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If you've searched the web for recipes to use up that big bag of steel-cut oats you have in your pantry; you need to make these easy no-cook overnight oats with strawberries.
No-Cook Steel Cut Oats Overnight
Sometimes you buy steel-cut oats for one recipe and because they take so long to cook on the stove, they are left unused in the pantry, right? While I sometimes grind it to make oat flour, I also use it to make these delish strawberry steel-cut overnight oats.
I have a recipe for overnight crockpot oatmeal made with steel-cut oats, but when I want a healthy, creamy breakfast with no cooking, I mix everything in jars, refrigerate, and voilá!
Can you make overnight oats with any steel-cut oats?
You can use steel-cut oats to make overnight oats, but they must be quick-cooking steel-cut oats, where the groat has been cut into smaller pieces. Traditional steel-cut oats don’t soften up enough overnight.
Steel-Cut Oats to Water Ratio
For every 1 cup of steel-cut oats, you’ll need 2 ½ to 3 cups of liquid, depending on how thick you’d like them. Less liquid yields a thicker oatmeal. You can use either water or milk to make overnight oats. I personally love using milk because it provides the oats a creamy texture that’s 100% delicious.
Ingredients
Notice that I use quick cooking steel-cut oats. I tried using traditional steel-cut oats and they didn't soften up enough. Then you’ll add your favorite dairy or non-dairy milk, and fresh or frozen strawberries.
How to Make Steel-Cut Overnight Oats
You can assemble these strawberry overnight steel cut-oats in single-serve jars or one big bowl. Here are the easy steps:
- Make a base of quick-cooking steel-cut oats inside each jar. If you're adding flaxseed, hemp, or chia seeds, place them now on top of the oats. Add the milk, top with strawberries, and mix. You can also top the oats with strawberries in the morning.
- Refrigerate for 12 hours (overnight).
- Enjoy them cold, straight out of the jar, or warm them up 30 seconds in the microwave if desired.
How Far in Advance Can I Make Steel-Cut Overnight Oats?
Overnight oats without fruit last up to 5 days in the fridge. If you add fruit, I recommend keeping the oatmeal in the fridge for no more than 3 days since the fruit tastes different and loses its texture, especially berries. Learn more about how long overnight oats last in this post.
Overnight Oats Add-ins
This steel-cut overnight oats recipe includes strawberries, but here are other delicious ideas you can add before or after refrigerating the oats:
- chopped fresh fruit: ½ cup per serving
- berries: ½ cup per serving
- chopped nuts: 1 tablespoon per serving
- dried fruit: 1 tablespoon per serving
- protein powder: 2 tablespoons per serving
- flax meal: ½ teaspoon per serving
- maple syrup or honey: 1 teaspoon per serving
- hemp seeds: 1 teaspoon per serving
- chia seeds: ½ teaspoon per serving
- nut butter: 1 teaspoon per serving
Do I Need to Add Yogurt to my Overnight Oats?
While most recipes on the internet make you feel like yogurt is part of the recipe, I rarely add yogurt to my overnight oats. Adding yogurt, about 1 tablespoon per serving, will thicken up your oat mixture and make it heavenlycreamy. This step is completely optional, of course.
How Long Do Overnight Oats with Steel Cut Oats Take?
Look for “quick-cooking” steel-cut oats for overnight oats recipes. These whole oats are cut into smaller pieces that can be soaked for 12 hours (overnight) to make this type of recipes.
Other Recipes With Steel-Cut Oats
For an epic recipe that tastes like you’re visiting New Orleans and indulging on dessert, try these Bananas Foster steel-cut overnight oats. You can also make this breakfast with other fresh fruit you love!
Strawberry Steel Cut Overnight Oats (No-Cook Recipe)
Watch how it’s made:
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick-cooking steel-cut oats
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 2 cups strawberries, sliced
Instructions
- Place ¼ cup of steel-cut oats inside each jar. Add any “add-ins” like flaxseed, hemp, or chia seeds on top of the oats and mix to combine.
- Fill each jar with ½ cup of milk and stir to combine. Top with strawberries and mix. You can also top the oats with strawberries in the morning.
- Place jars in the refrigerator for 12 hours (overnight).
- In the morning, eat cold, straight out of the jar, or warm up in the microwave if desired.
Ciara says
So good and so easy to make! Just what I needed on a busy weekday, thank you!
Yolanda says
I love how simple this strawberry overnight oats are!! Absolutely delicious.
Jen says
These overnight oats turned out so good!