Overnight Refrigerator Steel Cut Oats with Chia and Strawberries

Overnight

If you’re looking for an easy, healthy, gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan, grab and go breakfast that will keep you full for hours, then you have to try these overnight refrigerator steel cut oats with chia and strawberries. This is my go-to travel and weekend  breakfast. I make these oats all the time to take to Tahoe, so I have an easy breakfast to eat in the car on the way to the slopes.

prepped steel cut oats chia strawberries

This is basically a “grab-and-go” breakfast which is perfect for those busy mornings!  It’s ULTRA EASY to make, (takes just 5 minutes) and is ready to go in the morning! All you have to do in the morning is open your refrigerator, grab the jar of oats, twist off the lid, give the oats a stir and dig in!  How easy is that?

I also just created a recipe for these oats with yogurt as well, so you’re getting 2 recipes in one!  Yippee!

overnight refrigerator oats with Noosa yogurt

These oats also sustain you and keep you full longer, which is always a bonus right?  They’ll keep the mid-morning cravings to a minimum!  The steel cut oats soften up overnight and have a nice chewy texture, which I happen to love. Did you know that chewing your food for 30 seconds is the first step in digestion, and it aids in digestion, as it helps break down your food, so not only do you feel fuller faster, but your body is better able to digest the food. Chewing also helps stimulate your lymph nodes.  So chew your food peeps!

This is also a great “grab-and-go-travel” breakfast! I make a jar or two of these oats and take them with me to Tahoe. I always feel great starting out the day with a power fueled, energy packed breakfast for a day of skiing on the slopes!

These oats are perfect for taking with you on the airplane as well. I recently took these oats with me on a red-eye flight, so I didn’t have to eat the airport food for breakfast! I packed the oats up in this cute little 1-cup glass storage container from Lifefactory, made it through security, and was one happy camper come breakfast time. I was eating Marin mama food and not airport food! 🙂

overnight refrigerator steel cut oats with chia and strawberries Lifefactory storage container

These refrigerator oats are chock-full of healthy ingredients, fats, protein and fiber. They’re the perfect and easy way to start  your day, and will help keep your blood sugar regulated!

These oats have good stuff going on;

  • Almond milk- Almond milk is chock-full of protein and healthy fats! You can really use any sort of milk, nut milk, cows milk, goat milk or coconut milk in this recipe.
  • Steel-cut oats- Steel cut oats restore and calm the nervous system, have beneficial effects on blood sugar, lower cholesterol and regulate weight.
  • Chia seeds – Chia seeds are an excellent source of anti-inflammatory Omega-3 fatty acids. They are high in fiber and contain more protein than most plant foods. They also contain more calcium than milk.
  • Unsweetened coconut- Unsweetened coconut is is full of healthy fats.
  • Strawberries – Strawberries are chock full of antioxidants, vitamin C and are one of the best fruit sources of manganese.

Really, this recipe is a base. You can add in any type of milk, fruit or sweeter of choice!  I love this particular combination of fresh strawberries, coconut and maple syrup, as it tastes to me a bit like strawberry shortcake! I also think ripe cherries would be amazing as well.

Ok, let’s make us up some overnight refrigerator oats!

overnight refrigerator steel cut oats with chia and strawberries Lifefactory storage container 1

Overnight Refrigerator Steel Cut Oats With Chia and Strawberries:

serves 1

almond milk version:

yogurt version:

  • 1/2 cup Noosa coconut yogurt – you can use any type of yogurt, but Noosa is amazingly creamy and rich! Also, feel free to use any of their flavors as well
  • 1/4 cup regular or gluten-free steel cut oats, or rolled oats
  • 1 tablespoon chia seed
  • 1 – 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
  • sliced fresh strawberries – I used about 4 medium-sized strawberries 

Below are all the ingredients you will need for the almond milk version!

ingredients for overnight refrigerator steel cut oats with chia and strawberries

Get out a small glass jar with a lid, or glass container with a lid. I love these 12-ounce glass mason jars from Ball. I use them in our kitchen as drinking glasses, but I also use them to store just about anything from nuts to salad dressings, leftovers, you name it! They rock!

Pour in the almond milk, oats, chia seed, sea salt, coconut, maple syrup, and give the mixture a good stir. If you’re adding hemp seeds or goji berries, add them at this time too. 

