Two Easy Oatmeal Recipes That Changed Our Mornings

Updated: April 21, 2025Ā  |Ā  3 min read
Originally Posted: March 16, 2024

Lauren Van Woerden

Lauren Van Woerden

I didn’t grow up eating oatmeal, but it was a staple in my husband’s family—porridge at the breakfast table every morning, without fail. For most of my life, I was the person who slept in as long as possible, rushed to get ready, and grabbed something quick to eat on my way out the door or at my work-from-home desk.

That all changed when our toddler’s routine reshaped our mornings. Surprisingly, I started waking up at a regular time and looking forward to sitting around the breakfast table together as a family. That simple change transformed our mornings from hectic to harmonious (though I’m still not a ā€œmorning personā€).

To take the planning and headache out of our morning breakfast routine, we’ve adapted two staple recipes that rotate across our breakfast table during the week. They’re nutritious, delicious, and have become the cornerstone of our new morning ritual.

Overnight Oats: A Weekday Winner

Prep time: 5-10 minutes | Chill time: 8+ hours | Servings: Single serving; Scale as needed

There’s been hype over this breakfast for years, and I’m telling you, it’s worth it. This will fill you up, and it’s incredibly easy to customize with whatever flavor profile you prefer once you’ve worked out a base recipe that you like.

Base Recipe (Per Person)

  • ½ cup oats (whole for texture, quick if you’re in a hurry)
  • ½ cup milk
  • ¼ cup yogurt (we prefer Greek for extra protein)
  • 1.5 tsp whole chia seeds
  • 1 tbsp quality maple syrup

If you use a flavored yogurt, even vanilla, this base recipe is great to eat on its own. If you go unflavored/plain, you might add a bit more maple syrup or incorporate some fruit or jam.

Instructions

Mix all ingredients (multiplied by the number of people you’re serving) in a large container that will fit in your fridge overnight, and you’re ready for breakfast the next morning. This usually takes no more than 5-10 minutes to prepare.

Favorite Add-ins

  • Sliced strawberries
  • Fresh or frozen blueberries
  • Sliced bananas
  • Chunky granola (for some crunch!)
  • Cinnamon
  • Pumpkin puree (replace the yogurt with this)
  • Different flavored yogurts
  • Sliced almonds
  • Raisins
  • Homemade jam (great use for the runny jam that didn’t set properly!)
  • Peanut butter
  • Chocolate syrup (for special occasions, of course!)

Pro Tips: You can mix add-ins with the base recipe the night before, or serve them alongside in the morning so everyone can customize their bowl. You can also make a big batch at the beginning of the week to enjoy for several days.

Baked Oatmeal: Our Weekend Treat

Prep time: 10 minutes | Bake time: 25 minutes | Servings: 6-8

I can’t take credit for this recipe—it came from my husband’s family (thanks, Ashley!)—but it has quickly become a favorite of mine. I’ve never been a fan of traditional stovetop oatmeal made with hot water or milk; the texture just isn’t for me. This baked oatmeal recipe, however, completely changed my outlook on oatmeal for breakfast.

Ingredients

  • 3 cups oats
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 tsp cinnamon (optional, but recommended)
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 eggs, whisked
  • ½ cup butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C)
  2. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a 9Ɨ13 baking dish
  3. Melt your butter and add to dry ingredients
  4. Whisk together the milk and eggs, then add to the mixture
  5. Mix thoroughly and spread the mixture evenly in the dish
  6. Bake for 25 minutes
  7. Serve warm with maple syrup and fresh fruit

Make-Ahead Option: All ingredients can be mixed the night before and refrigerated in the baking dish. In the morning, simply preheat the oven and bake as directed. Just make sure you have space in your fridge for the pan overnight!

Variation Tip: If you don’t have fresh fruit to serve on top, try baking raisins or frozen blueberries directly into the recipe for added flavor and variety.

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    Our New Morning Ritual

    The Overnight Oats have become our weekday staple, with Baked Oatmeal making a special appearance on weekends as a treat. Both recipes have transformed our mornings from rushed and chaotic to peaceful and nourishing, giving us quality time together before we all head off in different directions (or stay home!).

    I hope you enjoy adding these recipes to your rotation for filling and nutritious breakfasts (a significant upgrade from our old alternatives of sugary cereals and toast). The best part? They’re endlessly customizable to suit everyone in your family.

    A Prayer for Peaceful Mornings

    Lord, thank You for these simple moments around our breakfast table that nourish both body and soul. I’m grateful for the gift of my family and the precious time we share each morning before our day begins. May this set the tone for our day as we go about our routines and responsibilities. Amen.

    About the Author

    Lauren Van Woerden

    Lauren Van Woerden

    Lauren is a founder of For This House. She is passionate about living authentically for Christ both personally and professionally. Lauren lives in British Columbia with her family of boys. She enjoys nature walks, quality time with family or friends, and exploring new places. Learn more about Lauren.

    Lauren Van Woerden

    Lauren Van Woerden

    Lauren is a founder of For This House. She is passionate about living authentically for Christ both personally and professionally. Lauren lives in British Columbia with her family of boys. She enjoys nature walks, quality time with family or friends, and exploring new places. Learn more about Lauren.