Overnight Water-Based Oats with Chia and Fresh Strawberry Topping Recipe
A simple and nutritious recipe for overnight oats made with water and enriched with chia seeds, maple syrup, and your choice of plain yogurt. This easy no-cook breakfast is lightly sweetened, customizable with fresh strawberries, and perfect for a quick, healthy start to your day.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 5 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- ½ cup old fashioned oats
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- ¾ cup water
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
- 3 tbsp plain yogurt of choice (dairy-free, vegan, Greek, etc.)
- Tiny pinch of salt (optional)
Strawberry Topping
- 1 cup fresh strawberries
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a small bowl or mason jar, thoroughly stir together the oats, chia seeds, water, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, plain yogurt, and a pinch of salt if using until evenly mixed.
- Refrigerate: Cover the mixture with a lid or plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. Let it sit for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight to allow the oats and chia seeds to absorb the liquid and soften.
- Adjust Sweetness: After chilling, taste the oats and add more maple syrup or sweetener if desired, stirring to combine.
- Serve: Top the soaked oats with your favorite toppings for added flavor and texture.
- Prepare Strawberry Puree (Optional): To make the strawberry topping, place 1 cup of fresh strawberries and 1 tablespoon maple syrup in a food processor. Pulse a few times until the strawberries form a smooth puree. Alternatively, mash the strawberries with a fork for a chunkier texture. Spoon the puree over the oats before serving.
Notes
- Old fashioned oats are preferred for the best texture, but rolled oats may also work.
- The recipe uses water instead of milk to keep it dairy-free, but plain yogurt adds creaminess and protein.
- You can substitute maple syrup with honey, agave syrup, or preferred sweeteners.
- Adding chia seeds boosts the fiber content and helps thicken the mixture.
- Adjust the soaking time based on your texture preference; longer soaking results in softer oats.
- Feel free to swap strawberries for other fresh or frozen berries or fruits.
Keywords: overnight oats, no-cook breakfast, chia seeds, dairy-free, vegan option, healthy breakfast, easy oats recipe
