I’m not usually one to play matchmaker, but I was so firmly convinced that two of my longest-running, most-treasured breakfast besties—overnight oats and steel cut oatmeal—would hit it off that I couldn’t resist the urge to combine the two into a single bowl of Overnight Steel Cut Oats. Ladies and gentlemen, we have a match made for a 1990s rom-com classic! Ever since I stirred together my first batch of make-ahead steel cut oats, it’s been a ride-off-into-the-sunset breakfast love story.
Now, if you are reading this and thinking to yourself, Isn’t the fact that you can use steel cut oats for overnight oats incredibly obvious?, please consider the great fictional romances of our time.
Wasn’t it also obvious that Harry would end up with Sally? That Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan were meant to be (twice)? That Ross would finally win over Rachel? Why, yes. But that doesn’t make the evolution of the love story any less satisfying.
The same is true of Overnight Steel Cut Oats.
If you are reading up to this point and wondering, What are overnight oats?, let me give you a brief rundown: overnight oats are dry oats that are stirred together with milk, a bit of sweetener such as honey or maple syrup, and whatever other deliciousness you like.
You can make overnight oats with chia seeds, peanut butter, fresh or dried fruit, and any other mix-ins. The limit is only your imagination (or perhaps your pantry). This Sugar Cookie Protein Oatmeal, for example, includes a scoop of protein powder.
You leave the oatmeal in the refrigerator overnight and then wake in the morning to a bit of breakfast magic.
In the refrigerator, the oatmeal absorbs a portion of the milk and becomes irresistibly creamy. You give it a stir, pour it into a bowl, and sit down to reap the benefits of a filling, healthy, delicious breakfast that took seconds to prepare.
Overnight oats are typically enjoyed cold, similar to muesli. If you prefer a hot oatmeal that can be made overnight, you can check out my Overnight Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats. If you need a hot oatmeal that can be made in minutes, check out my Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats and original Steel Cut Oats recipe.
So, What’s the Difference between Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal and Every Other Overnight Oats Recipe?
Up until the point of making this recipe, I’d always made my overnight oatmeal with rolled oats (a.k.a. old-fashioned oats). Rolled oats are whole oats that have been steamed and pressed, so they cook more quickly and have a more pliable texture. Overnight oats made with rolled oats are more creamy than chewy. They are also delicious. Start with my Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats and see if you agree.
Steel cut oats are closer to their original harvested state. They are not steamed but instead are cut into pieces with a steel blade (hence the name “steel cut”). Steel cut oats are chewier and nuttier.
The firmer texture of steel cut oats means they take longer to cook, but your reward is a bowl of oatmeal that has the most perfectly pleasing texture and is never ever mushy. Steel cut oats are also higher in fiber than regular rolled oats, and I find that they keep me fuller for longer.
Generally, you never want to substitute steel cut oats for rolled oats in a recipe, because the two have such different textures…
…unless, of course, you want to try making overnight oatmeal using steel cut oats, which is exactly what I did for us here!
(If you’d like to know more about the difference between different types of oats, this guide briefly explains).
Overnight Steel Cut Oats—Fall Asleep Dreaming of Breakfast
Overall, I found that I loved overnight oatmeal made with steel cut oats. It was definitely chewy and nutty, but in a way that I found refreshing and enjoyable.
I recommend soaking the steel cut oats for at least 10 hours before eating. They’ll be super chewy but yummy on Day 1 and will continue to soften throughout the week. Even on Day 5, the Overnight Steel Cut Oats still had a nice texture and were not at all mushy. Hearty oats only, please!
Falling asleep knowing that I don’t need to worry about a healthy breakfast in the morning gives me peace of mind. Being better rested is one of my Four Intentions for 2018, and of the four, it’s been my biggest focus so far.
I hope this Overnight Steel Cut Oats recipe gives you better sleep too. I’ve made dozens of versions of overnight oats, and today’s is the best steel cut oats recipe I’ve tried yet. Once you see how yummy it is, I think you’ll fall asleep dreaming about it too!
If you were hoping for an overnight steel cut oatmeal mason jar recipe, I have you covered there as well.
I recommend waiting until Day 2 to divide the steel cut oats into the mason jars, as they need at least one full night to soak up the liquid. Doing it right away was less convenient in the end.
Waiting to divide the oats also makes it easier to add other yummy mix-ins you know you’ll want in every jar too. Personally, I love my overnight steel cut oats with chia seeds, and if you were looking for overnight oatmeal with peanut butter, ME TOO! You’ll find a suggested amount of nut butter in the recipe as well.
I can’t overstate how flexible these make ahead steel cut oats truly are. If you need an overnight oatmeal vegan recipe, use almond milk or any other nondairy milk you love. Want to pack in some extra protein? Stir in a scoop of protein powder or Greek yogurt. Don’t have any fresh fruit on hand and want to use dried or frozen? GO FOR IT! Chocolate chips? YES!
I’ve come across a few leads on a hot overnight steel cut oatmeal recipe, so that’s my next experiment. Any other overnight oat requests? Send ’em my way!
Recommended Tools to Make Overnight Steel Cut Oats
- I love these stacking mixing bowls.
- These containers come with lids, and the large size is perfect for refrigerating a batch of make ahead steel cut oats.
- One batch of this overnight steel cut oatmeal will tightly fill four 12-ounce mason jars (if you’d like a larger portion or want to have plenty of room for fruit, use pint-sized mason jars).
- Favorite mix-ins: chia seeds, flaxseeds, and protein powder.
Overnight Steel Cut Oats
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Ingredients
Overnight Steel Cut Oats—Base Recipe:
- 1 ¾ cups milk any kind you like (I use unsweetened almond milk)
- 1 ½ tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 ½ tablespoons peanut butter or other nut butter of choice, optional but delicious
- 1 cup uncooked steel cut oats you can also use quick-cooking steel cut oats; the final oatmeal will have a softer, less chewy texture
- ½ teaspoon kosher salt
Optional Additions:
- Chia seeds flaxseeds, or hemp seeds
- Protein powder
- Ground cinnamon
- Citrus zest I love orange zest with honey and cinnamon!
- Dried fruit favorites: reduced-sugar dried cranberries, raisins, chopped dates
- Fresh fruit or frozen and thawed fruit
- Toasted almonds walnuts, or pecans (add just before serving to maintain the most crunch)
- An extra drizzle of honey or maple syrup
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the milk, honey, nut butter, and any protein powder you may be adding until smooth. Stir in the oats, salt, and any other optional additions (wait to add fresh fruit or nuts so that they stay fresh/crisp). Cover the bowl tightly with plastic (or transfer it to an airtight storage container) and refrigerate overnight or for up to 5 days.
- When ready to serve, stir the oats and portion the desired amount into your bowl. (At this point, you can also divide the oats into individual containers and refrigerate for the week.) Top with any desired fresh fruit, nuts, or other toppings. (If placing the oats in individual jars, feel free to add toppings to each, as they will store fine this way. If storing as a single larger batch for the week, I find it is best to wait to add the fresh toppings/nuts until just before serving so that they don't all sink to the bottom.) Enjoy cold and congratulate yourself for your breakfast-planning prowess.
Video
Notes
- Leftover steel cut oats can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Their texture will soften as they sit, so if they are too chewy for you on Day 1, you can let them hang out a bit longer.
- The first day, the oats will be more liquidy, but they will continue to absorb more of the milk throughout the week. If at any point you'd like more milk, simply splash a little on top of your bowl or pour more in the individual mason jars if you are storing the steel cut oats that way.
Nutrition
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A great breakfast!
Thanks, Maria!
I really haven’t ventured into the world of steel cut oats. I need to do that ASAP! And extra peanut butter for me, please!
I highly recommend it, Liz! And this is a great place to start!
I’ve been making these overnight steel cut oats for a couple of years and am finally getting around to tell you how much I appreciate it! ♥️ These are absolutely delicious, super convenient, and easy to make. When we came upon the recipe, it was the first time we tried steel cut oats.
Reading through the comments, some people are finding it soupy but that has not been our experience. However, as someone else has mentioned, I always stir it up again before I go to bed because the oats tend to lie on the bottom. That way, they have a little bit more area space to absorb the liquid again. Not sure if that is what has made the difference but we have never had a problem.
We typically use some sort of nut milk, some sort of nut butter, maple syrup and add Chia seed and hemp seed in the beginning. I probably put a little bit more liquid in because it amount of Chia seed we add. In the morning, we add fresh fruit, typically berries, perhaps some nuts, and always cacao nibs.
Thank you for sharing! I keep this page marked as one of my favorites so it is our go-to.
Hi Barb! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review and the suggestions!
A perfect breakfast!! Looks so perfect!!
Thanks so much, Lexi!
