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    Home » Breakfast

    Overnight Oats with Water

    Published: Jan 10, 2023 · Modified: Jan 10, 2023 by Jessica Fisher

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    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more details, please see our disclosure policy.
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    When you’re looking for an easy, filling, and economical breakfast, you can’t go wrong with Overnight Oats with Water. These basic overnight oats are made with fresh water instead of milk or yogurt, allowing for a meal that’s good, cheap, and free from many allergens.

    Serve these Easy Overnight Oats with Water with whatever dried or fresh fruit, nuts, and spices you like. This easy oatmeal recipe makes for a great Meal Prep Breakfast you’ll want on repeat as well as an easy postpartum meal to take to a new mom.

    overhead shot of a bowl of overnight oats with blueberries and raspberries with wooden spoon on red check cloth. this …

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    Jump to:
    • Why Make This
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • FAQs
    • Great Oatmeal Toppings
    • Tell us what you think!
    • Overnight Oats with Water

    I was slow to jump on the bandwagon when those mason jar oatmeal recipes started rolling out a few years ago. I just really didn’t want yogurt with my oatmeal.

    An easy and affordable alternative is to make Overnight Oats with Water! Full of flavor and just as customizable, this oatmeal recipe is cheap and easy.

    Why Make This

    It’s uber-frugal. Oats are one of our favorite items on the Budget Grocery List, an almost always affordable heart healthy food. Prepping them with water reduces their cost even more.

    It’s so versatile. While this recipe starts simple, it gives you so much room to level up, based on your preferences and what you have on hand.

    It’s easy. Just pour and stir. That’s all there is to it! There may not be any easier overnight oats recipes on the planet!

    Ingredients

    Here’s what you’ll need:

    array of ingredients on white counter.

    rolled oats – Old fashioned oats or rolled oats are best for this overnight oats recipe. In a pinch you can use quick oats, but they will be much, much softer. Steel cut oats are also an option, though they might not soften as much as you’d like.

    brown sugar – You’re just going to sweeten this to taste. You can also use maple syrup, honey, or another sweetener.

    water – Water is the more affordable, dairy-free option to other liquids used in overnight oats. You can use milk, juice, or yogurt if you prefer, but the flavor will be very different. As is, this recipe is naturally vegan.

    ground spices – You can use something like ground cinnamon or ground ginger or even pumpkin pie spice or apple pie spices.

    dried fruit – This can be cranberries, raisins, or chopped dried apricots.

    other optional mix-ins and toppings – I’ve kept this recipe pretty simple and economical, but you can zhuz it up with chia seeds, nut butter, peanut butter, almond butter, chopped nuts, fresh fruit, protein powder, or a flavoring like vanilla extract.

    Variations: Consider these yummy combinations for mix-ins:

    • cinnamon, brown sugar, and dried cranberries
    • ginger, chopped dried apricots, and pecans
    • apple pie spice, applesauce, and walnuts
    • pumpkin pie spice, pumpkin puree, and raisins

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Here’s how to make this:

    dry ingredients in small bowls.
    adding water to bowls.
    oats the next day after refrigeration.
    bowls of overnight oats topped with fresh fruits.

    Scoop the oats, sugar, and optional fruits and spices into a container. Stir to combine. 

    Add the water and stir. Cover and refrigerate overnight. 

    To serve the next day, microwave for 1 to 2 minutes until desired temperature. Rest one minute and add any additional toppings or mix-ins.

    FAQs

    Why can’t you use water with oats overnight?

    You can! There’s no reason not to make overnight oats with water, except for flavor and ingredients preferences. 

    Are overnight oats watery?

    They don’t have to be. Oats will absorb some of the liquid that they are soaked in, but not all. You can either drain off the water or use less.

    Why do people eat overnight oats with water?

    You might choose water to avoid an allergen, reduce calories, save money, or enjoy the flavor of plain oats.

    Love oatmeal? Be sure to check out our delicious oats recipes.

    three bowls of overnight oats with different fresh fruit toppings.

    Great Oatmeal Toppings

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      Baked Apple Compote Recipe
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      Can You Freeze Cranberry Sauce? (Homemade or Canned)
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    Tell us what you think!

    We love to hear your experiences with Good Cheap Eats. Click the STARS on the recipe card or leave a STARRED comment to let us know what you think of the recipe.

    overnight oats with water and berries in clear container on checked cloth.

    Overnight Oats with Water

    When you're looking for an easy, filling, and economical breakfast, you can't go wrong with Overnight Oats with Water. These basic overnight oats are made with fresh water instead of milk or yogurt, allowing for a meal that's good, cheap, and free from many allergens.
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Breakfast
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 1
    Calories: 205kcal
    Author: Jessica Fisher

    Equipment

    • single-serve airtight containers
    • spoon

    Ingredients

    • ⅔ cup rolled oats
    • brown sugar to taste
    • optional mix-ins, such as; dried cranberries, raisins, chopped dried apricots, nuts, seeds, spices
    • ⅔ cup water
    • optional toppings, such as fresh fruit, cream, or sweetener

    Instructions

    • Scoop the oats, sugar, and optional fruits and spices into a container. Stir to combine. 
      ⅔ cup rolled oats, brown sugar, optional mix-ins, such as; dried cranberries, raisins, chopped dried apricots, nuts, seeds, spices
    • Add the water and stir. Cover and refrigerate overnight. 
      ⅔ cup water
    • To serve the next day, microwave for 1 to 2 minutes until desired temperature. Rest one minute and add any additional toppings or mix-ins.
      optional toppings, such as fresh fruit, cream, or sweetener

    Notes

    Nutritional values are approximate and will vary depending on what mix-ins and toppings are used.
    This recipe is naturally gluten-free. Be sure to read the oats label and the packaging of other ingredients to ensure no cross contamination.
    Variations: Consider these yummy combinations for mix-ins:
    • cinnamon, brown sugar, and dried cranberries
    • ginger, chopped dried apricots, and pecans
    • apple pie spice, applesauce, and walnuts
    • pumpkin pie spice, pumpkin puree, and raisins

    Nutrition

    Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 7g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 195mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 1g | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Tell us what you think! Your reviews help us develop better recipes and give newcomers the confidence to try your favorites. Scroll down to leave a starred comment.
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    jessica from good cheap eats

    Hi, I'm Jessica! I'm a 4x cookbook author and 6x mom. I know what it is to be in a hurry and on a budget. I believe anyone can prepare delicious meals -- no matter what's on their plate. I've been featured on Good Morning America, PBS News Hour, and NBC.

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