5 Substitutes for Yogurt in Overnight Oats [Recipe Included]
Overnight oats are one of my favorite breakfast ideas, especially since they are ready to eat in the morning. Still, sometimes you may not have all the ingredients you need the night before. In addition to oat, you also need yogurt, and you can easily forget to buy it. In situations like these, you’ll need a substitute, so it’s good to have a few tricks up your sleeve. So, what’s the best substitute for yogurt in overnight oats?
Milk, non-dairy yogurt alternatives, fruit puree, chia seeds, and cottage cheese are some of the best yogurt alternatives for overnight oats.
Making overnight oats with a yogurt substitute creates a whole other dish that you may enjoy even more. The alternatives below could become your number one choice. So, in this article, I will give you a few great ideas about what you can use instead of yogurt in overnight oats.
Milk
Milk is by far the best yogurt substitute for overnight oats and definitely my favorite. Although it isn’t expressively sweet, milk does have a certain sweet note that rubs off the rest of the ingredients.
Leaving your oats overnight with milk means getting a deliciously creamy breakfast and a delightful energy booster. The milk fats do a great job of creating a very rich consistency and producing a milky and silky texture you will definitely fall in love with.
Fruit Puree
If you like fruity flavors, you will definitely want to give this idea a chance. Instead of yogurt, you can use pureed fruit, especially if you are after a slightly sour and tangy note. You can blend berries for a more sour flavor or bananas for a sweeter tone.
Once they soak overnight, your oats mixed with pure fruit will acquire a slightly sour tone, even the bananas, while retaining their fruity sweetness. Your breakfast will definitely be packed with vitamins and minerals, rich with natural flavors, and is the perfect way to start your day.
Chia Seeds and Water
Although chia seeds won’t impact the flavor, they will definitely give you a creamy consistency. Just soak a spoonful of chia seeds in water and allow them to enlarge and release their gel-like substance.
That gel-like substance is what you need to bind the oats and let them homogenize with the rest of the ingredients. The slight crunch of the chia seeds will be a delightful added bonus to your breakfast. Also, chia seeds are packed with nutrients, so they will up the nutritious value of your meal.
I’ve used this method a couple of times, and though it’s not my favorite one, it works well and makes for great results.
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese may not be the first thing that comes to your mind when thinking about yogurt substitutes in overnight oats, but it is definitely worth mentioning on this list. It will not only add creaminess to your breakfast but will also up the protein amount.
It is slightly tangy and a bit salty, so I recommend you mix it with milk and blend it to make it creamier and thinner so you can mix it with your oats more easily. You can also try ricotta cheese for this idea because it is gentler and milder than cottage cheese.
Non-Dairy Yogurt
Coconut milk yogurt is a great yogurt alternative for overnight oats. You can buy it ready-made, but you can also make it yourself at home. It has the same texture and density as regular yogurt but with a coconut twist.
I love this idea because it infuses a slightly tropical element into my overnight oats, making them taste like a coconut-fruit cake. I also like throwing in a few fresh berries or peach chunks to make the dish even more vibrant. If you’re a coconut lover, you can also add a few coconut pieces — it will definitely intensify the coconut flavor!
Which of these are you the most excited to try? Can’t wait to hear from you in the comments below!
Chia Seeds Overnight Oats Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup Oats
- 1 tbsp Chia Seeds
- 6 tbsp Water
- Sweetener of Your Choice (I used 1 tsp of agave.)
Instructions
- Soak the chia seeds in the water.
- Once the seeds enlarge and release their gel-like substance, mix them with your oats, and your preferred sweetener.
- Put your oats in the refrigerator and let them sit overnight.
- Enjoy your oats with some fruit, peanut butter, cocoa, cinnamon, or a combination of these for a delightful breakfast!
