Overnight Oats With Water (Vegan, Gluten Free)

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Whether you ran out of milk or just want to reduce your caloric intake, overnight oats with water are a simple solution to the problem. This recipe is easy to follow and gives you multiple variations for you to follow.

So, how do you make overnight oat with water? If you want to make overnight oats without milk, then water is a great alternative. Soak the oats in a 1½:1 liquid to oats ratio and mix in fruit, nuts or seeds to make a healthy no cook meal prep.

Overnight oats are a method of preparing oatmeal by mixing an appropriate liquid to oats ratio and leaving the mixture to soak overnight. Soaking raw oats makes them both digestible and palatable.

Overnight Oats with water are both nutritious and healthy. For a simplistic and healthy meal prep, it doesn’t get much easier than soaking oats in water.

For everything there is to know about overnight oats with water, you have landed on the right page. Let’s understand why you would soak oats in water, take a detailed look at process and also tips to improve overall taste. 

Can you soak oats in water overnight?

Yes, you can soak oats in water overnight. The raw oats absorb the water and swell in size and shape, resulting in a palatable and digestible dish.

This is almost like cooking them. By soaking oats overnight, it gives a similar effect of cooking but with no heat and the process is slower and takes a longer time.

The reason soaking is more healthy is that it aids in breaking the starches down. Soaking oats overnight reduces the phytic acid that is naturally present in the whole grain, which helps your body make use of nutrients within the oats a lot more efficiently.

Overnight soaking is safe and simpler to digest. It leads to reduced effects of bloating as compared to cooked oats. They are easier on the stomach, and also aid in losing weight by keeping you full from the high fiber content and complex carbs.

Oats and Water Ratio

The suggested ratio of the oats to water is 1:1½, i.e., for 1 cup of rolled oats, you shall use 1½ cup of water to soak. For thicker consistency of oatmeal, you can utilize lesser liquid and for a runny consistency, add a bit more.

The ratio you ought to keep in mind to make rightly blended overnight oats is 1:1½. Soak a part of rolled oats with a part and a half of water. 

The ratio can become finicky when you start to add mix-ins and toppings, so this remains a general guideline. If you also soak chia seeds or nuts, the count on the dry goods also absorbing liquid, so the ratio need adjustment. 

For porridge consistency, go as high as a ratio of 2:1 water to oats. When you make the oat mix, add a pinch of salt, give it a good stir and seal in a closed jar. 

Overnight oats can be left to sit on the countertop for a night. You can refrigerate for about 5 days maximum or freeze overnight oats for up to 6 months.

Can I use water instead of milk?

Yes, you can use water to make overnight oats without milk. Consuming oats after soaking them overnight in liquid is recommended as an ideal preparation method.

Although milk, yogurt and juice tasty and healthy ways to soak oats, they are not the only options available. Water is a great substitute when you don’t have any other choices, or if you want to reduce calories while utilizing the nutrients available in the whole grain oats.

If you started with milk but didn’t want to add any more, water can also be added to reduce the concentration in the mix. Water is great for thinning the mixture so that it is not as heavy, thick or gluey.

Do overnight oats taste good with water?

It depends on individual preferences, but overnight oats soaked only in water have an average or neutral taste. It makes a bland oatmeal, and you miss out on the additional creaminess and add protein from having milk with your breakfast.

Since overnight oats only with water can be a little tasteless, adding dairy-free alternatives or cow’s milk is recommended. This way, you can have creamier and tastier oats. 

However, for people who do not want to ingest milk in any form, you can add in chopped nuts, mashed banana, or dairy free yogurt to enhance the flavor. For those who are intolerant to dairy, you can incorporate any other type of milk like soy, almond or coconut milk. 

Water can also be used to brew a cup of coffee or tea, and then mixed with the oats for soaking. Starbucks drinks overnight oats offer a few examples of how to use coffee and tea as the soaking liquid.

Here are the best vegan overnight oats recipes for you to broaden your horizons. This way, you make more healthy oats that stick to the dietary preferences you maintain.

Can you make Quaker overnight oats with water?

Yes, you can add water to Quaker oats and leave it to soak overnight. Overnight oats will be ready by the morning, and can be eaten by mixing your favorite fixings or toppings to make a delicious meal prep using Quaker oats.

Quick/instant/pre-packaged oats are not the best type of Quaker oats to make overnight oats. No matter which brand you select, rolled oats are the best type of oats for overnight oats.

They are thin, fine flakes that are pleasant tasting, convenient to digest, and turn into thick porridge when soaked overnight. This is because they are processed, rolled, steamed, toasted, and dehydrated. It needs little prep time.

Check out this Oatmeal Water too!

Expert Tips & Tricks

Oat can be soaked with any number of beverage options, however, water is a clear-cut winner for many reasons. It minimizes calories and provides a neutral base to layer flavors on top of.

• Add some protein powder as a dietary supplement to your overnight oats. Add in before refrigeration and a little additional water to absorb the dry powder.
• Fruits, peanut butter, yogurt, nuts, flax seeds, and chia seeds are great options for extra flavor.
• Rolled oats are the best options for preparing overnight oats. They provide a silky and smooth texture to oats by soaking up the water evenly and remaining slightly chewy. They are nutritious and keep you feeling full for longer.
• Load up your mason jar or overnight oats container with water and oats for an overnight soak.
• Top the overnight oats post refrigerating it as the toppings can affect the oat-water ratio. Top with crunchy items after soaking for the added texture.
• When adding chia seeds, add in more water.
• Add some spice to increase the flavor when preparing overnight oats with water. Try honey, lemon juice, ginger, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.
• Add non-fat yogurt in your overnight oats to boost metabolism, add protein, and enhance satiety. Stir in the yogurt before refrigerating the soaked oats.
• For adding sweetness to oats, do not dump in maple syrup. Instead, use naturally pure maple syrup or honey in little quantities.
• Keep your overnight oats simple. Do not add all of the oatmeal toppings at once to each recipe.
• Oats are also nutrition-dense, so they are a healthy base to layer tasty toppings. An ideal overnight oat with water includes 1 or 2 fruits, a protein, a seasoning, Greek yogurt for creaminess, a pure natural sweetener, and a crunchy topping like chopped nuts or toasted coconut.

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If you enjoy this recipe for overnight oats with water, please leave a comment!

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