Overnight Oats: Successful Mornings with Quaker

Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Quaker Canada. All opinions are my own

Breakfast is a big deal in our home. My husband and I grew up in homes where a large emphasis was not put on it and I think that hungry feeling at school has left a permanent impression on our lives. That’s why we insist our kids eat breakfast every morning and have been known to bring them to school late because we didn’t want them to be hungry.

Mornings can be tough in any household and the brunt of the stress and making sure everyone is on time lays squarely on mom’s shoulders. Some day’s no matter how early we get up we still end up late out the door and on a few occasions I have seen us wake up late and leave early. It’s a gamble it seems but there are ways that you can try and make it a little bit easier on not only yourself but also the kids.

Evening Routines Lead to Successful Mornings

They say a little bit of planning can make a big difference on how your mornings play out. Something as simple as picking out school clothes and packing lunches the night before can ensure your mornings are a little bit stress-free. Yesterday I even learned a new trick of making a morning playlist so you can gauge your progress depending on the song that is playing (thanks Kortney!). The biggest issue at our house continues to be breakfast. Four kids with four completely different palates can make our morning routine a mess if not preplanned. Some mornings there is even tears if we can’t accommodate everyone’s demands and that is never a good way to start the day.

I had a chance to attend an event with Quaker® Canada for their Overnight Oats workshop. We spent a couple of hours listening to the Quaker team and Kortney Wilson talk about how she makes mornings bearable with overnight oats. She shared some of her kids favourite recipes and we even got a chance to try them out.

I learned how to take a pantry staple like oats from a brand I already trust into a delicious addition to my mornings. With so many possible flavour combinations I was so excited to take all that I learned and turn it into magic at home.

Now I will be getting my kids all together at night time so we can spend a few minutes putting together part of the next day’s breakfast. Not only will this cut out the tears in the morning, it may let me sleep in for an extra 15 minutes because they can grab them out of the fridge themselves.

Tips for a Successful Overnight Oats Experience

Quaker® carries many different types of oats, even gluten-free if you have tolerance issues. All work well for overnight oats and it is all dependent on what type you and your family enjoy. Some tips on how to have a successful overnight oat experience include:

Choose Your Liquids. Oats are like an open book. You can choose any liquid that you think would work. Yesterday we used yogurts, a variey of milks, and even coffee. I wouldn’t recommend coffee for the kids but the ones I made with almond milk and yogurt for my family turned out absolutely delicious. If you want your oats creamier you would use more liquid and vice versa. You can get guidelines for some overnight recipes here.

Toppings, Toppings, More Toppings. I feel like this is such a great way to open up your kid’s palates. Lay out an assortment of toppings ranging from fruit (fresh, frozen or dried), nuts, spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, etc…) and even syrups such as honey, maple or agave. You can let each child choose their own topping so that even the pickiest eaters are content.

Make It Pretty. Let’s face it, oats can look pretty drab on their own. Simply tricks like mixing your oats and liquids in a bowl before layering it into a mason jar with your toppings can make all the difference between your kids reaching for the jar in the morning or not. Use brightly fruits to break up the layers, put some crunch granola on top to give you the perfect sweet kick you need. Maybe you have a kid who loves pb & j sandwiches? You can make an overnight oat with their favourite jam and peanut butter mixed into the liquids. Great idea right?

Keep It Portable. We use mason jars for absolutely everything around here because they are highly versatile and durable–not to mention you can see right through them. Somedays no matter how well we plan breakfast may happen in the back seat of the car or while you are on public transportation.

If you are looking for some inspiration for your overnight oats you can find some great recipes on the website. Some people work better with instructions and some of us work better on a whim. Decide which one you and the kids are and get started on making your morning easier with Overnight  Success.

Aneta Alaei

Aneta is a Toronto-based mom of four that loves a good meal, great company, and learning something new. In her free time, you can find her trying to keep yet another plant alive.

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