Overnight oats

Easy Raspberry Orange Overnight Oats

If you like oatmeal, you have to give this recipe a try. Raspberry Orange Overnight Oats is easy to prepare the night or two before you want it.  It satisfies the desire for something a little sweet, because of the berries and orange juice. It not only fills your tummy, it’s packed with vitamins and minerals for a nutrient dense breakfast to start you day off right.

Overnight oats can be made with steel cut oats or rolled oats. The steel cut will be chewier than rolled oats.  Steel cut oats will be chewier and can be pulsed in the blender or food processor if you want it smoother. I like to open a capsule of probiotics and add it to the oats to help start the breakdown process, by slightly fermenting the mixture. Probiotics help to ease digesting the grains.

In this recipe, I add tahini. I like the flavor and the fact that it is a good calcium source, but you can substitute any nut or seed butter you have on hand.  Substituting different berries, nut butter and liquid can switch up the flavors and keep you from getting bored with the same old thing, even though it’s delicious.  For liquid variety try flavored plant milks, coconut water or milk, tea, even coffee works.

Orange raspberry overnight oats.

Prepare your breakfast tonight for tomorrow. Creamy fruity oats.
Prep Time15 minutes
Resting time8 hours
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: berries, oats, probiotics
Servings: 1
Author: Chef Kim

Ingredients

  • 1/2 c oats rolled or steal cut
  • Handful of frozen raspberries
  • 2 T dried fruit (goji, apricot, fig, berries) chopped if needed
  • 1 T tahini
  • 1-2 tsp maple syrup or 3 drops stevia optional
  • 2 T yogurt or open a probiotic capsule
  • 3/4 c orange juice substitute plant milk

Instructions

  • In a jar or bowl, combine the ingredients.
  • Stir, cover, refrigerate overnight.
  • Enjoy in the morning

Notes

The recipe can be made in bulk, so breakfast is ready for several days. Double or triple the recipe.
If using steel cut oats, overnight soaking is necessary, whereas rolled oats can be eaten after only a couple hours. 
For variation, substitute nut or seed butters for the tahini. Try different berries or dried fruit. Change up the liquids used to alter flavor. 

Nutty Tahini Fudge

This is a delicious candy alternative and so easy to stir together. It takes a little time to set up in the freezer, but well worth the wait.  This is a treat that is gluten and dairy free. If nuts are something you avoid, add in chopped pumpkin or sunflower seeds for texture in place of the almonds.

You’ll need:

  • 1/2 cup tahini
  • 3 tablespoons of cacao powder
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 4 tablespoons cacao butter or coconut oil
  • pinch of Himalayan salt
  • 1/2 cup chopped almonds
  • 1/3 dried cranberries or cherries (optional)

Melt the cacao butter or coconut oil in a mixing bowl over a pot of steaming water.  When melted, add the tahini, cacao powder, maple syrup and salt. Stir with a whisk to combine into until smooth. Then add in the chopped nuts and dried fruit, if using.

Line a small rimmed dish with parchment paper and pour in the mixture, smoothing out the top.

Chill in the freezer for two hours, cut and serve. Keep refrigerated. Fudge will last for two weeks in refrigerator, longer in the freezer.