Overnight oats have become a popular easy and healthy breakfast in recent years. Trader Joe’s sells convenient overnight oat jars that are ready to grab and go in the morning. But if you’ve never tried overnight oats before, you may be wondering how exactly you eat them and what the best way is to enjoy Trader Joe’s overnight oats.
What are overnight oats?
Overnight oats are oats that are soaked overnight in milk or a milk alternative, along with other mix-ins like fruit, nuts, seeds, spices, etc. This allows the oats to soften and absorb the liquid, so they are ready to eat in the morning without cooking them. The result is a creamy, pudding-like texture.
Some of the benefits of overnight oats include:
- Very easy to make – simply combine ingredients the night before
- More nutritious than instant oatmeal, since they use whole oats
- Can customize with your favorite flavors
- Portable and easy breakfast to grab and go
- Can be eaten cold or heated up
Trader Joe’s Overnight Oats
Trader Joe’s sells pre-made overnight oats in convenient jars that are ready to eat. They come in a variety of delicious flavors like:
- Blueberry Almond Overnight Oats
- Dark Chocolate & Cherry Overnight Oats
- Peach, Honey & Pistachio Overnight Oats
- Pumpkin Flaxseed Overnight Oats
- Raspberry Chia Overnight Oats
The oats and milk/milk alternative have already been combined and soaked overnight. All you need to do is give them a good stir and enjoy!
Some key tips for eating Trader Joe’s overnight oats:
Give it a stir
The oats will naturally settle a bit and separate from the liquid, so give it a good stir before eating to recombine everything.
Eat it cold or heat it up
You can eat Trader Joe’s overnight oats straight from the fridge or heat them up if you prefer a warm breakfast.
To heat, you can:
- Microwave on high for 1 minute, stirring halfway through
- Heat in a small saucepan on the stovetop over medium, stirring occasionally
Customize the flavors
While Trader Joe’s overnight oats already have flavors mixed in, feel free to customize or top with extra ingredients:
- Fresh fruit like bananas, berries, apple slices
- Granola or crushed nuts
- Chia seeds, flaxseeds, hemp hearts
- Nut butter or tahini
- Honey, maple syrup, or other sweetener
- Cinnamon, vanilla extract, etc
- Milk/milk alternative to reach desired consistency
Store leftovers
If you don’t finish the entire jar, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The oats will thicken up as they sit.
Nutrition Information
Here is the nutrition information for Trader Joe’s overnight oats (using Peach, Honey & Pistachio as an example):
| Serving Size | 1 jar (10.5 oz) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 270 |
| Total Fat | 6g |
| Sodium | 150mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 45g |
| Dietary Fiber | 6g |
| Sugars | 16g |
| Protein | 9g |
As you can see, Trader Joe’s overnight oats pack a nutritious punch! They contain 6g of fiber to keep you full, 9g of protein, minerals like iron and calcium, and antioxidants from the fruits and nuts. It’s a sustaining breakfast that will provide energy to start your day.
Making Your Own Overnight Oats
While Trader Joe’s makes it easy with their pre-made jars, you can also easily make your own overnight oats at home. Here is a simple recipe and some tips:
Basic Overnight Oats Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1⁄2 cup rolled oats (not instant)
- 1⁄2 cup milk of choice (dairy, almond, soy, etc.)
- Pinch of salt
- Flavor mix-ins of your choice (fruit, nuts, seeds, spices, sweeteners, etc)
Instructions:
- In a jar or container, combine the oats, milk, salt, and any flavorings of your choice.
- Seal and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 5 hours.
- Give a stir before eating to recombine.
- Enjoy cold straight from the fridge or heated up.
- Store leftovers in the fridge for 3-4 days.
Tips for homemade overnight oats
- Feel free to double or triple the batch and portion out into individual servings for the week.
- Get creative with mix-ins! Some ideas are diced fruit, nut butters, chia seeds, shredded coconut, vanilla, cinnamon, etc.
- If oats are too thick after soaking, add a splash of milk and stir to reach desired consistency.
- For creamier oats, use full-fat dairy or milk alternatives like yogurt, kefir, or canned coconut milk.
- Oats will thicken more as they sit. Adding extra liquid at the start helps account for this.
- For firmer oats, use less liquid or let soak for the full 8 hours overnight.
Recommended Trader Joe’s Add-Ins
Trader Joe’s has lots of great products you can use to customize your overnight oats!
Fruit
- Fresh berries – blueberries, raspberries, strawberries
- Banana chips
- Dried mango
- Dried cherries
- Applesauce
Nuts & Seeds
- Sliced almonds
- Chopped pecans
- Roasted pistachios
- Pumpkin seeds
- Chia seeds
Nut Butters
- Almond butter
- Cashew butter
- Sunflower seed butter
Sweeteners
- Honey
- Pure maple syrup
- Coconut sugar
Spices & Flavors
- Cinnamon
- Pumpkin pie spice
- Vanilla extract
- Cocoa powder
- Matcha powder
- Ground ginger
Mix and match to create your own signature overnight oats flavor combos!
Overnight Oats Recipes
Here are a few flavorful overnight oats recipe ideas to try:
Tropical Overnight Oats
Ingredients:
- 1⁄2 cup oats
- 1⁄2 cup canned coconut milk
- 1⁄4 cup diced mango
- 2 tbsp shredded coconut
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tbsp honey
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a jar. Refrigerate overnight.
- Top with extra mango, coconut, and honey before enjoying.
PB & J Overnight Oats
Ingredients:
- 1⁄2 cup oats
- 1⁄2 cup almond milk
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tbsp strawberry jam
- 1⁄4 cup fresh or frozen strawberries, diced
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Combine oats, milk, peanut butter, jam, and salt in a jar. Refrigerate overnight.
- Top with strawberries before enjoying.
Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
Ingredients:
- 1⁄2 cup oats
- 1⁄2 cup canned pumpkin puree
- 1⁄2 cup milk of choice
- 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1⁄4 cup pecans, chopped
- Pinch of salt
Instructions:
- Combine oats, pumpkin, milk, pumpkin pie spice, maple syrup and salt in a jar. Refrigerate overnight.
- Top with chopped pecans before enjoying.
FAQs
Can you make overnight oats without milk?
Yes, you can make dairy-free overnight oats by using a milk substitute like almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or oat milk in place of regular milk.
Do you have to use a jar for overnight oats?
No, you don’t have to use a jar. Any sealed container like a bowl or Tupperware with a lid will work. The jar just makes it convenient for grabbing and going in the morning.
Can you use instant oats for overnight oats?
It’s best to use old-fashioned rolled oats instead of instant oats. Rolled oats keep their shape better when soaked overnight. Instant oats become mushy.
Do you have to refrigerate overnight oats?
Yes, it’s important to store overnight oats in the refrigerator so the oats soak safely overnight and achieve the right texture. Leaving them out can lead to bacterial growth.
How long do homemade overnight oats last?
Properly stored in an airtight container in the fridge, homemade overnight oats will keep for 3-4 days. Trader Joe’s pre-made jars last about one week after opening.
Conclusion
Trader Joe’s convenient overnight oats make for a quick, healthy, and energizing breakfast. They come in enticing flavors and are as simple as stirring and enjoying. Feel free to customize them with your own add-ins too. You can also easily make your own overnight oats at home using rolled oats, milk, and your favorite mix-ins. Prep them on a Sunday night and have ready-to-grab breakfasts lined up for the week. Overnight oats are endlessly customizable, budget-friendly, and satisfying. Grab a jar on your next trip to Trader Joe’s!