Breakfast is a breeze with these no-cook overnight chia seed oatmeal bowls. Customize them with your favorite oatmeal toppings.
Ch-ch-ch-chia!
As a kid I begged my parents for a Chia Pet. I also wanted that pet rock. Come to think of it, I probably wanted everything I saw advertisements for on Nickelodeon. But seriously, what kid in the 80s and early 90s didn’t want a Chia Pet? I thought it was so cool, mainly because I didn’t have one.
Chia seeds have gone a long way from being a silly component of a toy to one of today’s most popular super foods. Did the creators of the Chia Pet know that chia seeds were packed full of nutrients and vitamins?
I wonder how many parents from the 80s got angry with their children for eating the chia seeds for the Chia Pet? Because… little kids like to eat everything… like glue, paper, boogers.
Asides from dessert, breakfast is my favorite meal of the day. Upon waking up, my body desperately needs fuel.
Some mornings I move at the speed of light, and then other mornings I’m slower than a snail stuck on piece of gum on the concrete. For those slow-poke mornings, this no cooked overnight chia seed oatmeal is my hero.
No Cook Overnight Chia Seed Oatmeal
Alex calls this oatmeal the “lazy man’s breakfast for the man with an active lifestyle.” Once in a while we like to make a double batch of this Sunday night so the two of us will have breakfast ready for the rest of the week.
Rolled oats are full of fiber, keeping me full until lunchtime. Chia seeds are also a great source of fiber. It also contains protein, calcium, manganese, and a bunch of other good stuff. (No wonder it’s a super food!)
Don’t worry if the oatmeal looks watery at first. Chia seeds absorb a lot of moisture, about 9 times its volume. When soaked in liquid, the seeds plump up and become slippery and jellylike.
Oatmeal is a blank canvas.
You can customize it to your liking. I used almond milk, but any milk will do- coconut milk, soy milk, hemp milk, hazelnut milk, etc.
I topped my chia seed oatmeal with toasted coconut flakes, sliced almonds, and dried peaches. But just like the milk, your options are endless.
How to store overnight oatmeal:
I like to pack my chia seed oatmeal in these glass jars. They stack well in the fridge and are perfectly portioned.
Looking back, I think this chia seed oatmeal beats Chia Pet any day. It’s tasty, portable, and good for you!
Are we friends on Instagram? The other day when I was testing out this recipe, I posted a similar photo on Instagram. I’m no professional photographer by any means. I’m mostly self taught and I continue to learn a little bit every day.
Lately, I’ve been obsessed with light and shadows. Just wanted to share my favorite of the photo of the week!
No Cook Chia Seed Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 2 cups rolled oats (old fashioned oats)
- 1 1/2 Tablespoon chia seeds
- 2 3/4 cup almond milk, or milk alternative of choice
- 6 Tablespoons sweetened shredded dried coconut
- pinch of salt
Toppings as desired:
- toasted shredded coconut
- fresh berries
- toasted nuts
- dried fruits
- honey, agave, or other sweetners
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, chia seeds, shredded coconut, and milk. Fold to combine until ingredients are evenly distributed. Cover and let sit for 10 minutes to allow chia and oats to absorb liquids.
- Transfer moistened ingredients to desired serving containers. Cover and keep in the fridge overnight. Serve chilled straight from the fridge. Add toppings as desired. Keeps well in fridge for up to 4 days.All images and text ©The Little Epicurean
Interest in more overnight oatmeal recipes? Here are some favorites:
- Overnight Miso Barley Oatmeal
- Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal with Persimmon
- Overnight Steel Cut Oatmeal with Caramelized Bananas
I just adore your photos and food styling. Seriously! Such a talent! These look incredible and those jars are absolutely adorable. I also wanted a chia pet and never got one -but boy, do I miss those commercials! So catchy!
Thank you Allison! Weck jars are my favorite- they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Whenever I happen to see a Chia Pet being sold at a random store I can’t help but sing that catchy song :)
Where can I get these little glass containers posted on your page for the No-Cook Chia Seed Oatmeal. They’re perfect and I would like to get some. Thank you.
Hi Margie. They’re Weck Jars and they’re available online directly through the company and at various stores like Crate and Barrel and West Elm.
Can I use steel cut oats instead, or are rolled oats preferred?
Hi Amanda, I suggest rolled oats (also known as old-fashioned oats) because they soften quickly in liquids. Steel-cut oats require heating before eating because they are less processed that rolled oats. Hope that helps! If you want to use steel cut oats, here’s a recipe: http://www.thelittleepicurean.com/2014/11/steel-cut-oatmeal-persimmon.html
This recipe looks amazing! Perfect healthy breakfast I’m looking for. My question is, could I also serve this warmed up?
Hi Louisa! The chia thickens substantially almost to a pudding once it’s soaked in liquid. I haven’t tried it, but I’ve been told that if you heat it up, the chia seeds will thicken even more.
This recipe is absolutely fantastic. I’m having this as breakfast right now, and I can’t get over how much I like the texture of the oats. Simply delicious. & the photos look amazing. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thanks for sharing your recipe for chia oats! I have been making a version of this for a couple of years. I use kefir instead of milk, and sweeten it with Sucanat or Stevia. I add 1/2 sliced banana and fresh pineapple chunks or frozen organic berries. It takes 1/4 cup oats and 1 Tbsp. chia seeds to about 2/3 cup of kefir. After combining everything, I cover and put in the fridge overnight. So convenient to serve in the morning! We love it.
Sounds really good, except for the coconut, as I am allergic to it. What can I substitute for it?
Connie Bird, If you read my version of this recipe, you will see that I do not use any coconut in mine. It is thickened by the oats and chia seeds, and the coconut is not necessary. You may include almost any type of fruit, but we have only tried about 1/2 cup berries or diced pineapple plus 1/2 sliced banana per bowl of oats. My husband also likes to add a few chopped walnuts to his bowl. If you use oatmeal, chia seeds, and some kind of milk or kefir, and a little sweetener, you can add whatever else you like. Try it! And let us know how you like it.
What size are the Weck jars?