While many folks claim to be unwaveringly loyal to a warm breakfast, I have converted quite a number of oatmeal enthusiasts to cold porridge (at least during the warmer months) by offering them some of my famous overnight oats.

The allure of overnight oatmeal is that it is prepared ahead of time, so in the morning, you can just grab a spoon and dig in. Overnight oats have taken Pinterest by storm for well over a year now, but for those that are hesitant, I have created a step-by-step guide. Once you have the basics down, you can concoct any number of flavor combinations, from Pumpkin Spice to Tiramisu.

Ready to shake up your breakfast routine? Here it goes!

In a small bowl, mash half of a ripe banana with a fork.

Add 1/4 cup of raspberries to the bowl and mash them into the banana.

Add 1/2 cup (or 1 individual carton) nonfat plain Greek yogurt to the fruit mixture,

and mix well. Now you have naturally sweetened yogurt! (Note: If you find that the fruit and yogurt mixture is too tart at this stage, feel free to add the other banana half.)

Pour the fruit and yogurt mixture into a mason jar (or container that can hold at least 12 oz). Then add 2 teaspoons chia seeds, 1/3 cup old fashioned rolled oats, 1/4 cup raspberries, 1/2 cup water, and 1/4 cup blueberries.

Shake up the jar (or stir well) so that the contents are evenly mixed. Then place in the refrigerator overnight. As you sleep, the mixture will thicken up and the oats will soften.

In the morning, enjoy your refreshing oats straight out the jar, or spoon into a serving bowl and garnish with berries.

Banana Berry Overnight Oatmeal

Serves 1

Ingredients:

• ½ ripe banana
• ½ cup raspberries, divided
• ¼ cup blueberries
• ½ cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt (or 1 individual sized carton)
• 1/3 cup old fashioned rolled oats
• 2 teaspoons chia seeds
• ½ cup water

Method:

1. In a small bowl, mash the banana half with a fork.
2. Add half of the raspberries (1/4 cup) to the bowl and mash them into the banana.
3. Add 1/2 cup (or 1 individual carton) nonfat plain Greek yogurt to the fruit mixture and mix well. This is how you make naturally sweetened yogurt! (Note: If you find that the fruit and yogurt mixture is too tart at this stage, feel free to add the other banana half.)
4. Pour the fruit and yogurt mixture into a mason jar (or container that’s at least 12oz). Then add the chia seeds, oats, blueberries, remaining raspberries, and water.
5. Shake up the jar (or stir well) so that the contents are evenly mixed. Then place in the refrigerator overnight. As you sleep, the mixture will thicken up and the oats will soften.
6. In the morning, enjoy your oats cold straight out of the jar, or spooned into a serving bowl. Feel free to garnish with berries.

Nutrition: 350 calories, 6g fat (1g saturated fat), 55g carbohydrates (12g fiber, 20g sugar*), 24g protein, 1% Vitamin A, 42% Vitamin C, 15% iron, 28% calcium

*All sugars are naturally occurring- none are the dangerous added sugars.

Looking for other overnight oats recipes? These are the four that I make most frequently:

• Applesauce Overnight Oatmeal
• Skinny Pumpkin Overnight Oats
• Overnight Grapefruit Coconut Oatmeal
• Tiramisu Overnight Oatmeal

– Kelly