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By Lauren Scott, Arizona Farm Bureau Intern

A few weeks ago, I was at a friend’s house, and as we hung out in her kitchen she began to prepare her and her family’s breakfasts for the next day. She apologized for doing so while we were hanging out, but she’s a busy lady and needed to get it done, and I didn’t mind.

She started cutting up different fruits and placing them together into a container. She sprinkled a little lemon juice and honey over it all, put the lid on, and shook it up. That would be her kids’ breakfast.

My friend then pulled a mason jar out of her cabinet and began adding ingredients that I at first thought were very random. She filled the bottom of the jar with oats, added the same amount of plain yogurt, poured in some milk, a spoonful of chia seeds, and a dash of vanilla. She closed the jar, shook it up, and then put it in the refrigerator alongside her children’s fruit.

She must have seen the puzzled look on my face, because she began explaining to me what she had concocted before I could even ask.

Every morning for breakfast my friend eats overnight oats. She mixes all the previously mentioned ingredients together and in the morning tops the oats with whatever she feels like. She said it keeps her full until lunchtime and, of course, is full of some very healthy ingredients!

Overnight oats can be customized to fit your personal flavor preferences, which is why I can’t wait to try making this for breakfast this week!

Recipe:

• 1/3 heaping cup of oats
• 1/3 cup of plain yogurt
• 2/3 cup of milk
• 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
• ½ teaspoon of vanilla
• A dash of salt

Instructions:

My friend’s way: Add all ingredients to a mason jar, mix with a spoon or shake to combine ingredients, place in refrigerator overnight.

A second way: Put all ingredients into a bowl, mix thoroughly, carefully pour into a mason jar, place in refrigerator overnight.

Toppings to try:

• Sliced apples, walnuts, and cinnamon
• Bananas and peanut butter
• Mixed berries like raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries
• Sliced mango and coconut flakes
• Dark chocolate pieces and pomegranate seeds
• Cherries and almonds
• Strawberries and bananas
• Dark chocolate and peanut butter
• Peanut butter and your favorite jam

What is your go-to topping for overnight oats? Share your tips and tricks in the comments. For more delicious breakfast recipes visit Fill Your Plate’s recipe section!