Good morning, friends, and good bye. I’m about to be kicked to the curb- booted right out of the healthy living blog world. Why? One word: oats.
Let me explain…
I’ve been on a peanut butter loving streak lately and found myself with 3 almost empty jars of the nutty goodness. I’ve always heard that empty peanut butter jars excite people because it means only one thing: overnight oats.
Let me first say that the sound of the mushy breakfast never appealed to me, but then again, other things have sounded odd (spinach in smoothies?!) and turned out to be delicious. So, I had to give it a try.
I gathered my arsenal.
And got started. Into the empty jar went 1/3 c of dry rolled oats.
Followed by 1/3 c of almond milk and 1/2 the container of my beloved Chobani. (Side note: Dearest Chobani, I don’t blame you for the outcome)
I wasn’t getting anymore excited to try these out as I looked down at the mess in the jar, but like a good experimenter, I closed it up and stuck in in the fridge before bed.
I woke up, ready for whatever awaited me. Imagine my disappointment when I saw my breakfast.
Doesn’t exactly scream ‘Come Eat Me! I’m Delicious!’, does it? Again, green smoothies passed through my mind, and I decided to not judge an overnight oat by its cover. (That’s the way the saying goes, right?)
I dug in. It was exactly what I had expected. A mushy gushy mess that squished around my mouth. I stirred it more vigorously in hopes that the peanut butter would liven things up. Barely.
I ate it all because it wasn’t nauseating (how’s that for a compliment?!), but let me say, I’m not ecstatic to give it another go.
I checked it off my food bucket list and called it a day.
Have you tried overnight oats?
Do you like them?
Did I do something wrong?
Christina says
I like overnight oats, but I think it may be as much for the ease of a quick and hearty breakfast (no cooking required!) as much as it is for the taste. I use equal proportions of oats, milk, and plain yogurt, then add in a variety of fruits (blueberries, bananas, strawberries) and a drizzle of honey or agave. For some reason I find peanut butter to be a weird addition so I skip that. My husband had the same reaction you did though 🙂
Kelly says
I tried them once and that was enough. Cold oatmeal, bleh.
jordan says
No and it sounds gross! Big congrats for actually eating the whole thing! You deserve to stay in the blog world just for that 😉
Erin @ The Grass Skirt says
I LOVE overnight oats! You might have used too much milk. I made that mistake the first time around and hated them. Once I scaled back on the milk, I was hooked! I also like to add canned pumpkin to mine because it makes the consistency creamier. Try it again! 🙂
Jen says
I think overnight oats are disgusting. I’ve tried them twice and both times I ended up only eating a few bites. I really don’t see what the hype is about!
herewegokids says
I freaking loathe them. And i like oatmeal.
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
You didnt do anything wrong! there are just sooo many ways for “overnight oats” I cook mine with milk and water then add a bit of yogurt and honey and fruit and put it in the fridge overnight. Pbutter isnt my fav with it ( I think almond butter is better). If you dont want cold cooked oats, try them raw still with only yogurt and the fruit you want. Sometimes I will add pumpkin, applesauce, or smooshed banana to them! Wow long reply but I hope it helps ( if you want to try it again!)
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
*or coco powder for a chocolate kick 🙂 sorry I’m done now 🙂
Kelly says
I’ve never tried them nor heard of them, that looks gross…sorry Brittany 🙁 Still love your blog…don’t leave 🙂
Graze With Me says
I usually add half a mashed overripe banana for sweetness along with some cinnamon and flaxseed or chia seeds. It’s not the most delicious breakfast but I like it as an easy option when I have to get up at 5 am and rush out the door. Plus I SMOTHER the top in nut butter so I get a good taste with every bites…
Holly @ The Runny Egg says
I like overnight oats — this is what I do: 1/2 cup of oats, 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder, 1 TBSP chia seeds — mix all of that in a bowl, then add one mashed banana, a few TBSP of almond milk, then put into almost empty PB jar.
I think the banana is key for me!
Allie says
I do like overnight oats (or at least like the ease of not having to assemble or decide on food in the early hours of the day), but I can definitely see how others wouldn’t (they aren’t the most…exciting…or…textured breakfast)–so no, nothing wrong with ya! I throw some chia seeds in mine, but I don’t think that would be enough of a difference to sway your opinion.
