Overnight porridge {oatmeal} is a familiar thing in our Irish home. To make, I bring a pot of steel cut oats, covered in water, to the boil and then turn off the heat and leave overnight. In the morning, I add a little extra water to the oats, give them a quick stir and reheat. This recipe couldn’t be simpler to make.
But, as my children have gotten older, it has become harder to get them to eat breakfast before they head off to school. So, our beloved hot porridge oats have gone by the wayside and in their place I’ve started making a different kind of overnight porridge: the no-cook kind.
And, you know what? My kids love it. They can grab and go straight from the fridge at home, saving them pocket money, and they can eat their brekkie when they are hungry…not when I want them to eat. The morning argument of “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” is gone and I am thrilled.
This recipe is a win-win for everyone. Once you try it, I know you’re going to like it for your kids too. In fact, make an extra one for yourself…it’s just that good!
Overnight Oatmeal
Makes One
Ingredients
40g rolled oats, not steel cut or instant
75ml milk/almond milk
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon honey
1 teaspoon flax seed and/or chia seeds
a pinch of salt
2-3 tablespoons yogurt
fruit to top
Directions
1. Combine the oats, milk, vanilla, honey, salt and flax and/or chia seeds in a glass container and mix well.
2. Top with yogurt and fruit and put the lid on the container.
3. Refrigerate overnight.
Additional Notes, Related Articles & Credit:
* Overnight oats don’t need to be eaten the next morning: they’re good for about three days after you make them. Just know, however, that the porridge will get soggier the longer you leave it. And, if you are going to leave it a few days, don’t add the yogurt or fruit when you make this recipe…add just before you eat it.
** The beauty of this recipe is it can be changed up pretty much however you like. For example, you can add pumpkin seeds or any other kind of seed you like. You can add other stuff like chopped nuts, shredded coconut, cocoa nibs, or dried fruit. How about a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom or stir in some cocoa powder or matcha powder? You could change up the sweetener and add maple syrup, agave, date sugar, brown sugar, or even white sugar, A small squeeze of lemon juice would add a tang to your oats too. The options are endless.
*** For an easy-to-make, and delicious, recipe for traditional Irish steel cut porridge, please click here.
In an Irish Home 