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Health

The 60-second breakfast: Vegan overnight oats

Overnight oats are ready in a flash, leaving you extra time to hit the snooze button or to sneak in a bit of exercise!
Blueberries with oatmeal in cereal bowl Photo, Angela Liddon.

Along with green monsters, vegan overnight oats are one of my favourite go-to breakfasts. My favourite part? There's absolutely zero preparation (or clean up) in the morning (yes, it’s even quicker than standing in line for a muffin)! You simply open the fridge in the morning and dig in. What could be easier?

Vegan overnight oats do not require any cooking or heating up. I know, cold oatmeal does sound gross, doesn’t it? I used to think that too, until I got hooked on it. I encourage you to give it a shot and soon enough you won’t be able to go a couple days without whipping up a batch before bed.

How are they made? Well, you simply mix the ingredients together in a bowl and let it sit overnight in your fridge. In the morning, you're rewarded with doughy, thick oats that are lightly sweetened from the mashed banana. You can add any mix-ins or toppings that you desire and change it up each day for variety. I’ve written my “base” recipe below and provided suggestions for mix-ins and toppings. The sky is really the limit with this breakfast.

Now the only thing you’ll have to figure out is what to do with all your free time (I recommend sleep!).

Vegan overnight oats (Makes two servings)

Ingredients 2/3 cup regular rolled oats (not instant) 2 1/2 tbsp chia seeds* 2 cups almond milk 2 small ripe bananas, mashed Toppings of your choice

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Mix-in and topping ideas Fresh fruit (blueberries, cherries, strawberries, peaches, mango...) Dried fruit (dried cherries, cranberries, raisins...) Drizzle of maple syrup or other liquid sweetener Nut butter Coconut Sprouted buckwheat groats Granola Coconut butter Jam

Directions 1. Before bed, whisk together the oats, chia seeds, almond milk, and mashed bananas. Add ¼ tsp pure vanilla extract and a pinch of cinnamon if desired.

2. Place in fridge, uncovered, overnight, or for a minimum of two to three hours.

3. In the morning, give it a good stir, add your desired toppings, and enjoy! Store the leftovers in the fridge in a container. Will keep for two to three days.

*Notes: Are the chia seeds necessary? Yes. They're responsible for thickening this mixture and absorbing the liquid. Without the chia seeds, it won’t get thick. Chia seeds are also a nutritional powerhouse adding healthy omega fats, protein, iron, fibre, and more to your bowl of oats.

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Where can I purchase chia seeds? You can purchase them at Bulk Barn and most health food stores.

Angela Liddon is the creator of Oh She Glows — an inspiring, healthy vegan recipe website — and one of Chatelaine's Women of the Year 2011. Angela’s passion for healthy vegan food is contagious and she’s eager to show others that vegan (and often gluten-free) food can blow your taste buds away. Her new book The Oh She Glows Cookbook is out now.

-Originally published March 2012. 

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