Brooke @ Veggie Table says
I love overnight oats! I always add fresh blueberries and strawberries the morning of to add some texture to the mush.
Sarah says
I’ve tried overnight oats and had a similar experience to yours- I’m not a fan. Although…I’m told that chia seeds can really thicken things up and give it a great texture- I’m just not sure I’m ready to give overnight oats another shot.
Rachel says
I don’t love them or hate them, but I definitely prefer them warm. With that being said, I almost never eat oats for breakfast. I don’t find that they have the staying power for me that they do for some people, and all those carbs make me sleepy.
I almost got kicked out for saying that I don’t have an obsession with nut butters of any kind. I got yelled at 🙂
christina says
I’m not a fan of overnight oats either. Ick. Your picture made me laugh bc I saw the kalamata olives and thought, oh dear goodness, is she about to put those in there?
Samantha @ Health, Happiness & Skinny Jeans says
I’ve never tried them…they just look gross. I am not down for mushy in the morning. I’ll stick to yogurt with berries and crunchy cereal thanks! 🙂
Tatiana says
J’adore ça! For me , it is one of simple and delicious breakfast! so quickly, it save up the time in a morning: just open the fridge, take a spoon and eat! I cook overnigth oats before sleeping for me with a chopped qpple apple and my husband adore eat with 1 banana. here i found instructions how correctly to cook it
http://www.katheats.com/?page_id=3889
it is a web-site what i like to read very much.
Kari says
I do like overnight oats, but the taste grew on me that’s for sure. All I do with mine is 1/4 cup oats, a container of strawberry yogurt, cut up half a banana and mix it together. I save the other half to top it in the morning along with some almonds! I don’t dig the peanut butter thing either!
Kelli H (Made in Sonoma) says
I’ve never tried overnight oats bc they look so gross! I don’t see what’s wrong with regular oats?! Anyway, I eat regular oatmeal all the time. I keep it classic.
Lisa @ I'm an Okie says
Cold mushiness?! not thanks!
Caree @ Fit-Mama says
Ohh, I have never tried overnight oats and not really interested in it either. I love oatmeal but when its warm and creamy. I don’t really see the big deal with overnight oats?
Lindsay @ Pinch of Yum says
Hahahaha… I’ve thought of trying them but never have gotten up the gusto to actually do it. I think I will avoid them now. The reality is that I usually scrape every last bit out of the peanut butter jar, 🙂 so I don’t see any advantage to making them in a peanut butter jar that’s literally scraped clean!
Megan says
I made them one time last year and yes, that was enough for me. I did in fact find them nauseating and threw them away.
I will say that musli, or a mixture of raw oats and dried fruits as a topping on yogurt is tasty to me (but not as great as granola!), so give that a try if you’re feeling adventurous maybe?
Anastasia says
I love them, but I make the a little different. I use oats, yogurt, almond milk and blueberries, blackberries and raspberries. It’s great for when you don’t have much time in the morning.
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
http://lauren-whatlaurenlikes.blogspot.com/2011/06/adventures-with-oatmeal-likes-loves.html
This is how I do my overnight oats 🙂 this is the last comment to this post- Promise 🙂
Brittany says
haha, you’re cute!! Love your comments and will have to give this a go when (if ;)) I decide to try them again!
Michelle @ Lifewithacrazypup says
I’m just now getting in to regular oatmeal. I’ve been considering trying overnight oats for a while now but just haven’t gotten around to it. Mushy just ain’t my thing either. Eating it just makes me want a bagel even more!
Cait @ Beyond Bananas says
I tired my Overnights that way.. and didn’t like them either Now.. I actually cook them part way at night.. and put them in the fridge til morning. and LOVE them.
Tiff @ Love, Sweat, and Beers says
I made them once, but I was not a fan. I’ve been meaning to give them one more go, so let us all know if you try it again. If at first you don’t succeed…
Katie @ Pop Culture Cuisine says
I have tried them a couple of different ways and not liked them anytime, too mushy and non-descript flavor for me!