I have often wondered if steel cut could be soaked long enough to be eaten as overnight oats. I will wonder no more, and as soon as I get steel cut oats, I’ll be trying this!! Matt isn’t an overnight oat fan, so I’ll be enjoying these all to myself. :) Our mattress was new in 2015, but it’s not like we knew exactly what we needed until we got it home and slept on it. My low back hurts unless I put a pillow between my legs. Ugh. One day I hope to invest in a really quality mattress like yours! Sleep is so important. Good for you both in finding what works best for you after that year of rough sleep!
I love that big bowl of deliciousness!
It’s a match made in easy-to-make breakfast heaven!
These steel cut oats are amazing! I’ve tried and tried and tried to like oatmeal but I just can’t get past the consistency. I love baking with oats so I’m always disappointed that I don’t like oatmeal. I saw this recipe yesterday and after reading your description of chewy but not mushy, knew I had to try one more time. I stopped into the grocery store on my way home from work last night for the steel cut oats and put them in to soak about 6:00 last night. It took, maybe, 3 minutes to mix up. My husband and I tasted them before leaving for work this morning and…wow! I can’t believe how good these are! I have quite the sweet tooth but the little bit of honey was the perfect amount of sweetness. I only made a half-batch as I was skeptical and was informed after leaving for work that my husband added blueberries and made it his breakfast! I can’t wait to whip up another batch tonight! I also can’t wait to try topping it with sliced banana and walnut. Thank you, Erin! I’m not sure which I am a bigger fan of…your recipes or your writing. I wish all recipe sites had the “jump to recipe” button but I’m such a fan of your writing that I have to read it top to bottom! Thanks again!
Elizabeth, this comment MADE MY DAY!! I am so happy that you loved the oats (I’m so glad you gave them another chance!), that your husband loved them too, and that you enjoy my writing <3. This is one of the kindest things I could hear!
I love this recipe. Being diabetic I was looking for something that would make me feel full, with less sugar, and low on the glucose index. Steel cut oats fit the bill, but I don’t have time to cook them every morning. This recipe really made it work for me I use dried blueberries in mine. Super tasty! Thanks a lot!
I’m so glad to hear you love the oats! Thanks for taking the time to share this review!
You can substitute pitted, sliced dates if you want sweet with a low glycemic index. Very tasty. I also put cinnamon as it regulates blood sugar as well as metformin for many people and is tasty and less expensive.
Thank you for sharing!
“Breakfast magic”… love that description for overnight oats! Definitely a breakfast favorite around here! Love all the delicious mix-ins!
We love them so much too Lindsay. Thank you!
Overnight oats are the best. And peanut butter, even better! Great recipe!
I love them so much too! Thanks Hayley!
This is an excellent and super easy recipe. I followed it exactly using 2% milk with the addition of flax seed and protein powder. It works perfect for a busy morning breakfast. Thanks Erin!
YAY! So so happy to hear that Lea. Thanks so much for trying the recipe and sharing this wonderful review!
Thank you so much! And I hope they help (:
Can I make this with old fashioned oats? Would that change the amount of liquid used? Thanks! I’m having fun going through your recipes. So many sound delicious!
Hi Tina, if you want to use regular oats, I’d start with this recipe for overnight oats and customize the spices/mix-ins to your preference! The liquid ratio is different for steel cut oats versus old fashioned.
I tried these last night. They were too chewy for me on Day 1. I will try them again and leave them to soak for two days, hopefully that’ll be enough time to soften. I just tried overnight oats for the first time two nights ago and fell in love with them. And I looked up steel oats since I prefer them over regular oats. So I’ll try again! Thanks for sharing this recipe : )
They definitely are a different texture than regular overnight oats, and I enjoyed them as the week went on! Thanks for giving them a try and reporting back, Kathy!
At what day would you say they taste like the steel oats you cook on the stove? I tried two nights and the oats were still too chewy for me. Thank you :)
Hi Kathy, I enjoyed them best from Day 2 on, but if you have cooked steel-cut oatmeal in mind, these will probably remain more chewy than the texture you’d get on the stove. I’d suggest you continue assessing the texture for a few more days, and if they still are too chewy, this may not be the best method for how you prefer your oats!
Can these be heated in the morning and enjoyed warm? I want the ease of preparation this recipe provides, but I want my oats warm. Will that work?
Hi Christie, I haven’t tried that myself since I like them cold, but I don’t see why that wouldn’t work! I hope you enjoy!
This was delicious! I added cinnamon to my almond milk for the steel oats to soak in over night. In the morning, I added fresh blueberries and packed it up in a mason jar. So quick, easy, and delicious!
YAY Misty! So happy this hit the spot for you. Thanks for trying it and leaving this lovely review also!
This recipe was very underwhelming. I followed it and found the oats were still semi raw even after 5 days of soaking in the liquids. I triple checkedthat I followed the recipe correctly and I believe that I have. It is possible that this is what the intended results were and I just have different taste than the author.
Hi Nicholas! I’m very sorry to hear that this recipe didn’t turn out as you’d hoped. I (and other readers) enjoyed the texture of this recipe, I really wish you would’ve enjoyed it too!
A quarter of a cup is the serving size?
I can’t wait to try this even though I’d want a bigger portion lol.
Kristin, it’s actually quite a bit more than that! The oats are 1 cup DRY, but once soaked, they expand. You’ll have the milk and any yummy mix-ins you make too :)
I love overnight oats! Any idea how to make them work with oat groats?
Hana, I’m afraid I’ve never used groats so I’m not sure but I don’t see why that wouldn’t work with some modifications! I did some googling and it seems like you should rinse and soak the the groats for 4 hours first (and some recipes use 1/2 steel cut, 1/2 oat groats). I’d do some looking online for yourself too, just to make sure you are happy with what you find. I hope that helps!
Have a batch “brewing” for tomorrow morning – can’t wait to try them! One question though – did you wait to put your chia seeds in until morning?
Eileen, I do both! If you’d like the chia seeds to be slightly crunchy, add them right before serving. Overnight, they will plump and become gel-like. Both are good, just different.
Approximately how much per serving? I’m trying to divide it up evenly over 4 days.
Jennifer, I didn’t measure exactly (and your oats will absorb different amounts of liquid on different days also). The batch isn’t huge, so I think you should be OK eyeballing it.
I have wanted to try overnight oats for quite a while, but honestly, I don’t know if I will like them. I guess the fact that they will be cold makes me think is all the times I tried to eat my oatmeal and realized I let it get cold. I like the fact that our is easy and is made ahead and you can put whatever you want in it. The benefits are what I’m looking for, but… if I don’t like them, all the great things that were said don’t matter. I am looking for that something that convince me to try them. Please convince me…
Curtis, personally I adore them, but you do have to get past the different sensation of eating oatmeal cold. I’d suggest trying a few different mixins (like nut butter and fruit) and see if that helps!
I heat mine up in the microwave. Just add a bit of liquid, heat, then stir well. This will also help with the texture, more like individual oats, less like a pile of goop (but that’s just my preference). Once warm, I add my toppings, and more milk.
Thanks for the tip Jennifer!
No recipe details for the slow cooker!
Ann, they are right here: https://www.wellplated.com/overnight-steel-cut-oats/
I was wondering about using kefir instead of milk; your thoughts.
Hi Patricia, I wouldn’t recommend kefir because I worry that it would curdle (in my experience, this is what would happen if you used Greek yogurt, and I know the two are similar). That may not be the case, but I’m not super familiar with it, so I’m afraid I can’t give you a definite answer.
I have been making this recipe with all kinds of different mix ins and it is fabulous, and I see that a couple of people have asked in your comments if they can use kefir; that is the only milk I use and it doesn’t curdle the oats at all…it actually starts to slowly ferment the mixture and it is fabulous and very good for you. Just saying.
Thanks for the feedback, Denyse!
I found this recipe a couple months ago &, honestly, had never heard of overnight oats. Loving oatmeal, ESPECIALLY steel cut oats, I had to try them! They are DELICIOUS! I’ve made them a couple weeks (& ate every last bit) but then we went on vacation, had family in town & had a convention to attend so haven’t had them in a while. I can’t wait to have them again! I mixed them up while on the phone & can’t wait for breakfast! I had to Google it & wanted YOUR recipe again because it was SOOO good before! I use fresh peanut butter, flax seeds, dried fruit, honey & (for then first time) almond milk. I’ll be dreaming of breakfast! ?
Barb, I’m so happy to hear this method is a winner for you! Thanks for sharing this awesome review and your tweaks too. :)
Since I have known oats, I replaced them for my breakfast instead of cereals. Honestly, I always enjoy playing with toppings xD
– Natalie
I bought steel cut oats tonight by accident, I was hoping I could sub them for regular oats in overnight oats and from what I am reading they are going to be better!! YAY!
