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Healthy family recipe: Overnight, no-cook oatmeal

Here's the perfect breakfast recipe for busy mornings. Give your family the energy they need with this hearty oatmeal. By leaving the oats in the fridge overnight, they plump up and soften – without any hands-on cook time.

    by Liz Coover, RD, LDN, clinical dietitian, Healthy Weight Program at The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
    Published 

It's back to school time and we have the perfect breakfast recipe for busy mornings. Give your family the energy they need with this hearty oatmeal. By leaving the oats in the fridge overnight, they plump up and soften – without any hands-on cook time. This oatmeal is a good source of fiber and an excellent source of calcium. The best part is that this recipe is totally customizable – add in more nutrition and flavor with our topping ideas!

Overnight, No-Cook Oatmeal

Ingredients:

  1. ½ cup of oats (old-fashioned or rolled oats work best)

  2. ¾ cup (6 ounces) of 1% or fat free milk

Directions:

1. Measure oats and milk and place together in a cereal bowl.
2. Add in your choice of toppings and mix in with the oats and milk.
3. Stir well.
4. Place oatmeal in the fridge overnight.
5. Enjoy in the morning!

Topping Ideas:

  1. ½ cup of sliced frozen or fresh fruit

  2. 1 teaspoon (or more if you like!) of cinnamon +  1 teaspoon of vanilla

  3. 1 teaspoon of maple syrup + 1 teaspoon of brown sugar

  4. ½ cup sliced frozen or fresh peaches + 1 tablespoon of low fat vanilla yogurt

  5. ½ cup of banana slices + 1 tablespoon of chopped nuts

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