Mac says
I’m a fan of overnight oats! They save me time in the morning and are so simple to make. They are mushy and gushy though… I try to make mine thicker, by not adding quite so much milk/liquid and having it mainly be yogurt and oats/other solid ingredients.
Corey @ the runner's cookie says
Hmm sounds like maybe the texture isn’t your thing?? In which case, there’s not much any changing up the recipe can do for that! I actually don’t like yogurt in my overnight oats, I’m not sure why, but I stick with milk. I also add mashed banana for sweetness and extra creaminess.
Liz @ IHeartVegetables says
Hmm I do like overnight oats! But they are a different kind of taste/texture. Maybe if you made them in a separate bowl and then poured it into the pb jar? I’m not sure if that would help at all. Also, I use a mashed banana instead of yogurt, and that seems to work great!
Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good says
I tried overnight oats once. I eat oats ALL THE TIME, but I prefer them cooked.
Sarah for Real says
Love this post! Haha
I’ve never tried them because I know I will hate them. Cold mushy oats? No thanks. I can only imagine how nasty that would be.
Plus… and this is just me being picky… I hate eating things out of a jar where the spoon gets all sticky. So messy. No thank you.
Alex @ Clean Plates, Dirty Minds says
Loving the “ew-vernight” play on words….. I am a HUGE fan of overnight oats thanks to my good friend at Chocolate and Chaturangas (chocolateandchaturangas.wordpress.com).
This particular recipe is my absolute favorite… give it a try!!
http://chocolateandchaturangas.wordpress.com/2011/05/25/keeping-it-real/
I promise you will not be disappointed 🙂
ashley@piesandpushups says
I’m with you on the overnight oats. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who hasn’t hopped on that train. I just don’t like the texture. If I ever come across an overnight oats recipe that rocks my socks off, I’ll send it your way! 🙂
But spinach in smoothies in the best thing around!
Laura @ Meet Virginia says
Blech. I tried them once, hated them, and never looked back!
Lindsay @ The Lean Green Bean says
don’t worry. i’m not all about overnight oats either! you’re not alone 🙂
Maria says
I hated overnight oats when I first tried them and especially hated oats in a peanut butter jar! But I was doing them all wrong. My go-to overnight oats recipe is simple: oats, chia seeds (gives it a weird texture, but i like it), almond milk, mashed banana (important!) and cinnamon. Perfection every time!
Donna @ Love, Run & Travel says
I’m not an overnight oats fan either – ick!
I do like them when its layered with banana soft serve though – really livens up the breakfast 🙂
Emily says
Thanks for not blaming us. 🙂 We like to use equal parts liquid, CHO, and old fashioned rolled oats. Though, sometimes almond milk vs. regular or soy can be much thinner. Next time, maybe add more CHO or less almond milk? It’s delicious when you get your recipe spot on! Good luck!
Emily, Chobani
Lauren B says
HERE IS THE KEY TO GETTING THE MOST OUT OF YOUR ALMOST-EMPTY PB JAR: do it with WARM/HOT oatmeal. Cold oatmeal=disgusting. Hot oatmeal in a pb jar= the most mind-blowing yumminess! The warmth of the oatmeal melts the pb and it is unreal. I recommend chocolate oatmeal, it tastes like a pb cup!!
Let me know how it goes!
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
I thought they were weird the first time I tried them, too. And then I randomly became obsessed..maybe the creaminess? I will tell you that I HATE overnight oats with nut butter, but with fruit and spice (cinnamon) it’s much better.
However, I was kicked out of the blog world after I gave up oats in general…I keep thinking about going back, but I’m stuck on cereal and yogurt.
Green Groats says
I appreciate your honesty…haha. Sorry you didn’t enjoy them. I usually use less milk/liquid, and then add some frozen fruit to the mix as well – but there are countless ways to make this kind of meal…as we all know!
Vanessa says
How about oatmeal in smoothies? I’ve never had the nerve to try oats in a jar. I haven’t even worked up to cooked oatmeal, but I did get brave enough to try them in my smoothies. My favorite being my banana pudding smoothie. Here’s a link in case you’d like to give it a try. http://rabbitsgarden.blogspot.com/2011/04/banana-pudding-smoothie-recipe.html