Stir in the strawberries and give it another good stir.  Put the lid on, and store it in the refrigerator till morning. Yep, that’s all there is to it!  Easy peasy!

Note: You don’t have to make this up right before bed, you can make it up in the afternoon as well. I usually make it up while I’m prepping dinner. 

overnight refrigerator steel cut oats with chia and strawberries Lifefactory storage container 2

As you can see, the mixture will thicken up overnight, so if you want it thinner, add more milk.

Make sure to give the oatmeal a good stir before consuming!

My favorite way to eat this, is to heat up the oats in the microwave using the same jar. I top it with a big dollop of peanut butter, or almond butter and then microwave it for 60 seconds. Make sure to give it a big stir after!

overnight refrigerator steel cut oats with chia and strawberries

 

Feel free to add in what you wish to these oats, because like I said, this is a base recipe.  If you want them sweeter, by all means sweeten them up. I’m not a huge sweet tooth, so I tend to like things a bit more unsweetened than the majority!

Here’s a version similar to these oats, but with buckwheat groats. Overnight refrigerator buckwheat groats.

Overnight refrigerator buckwheat groats. 

I also have another amazing overnight oats that takes 3 minutes to toss together. GF overnight oats with hemp and chia.

GF overnight oats with hemp and chia.Here’s another easy grab and go breakfast, vegan vanilla coconut chia pudding. I feel alive after eating this breakfast and don’t feel weighed down in the least. I also have great energy for my workouts. 

Vegan vanilla coconut chia pudding.

Since strawberries are in season and we’re using them in this recipe, here’s my post on how to keep strawberries fresh!  I do this all the time and I never find myself tossing strawberries!

how to keep strawberries fresh

If you’re looking for a hot overnight breakfast, then this is the blog for you, as I’m all about overnight oats and quinoa!

I love breakfast so I have a few different variations.

Try my easy overnight steel cut oats. This is the simple and classic way to enjoy steel cut oats.

easy overnight steel cut oats

Don’t feel like oats, then try my overnight buckwheat porridge. 

Overnight buckwheat porridge.

Hot quinoa and steel cut oats. It’s a 3 ingredient blend of quinoa, oats and a touch of sea salt and can be made the night before in under 6 minutes! Simple and nutritious!

easy overnight hot quinoa and steel cut oats 1

Toasted overnight steel cut oats. Toasting the oats in butter or coconut oil adds a new depth of flavor and richness, as well as a chewier and nuttier taste and texture. Double YUM!

toasted overnight steel cut oats 2

Hot quinoa and oat cereal with goji berries. This is another overnight cereal that’s packed with the heartiness of steel cut oats and the protein of quinoa.

hot quinoa and oat cereal with goji berries 1 1

5 minute hot quinoa cereal. Yes, this literally takes 5 minutes from start to finish! So easy and so tasty!

5 minute hot quinoa cereal

If you have leftover quinoa, then you need to try my 5 minute warm quinoa cereal.

5 minute warm quinoa cereal with strawberries, honey and walnuts.

If you’re looking for a grain-free, gluten-free, vegan and paleo warm porridge then you have to try my grain-free, paleo, vegan breakfast porridge. It’s loaded with healthy Omega 3 and Omega 6 fats, contains tons of fiber, antioxidants, magensisum, and minerals. It takes only 10 minutes to make from start to finish, and the best part is that it’s low in carbs, and a warm, tasty and satisfying way to start the day. It will also give you the necessary fuel to get you through your morning.

grain free paleo vegan breakfast porridge 2

With love Jackie

Overnight Refrigerator Steel Cut Oats with Chia and Strawberries

4.7 from 6 votes
Recipe by Jackie
Servings

1

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Total time

5

minutes

    This is basically a "grab-an-go" breakfast which is perfect for those busy mornings! It's ULTRA EASY to make, (takes just 5 minutes) and is ready to go in the morning! All you have to do in the morning is open your refrigerator, grab the jar of oats, twist off the lid, give the oats a stir and dig in! How easy is that?

