip

  • Take 1 cup of overnight steel cut oats and add it to a bowl. Stir in the peanut butter, cacao nibs, and maple syrup. Top with a drizzle of extra peanut butter and cacao nibs.

for the Apple Pie

  • Take 1 cup of overnight steel cut oats and add it to a bowl. Stir in the chopped apples, honey and cinnamon. Top with additional apples, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a drizzle of honey if desired.

for the Mocha

  • Take 1 cup of overnight steel cut oats and add it to a bowl. Stir in the cacao powder, espresso powder, and maple syrup. Top with coffee beans, cacao nibs and a drizzle of almond butter.

for the Chunky Monkey

  • Take 1 cup of overnight steel cut oats and add it to a bowl. Stir in the mashed banana, chocolate chips, and chopped walnuts. Top with sliced banana, a few more chocolate chips and walnuts.

for the Tropical

  • Take 1 cup of overnight steel cut oats and add it to a bowl. Stir in the chopped mango, coconut flakes, maple syrup, and cardamom (if desired). Top with additional mango and a sprinkle of coconut.

for the Vanilla Raspberry

  • Take 1 cup of overnight steel cut oats and add it to a bowl. Stir in the mashed raspberry, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Top with fresh raspberries, a dollop of yogurt (I like coconut), and a drizzle of honey.

Notes

* Nutrition information is calculated on the base overnight steel cut oats recipe

Nutrition

Serving: 1cup of oats | Calories: 163kcal | Carbohydrates: 27g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 84mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 97mg | Iron: 2mg
cuisine: American
course: Breakfast

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11 comments on “Overnight Steel Cut Oats”

  1. I’m also a little confused.
    How do the oats cook, enough not to be raw as in the other recipes you cook them for 20-30 minutes on the stove.
    Thank you
    I tried the caramalised banana steel cut oats and it was absolutely amazing!!!

    1. Steel Cut Oats With Caramelized Bananas is to-die-for😍 I’m so glad you liked it! Overnight oats slow cook in the refrigerator by absorbing the liquid and getting thick and fluffy. It’s a different process but just as tasty!

      1. Thank you so much for responding. I can’t wait to try in summer 🙂
        Yes they definitely are, it’s my new favourite breakfast!!!

  2. I’m a little confused on the step 1 for the overnight oats base. “Let sit for at least 4 hours or overnight.” Are these left out on the counter overnight (since they’ll be hot and do need to cool off) or if do they have to go in the fridge (after cooling) if leaving them to soak overnight?