Overnight Oats With Chia Seeds That Set Thick

Ingredients

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (90 g)
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds (24 g)
• 1 1/2 cups milk, dairy or nondairy (360 g)
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (120 g)
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup (30 g)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (5 g)
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (1 g)
• 1 cup blueberries, fresh or frozen (150 g)
• 1 medium ripe banana, mashed until nearly smooth (115 g)
• 2 tablespoons chopped toasted pecans, optional, for topping (16 g)

Instructions

1. Mash banana. Place the banana in a medium bowl and mash with a fork until nearly smooth. Leave a few tiny pieces for texture, but break up any large firm chunks that would sit at the bottom of a jar.
2. Whisk base. Add oats, chia seeds, yogurt, milk, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt. Whisk steadily until the yogurt is fully blended and no dry chia clings to the sides. Let the bowl rest five minutes, then whisk again from the bottom.
3. Fill jars. Divide the mixture between two lidded 12-ounce jars. Leave about one inch of space at the top, which gives you room to stir and add fruit later. Wipe the rims clean, seal tightly, and place the jars upright in the refrigerator.
4. Chill overnight. Chill for at least eight hours. The oats should be tender and the mixture should hold softly on a spoon when you open a jar. If you prefer a looser consistency, stir in milk one tablespoon at a time before adding toppings.
5. Finish and eat. Stir each jar thoroughly, pulling oats upward from the bottom where the chia settles. Top with blueberries and pecans. Eat cold, or let the jar stand for ten minutes if you want the chill softened; add a splash of milk only after stirring.

Notes

• Use certified gluten-free oats if that is the product you need; oats themselves vary by processing and packaging. The mixture thickens further during storage, so loosen individual jars with one tablespoon milk at a time rather than adding a large splash.
• For a smooth banana base, mash it completely before whisking in the remaining ingredients.

Nutrition Facts