    Ingredients

    • Almond Milk Version:
    • ½ cup almond milk, oat milk, coconut, or nut milk of choice - I used my homemade vanilla almond milk

    • ¼ cup regular or gluten-free steel cut oats, or rolled oats

    • 1 tablespoon chia seed

    • Pinch of pink Himalayan sea salt

    • 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut

    • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup

    • Optional, but recommended - 1 tablespoon goji berries

    • Optional, but recommended - 1 tablespoon hemp seeds

    • ½ cup sliced fresh strawberries or smashed raspberries, or 1/4 of my blackberry chia compote - no added sugar

    • Scoop of peanut butter, or almond butter in the morning before consuming. I also love this tahini with dates from SoCo, use code mmcooks15 for 15% off. 

    • Yogurt Version:
    • ½ cup Noosa coconut yogurt - you can use any type of yogurt, but Noosa is amazingly creamy and rich! Also, feel free to use any of their flavors as well

    • ¼ cup regular or gluten-free steel cut oats, or rolled oats

    • 1 tablespoon chia seed

    • 1 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut

    • Sliced fresh strawberries - I used about 4 medium-sized strawberries

    Directions

    • Get out a small glass jar with a lid, or glass container with a lid. I love my 12-ounce glass mason jars from Ball.

    • Pour in the almond milk, oats, chia seed, sea salt, coconut, maple syrup, and give the mixture a good stir. If you're adding hemp seeds or goji berries, add them at this time too. 

    • Stir in the strawberries and give it another good stir.

    • Put the lid on and store it in the refrigerator till morning. Note: You don't have to make this up right before bed, you can make it up in the afternoon as well. I usually make it up while I'm prepping dinner.

    • The mixture will thicken up overnight and, so if you want it thinner, add more milk.

    • Make sure to give the oatmeal a good stir before consuming!

    • My favorite way to eat this, is to heat up the oats in the microwave using the same jar. I top it with a big dollop of peanut butter, or almond butter and then microwave it for 60 seconds. Make sure to give it a big stir after!

    • Steel cut oats will keep to their form and be chewy in texture, so if you're looking for a softer texture, then use rolled oats.

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    25 thoughts on “Overnight Refrigerator Steel Cut Oats with Chia and Strawberries”

    1. Got a batch in fridge for tomorrow that I made with some homemade pecan milk and blueberries 🙂 Have you ever made a few days worth at a time?

      1. Hi Kathy! Sounds delish girl! Let me know how it turns out for you. I haven’t made more than 1 at a time, but the concoction should stay fresh for 2 days at least. I think the ones made with fresh ripe fruit, such as strawberries, might get squishy or rubbery and not taste as fresh if left longer. I made one with frozen blueberries that lasted for 2 days, and it was great! I’m in the process of making up my cacao nib and almond butter one for breakfast tomorrow and I can’t wait! I can’t wait to hear how your oats turn out for you! 🙂 xoxo, Jacquelyn

    2. HA! I just listened to the podcast with you on Another Mother Runner and the last thing you talked about was Chia. I found your blog and opened it up and what do I see? Chia! Can’t wait to explore your website. Thanks!!

      1. Hi Kirsten! Great to hear from you, and I’m so happy you discovered my blog via the podcast! Yay! Yes, I’m a bit obsessed with chia, oats and kale! 🙂 xoxo, Jacquelyn

    3. I have made this a few times and was seriously in shock how good it was! I have tried some chia products and bowls and just couldn’t get on board, but this converted me. I love making them in a mason jar (my three year old loves to help dump the ingredients in and shake it up) the night before. It takes 2min, seriously. It has solved a big problem of not eating healthy breakfast or breakfast at all because I was too busy getting everyone else ready to go in the AM. So now I bring it in my bag in the morning and eat it a bit after I get to work (self employed perks). Ive added maple syrup and dried cherries and made it with milk and its all delicious. PS- I just heard about you from the Mother Runner podcast and cant wait to try more of your recipes. Thank you!

      1. Yay! I’m so happy that I converted you to chia pudding, well I guess this is more like oat chia pudding 😉 The mason jar rocks, right? So easy to just toss in all of the ingredients, give it a shake and then twist on the cap. Couldn’t be easier than that! It’s awesome that your 3 year old is involved in the prep process, because I bet you one of these days he/she will want to try whatever it is you’re making together, and they will like it even more so, because they helped. I’m so happy you discovered my blog via the podcast! Yay! If you want recommendations on what to try next, please ask! Thanks again for taking the time to say hi! xoxo, Jacquelyn

    4. Great recipe! I was lucky enough to see Tessa’s version on instagram so I thought I’d give it a try. Big hit over here, especially with my six year old… healthy food in her belly is a BIG WIN!

