Blueberry Muffin Overnight Oats

This may come as no surprise to you by now, but breakfast is by far my favorite meal. No part of my day can begin until I've had a cup of strong coffee and sustenance. Luckily, it must run in my blood, because little man is the same way. We wake up, and immediately head to the kitchen to fuel-up for the day. Although I love smoothies, eggs, yogurt, etc... oatmeal is my jam. 

My fav method of cooking oats is by using steel cut oats and almond milk over a stove. This is a 30-40 minute process which I generally have no time for, so... I started making over-night-oats! The mixture involves equal parts oats, liquid (milk), and sometimes yogurt; leave them in a jar in the fridge overnight, and ta-daaaaa... hassle-free oatmeal in the morning. I was skeptical at first, being an oatmeal extremist, but this method is such a time-saver and so good. 

There is NO COOKING involved at all...

Overnight-oat-base:

-1/3 cup oats

-1/3 cup almond milk

-1/4 cup coconut yogurt

This is the base recipe I use for all of my variations of Over-Night-Oats. I have fun experimenting with these each week, giving them a new spin with different ingredients. This week I made Blueberry Muffin Oats, and we devoured them.

^^ I used plain coconut milk and added vanilla extract to the oat mixture. The extract lends a vanilla flavor without having the added sugar of "vanilla flavored" yogurt.

^^ I like to use frozen blueberries, but you can also use fresh if you prefer.

^^ The finished product, come morning!

^^ This topping is totally optional. Although the overnight-oats resemble the taste of a blueberry pie, this crunchy topping really takes it to the next level! 

^^ This is essentially a small batch of simple granola. Just 5 ingredients and less than 10 minutes of baking. Store for the week!

Blueberry Muffin Overnight Oats

Ingredients:

• 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1/4 cup coconut yogurt
• 1/4 cup frozen blueberries
• 1/2 tsp chia seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

• Put oats, chia seeds, blueberries, yogurt, vanilla, and almond milk in a jar with a tight lid. (I use 6-8 oz mason jars).
• Stir until all ingredients are combined, then cover tightly.
• Leave the covered jar to sit in the refrigerator over night. 
• In the morning, uncover, stir the oats, and top with the pie crust topping and more berries.
• *** I love these cold, but you can heat them up briefly in the microwave. 

"Streusel" Topping

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 tablespoon room temp coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon of raw sugar or maple syrup
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Instruction: 

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl using your fingers to incorporate the coconut oil.
• Put mixture onto a glass baking dish and bake for 5 minutes, stir, and bake for another 3 minutes.
• Let cool completely, then top the Blueberry Muffin Oats and store in an airtight container. 

Enjoy!

xo- Monica