Soaking oats overnight is an easy way to have a quick and healthy breakfast ready to go first thing in the morning. The milk and yogurt create a delicious creamy cereal straight out of the refrigerator.

Tips for the cook: Any type of milk, yogurt, and fruit can be used in your oats. Stir fruits that brown quickly (apples, bananas) into the oatmeal. Berries and stone fruits can be placed on top of the oats before sealing and refrigerating. Save crunchy toppings like nuts or seeds to add just before serving so that they don’t soften overnight.

Yields: 1 serving

Preparation time: 5 minutes

Refrigeration time: 8 to 12 hours

Ingredients

• ¼ cup steel cut oatmeal
• 1/3 cup low-fat milk
• 2 tbsp honey or vanilla-flavored Greek yogurt
• ¼ of a small apple, peeled and diced

Optional topping ideas: cinnamon, nutmeg, walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds

Directions

1. In a small bowl or jar, stir the oatmeal, milk, yogurt, and apple together. The oats will expand, so be sure the bowl holds at least 1 cup. Seal with a lid and refrigerate for 8 to 12 hours overnight.
2. Stir before serving, and add toppings if desired.

Lori Rice, M.S., is a nutritional scientist and author with a passion for healthy cooking, exercise physiology, and food photography.