Busy mornings don't have to mean boring breakfasts. These overnight oat recipes are quick to prep, kid-approved and packed with flavour.

Looking for healthy and speedy breakfast solutions for you and your family? Easy. The answer is overnight oats. Delicious, set-it-and-forget-it and somewhat magical, here's the facts and figures: Making overnight oats is a breeze. The night before, simply pour oats into a jar, add your favourite ingredients and let it sit tight in the fridge overnight. In the morning, kick-start your day with a nutrient-packed jar.

Parents, you fully understand the challenge of making dishes that the whole family will love, which is why the versatility of overnight oats is such a great feature. Kids can craft their own jars with their favourite ingredients, alongside oats, chia seeds, almond butter, coconut milk, agave nectar and frozen or fresh fruits. The oats will soak up all of the goodness of the ingredients so that each spoonful is full with flavour. Think of this as a very delicious and fun spin on a parfait.

The variations are endless, but before we get into the fun flavour combinations, here’s a simple formula to get you started:

Basic Overnight Oats Ratio:

  • 1/2 cup oats (we like large flake)

  • 1/2 to 2/3 cup liquid (such as almond milk, coconut milk or oat milk)

  • 1–2 tablespoons of a creamy add-in (like yogurt or nut butter)

  • 1 teaspoon chia seeds (optional, but great for texture and nutrients)

  • Sweeten to taste with honey, maple syrup or agave

Once you’ve got your base down, all that’s left is to layer in your flavours and let the fridge do the rest.

1. Blueberry Almond Overnight Oat Recipe

To get started, combine quick oats, a pinch of sea salt and almond milk. Next, add almond butter, maple syrup, ground cinnamon and chopped toasted almonds. Top your jar with fresh blueberries, seal and let everything mingle in the fridge while you sleep. For best results, let the oats soak in the fridge for a full eight hours.

2. Raspberry Vanilla Overnight Oat Recipe

This recipe is creamy, thick and lets you take advantage of staple ingredients that you’re sure to find in your fridge. Layer Greek yogurt, raspberry jam, chia seeds and vanilla extract. Top with fresh or muddled raspberries and refrigerate overnight. (You can even use frozen raspberries! As they thaw at night, the juices will be released into the oats for delicious flavour.)

3. Tropical Coconut Overnight Oat Recipe

Mash a small ripe banana and chop 1/3 cup of fresh mango and pineapple. Pour oats into your container before adding banana, plain Greek yogurt, honey, chia seeds and coconut flakes. Finish with the remaining tropical fruit. To smooth your mixture, add almond or coconut milk to taste. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

4. Peanut Butter and “Jam” Overnight Oats

To your container already filled with oats, add vanilla almond milk, smooth peanut butter and 1/2 teaspoon of natural vanilla extract. Drizzle with honey and top with chopped fresh strawberries and roasted peanuts. For peanut-sensitive allergies, you can substitute your favourite nut alternative.

5. Apple Pie Overnight Oats

Capture the cozy flavour of apple pie with a healthy twist. Combine oats, chia seeds, cinnamon to taste and a dash of nutmeg in your jar. Stir in diced apples (fresh or lightly sautéed), a spoonful of Greek yogurt, maple syrup and a splash of almond milk. Top with a few chopped walnuts or pecans for added crunch. Seal it up and let those warm, familiar flavours develop overnight.

6. Mocha Banana Overnight Oats

This one’s for the coffee lovers. In your jar, mix oats with a spoonful of cocoa powder and chia seeds. Add sliced ripe banana, a splash of cold brew coffee, your choice of milk (oat or almond works well) and a drizzle of maple syrup. Shake or stir well, seal and refrigerate. You’ll wake up to a rich, chocolatey breakfast with a kick of caffeine—perfect for busy mornings.

Which combination will be your family's fave? Guess you better make some and find out.

A version of this article was originally published in April 2017.