Nutella Breakfast in a Jar: Overnight Oats Recipe for Busy Mornings
Why I’m Kinda Obsessed with Breakfast in a Jar
So, let me tell you about the first time I made these Nutella overnight oats: I was standing in my kitchen, half awake and still wearing mismatched socks (honestly, that hasn’t changed much). Someone on the telly said, “Breakfast should be as easy as going back to sleep,” so I thought, you know what, why not? It’s way less fuss than pancakes and no need to clean up a mountain of bowls. My nephew once called them “breakfast pudding,” which honestly made me feel like a champion. I think I make this almost every week now because it’s forgiving yet feels like a treat. Plus, Nutella—need I say more?
Why You’ll Love This (Or At Least, Why I Do!)
I whip this up when the idea of morning cooking makes me want to hide under the duvet (hey, it happens). My family goes a bit bonkers for it because it tastes like dessert, but you can still claim it’s healthy-ish. Also, you just dump things into a jar—no sad, sticky pots to scrub. When I first tried layering the Nutella, I thought, “Is this too much?” Turns out, nope. (But I once tried peanut butter instead and it was…well, let’s just say, Nutella wins this round.)
Here’s What You’ll Need
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats (I’ve used quick oats when out of regular, not ideal, but they work in a pinch)
- 1/2 cup milk (I usually go for oat milk, but honestly, I’m not loyal—almond or even watered down cream is fair game)
- 2 tablespoons plain yogurt (Greek is lush! But my grandmother always insisted on Muller Light, so go wild)
- 1-2 tablespoons Nutella (let’s be real, sometimes more—measure with your heart)
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds (totally optional, I forget them half the time)
- 1/2 banana, sliced (or swap for strawberries if you want to feel fancy)
- Pinch of salt (it somehow makes it better? Don’t ask me why)
- A handful of chopped nuts or granola for topping
How I Like to Throw This Together
- Start with your jar (or a mug, or any old container with a lid—once I even used a washed-out jam jar). Layer the oats first; you want a nice little carpet for the other goodies.
- Pour over your milk. Right about now I usually give the jar a gentle shake, partly for fun, partly because I forgot to bring a spoon to the counter.
- Add the yogurt, then sprinkle the chia seeds if you remember them. It’ll look a bit odd—don’t worry, always does at this point.
- Spoon (or even drizzle, if it’s warm enough) the Nutella on top. Sometimes I swirl it through, other times I just let it sit in a glorious plop. Sneak a taste here if you want. I always do.
- Layer the banana slices (or strawbs, or skip, depending on your mood). Chuck in a pinch of salt. Seriously, it makes everything a touch better.
- Lid on, pop the jar in the fridge. I usually leave it overnight, but I’ve eaten it after three hours when I was impatient. Mostly, the longer it sits, the creamier it gets—I think it tastes better the next day, to be honest.
- When ready to eat, toss on your nuts or granola. Or, just grab a spoon and go for it straight from the fridge if you’re late for work (guilty).
What I’ve Learned Along the Way (a.k.a. Notes!)
- If you mix everything too aggressively, you wind up with mush. Actually, I find it works better if you leave it a bit layered—so, not everything needs a stir.
- I once forgot the salt and felt like something small but important was missing. Don’t skip it, unless you have to.
- If your Nutella is as solid as a rock in winter, zap it in the microwave for 10 seconds. Or just let it be a surprise chunk in the oats. (Depends how adventurous you’re feeling, really.)
Stuff I’ve Tried (Some Worked, Some… Not So Much)
- I swapped Nutella for cookie butter. Everyone raved. (Okay, “everyone” was just me, but still!)
- Added cocoa powder—ended up overkill with the Nutella. Bit too much even for my sweet tooth.
- Once tried layering in raspberry jam. Lovely in theory, turned into a weird, gloopy mess. Not recommended unless you like surprises.
Let’s Talk Equipment (or Lack Thereof)
You’d think I’m devoted to mason jars, but honestly, any container with a lid will do. I’ve even used a takeaway soup tub. If you don’t have a sealable jar, cling film over a mug works. Just, you know, watch your fridge for tip-overs (learnt that the hard way).
How Long Does This Last? (Not Long, Trust Me)
If you manage not to eat it all straightaway, it’ll sit happily in the fridge (covered) for up to two days. Three, if you like things a bit mushier. Though honestly, in my house it never lasts more than a day!
How We Like to Serve It (But You Do You)
I usually add a sprinkle of granola (homemade, when I’m feeling like Super Mum; otherwise store-bought is fine). My partner insists on chopped hazelnuts, so there’s crunch. If it’s a really slow Saturday, maybe some sliced strawberries on top with a dust of cocoa powder, just to be extra. Once, my nephew asked for a few mini marshmallows. Honestly? It wasn’t half bad.
Some Mistakes I’ve Lived and Learned From
- I once used steel-cut oats—bad idea, unless you like crunchy surprise oats with your Nutella. Stick to rolled or quick (but prefer rolled!).
- Don’t skip the chill time—you want those oats soft, not chewy and sad. I tried eating it after an hour. Regretted it, promise.
- If you add fruit the night before, it gets softer (sometimes goes a bit mushy, but in a good way?). Next-morning addition keeps things fresher. See what you like.
Curious Bits People Always Ask Me
- Can I use a different chocolate spread?
- Absolutely! Though, some are stiffer than others, so maybe warm it a tad. Or hey, live dangerously and just chunk it in.
- Can you make this dairy-free?
- Yep, I just swap in coconut yogurt and almond or oat milk (honestly, I can barely taste the diff—so go for it if you need to).
- Do I have to use a jar? What about a bowl?
- I think it tastes better in a jar. Not sure why, maybe it’s psychological. But yeah, a bowl is totally fine, or even a tupperware. (But, if you do, check out this nifty overnight oat storage guide, it’s adorable.)
- Can you heat it up?
- Yeah, sometimes I zap mine for 30 seconds in the microwave if I want something cozy. The Nutella gets all melty, so watch out—it’s even gooier.
- Is this actually healthy?
- Ehhh… Listen, it has oats and fruit? That’s breakfast in my book. Just don’t eat three jars, which I definitely have not done. (Okay, maybe once.)
A quick, random thought: Every time I make this, I remember how my brother used to eat cereal dry and straight form the box, so really, anything is an improvement. Anyway, if you try it, let me know—I love hearing other people’s experiments, glorious flops included. Cheers to easy mornings and chocolate breakfasts, pal!
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons Nutella
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped hazelnuts or almonds
Instructions
-
1In a mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and honey or maple syrup. Stir until well combined.
-
2Spoon half of the oat mixture into each jar.
-
3Add 1 tablespoon of Nutella to each jar, spreading it evenly over the oats.
-
4Layer sliced strawberries on top of the Nutella.
-
5Top with the remaining oat mixture and sprinkle chopped hazelnuts or almonds on top.
-
6Seal jars and refrigerate overnight (at least 8 hours). Enjoy chilled in the morning.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
Did you make this recipe?
Please consider Pinning it!!
