Overnight Oats with Pecans (Print Version)

Creamy, soaked oats with crunchy candied pecans and maple syrup for a satisfying morning start.

# What You'll Need:

→ Oats Base

01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup milk, dairy or plant-based
03 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
04 - 2 tablespoons chia seeds
05 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup
06 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
07 - Pinch of salt

→ Candied Pecans

08 - 1/2 cup pecan halves
09 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
10 - 1 tablespoon water
11 - 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
12 - Pinch of cinnamon
13 - Pinch of salt

→ Toppings

14 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup for drizzling
15 - Fresh fruit such as sliced banana or berries, optional

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir thoroughly, cover, and refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours.
02 - Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. In a skillet over medium heat, combine sugar, water, butter, cinnamon, and salt. Stir until sugar dissolves and mixture begins to bubble.
03 - Add pecans and stir to coat evenly. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until pecans are toasted and completely coated in the syrup.
04 - Transfer candied pecans to the prepared baking sheet and spread into a single layer. Allow to cool completely until hardened.
05 - In the morning, stir the oat mixture and divide between two bowls or jars. Top with candied pecans, a drizzle of maple syrup, and fresh fruit if desired. Serve immediately.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • You make it the night before, so mornings become genuinely peaceful instead of frantic.
  • The candied pecans are ridiculously simple to make but taste like you spent way more effort than you actually did.
  • It's creamy and satisfying without feeling heavy, and nobody will know you basically assembled ingredients in a bowl.
02 -
  • The oats will get thicker as they sit overnight—this is not a mistake, it's actually what makes them creamy when you stir them in the morning.
  • Candied pecans need to cool completely or they'll be chewy instead of crunchy, so resist the urge to dig in immediately no matter how good they smell.
03 -
  • Make your oat mixture in a mason jar instead of a bowl—then you can shake it instead of stir, and you have a built-in portable breakfast container.
  • The candied pecans are way better than trying to sprinkle plain nuts on top; taking ten minutes to make them transforms the whole thing from ordinary to something you actually look forward to eating.
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