      1. Yay June! I’m SO happy that you made the oats and LOVED them, as well as your 6 year old. Yippee! She’s starting off her day on a healthy path, so kudos to you mom! I’m glad Tessa’s photo inspired you to check out the recipe! I hope you find some other mom and kid approved recipes to try on the blog 🙂 xoxo, Jacquelyn

    5. This has become my new favorite breakfast! I was tiring of my vegan protein smoothies. This is so delicious and quick to make up. I look forward to your new version with cacao nibs.

      1. Hi Maya! Yay! Oh my gosh, I totally forgot to post that recipe, so thanks for the reminder! I’ve been crazed with my new job and all. You actually reminded me that I need to make those oats up for breakfast. Making the cacao oats tonight and will try and post it this weekend. I’ll let you know when I get it up as I have your email! xoxo, Jacquelyn

      1. Hi Kathy and Shannon. You’re both correct that you probably don’t need maple syrup in the oats made with Noosa, as Noosa is sweet enough. I honestly haven’t made them much with the yogurt, as I’m trying to stay away from dairy because I’m lactose intolerant, so the yogurt batch was really for my kids who like things on the sweeter side. I’ll put in a note to try it without yogurt. Shannon, great tip about the protein in almond milk vrs cows! Thanks for the insight. I typically make my almond milk with the skins on and don’t strain it.

    6. Shannon Pretzel

      These sound delicious and I plan on trying them. I would, however, like to point out that almond milk is not high in protein, it has about 1g of protein per 8 ounces, whereas cow’s milk has 8 grams of protein per 8 ounces. One other point; if you are using Noosa to make the yogurt recipe, I would suggest skipping the maple syrup. Noosa already has an incredibly high amount of sugar, no need to add more with syrup. Of course, that’s just my opinion.

    7. Hello I combined steel cut oats and almond milk put it the fridge overnight the oats did not absorb the milk what went wrong?

    8. Hi! So I love this and how easy it is and just tried it this morning. It’s pretty delicious but my oats turned out really super chewy and I’m not sure I’m into that part of it. Is there anyway to do this to lessen the chew factor? Maybe cook the oats a bit before? Thanks for any help you can provide 🙂

      1. Hi Jenalys! Sorry to get back to your comment so late. If you use steel cut oats they tend to be chewier as they’re not cooked, but I love the chewy consistency. If you’re not a fan of the chewy texture, then you can try using rolled oats. 🙂

      1. Hi Hitesh. Steel cut oats are hard in texture, so they are not going to get super soft, but they should still soften up and be chewy in texture, not hard. They’re also not going to soften up the same as when they’re cooked. Maybe you didn’t use enough of a liquid? Did you put them in overnight? Steel cut oats need a full night in order to soften up. Other than that, I don’t know what to tell you. I make these all of the time, and never had an issue with the oats not softening up. Sorry the recipe didn’t work for you, I know what a bummer that is.

        1. I used lots of liquid and oats stayed pretty hard not soft like your photos. They had about 15 hours in fridge.

          1. Hi August, Did you use steel cut or rolled oats? Steel cut oats are not going to get super soft, they will keep their form and be chewy in texture, but definitely not hard. If you really want a soft oat texture, then use rolled oats. I find that my family prefers the rolled oats, but I prefer the steel cut oats. I hope that helps. xoxo, Jackie

    9. I made the milk version last night for this morning.and I sure could tell I had a lot of fiber after most of it. I found I had to heat in microwave for total of i 1/2 minutes. added a little more fruit, fresh raspberries and frozen blueberries after 90 seconds in microwave.for 15 seconds.If I want to make 2 servings I should be able to make 2 in one small mason jar.

      1. The chia is what binds everything, so if you don’t use the chia it will be a soupy mess. Flax seeds are great for you, but won’t bind or gel liquids like chia. If you do put flax seeds into any recipe, just be sure to grind them as our bodies can’t process flax seeds in seed form.

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