Creamy, hearty, and seasonal, Eggnog Overnight Oats are the best make-ahead breakfast! This easy breakfast recipe has just the right amount of holiday spice and sweetness to provide your morning with plenty of fiber so you can start your day off on the best foot.
Eggnog Oatmeal
Find yourself Googling “how to use leftover eggnog from the season”?
We know a lot of people are like this, and this Eggnog Overnight Oats recipe is the perfect way to do it!
We love overnight oats because they are so easy to make and prepare ahead of time. The fun thing about this recipe is that it basically makes oatmeal but doesn’t actually require cooking.
The oats sit with the liquid overnight (or at least a few hours), and the liquid is absorbed by the oats, giving them a texture that's like they've been cooked.
Eggnog oatmeal can be eaten cold on the go or heated up for a hot breakfast. It's slightly sweet, high in fiber, and full of seasonal winter flavor!
What are overnight oats?
As mentioned above, overnight oats are a way to make oatmeal without cooking. They involve mixing oatmeal with milk and other ingredients and then leaving them in the refrigerator overnight for easy consumption in the morning!
Overnight oats are great for meal prep and can be customized in so many different ways! I'll list the basic ingredients needed and then provide ideas for add-ons and variations so you can make it exactly how you like it!
Required raw materials
Here’s a quick list of the ingredients needed (scroll down to see the full recipe).
- oat: I use organic, glyphosate-free, gluten-free oatmeal (see why below), but feel free to get whatever oatmeal you want.
- eggnog: Now not all eggnog is “clean” but you can use cleaner versions e.g. Mark Organics, or use any eggnog you want. It's the season!
- milk: I personally use almond milk, but you can use any milk you like.If you're feeling adventurous, check out my A Guide to Vegan and Dairy-Free Milk Make your own nut milk!
- Chia seeds: Chia seeds add a little extra texture/thickness and add fiber and nutrients.
- Maple syrup (optional): Sweetener is optional but delicious!
- Spices and Flavors: Nutmeg, cinnamonand vanilla extract for such a delicious flavor!
- Optional, but delicious: walnut and Dried cranberries.
Substitute
oat: No need to go gluten-free? Use whatever brand works for you. We recommend using old fashioned oats/rolled oats as it has the best texture.
PS Oats are not all created equal here!
Quick oats will also work, but will be softer. Steel cut oats won't work for this.
Eggnog: Use whatever eggnog your family likes or you have on hand. Want a very clean version?try Mark Organics!
nut: Make it nut-free by omitting the nuts. Or you can switch to another one if needed.
What oats I buy and why
While you can really use any type of old-fashioned oatmeal, I prefer to look for:
- organic
- Certified gluten-free (if desired)
- non-genetically modified
- Glyphosate Free (probably the most important label to me since oats are a heavily sprayed crop in the US)
My favorite brand is First-class organic food! This list is important because oats are a heavily sprayed crop in the United States.
What type of milk to use
This recipe calls for eggnog and another added form of milk. If you only use eggnog, it will feel too sweet and too strong. For the added milk, use any milk you normally like! We've tried almond milk, oat milk, boxed coconut milk, and regular milk with overnight oats, and they've all worked well.
How does the overnight oats recipe work?
Overnight oatmeal eggnog is super easy to make!
- Just measure out the oats, eggnog, extra milk, and other flavors and add them to the container.
- Shake well and close and place in the refrigerator. As the name suggests, you can leave it overnight, but it's actually ready to eat in about 3 hours. During this resting time, the oats absorb all the liquid and turn into the creamiest oatmeal ever, which can be eaten cold or hot.
What is the ratio of oats to liquid in overnight oats?
The only ratios you need to know when making overnight oats are 1:1! This means equal proportions of liquid and oats!
Storing Overnight Oats
We love that this recipe can be made right in the container you plan to store and eat!
Any small glass container with a leak-proof lid is ideal. We love mason jars and glass jars, but really any container with a leak-proof lid will work.
How to Enjoy Eggnog Oatmeal
Overnight oats are a delicious and easy on-the-go breakfast!
Eggnog oatmeal can be eaten cold on the go or heated up for a hot breakfast.
Take it out of the fridge, cold or if you really want to heat it up, place it in a small saucepan with a little extra milk and heat it over low heat (or microwave it if you're using it).
How long do overnight oats last in the refrigerator?
I keep my overnight oats in the refrigerator for up to three days.
More oatmeal recipes you’ll love:
- 1 cup oatmeal See comments
- ½ cup store-bought eggnog
- ½ cup Selected milk
- 2 teaspoon chia seeds
- pinch nutmeg
- pinch Cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans Elective
- 1/4 cup Dried cranberries Elective
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Place all ingredients in a jar and mix well.
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Place in the refrigerator, cover, and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight. Serve cold with additional chopped pecans, if desired.
- If you need to avoid gluten, be sure to buy gluten-free oats. Although oats do not contain any gluten, they can sometimes be processed in the same facilities/equipment as wheat products.
- Use whatever milk your family likes, such as almond milk, oat milk, or cow's milk. If you just use eggnog, the oats will be too thick.
- Now not all eggnog is “clean” but you can use cleaner versions e.g. Mark Organics, or use any eggnog you want. It's the season!
Serve: 1/2 recipesCalories: Chapter 385kilocaloriescarbohydrate: 50Gprotein: 14Gfat: 14GSaturated fat: 2Gcholesterol: 39milligramssodium: 65milligramsfiber: 7Gsugar: twenty threeG
