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Close-up of pecan pie overnight oats in a jar, a great example of healthy meals recipes.

Why Everyone Loves This Healthy Meals Recipes (+ Make-Ahead Tips)

This recipe provides a base for overnight oats that you can customize with various flavor combinations. Prepare these on Sunday to have quick, healthy breakfasts ready for the week. This method helps busy individuals and families stick to healthy eating goals without spending extra time cooking each morning.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Chilling Time 12 hours
Total Time 12 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Base Recipe
  • 1/2 cup whole rolled oats
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon maple syrup plus more for serving
  • 1 Pinch sea salt
  • 1/4 cup whole milk Greek yogurt optional
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk
Apple Pie Variation
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon or apple pie spice
  • 1 Diced apple
  • 1 Chopped pecans
  • 1 optional Cinnamon Apples
Peach Crisp Variation
  • 1 slices Peach
  • 1 Granola
PB&J Variation
  • 1 Chia Jam see note
  • 1 Peanut butter
  • 1 Chopped strawberries
  • 1 Raspberries
  • 1 Chopped peanuts
Chocolate Banana Bread Variation
  • 1/2 banana, mashed
  • 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 Pinch nutmeg
  • 1 Banana slices
  • 1 Chopped walnuts
  • 1 Chocolate chips
Chia Jam Recipe (for PB&J)
  • 1 pound strawberries
  • 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
  • 1 Pinch sea salt
  • 3 tablespoons chia seeds

Equipment

  • Le Parfait Jars with lids
  • small saucepan

Method
 

  1. Make the base recipe: In a jar with a lid, place the oats, chia seeds, maple syrup, salt, and Greek yogurt, if you are using it.
  2. Add the almond milk and stir until the mixture combines well and there are no clumps of chia seeds at the bottom of the jar. Cover the jar and refrigerate overnight, or for up to 5 days.
  3. In the morning, top the oats with your chosen toppings and serve with drizzles of maple syrup.
  4. For apple pie overnight oats, stir the applesauce and cinnamon into the overnight oat base. Refrigerate overnight. In the morning, top with diced apple, chopped pecans, and cinnamon apples and drizzles of maple syrup, if you want more syrup.
  5. For peach crisp overnight oats, make the plain overnight oat base. Refrigerate overnight. In the morning, top with peach slices, granola, and drizzles of maple syrup, if desired.
  6. For PB&J overnight oats, make the plain overnight oat base. Refrigerate overnight. In the morning, top with chia jam, peanut butter, chopped strawberries, raspberries, and chopped peanuts.
  7. For chocolate banana bread overnight oats, stir the mashed banana, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg into the overnight oat base. Refrigerate overnight. In the morning, top with banana slices, chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, and drizzles of maple syrup, if you want more syrup.
  8. To make the Chia Jam: Place the strawberries, lemon juice, maple syrup, and salt in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring sometimes, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the strawberries soften.
  9. Use a fork or a potato masher to mash the strawberries, leaving some pieces chunky. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the chia seeds.
  10. Transfer the jam to a jar and let it cool, uncovered, at room temperature. Then cover the jar and chill it in the fridge.

Notes

This make-ahead approach saves time during busy mornings. You can prepare the base recipe up to five days in advance. When you are ready to eat, simply add your fresh toppings. The chia jam recipe makes enough for several servings of the PB&J variation.

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