Not every morning flows smoothly. One thing I find that helps iron out some of the potential kinks is making breakfast ahead. I like to give the boys a different breafast each morning. That’s not to say that cold cereal is never on the menu, but more often than not, breakfast usually includes some sort of oats or a whole grain baked something. This overnight oat option is great because you can serve it chilled, straight from the fridge, or you also have the option of warming it up in the microwave before adding the toasted coconut. You can also large-batch this and make enough for several mornings. I have little bowls that have air-tight lids that I use for these; I just mix them up and stack them up in the fridge, all ready for whatever morning may bring our way.
I usually plan for mornings while I am making dinner, so that would be when I fill these bowls for the following morning. I have little bowls that have air-tight lids that I use for these; I just mix them up and stack them up in the fridge, all ready for whatever morning may bring our way. You could even large-batch this and make enough for several mornings if you have that much space in your fridge and bowls with lids.
Coconut-Berry Overnight Oats
Serves: 1 (so multiply by however many mouths you have to feed; this is the amount that will go into each bowl) Ingredients
1/2 cup unsweetened milk of your choice (can be almond milk, regular milk, coconut, or nut milk) 1/4 cup regular steel cut oats (you can use the ‘quick cooking’ variety but then it will not be quite as chewy in the morning) 1 - 2 tablespoons chia seed pinch of sea salt 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1/2 - 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup 1/2 cup dried mixed berries (or any kind of dried fruit like mangoes, cherries, craisins, ... pick whatever you have on hand or is your favorite. You can even let each person customize it for themselves!)
For serving: large flake coconut, toasted
Directions
Get out a small container with a lid (you can use jars, too; I like to use microwaveable bowls because some of my kiddos like chilled oatmeal and others prefer it warm.).
Pour in the milk, oats, chia seed, sea salt, coconut, vanilla, maple syrup, and mix well. Add the dried fruit and, again, mix well. Put the lid on, and store it in the refrigerator until morning or whenever you are ready to eat.
To eat chilled: Remove the lid, stir the oat mixture well, and top with toasted coconut flakes.
To eat warm: (if you made the mixture in a microwave-safe bowl, remove the lid, and microwave on high 2 - 3 minutes, stirring roughly halfway through the time. Be sure to watch it carefully towards the end so it doesn’t run all over the microwave.
Note: You don’t have to make this up right before bed, you can make it up in the afternoon as well.
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