I hope you enjoy, Karen!
I’m excited to try this recipe and wanted to let you know that Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan were meant to be three times. Their first movie together was Joe Versus the Volcano. It is different than the later two but oh so good! :)
Thanks, Cecilia! I hope you enjoy the oats too.
Delicious- I always made my steel cut oats in the crockpot- but we are in the midst of renovation and wanted an easier clean up option- almond milk and the oats are amazing!!!! Thank you
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Diane! Thanks for taking the time to leave this review!
I followed the recipe but I only ended up with enough for 2 12oz servings… what did I do wrong??
Hi Carolyn, it sounds like your servings were bigger than mine. I divided it into four portions, but you can scale it up as needed!
Hi, I found your recipe during a google search. I am sharing my version today on my blog. I did of course give credit and a link back to this recipe. Thanks for sharing.
Hi, I’m going to make the overnight steel oats. Using the 1 Cup of oats per the recipe, how much of the chia seeds do I add in? I know they gel as my grandchildren eat it in their yogurt (prepared overnight)-they call it pudding! I just do t know how much to add to the overnight steel cut oats. Thank you
Hi Nancy! It really is a matter of preference, but you could start with a tablespoon or two (less if you’re concerned about them thickening the oats too much). I hope you enjoy!
I see you pouring water in the video, but in the recipe there’s no indication of water… Also you’re missing how many hours and cooking temps in the recipe.
Hi! This recipe is actually a no-cook overnight oats that go in the refrigerator. The video you’re seeing is for another recipe, a slow cooker overnight oats. Sorry about the confusion! If you’re interested in that one, here’s the link! https://www.wellplated.com/overnight-steel-cut-oats/
I was wondering if you have ever used this recipe, soaked steel cut oats overnight and then baked them in the morning? Was thinking of making a baked oatmeal with fruit.
Hi Jenny, I have not tried that myself, so I couldn’t say for certain, but I see similar recipes to what you describe with an online search. If you decide to experiment, I’d love to hear how it goes.
Hi!
This may be a dumb question, but you are eating these raw after soaking and not cooking them first right? Also do you feel it would be safe to soak them unrefrigerated and just with water and no salt for say, 24 hours or so?
Thank you!
Josh
Hi Josh! You are correct that there is no cooking needed. I haven’t personally done the countertop soak, but from online recipes I’ve seen, that is a way that some people do traditionally soaked oatmeal. They often cook it after soaking, but I haven’t tested it myself. For this particular recipe, the milk is really important for flavor and creaminess—it won’t taste the same if you were to just use water. I hope that helps!
Ok great and thank you for the response. I actually just cooked some organic steel cut oats I had soaking at room temperature uncovered for 24 hours this morning and they were fantastic. No gut inflammation at all, which was why I started soaking in the first place. Will try out your recipe soon uncooked with some raw goats milk I have :)
Best,
Josh
Enjoy!
When would you add the Greek yogurt? At the start or each morning with the fresh fruit? Thank you!
Hi Christa, I would stir it in at the start, but each morning with fresh fruit would work too!
I wanted to let you know that this is my new favorite breakfast after hating warm oatmeal for years. Day three offers my preferred texture but I enjoy day 1 also. Thanks for showing me that cold oatmeal is delicious!
Thanks for sharing this review, Jodi! I’m glad the method is a hit!
LOVE THESE!
I added this recipe to my meal prep for this week and they turned out SO GOOD! Best overnight oats ever – I love the addition of nut butter – I used almond but am going to try with peanut butter next week, and maybe cashew milk. The possibilities are endless with this base recipe! Thank you for sharing!
Karen, I’m so glad to hear this was a hit! Thanks for taking the time to report back.
Recipe looks great, but just wanted to let you know that your web site is completely broken on my iPad. I use my iPad for everything food and cooking related and it lives on my kitchen counter. My fitness coach sent me a link to this page and it was literally unreadable.
Also the gazillion ads on this page is really distracting.
Thanks for the recipe though, I’ll give it a try. (I had to come upstairs to my office and hop on my regular laptop in order to read it.)
Lisa, what a hassle! That definitely shouldn’t be happening. I did go through a redesign last week, so some things have taken longer to sort themselves out. Can your elaborate by telling me what you mean by “unreadable”? Any popups should have an obvious “X” to close them out, and all content should certainly be viewable. I apologize again for the inconvenience.
I’ve made this recipe several times. It’s such a good, easy base for add ons, but I only add flaxseed meal and cinnamon because it’s already so good. Thank you!!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed this recipe, Margaret! Thank you for taking the time to share this kind review!
I followed this recipe exactly and it was very soupy. For me, there was way too much liquid left after 2 full days of sitting in the fridge.
Hi Kim! I’m very sorry to hear that this recipe didn’t turn out as you’d hoped. I have not had this issue before, so I’m not sure what might’ve gone wrong. I really wish you would’ve enjoyed it!
I also had this issue, so I’ve been adjusting down the amount of milk I use each time I make it. I wonder if it’s the brand of oats we’re using. Either way, I still love it!
Glad it worked out for you April!
I would like it if you could send me some more mediterranean recipes if you have some!
Thank you so much!
I’m going to try the steel cut oats with fruit as you did above. I can’t wait, they sound yummy.
Debra
Hi Debra! Thank you for sharing this kind review! On my site, you can find my Mediterranean Pasta, Mediterranean Chickpea Salad, Mediterranean Quinoa Burger with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Feta, and Mediterranean Roasted Vegetable and Chickpea Salad. I hope you love the steel cut oats!
Just mixed up a batch of the oats for the morning! Cannot wait to see how they turn out : )
I followed the recipe and did not add any toppings or extras yet, want to try the base recipe first and then go from there !
Thanks for trying the recipe, Margaret! I hope you love it!
I was going to make overnight oats and wondered about the steel cut instead of the rolled. I too love the texture of the steel cut oats.
Thanks for this. I will try it!
I hope you enjoy the recipe, Michele!
I have never made overnight oats again, and tried this recipe for the first time last night. After making them, I realized I did not mix the milk, maple syrup, & nut butter together first, BEFORE adding the oats, salt, and protein powder. The almond nut butter was stiff, so I used a hand blender to blend it all up! So, I’ll use up this first batch, and try again. I’m not going to add any mape syrup initially, the overall taste was too sweet for me. Maybe the protein powder along with the maple syrup together made it overly sweet. I used Vega (vanilla) Organic Protein & Beans.
Thanks for taking the time to try the recipe, Gloria! Next time, you can try it without any maple syrup to see if that helps. I hope you enjoy it!
Good morning. I would like to make steel cut oatmeal in my 7qt slow cooker for about 35-40 people. My husband and I cook breakfast once a month for the homeless in our area. Can you. help me with a recipe for that many people?
Thank you. Nora
That’s wonderful, Nora! While I’ve never tried to make it for that many people, I suggest checking out this Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats recipe for inspiration. I hope this helps!
Should have noticed in the pictures… this is an extremely runny, soupy mess. Adding more oats into the mixture tonight to try and save the servings for the week.
However, I must say that the nut butter whisked into the milk at the beginning was pure genius. Truly the most delicious flavoring on overnight oats ever.
Hi Mindi, I’m very sorry to hear that this recipe didn’t turn out as you’d hoped. I have not had this issue before, so I’m not sure what might’ve gone wrong. I really wish you would’ve enjoyed it, but I’m happy that you liked the flavor!
I dumped in some extra oats to thicken it up. I’ll update tomorrow and let everyone know how it turns out. Definitely a recipe I’m willing to work with cuz the flavor is sooooooo good!
Thank you for reporting back, Mindi! I’m so happy the flavor is a hit for you!
Day #2 – added more oats to the remaining mixture and it was vastly improved. Same amazing flavor without all that milk. When I make this again, I will up the oats to 1 1/4 or 1 1/3 cups with the other measurements in the recipe.
I’m so happy it turned out well for you, Mindi! Thank you for reporting back!
This is the best overnight oats recipe!! I’ve made it several times & add chia or flax ☺️
I’m so happy that you’ve enjoyed it, Holly! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Don’t put salt in it? I have no clue what this lady was thinking to say add salt, made it gross.
Lisa, I actually find that the oats fall flat without the salt. I promise it doesn’t taste salty. You can always leave it out if you prefer.
Hi, thanks- will try this tonight. One question: soak oats for 10 hrs first THEN follow recipe?
Hi! Complete everything in Step 1 the night before, then the next day, proceed with Step 2 and enjoy!
My son has a mild nut allergy (not anaphylactic but he thoroughly empties his tummy if any nuts go down!). Can I add peanut butter to mine in the morning rather than when I mix it up the day before?
