Strawberry Buttermilk Overnight Oats

When my husband and I were in San Francisco a few years ago, I spent a Saturday morning going to the Ferry Building Farmers Market, where I stumbled upon a little pastry shop called Miette.

I have a deep affinity for buttermilk, and personally I feel it is the most underrated of all dairy products. My morning at Miette’s reminded me how versatile this flavorful, thick milk can be and how beautifully it pairs with strawberries.

While I’d love to eat panna cotta every day, it’s just not realistic, so I set out to create something Overnight oats with strawberry buttermilk. This slightly sweet, cold-prepared breakfast is made the night before; It’s healthy and a great way to use up leftover buttermilk.

What is the difference between overnight oats and oatmeal?

The first difference: Overnight oats are made the night before and kept cold in the fridge, while oatmeal is usually made on the stovetop the morning you want to eat it, although you can also make oatmeal in the slow cooker or pressure cooker.

The second difference: Overnight oats are often eaten cold. That’s how I prefer them and that’s how this recipe is meant to be eaten.

The best oatmeal for overnight oats

I prefer old-fashioned oats, also known as rolled oats, because I like the texture. They’re chewy but firm and not too soft or mushy. You can use instant or quick-cooking oats if you have them on hand, but they might get soggy. Since this is a no-cook oatmeal recipe, you really don’t need instant oatmeal.

I would stay away from steel-cut oats for this recipe. They don’t absorb moisture quite as easily as the other strains, and the texture might be a bit too harsh to enjoy.

Best ratio for overnight oats

I personally value a recipe that I can remember. That’s why I use this ratio:

• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup oats
• 1/2 cup yogurt
• 1/2 cup berries

I also often add 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract and a few teaspoons of honey for a little extra flavor.

This ratio makes for a fairly thick overnight oat. You can always increase the liquid by 1/4 cup if you want a thinner consistency.

How to adapt this recipe?

Overnight Oats are easy to customize to suit your individual preferences. Although most of the ingredients are easy to switch out, I would use old-fashioned oats whenever possible.

• Swap buttermilk for oat, soy, almond, or regular milk.
• Replace plain yogurt with a sweetened variety.
• Stir in a spoonful of strawberry jam.
• Use whatever berry you have on hand—blueberries, raspberries, and even apples make great overnight oats. I love roasted rhubarb.

Make this overnight oat recipe even easier

I added my yogurt and strawberries in the mornings, but you can absolutely make this a grab-and-go breakfast. A small mason jar is the perfect size for these oatmeal. Add rolled oats, buttermilk, vanilla extract, yogurt and honey. Stir to combine. Add the berries and stir again. Your oats are 100 percent ready to eat in the morning.

I make them in a Ball jar when I know I need to leave my house early in the morning (I’m a late breakfast person) so I can eat around 10am if I get hungry.

When I’m home, which is often because I work from home, I simply mix the oats and buttermilk with the extract in a bowl. In a separate bowl I mix the honey and strawberries. I leave both covered in the fridge overnight. In the morning I top my oatmeal with yoghurt and spoon the strawberries over it.

How far in advance can you make overnight oats?

I usually make overnight oats the night before and eat them the next morning. My husband, on the other hand, mixes up a week’s worth on a Sunday night and grabs one every morning. Both will work, but I wouldn’t do them more than five days in advance. Just enough to get you through the work week.

More great recipes with oats

• Strawberry Almond Oat Smoothie
• Grab and Go Oatmeal Chia Cups
• Oatmeal Buttermilk Pancakes
• Strawberry Oatmeal Muffins
• Oatmeal Almond Butter Breakfast Cookies