Thoughts of oatmeal might make you cringe if the last time you had it was when you were five and your grandma threw a bowl of oats mixed with water in front of you. Those aren’t the oats we’re talking about.

This recipe, along with the mix-in suggestions, will even make the Quaker Oats guy jealous.

If you haven’t yet jumped on the overnight oats bandwagon, we’re here to help you take the leap. This recipe is not only quick and easy but also nutritious and delicious. Plus, it will save you tons of time because you can make a batch and eat it for a few days. And whether you sit and enjoy it while reading the paper or grab it and go for an early morning meeting, it will keep you full for hours.

Not a fan of cold cereal? That’s ok, some people like their oatmeal hot and some like it cold… kinda like their coffee. Just heat it up in the microwave for 30 seconds or the stovetop for a minute or two.

Benefits:

• Oats are full of fiber, so you feel fuller longer (4g per serving).
• Oats contain more protein than many grains (5g per serving).
• Oats may help you drop a few lbs by keeping you fuller, longer.
• Oats are high in antioxidants, which help protect cells against free radicals and may fight heart disease, cancer, and other diseases.
• The addition of protein powder in this recipe ups the protein factor, so it’s even better for a post-workout recovery meal to help rebuild muscle and reduce muscle soreness.

Ingredients // Serves 1:

• ½ cup rolled oats
• ½ -3/4 cup almond milk (or whatever milk you prefer, depending on how thick you like them)
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tsp chia seeds
• 2 tbsp Life’s Abundance Vanilla Plant Protein
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 1-2 tsp maple syrup
• ½ cup blueberries // fresh or frozen
• 1 tbsp toasted sliced almonds

Directions:

1. Add oats, milk, vanilla, chia seeds, protein powder, cinnamon, maple syrup, and blueberries together in a mason jar or other resealable container.
2. Stir or shake it up and put it in the fridge overnight, or at least for 2 hours.
3. Top with toasted almonds or other favorite toppings, coconut works great too.
4. Eat and conquer your day!

Tips:

• Once prepared, they last for up to 3 days, or a week if you omit the fruit until serving.
• Allow the oats to sit at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight to get really creamy.
• You can play with adding more milk or less, depending on what consistency you like best.
• Quick oats are ok but will have a softer consistency than traditional oats.
• Double, triple, or quadruple the recipe depending on how many days you want to have prepped or people you want to serve.

Now, we love our blueberry protein oats, but one can only eat so many blueberries. So if you find yourself suddenly in love with overnight oats, but want to switch it up, here are a few suggestions:

• Chocolate peanut butter - Use chocolate protein powder and add a tbsp of peanut butter
• Apple pie - Add ½ cup of chopped apples and ½ tsp cinnamon
• Pumpkin pie - Add ¼ cup of pumpkin puree and ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice
• Banana walnut - Add ½ cup sliced bananas and 2 tbsp chopped walnuts

And if you run through all of the above, you can experiment with extracts, citrus zest, or even espresso powder - this is one of those recipes where you can let your imagination (and your tastebuds) run wild. Then the next time you go and visit your grandma, or your grandkids, bring them a batch and make sure you have enough for seconds - because they’ll be asking!

If you found this interesting, check out these related stories:

Ginger-Vanilla Protein Bar Recipe

Peanut Butter Cup Protein Recipe