In this hot Australian summer the last thing you want to eat is a hot bowl of oats at the moment. I prefer to soak the oats overnight and enjoy them chilled the next morning. Overnight oats are one of the quickest and easiest breakfast to make. They are great for busy people who don’t have time to make breakfast.

To make overnight oats you only need to combine a few ingredients in a sealed container. Then place in the fridge overnight and enjoy the next day (or at least 4-5 hours later).

To prepare overnight oats you just need these few ingredients:

• rolled oats, with or without chia seeds mixed in
• plant-based milk
• mashed banana/frozen berries/coconut yogurt
• any spices or other fruit (dried/fresh)
• sweetener such as maple syrup, agave or honey

There are so many flavour combinations you can make. Chocolate Berry Overnight Oats is one of my recipes. The cacao gives a slight caffeine hit to wake you up and the berries are full of antioxidants. If you find your oats aren’t as sweet as you may like, then hold off adding the sweetener until you just about to eat it them.

Chocolate Berry Overnight Oats

(vegan, gluten free, soy free, nut free)

Ingredients:

1/2 cup rolled oats

3/4 cup plant milk (coconut, rice or oat;  almond or soy if you can tolerate)

1/2 cup mixed frozen berries

1 tablespoon cacao powder

1/2 tablespoon maca powder (optional)

1 tablespoon chia seeds

1.5  tablespoon maple syrup

1 teapsoon goji berries (or other dried fruit) to serve

1 teaspoon cacao nibs (or toasted seeds and nuts) to serve

Method:

1. Combine the oats, milk, frozen berries, cacao, maca, chia seeds and maple syrup in a container and stir to combine all.

2. Seal the container and place in the fridge over night.

3. In the morning serve with goji berries and cacao nibs. If the consistency of the oats is too thick add a dash of milk.

*Serves 1