Hi Sarah! Yes, you can add it in the morning. I hope you both enjoy the recipe!
Hello. I found this recipe trying to copy a recipe similar to a product called “mush” which is a rolled oats overnight product. I wanted to copy it, but use the healthier steel cut oats which don’t have added ingredients as rolled oats do.
It uses only 5 ingredients: oats, coconut water, blueberries (for their blueberry version) apples (probably for sweetness) and salt. I have never made overnight oats, but know it to be healthy, and, if anything like the “mush” brand, delicious!
I used your amounts for the liquid and the oats, but substituted the other ingredients for the blueberries, apples and salt.
I blended the blueberries, coconut water salt and a bit of apple until smooth, then added that liquid to the oats, and have it in the refrigerator right now. Looking forward to trying this out in a day or two.
Thank you for the recipe, I may try your version later.
Thanks for sharing your tweaks, Carol! I hope you enjoy the recipe!
I’m a little late to the party, but had to pop in to say that this recipe is excellent! The flavors are simple but so delicious. The texture is excellent! My two kiddos, 5 and 3, gobbled it up with berries and coconut and asked for it again the next day. It was a little watery on day one, like you said it would be, but I just drained each scoop a little before serving. Watery is better than mushy! SO GOOD! Great work.
I’m so happy that it was a hit, Anna! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Tried this receipe and loved it! Easy to make and delicious. But for some reason, the second time I made it the steel cut oats did not absorb the almond milk, or barely. Even after 3 days the texture is very crunchy. Any idea why this happened and what I might have done wrong?
Hi Hélène, I’m so happy that you’ve enjoyed this recipe! It’s so hard to say what might’ve happened this last time without being in the kitchen with you. Did you make any changes? I hope you were still able to enjoy them!
Erin,
Could you make this in individual containers from the start? I have read through all the comments and this wasn’t addressed. New to regular overnight oats and want to try the steel cut version. Thanks for posting your recipe.
Maureen
Hi Maureen! Once you combine all the ingredients, you can add the mixture to individual containers for easy breakfasts throughout the week. I hope this helps!
This was delicious! Next time I want to add chia, but I know from making pudding those soak if liquid impressively well. Should I add them in the beginning, and then add extra liquid? If so, how much?
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Susan! If you’d like the chia seeds to be slightly crunchy, add them right before serving. Overnight, they will plump and become gel-like. Both will work fine in this recipe as is. I hope you enjoy it!
Loved he taste of this recipe, tho I did find it to be a little too watery to make it easy to eat on way to work AKA too much almond milk maybe?? Heated it up in micro and tasted great tho. Will make again.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Kristen! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Your recipe claims to tightly fill four 12-oz mason jars (so 48 oz total). Is that like after the fruit is added on top or something? I did a cup of oats and 2 cups milk and after overnight absorption, my jar is at the 20 oz line. How am I well under half of the recipe yield?
Hi Jenna! That estimated yield is based on just the oats. It’s so hard to say what might’ve happened without being in the kitchen with you. I hope you enjoyed the recipe!
Being that my husband used to get up at three in the morning for work, I’ve been making the refrigerated version of this for years. In the winter he always likes hot oatmeal, so I would prep this at night & in the morning, he just popped it in the microwave for about 30 seconds & he had a hot breakfast, before facing the cold. Now that he’s retired, I still do this, & we usually add blueberries to it. Yes, it’s yummy, without the 30 minutes of cooking time.
I’m so happy that you’ve enjoyed it, Marlene! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Thanks for this delicious recipe, mine came out perfectly! I used cashew butter and also added a bit of turmeric along with the cinnamon.
I have one small suggestion for people who complained that their oats were still watery on the first morning. A few hours after you make the recipe on the first day, like maybe right before you go to bed, take the bowl out of the fridge and give it a stir. The oats may have settled on the bottom and this will help them fully absorb the liquid overnight.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Lindsay! Thank you for sharing this kind review and your tip!
I thought steel cut oats had to be cooked before eating. Does this method have some effect similar to cooking, like breaking down the starches overnight? Steel cut are raw (based on the description of rolled oats vs steel cut). Thanks.
Hi Jackson! For this particular method, the milk is really important for helping make the oats creamy overnight so they’re easy to eat. If you’d prefer a recipe that cooks the oats first, I’d recommend checking out my Steel Cut Oats recipe. I hope that helps!
Hi! I’ve soaked it for a few days now. Is it ready to eat? No cooking necessary? Also, I’d like mine warm…I’m guessing I just heat it up!
Definitely, Fyza! No cooking necessary. While I’ve never tried mine warmed up, I don’t see any reason why that wouldn’t work fine. I hope you enjoy it!
I followed the directions exactly. 3 days later and the oats are still tough. Not chewy. Tough. What an awful waste of ingredients. The author should remove this before another unsuspecting individual tries this mess.
Steel cut oats do NOT work for overnight oats!
Hi Jon! I’m sorry to hear it wasn’t a hit for you. Many others have tried it and enjoyed it, but I know everyone has different tastes. I truly wish you would’ve enjoyed it!
Yes, they do. I make it with soaked steel cut oats all the time. Perhaps you didn’t use enough liquid? Especially if you add in chia seeds, it will soak up MUCH more! Or other dry-ish ingredients that soak up liquid.
Hello, I’ve been on a journey to take control of my health. I ran across steel cut oats and was trying to find a recipe. First one was a failure. Then I came across this recipe. I tried it and I was amazed at how delicious it was. I used almond milk, honey, and salt only. Then I top it with strawberries, or bananas, or blueberries. My daughter tried it, and she had literally put oatmeal to the side for forever, and loved this recipe. I have shared it with her, and my daughter in law. I’m on my second batch! Thank you!!
I’m so happy that it’s been a hit, Soraida! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I really like overnight oats made with rolled oats, so I was intrigued by your recipe. Don’t you need to cook the steel cut oats first??? I mean, that is just like putting rice in milk for 10 hours and then trying to eat it… I could pound the rice into smaller piece and it is still raw rice….. Oats are a grain…. and steel cut oats are just cut up raw oat grains. That is completely different from overnight rolled oats, rolled oats are steamed/cooked, then dried and rolled flat. I wonder if it would be digested…..
Hi Pamela! You do not need to cook the oats first. The process of soaking them overnight helps to break down their starches and make them softer. I hope you enjoy the recipe if you try it!
I have already ordered the oats and I will be trying this recipe. I love oatmeal but I have never used steel cut oats so this will be an interesting first for me. I like to have oats every day, every morning. And steel cut oats sounds so much more healthy!
Pamela, oats (regular or steel cut) are safe raw. Years ago when I had to go vegetarian to control type 2 diabetes, my doctor commented that he always feeds his horse raw oats, and the horse has grown up strong and as big as a … well, you know! Oats are one of the blessings we vegetarians can enjoy raw and often.
P.S. Erin: this recipe is great … like your others I’ve tried!
Thanks for the feedback, Bob!
Love this recipe! I love that steel cut oats keep me full until lunch and give me that energy boost I need in the am. I cut back on the almond milk just a smidge (probably about 1 2/3 c) and they were perfect! I also used my stick blender to mix the almond milk, almond butter, protein powder and maple syrup before stirring in the oatmeal and it was a breeze!
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Leigh! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
I’ve had good experiences with other Well Plated recipes, but sadly this one did not come out well! Are you sure all of the proportions are correct?? I followed the recipe using instant steel cut oats, and the only changes I made were to add 1 Tbsp maple syrup instead of 1.5 and almond butter instead of peanut butter. I soaked it overnight, and it came out very liquidy and salty. Any suggestions? I’d love to enjoy overnight steel cut oats, and I want to use up these instant oats!
Hi Emily, I’m very sorry to hear that this recipe didn’t turn out as you’d hoped. I (and other readers) have had success with the amounts listed. I have not tested this recipe with instant oats, so that may have affected the outcome. If you decide to try the recipe again, I’d recommend using regular steel cut oats or quick-cooking steel cut oats instead of instant. I hope this helps!
I, too, had the same experience as you. I took a bite and there was no way I could eat a whole bowl of that. I put mine on the stove to cook them the normal way.
I’m sorry that this wasn’t to your tastes, Micahel. I (and many other readers) have enjoyed the recipe, so I truly wish you would’ve too!
I need a receipt (I am having a difficult time finding one)— for a single serving of steel cut oats—nothing fancy. I use water (no milk)—and cinnamon and chia seeds.
Thanks,
Steve
Hi Steve! To clarify, are you looking for a recipe for overnight oats specifically? If so, this recipe for my overnight oats is delicious!
