Grab & Go - Overnight Oats

Written By Nicole Wells

If there’s one thing that keeps my mornings calm and my routine on track, it’s overnight oats. They’re simple, nourishing, endlessly customizable — and most importantly, they save me time. I’m all about habits that reduce friction, and this one checks every box.

Overnight oats are the perfect grab & go breakfast you can prep ahead, stack in the fridge, and enjoy all week. Even better: I make a big batch, portion out what I’ll eat over the next few days, and freeze the rest. It’s more efficient, less cleanup, and it keeps me from falling into the “nothing’s ready, I’ll just skip breakfast” spiral.

This is the base recipe I come back to again and again — simple, gluten‑free, and flexible enough to match whatever flavor mood I’m in.

The Base Recipe

Ingredients

Dry Base

  • 5 cups gluten‑free oats I love Bob’s Red Mill — great texture and they hold up beautifully.

  • ¾ cup chia seeds For thickness, fiber, and that perfect pudding‑like texture.

  • ½ cup ground flax Adds healthy fats, extra fiber, and a subtle nuttiness.

  • Optional: 2 cups shredded coconut For extra richness, texture, and a naturally sweet, tropical note.

Homemade Nut Milk

This blend is warm, creamy, lightly sweet, and deeply flavorful — the perfect match for oats.

  • 1 cup almonds

  • 1 cup mixed nuts (pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, or whatever you have on hand)

  • 3 cups water

  • 2 tbsp honey

  • 1 tbsp cinnamon

  • 1 tbsp vanilla paste

  • 1½ tsp salt

Blend on high until smooth.

How to Make It

  1. Combine dry ingredients in an airtight container (with a lid to make this a 100 score on simple!) This creates a nutrient‑dense, fiber‑rich base.

  2. Pour in your homemade nut milk All of it. After it sets you’ll adjust based on how thick you prefer your oats.

  3. Stir well and refrigerate Let it sit overnight (or at least 12 hours).

  4. Portion + freeze I divide mine into single‑serve containers. What I’ll eat within the week stays in the fridge. Everything else goes straight into the freezer.

  5. Thaw + enjoy Move a frozen portion to the fridge the night before. In the morning, it’s ready to grab and go.

    **HACK - I’ll prep six at a time and make overnight oat parfaits with layers of fruit and nuts.

Nicole Wells