I can’t believe I waited this long to try overnight oats. This recipe is easy and the end result is 4 delicious servings of overnight steel cut oats. I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk and soy protein with a sprinkling of dried orange peel and a healthy dash of cinnamon. We make our own peanut butter (no sugar or oil added) and I add 2 tablespoons of that along with 1 tablespoon of honey because I don’t like it too sweet. I really enjoy the chewiness of the oats. I like to add frozen blueberries (without added sugar) and fresh, raw walnuts on top right before I am ready to devour the oats.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, Nancy! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
Great recipe! I used the quick cook steel cut oats from Aldi and the only change I made was reducing the honey to 2 tablespoons (personal sweetness preference). I ate it plain; it was fantastic and didn’t aggravate my pregnancy heartburn or nausea! Hubby prefers it hot and I prefer it cold.
Ingredients used: aldi quick steel cut oats, costco giant honey bottle, costco organic peanut butter, diamond kosher salt, and 2% regular milk because it was expiring.
I’m so happy that you enjoyed it, Danielle! Thank you for sharing this kind review!
If you want to add fresh or frozen fruit to your Overnight SCOs, you could still add them on top and then just store your sealed container upside down. Then the fruit would already be “on the bottom”. Next morning just flip the container back over and voilà, the fruit is on top!
Thanks for sharing this helpful tip, Charlie!
I just tried recipe for the first time according to instructions. Are the oats supposed to absorb most of the liquid? These didn’t. I used 1 3/4 c milk and 1 cup steel cut oats. Maybe sometimes it takes longer than 10 hours?
Thank you,
Rachel
Hi Rachel! For these oats, as stated in the blog post, the oatmeal absorbs a portion of the milk, not all of the milk. Also stated in the recipe card notes it says the first day, the oats will be more liquidy, but they will continue to absorb more of the milk throughout the week. If at any point you’d like more milk, simply splash a little on top of your bowl or pour more in the individual mason jars if you are storing the steel cut oats that way. If you are looking for them to be more thick, definitely let them sit longer. Hope these suggestions help for the next time around! Thanks!
Can you make this recipe without the added salt?
Hi Serenity! Yes, you should be able to leave out the salt, but it might change the flavor slightly. Hope this helps!
I like a lot of your recipes but unfortunately this was not one. Stew cut oats just don’t soak up the liquid like regular oats that are pressed flat, and so basically you are eating wet, uncooked oats…not appetizing. I’d still advise cooking these and then refrigerating if wanting to eat them cold. This ones not for me!
I’m sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the recipe, Josie. Many other readers have tried it and loved it, but I know everyone has different tastes. I truly wish you would have loved it!
Did not like this recipe. Made it exactly as is but it came out too soupy – too much milk? Most overnight oatmeal recipes have Greek yogurt but this did not thicken up. Won’t make again!
I’m sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy the recipe, Leigh. Many other readers have tried it and loved it, but I know everyone has different tastes. I truly wish you would have loved it!
I’m giving this recipe 4 stars because the recipe itself is spot on. I added a few chia seeds and whole flax seeds for extra fiber and did not think it affected the liquid content too dramatically. However, I just didn’t like the texture in the end. The steel-cut oats were still too chewy for my taste, even after three days in the refrigerator. I think I will return to my rolled-oat overnight oat recipes in the future.
Hi Michaela! Thank you for your feedback on the oats!
I did make this and added the chia seeds for more protein. I put it in a quart mason jar and had difficulty getting it out: should have realized that chia seeds also soak up liquid. It was ok, though as I pried it out of the jar, stirred it as I didn’t stir the oats and nut butter first…. and just added some boiling water as I wanted it warm, not cold….Perfect! I used the recipe but didn’t add sweetener: diabetic; used frozen blueberries and used heavy cream and 1/2 and 1/2 plus the chia seeds.
I loved it. I used soaked steel cut oats as they are healthier for you. I keep forgetting to do at night….so just made some this morning, and can’t wait to eat it!
Hi Carol! Thank you so much for your feedback! So glad you enjoyed them!
I am looking forward to trying this!! When do you add Greek yogurt and how much?
Thank you so much!
Hi Melissa! That is an optional ingredient. You can add that when you are ready to eat and the amount depends on your preference! Hope this helps!
I started eating overnight oats two weeks ago. I used rolled oats and put fruit in before I packed them in my backpack to head off to work. I don’t have access to a heat source, so overnight oats intrigued me. Obviously, I like them, but was trying to get away from processed foods, so I bought steel cut oats and made them the same way: 1 cup of oats and I cup of coconut milk. I had to be sure they were going to be good for work. They are. I’m eating them plain as I write this and steel cut oats have more flavor than rolled. Now I have to try your recipe to change things up. Thanks
Hi Mike! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Would this recipe work with a 5 grain or 7 grain cereal as well as steel cut oats. The uncooked texture seems very similar.
Hi Jill! I’ve only tested this recipe as written, so I am not able to advise if either of those grain cereals would work. If you decide to give it a try, let me know how it goes!
It became my favorite breakfast item! With chia seeds, maple syrup, and some berries. Thank you so much for the idea. Love the chewiness and so easy to make.
Hi Irina! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
The recipe calls for mixing it and putting in the fridge overnight and then dividing into individual mason jars.
Can I make a single serving putting it in an individual mason jar directly and THEN letting it sit overnight?
Hi R Cate! I recommend waiting until Day 2 to divide the steel cut oats into the mason jars, as they need at least one full night to soak up the liquid. Doing it right away was less convenient in the end.
My go to recipe for overnight oats. My entire family loves it and looks forward to it. I prefer letting it sit for a 2nd night and top with granola and my fave nuts and fresh fruits but wifey loves it right away. I also warm up a little then add cold milk with toppings so it’s at room temperature. So yummy! I prefer the TJs steel cut oats fur this. I’ve tried others.
Hi Stan! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
You’re welcome! I’ve been using for years and thought it’s time to share my appreciation.
So I found your recipe after I started my overnight oats… when making them hot they say to use 1 3/4 milk and 1/4 oats is that cos of the heating process? I guess I’m gonna have seriously soggy oats?
Hi Jim! I’m sorry but I am not able to answer questions about someone else’s recipe, you would have to ask them.
I love this recipe. I tried overnight steel cut oatmeal only once before (different recipe) and this one turned out so well. It was super easy to prepare and delicious. Two thumbs up from me and my tastbuds! For the base, I like using oat milk, cutting the salt down to between 1/8 and 1/4 tsp and adding a splash of vanilla! And maybe a little extra peanut butter! YUM :) I prefer warm oatmeal so I heat it before topping with chia seeds, hemp hearts, pumpkin seeds and banana slices. So yum — thank you so much for sharing this amazing recipe ♡
Hi Lisa! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Question- can I warm these up in the morning on the stove?
Hi Megan! These are meant to be served cold, but I know other readers have warmed them with great success. Hope you enjoy them!
So this is not cooked?
Hi Laurie, no these are not cooked. That is pretty common for overnight oats.
These are absolutely delicious and super easy to make. The honey and peanut butter are so tasty.
Hi Danielle! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Haven’t made this yet but want to thank you for the nutritional informational! My goal is to find recipes that aren’t high in calories, have lots of protein and fiber and are low In cholesterol. I have to lower my cholesterol and up my fiber sez doctor.
Hope you enjoy it Cecile!
This does not work with Irish oats… 3 days in fridge and I broke down and cooked it.
Thanks for the feedback Michelle! I’ve only tried it with steel cut oats for this recipe.
Just tried them this morning. They are very different from steel cut oats made in stove. Very chewy and slightly hard. I think they were a bit better after they were microwaved but still doesn’t beat the smooth nutty texture of stove-made oats.
Thanks for trying the recipe and sharing your results, Michael!
how does the nut butter mix in with the recipe? do you need to heat it to make it more liquidy?
thank you
Hi Susan! No need to heat it. Once you’ve stirred all the ingredients together, the nut butter will incorporate just fine. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Can I just soak the steel cut oats in water, and then warm it up for breakfast?
Hi Karen! You likely could but that would be a different recipe than this one. Hope you enjoy it!
Has anyone on a very low cholesterol diet substituted another liquid for milk? Unsweetened apple juice?
Thank you in advance.
Hi Irwin, although I haven’t tried it, you could try using water. It will change the consistency and flavor of the oats but it might work. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
Thank you SOOO much for being a Guinea Pig in the name of my hearty faves overnight oats & steel cut oats. They are hands down #1. Making them NOW!
I am also in love with the invisible flavor and macho protein power of pea protein with brown rice syrup. I cannot do soy, and many have a taste, and pea/br.rice protein is superior in nutritional value. I did see that it is too complex to make myself (boo, I’d been hoping to try), but if you have any suggestions tips on a supplier, please share in your next healthy/high protein recipe.
You write very well, and I will check out your book- congrats on that, btw! I’ve been stumbling upon your recipes for years, and you do a fine job on this blog. Love that you’re published.
Cheers-
Lori
Hi Lori! That means the world to me! THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Great recipe. Have you had hot Grape-Nuts? Overnight steel cut oats remind me of Grape-nuts. Just put them in a bowl add your liquid and microwave for 30-45 seconds. You get chewy hot cereal with good texture. Thanks for all your ideas.
Pat
Hi Pat, I haven’t had hot grape-nuts before but sounds tasty! Thanks!
YUM. Had to search on this again… got a score on steel cut oats. Look forward to Sunday’s meal plan for next week… for this one on the fast-move. Thank you–GREAT recipe.
Glad you enjoyed them Cynthia!
:After placing in the fridge overnight, can this be warmed in the microwave, adding a little milk? I’m not a “cold oatmeal” fan.
Hi Carol! I haven’t tried it myself but others have with great success. Hope you enjoy it!
Peanut butter is a pain to mix into cold milk. Oats didn’t absorb near as much as I’d hoped. It’s not wonder the highest rated overnight oats are with rolled oats. Should’ve realized the overall 4.2 review indicated how bad this is.
Sorry to hear that you had trouble with the recipe, Charlie. The method has worked well for myself (and others) so I wished it would of been a hit for you too! I know it can be so disappointing to try a new recipe and it not turn out for you.
Overnight Steeloats IA now a staple in my home for both my husband and me. So many variations to add to the base. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Hi Julie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I made a double batch for the week for my husband to take to work. Delicious! Just the right amount of sweetness. I used unsweetened almond milk. Turned out great! Thank you for sharing!
Hi Rachel! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Love this recipe. I love hot steel cut oats and have made them many mornings. But using them in an overnight oats recipe – so easy. I haven’t changed the recipe – it’s great as is.
Hi Karol! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I have made these several times and enjoyed the overnight oats over that week. Yum! One recommendation is to “stir” with a hand mixer. The honey and nut butter take time to incorporate. I cannot imagine doing this with a spoon. Also, keep the speed of mixer on low setting. It will otherwise splatter about with a medium bowl if mixing too vigorous.
Thanks for the feedback Andrew!
my firsr foray into overnight oat. n steel cut sounds interesting.
Hope you enjoy them!
Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan were perfect together times…Joe v the Volcano.
Going to try this in the morning!
Hope you enjoy it Amy!
Thank you for taking all that time to write out every detail. Though I have cooked for decades, I was not familiar with the best ways to cook and prepare steel cut oats. It looks and sounds delicious. Really looking forward to eating this. I learned from Dr. Andrew Weil that these are the only oats to eat if you want the best. At 75, I need to make sure we are getting the best nutrition possible. Thanks again…..Pat
Hope you enjoy it Patricia!
Absolutely love the steel cut oats made just like you suggested. This is now my regular breakfast using 1/2 cup of the cooked oats. My plan is to make up a fresh batch each Sunday. Reheating is a snap. Thank you again!
Hi Pat! So glad you enjoyed it!
I am SO excited to try this tonight!! I tried overnight oats for the first time today and rolled oats are just too mushy for me. If I want to add a few tablespoons of chia seeds, would you recommend adding more milk? And can I add Greek yogurt in at the beginning, or should I wait until the day of? Thanks so much!
Hi Allison, you shouldn’t have to add any additional milk when adding the chia seeds. I would add the yogurt when ready to eat. Hope you enjoy it!
Hi, Erin. I haven’t done any of these yet but this is what I am thinking. Since this does not take much time, I will prepare one for each day, 2 days in advance. In other words, for Monday breakfast, I’ll mix things up sometime on Saturday. On Sunday, I’ll do one for Tuesday. etc.
Enjoy Ahfi!
Woke up to a container that was 1/4 oats and 3/4 milk. The oats absorbed some of the milk, but otherwise it was just soup. Also, there is now ay to get peanut butter to dissolve into milk or water.
I’m sorry to hear you had trouble with the recipe Kelly. As stated in the post and notes of the recipe card, “The first day, the oats will be more liquidy, but they will continue to absorb more of the milk throughout the week.” As far as the peanut butter if you can’t get the brand you are using to mix into the mixture, I would try heating it in the microwave first just to soften it, not heat it (it doesn’t dissolve). Hope this helps!
Do you ever toast your steel cut oats first before using them? I’m new to the steel cut game and I’ve read that toasting preserves more of the nutty flavor, but I wasn’t sure if that would work for overnight oats too? Thanks so much!!
Hi Jenn! I don’t toast mine before using them in overnight oats but I know it can be done. Enjoy!
Thank you so much!! I’m going to prepare a batch this week. Can’t wait to report back! :)
Great to hear! Enjoy!
Toasting them gives them a must nuttier taste. Just keep them moving while toasting them add the milk afterwards.
Thank you for this trying this! I only eat steel cut oats and always thought overnight oats were only for rolled oats. I LOVE making overnight oats with steel cut oats! It’s easy and delicious! So much better than cooked oats (oats are not my favorite cereal, but they’re so healthy!).
Hi Leslie! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
I’m very happy that I came across this article. I’ve had to babysit the stove a few times a week for 20 needless minutes these past few years that I’ve been cooking steel cut oats. Probably could have shaved a nice chunk of money off of the electric bill as well.
I plan on picking up some natural cashew and almond butter for my batches. Should mix in very easily with a hand whisk. I also plan to alternate between almond and coconut milk now and then. I also plan on grinding up some flax seeds into meal for an extra protein boost and a good shot of some Omega 3. Thanks for your article!
Hope you enjoy it Jay Dee!
Followed directions, but alas, even 10 hours was not enough to soften the steel cut oats. Back to rolled oats.
I’m sorry to hear that you had trouble with the recipe, Cory. The method and timing has worked well for myself (and others) but I know how frustrating it can be to try a new recipe and not have it work out, so I really wish you would’ve enjoyed it!
I have made many overnight oats recipes, but this is the first I have tried with steel cut oats. What a success! I added cinnamon and chia seeds as I was mixing it all together and before eating topped with fresh berries and some pumpkin seeds for a bit of a crunch. Totatally delicious and addictive. Great recipe! (One morning, instead of eating the oats in a bowl, I mixed a serving into a berry smoothie – it came out really creamy and delicious! Next time, I will plan to use 1 serving to do this again). Thanks for the great recipe.
Hi LeeAnn! Great idea adding them to your smoothie! Yum!
Although I have not tried mine yet i made it with coconut milk so I hope it turns out. I also added some matcha to it too. 😊
Hope it turned out for you Robin!
I super love this recipe. Super delicious!!!
Till now I had always make overnight oats with rolled oats and I read that it’s healthier for diabetic with steel cut oats.
Thank you so so much.
Hi Namo! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Could you heat this in the morning instead of eating it cold?
Hi Mary! It’s possible you could. I know other readers have tried it, I just prefer mine cold. Enjoy!
Haven’t made this recipe yet, but I’m excited to try it! I do have one crucial correction, however: Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks were meant to be three times – Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, and Joe Versus the Volcano (I would watch whichever one you’re missing because they’re all delightful).
Hope you enjoy it Marissa!
I recently bought steel cut oats instead of rolled oats and I must say I like it better than rolled oats.
Your recipe is the same as mine, although i haven’t yet put protein powder in mine. I will tomorrow.
Thanks for this article and I’m following you on Twitter now.
Enjoy Mark!
Followed the recipe and and I love it! I’m like someone else who commented that they’ve never been a fan of overnight oats made with rolled oats because they get too mushy. But this, with steel cut oats is the way to go!!!
Hi Tia! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
You mention they can only be refrigerated for 5 days total but also say that 2 days is better than overnight. Do you think if I made this recipe on a Saturday and divided it on Monday morning that it would be safe to go one extra day so I have a serving for Friday or should I do like what Ahfi is going to do where I just make each serving 2 days in advance (or make my Monday serving on Saturday and my Tuesday thru Friday servings on Sunday)?
Hi Amber! I recommend keeping these in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, and separating them on day 2 into jars or however you plan to store them. Hope this helps!
You eat this cold? Can you eat it up first as I like my oatmeal hot.
Hi Dana! yes this is meant to be cold but I guess you could heat it up. Enjoy!
Hi Erin, I’m curious about the addition of salt. Is it necessary for the breakdown of the oats? Otherwise with a focus on reducing sodium intake for the general population it would make sense to omit it.
Thanks
Paul
Hi Paul! You can definitely omit it if you need to. Enjoy!
I tried making this recipe, but it didn’t work out for me as I hoped it would after reading through the comments. I liked the thought of steel cut oats without having to cook, but after 4 days, I gave up and put the mixture in the microwave for 5 minutes, which absorbed the rest of the liquid, but still left the grain really chewy (which I did like).
I think I’ll stick to making a batch in my pressure cooked instead, which I’ve been doing for months anyways. It doesn’t really take much time, since you don’t need to keep watch like you do when cooking on stovetop.
I use the powdered peanut butter. It mixes just like protein powder, and is lower in fat than the solid form. The first time I found it, I was at a health food store, but it has become pretty popular over the years. I see it at Costco now.
Good luck in your meal prep forays everyone.
Thanks for the feedback Jennifer! We love our instant pot version too! https://www.wellplated.com/instant-pot-steel-cut-oats/
I find with steel cut you need to let it sit in hot water for about 5 or so minutes then do the overnight process… same thing for me.. it just doesnt “cook” overnight
I enjoyed the nutty texture— you just can’t expect it to be the same as rolled oats! I think I will try some new add ins next time.
Glad you enjoyed it, Elizabeth!
Hi!
I love your clear explanations and friendly, approachable style. This recipe is something I would like to try but I’m puzzled. Steel-cut oats are coarse and big (at least the ones I buy), to my understanding they must be cooked. Previous attempts at soaking them all night (using a recipe for “regular” oats) by pouring boiling water (with milk and cinnamon) before refrigeration rendered them softer but only slightly cooked and not so edible.
What am I missing here? The coarse oats are much more filling that the well ground ones and are more nutritious. Yet saving time in the morning would be wonderful!
Thank you for any advice on this matter.
Hi Naomi! I’m not sure I understand what you are asking? Myself (and others) have successfully made overnight oats with steel cut oats and it is something you can do. The longer they soak the softer they become but they will still render a chewy texture. Hope this helps!
Could Naomi be talking about oat “groats”? Since the groats are the whole oat kernel they are bigger than the steel cut oats for sure. If not, my apologies. Your recipe sounds great!
Hi Janie, I have no idea. Hope you enjoyed this!
I find with steel cut you need to let it sit in hot water for about 5 or so minutes then do the overnight process… same thing for me.. it just doesnt “cook” overnight
The oats didn’t soften when I tried them the next day and so I had to cook them for a good 15 – 20 minutes. Did I do something wrong here?
Hi Sharon! It’s really hard for me to know what went wrong without being in the kitchen with you. They need to soak for a minimum of 10 hours. They will still be super chewy on Day 1 but continue to soften for the next few days. Hope this helps!
I have tried for years to eat oatmeal, but I can’t take the mush factor. This is the first recipe I’ve tried that I’ll make again. The peanut butter adds a lot of flavor, but I cut the honey in half since the PB I have on hand has sugar (and next time I’ll likely omit the honey entirely, unless I go back to natural PB.).
Hi! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
The flavor turned out super yummy, but there was way too much liquid. The oats didn’t soak most of it up, even after 10 hours. I’ll try putting them in the microwave so I don’t waste all of these yummy ingredients.
I’m sorry to hear that Amanda. Not sure if you saw this in the notes of the recipe :The first day, the oats will be more liquidy, but they will continue to absorb more of the milk throughout the week. Hope this helps!
Hello, I make 3/4 cup of overnight steel cut oats and that’s one serving; I add 3/4 cup steel cut oats to each container, each container is one serving. In your recipe, you only make one cup of oats and the divide it into four servings; am I understanding your process correctly?
Hi Cindy! Yes, for this recipe I make it into 4 servings but feel free to portion up how you’d like. Enjoy!
This was delicious! I made it with a chocolate muscle milk protein shake/almond milk base. I added collagen protein, pb fit powder and flax seed as a mix-in overnight. The texture was perfect/chewy after 16 hours when I portioned it into my pint jars.
Hi Pam! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Never again . Kept getting kidnapped by all the ads.
I’m truly sorry for any inconvenience the ads caused you, M. I will certainly keep paying close attention to the number of ads and how they load, as I never want them to hinder your ability to view the recipe or the blog post. I do truly appreciate your feedback and apologize again for the inconvenience! Also, there is a quick and convenient “jump to recipe” button that will help you get to the recipe faster and a print button to have the recipe quickly at your fingertips. Hope this helps
Hey, could anyone half this 1x recipe for me? I really just need one serving as I do not have a large enough container. Thanks!!!
Hi Lezlee! It’s pretty simple to just cut the recipe in half, there is also a slider button on the servings listed in the recipe card that lets you decrease the servings and it will change the amounts for you. Hope this helps!
The regular steel cut oats I used never softened much at all after two nights in the refrigerator. Like many other commenters, I ended up cooking the recipe in the microwave. Quick cooking steel cut oats might work better; also, just a pinch of salt and taste for saltiness.
I’m sorry to hear that you had trouble with the recipe, Stephanie. The amounts, flavorings and timing have worked well for myself (and others) so I wished it would have been a hit for you too! I know it can be so disappointing to try a new recipe and it does not turn out for you.
I think it’s important to stress that steel cut oats are quite different from your normal quick cooking packaged oatmeal and are not for everyone’s tastes. I happen to love them and this recipe is perfect and very flexible. I don’t mind the chewy texture and find that they’re done to my liking the next morning. Delicious and healthy!
Hi Lisa! Yes they are very different! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for this kind review!
Pretty horrible. Steelcut really needs to cook to soften them up.
I’m sorry to hear the recipe wasn’t to your taste. I know it’s disappointing to try a new recipe and not enjoy it. I (and many other readers) have enjoyed it, so I really wish they would’ve been a hit for you too!
Hi Erin! I’m stoked to try this recipe tonight. Quick question, at what stage do I add the chia seeds? Assuming I’ll be soaking the oats for 2+ days per your instructions :) Thanks!
Hi Ben! Step 2 in the recipe card goes into detail at when is the best time to add your toppings, it will also depend on the how you are storing it, individual jars or large batch. Individual you can add right away. If it is a large batch you can add when you are ready to serve. Enjoy!
Thanks for the quick reply Erin! I wasn’t sure if chia seeds fell under the same prep category as fruit/nuts :) I’m a noob to chia as well as oats lol.
Hope you enjoy it Ben! It’s a favorite of ours!
Amazing recipe! I prefer mine with almond butter. Sometimes honey, Sometimes maple syrup. Depends on the extra toppings I plan to use. The only thing that I change is the salt. Personally, I feel 1/2 tsp, is way too much, but I don’t generally eat much salt. However, if you want it to taste perfect, you do need to add a little. For me, 3-5 small twists on a grinder suffices.
Glad you enjoyed it Jason!
This has become my go to overnight oats recipe! I am not a fan of oatmeal buuut I find that I can actually enjoy them this way. They are way less mushy! I use oat milk (it’s what my LO drinks) and I have not have any issues with absorption. I have also made it w/o honey by substituting 1-2 packets of equal or Splenda instead. Still tastes great. Thank you!
Yay! So happy to hear that, Lisa! Thank you!
Turned out great for me. Nice and thick. I added raisin and PB and microwaved a minute the next day.
Thanks so much for sharing Lisa!
Can you make this with greek yogurt instead of peanut butter? What would be the changes for amounts?
Hi Michele, I normally add Greek yogurt in at the end with my other toppings, so unsure how it would be replacing it with the peanut butter. If you decide to experiment, I’d love to know how it goes!
I never feel like cooking steel-cut oats in the morning, so this is perfect for me! I use Trader Joe’s oats and add chia, hemp, peanut butter, soy & almond milks (a little extra to soften the chia), and a natural sweetener; I don’t use salt. I stir the mixture in about 24 hours and start eating it in about 48 hours…it continues to be chewy and delicious for at least 4 days. Some mornings I warm it up in the microwave, other days I eat it cold with a little Ezekiel cereal and lots of fruit.
Glad you enjoyed it, Laura!
Perfect! Thank you so much for sharing. I’m a steel-cut convert!
So happy to hear you enjoyed it, Christina!
Stunning recipe. I added just a pinch of salt and the outcome was creamy , tasty and delicious. Will be my new go to brekkie for sure as the preparation was so easy. Highly recommended.
Yay! Thanks Jo!
Would peanut butter powder work instead of peanut butter.
Hi Ladonna, you can leave out the peanut butter, and can add the powder. Enjoy!
Can I use water j stead of milk? Or add a little of both?
Hi Ellisa, although I haven’t tried it, you could try using water. It will change the consistency and flavor of the oats but it might work. If you decide to experiment, let me know how it goes!
Please do post your result. I’ve always made steel cut oats with water. Oats and nut milk sounds a little too thick.
I tried this recipe with Bob’s Red Mill Steel Cut Oats. I used milk, chia seeds, and ground flax seeds. After sitting in the fridge for 16 hours the oats are still hard. Steel cut oats need to cook for at least 15 minutes on the stove top to soften up and get a creamy texture. Sitting overnight in milk does not soften up the oats enough and the oats don’t absorb much of the milk.
Hi Rob, I’m sorry to hear you had trouble with the recipe. On Day 1 we find them super chewy but yummy. They will continue to soften throughout the week. Even on Day 5, the Overnight Steel Cut Oats still have a nice texture and are not at all mushy. Hope this helps!
Hi Rob, I know you posted a little while back, but hope this helps. If your oats are not super fresh, they might take longer. Or, may not soften up at all. (Dry beans are the same way). Be sure to check the expiration dates at the store. Good luck!
Thanks for the tip, Maggie!
hi! my go to has been to boil them for a minute or two the night before and leave them to cool/soak overnight covered. The next day i add milk and mash it around, then nuke for a minute in a bowl and it’s good to go.
Very good/ nutritious…easy to make and very convenient.
Thank you Patty!
I haven’t tried the finished product yet but the flavor pairing of honey, peanut butter & salt is so good!! I can’t put my finger on which candy bar it reminds me of — but it’s delicious. Maybe a Babe Ruth!? I am looking forward to trying the citrus zest, honey & cinnamon flavor pairing too!
So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you!
I mix a 1/4 cup each of steel cut and rolled oats 50/50, one cup milk, a tablespoon of grade A natural maple syrup and 1 tablespoon of honey the night before. I mix in a couple spoon fulls of granola in the morning and I’m off. It is the best breakfast of all. I love the chewiness of it and the granola adds just a little crunch. Easy, quick and delicious.
Thanks.
Glad it worked out for you, Richard! Thank you!
Question: For overnight oats may I use kefir instead of milk please?
Hi! I wouldn’t recommend kefir because I worry that it would curdle (in my experience, this is what would happen if you used Greek yogurt, and I know the two are similar). That may not be the case, but I’m not super familiar with it, so I’m afraid I can’t give you a definite answer.
There’s no issue with using kefir in overnight oats. They will not curdle. Greek yogurt will not either, as you’re keeping it in the refrigerator. Enjoy!
Thanks for the feedback, Chelsea!
I love overnight oats. Just tried the steel cut. I put cardamom in mine. Chop 1/4 apple in it instead of sweetener.
Sounds tasty! Thanks Rebecca!
Why couldn’t you warm this up in the microwave???
Hi Susan, you can if you’d like, i just eat mine best cold.
Tried this and boy! Was it good! I used maple syrup, almond (sweetened) vanilla milk, peanut butter, steel cut oats, and cinnamon but no salt.
Left it for 12 hours, remixed it, and had a portion 24 hours after mixing it. I found the oats chewy but not as stiff like stove top al dente lead shot pasta (even when made creamy – using more water). I had another portion the next day and they were softer and not as chewy. The following day, they were even less chewy. Each subsequent day, the mixture became a little thicker. What a flavour!
Thank you Erin for posting!
Thank you Don!
They were very chewy on day one and not much softer on day 3 & 4. Hard to mix peanut butter in cold milk too.
I’m sorry to hear you had trouble with the recipe, Cheryl. I know it can be so disappointing to try a new recipe and it does not turn out for you. It has worked well for myself (and others) and I wished it would have been a hit for you too.
Last night I put together this overnight steel cut oats recipe (12 hours ago). This morning it isn’t creamy but very soupy—pretty much the same as it started out. What’s the trick? It’s a failure for me. I’ll have to keep with the Instant Pot steel cut oats.
Hi Kath, it gets better, in my opinion.
This really didn’t work out for me. I started to worry when I was mixing everything and realized there was no chance I’d be able to incorporate peanut butter into cold milk. As soon as the peanut butter got cold it hardened into a single chunk, and mixing just broke it into smaller chunks.
After one night in the fridge, the mixture was still mostly liquid milk and the oats were extremely chewy, so after one bite I left it in the fridge a couple more days.
Even after days it was still chewy, the peanut butter in weird chunks, and mostly liquid milk. The oats barely absorbed anything.
This was my first attempt at overnight oats and I ended up tossing them out. I made more traditional overnight oats a few days later (regular old fashioned oats and coconut milk) and it was like night and day. This recipe is basically just day-old cereal.
I’m sorry to hear that you had trouble with the recipe, Lou. The amounts, flavorings and timing have worked well for myself (and others) so I wished it would have been a hit for you too! I know it can be so disappointing to try a new recipe and it does not turn out for you.
Hi,
I can’t wait to try this but wondering why not do each serving right in the mason jars? I’m all for less dishes to wash!!
Thanks!!
Hi Heather, I recommend waiting until Day 2 to divide the steel cut oats into the mason jars, as they need at least one full night to soak up the liquid. Doing it right away was less convenient in the end. Hope you enjoy it!
Chewy oats and is like eating oat soup.
Hi Cindy, yes we mentioned that the first day it is always going to be liquidy, this is why we recommend consuming on day 2 or later.
Does this freeze well? What day would be best to put it in the freezer?
I don’t really think it would freeze well, but I haven’t tried it. If you decide to experiment, I’d love to know how it goes, Katie!
If you use steel cut oats overnight can you heat them in the morning in a microwave.
Hi Tammy, I like my cold, but you could heat them. Enjoy!
Exactly what I was looking for! Super easy and flexible recipe … I never ‘follow’ LOL I am inspired!
Because I’m tracking all macros and fiber and everything (for now) I kept it simple:
1 cup oat milk, 1 cup greek yogurt, 1 cup SC oats, 1 cup frozen blueberries plus various other little things like chia, flax, cinnamon, salt, allulose. Made 4 servings. 13g pro, 48 g carb, 13g fat, 11 g fiber. Great breakfast!
Glad to read that it continues to soften over the week because the first day, yes it was super chewy. Might also be because I have older oats. Anyway, all fabulous. Yes I really did sleep better knowing it was going to be there in the mornings! 🥰
Glad it worked for you, Sarah! Thank you!
I LOVE steel-cut oats, but am very particular. I have found that day 1 is much too firm for me still, so I cook them in the microwave for a few minutes until they soften. It’s much faster to do this still after they’ve soaked for 24+ hours. One thing that EVERYONE needs to try is to roast first!
This is the most amazing game-changer. It brings out the nuttiness and gives a nice golden flavor. I can’t have it the regular way ever again. No matter the mix-ins, this is the way to go. First, get a sauté pan hot with a couple of TB of butter. Ghee or other oils work too. Then add your dry steel-cut oats and toast until they smell like butterscotch. They shouldn’t be burnt… but close! Then make them as usual. Trust me. You’ll be thanking me later ;)
Thanks Lucy!
I usually do my overnight oats with homemade kefir. I don’t like any sweetener in my oats so it is just the kefir and oats. I add ground chia and flax seeds and fruit in the morning just before I am going to eat it. Can I do the same with the steel cut oats? Thanks
You possibly could, Susan! You’ll have to experiment! Let us know how it goes!
I tried steel cut overnight oats recently and loved them. Took me a bit to get used to the texture, but the longer they stay in the fridge the better. I made meal prep for the week, used 2 cups of oats, 4 cups of coconut milk, 4 scoops of protein powder, 2 scoops of collagen peptides, and berries to top it off. Sooo yummy and creamy
Great! Thanks Lucy!
Would it be ok if after the oats are made and on the second day’s portion, you could put in the microwave for a bit, just to heat up?
Hi Sunny, I’m sure you could. Some people prefer them like that. Enjoy!
The video is a completely different recipe for overnight oats!
Hi Lin, that is correct. We do not have a video for this recipe and gave the optional recipe of making it in the slow cooker. Hope this helps!
Hello Erin, I absolutely love these overnight oats! The problem is I need less sodium, is it ok to do without salt or something else in its place. Thanks for sharing such a great recipe!
Hi Mike! So glad you are enjoying them! I’d just leave the salt out. Enjoy!
Great recipe, especially after soaking for 2 days! Thanks. Love the chewy sensation and robust flavor. Some days I eat it cold, others I might warm it in the microwave.
I never salt my oats – it’s the easiest addiction to shed and makes it much healthier. I often add a chopped apple or 2 before soaking, otherwise add fresh fruit when I’m ready to dig in.
So glad to hear you enjoyed it, Kathy! Thank you!
I cook steel cut oatmeal, let is cool and then use it to make my overnight oatmeal, dome times I add nut butter . Overall, I would rate this recipe as being very good. Its rare to find a steel cut oat recipe.
Thank you Michael!
I really enjoyed the chewy texture, much better than the regular overnight oats.
I just made my second batch.
Thank you Maire!