Matcha Overnight Oats

This recipe promises a vibrant, energizing, and utterly delicious breakfast with minimal effort, perfect for preparing ahead of time.

Yields: 1 serving Prep Time: 5 minutes Chill Time: Minimum 4 hours, preferably overnight

Ingredients:

• For the Oat Base:

  • ½ cup (45g) rolled oats (old-fashioned oats, not instant)

  • 1 tbsp chia seeds (essential for thickening and nutrients)

  • ¼ - ½ tsp sweetener of choice (honey, maple syrup, agave, or stevia, adjust to taste)

  • Pinch of sea salt (optional, enhances flavor)

• For the Matcha Infusion:

  • 1 tsp culinary-grade matcha powder (adjust to taste for desired intensity)

  • ¾ cup (180ml) milk of choice (dairy, almond, oat, soy, or light coconut beverage work well)

• Other (Optional Toppings for Morning):

  • Fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)

  • Sliced banana

  • Toasted coconut flakes

  • Chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans)

  • Granola for extra crunch

  • A dollop of Greek yogurt

  • A drizzle of honey or maple syrup

Equipment:

• 1 (pint-sized / 16 oz) jar with a lid (e.g., Mason jar) or a small bowl with a lid

• Spoon or small whisk
  
  

Instructions:

1. Combine Dry Ingredients:

1. In your chosen jar or bowl, add the rolled oats, chia seeds, preferred sweetener, and optional pinch of sea salt.

2. Stir them together thoroughly with a spoon, ensuring an even mix.

2. Prepare the Matcha Milk:

1. In a separate small bowl or directly in your measuring cup, add the matcha powder.

2. Pour in your chosen milk.

3. Whisk vigorously with a small whisk or frother until the matcha is fully dissolved, and the milk is a uniform green color with no clumps.

3. Assemble & Chill:

1. Pour the prepared matcha milk over the dry oat mixture in your jar/bowl.

2. Stir everything together very well, making sure all the oats and chia seeds are fully submerged and coated by the matcha milk. Scrape down the sides of the jar if needed to incorporate all ingredients.

3. Place the lid securely on your jar or cover your bowl tightly.

4. Refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours, but ideally overnight (8+ hours). This allows the oats to soften and the chia seeds to swell and thicken the mixture into that desirable creamy texture.

4. Serve & Enjoy!

1. In the morning, open your jar and give the matcha overnight oats a good stir. If it seems too thick for your preference, add a splash more milk until you reach your desired consistency.

2. Now comes the fun part: customize with your favorite fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, or any of the optional toppings.

3. Savor your refreshing, energizing, and utterly delicious Matcha Overnight Oats – the perfect start to a vibrant day!

Tips for the Perfect Zen Morning Bowl:

• Matcha Quality Matters: For the best flavor and a beautiful green hue, always opt for culinary-grade matcha. While ceremonial grade is fine, its delicate nuances might be lost, and it's generally more costly for everyday use.

• Adjust Matcha Intensity: Start with 1 teaspoon of matcha. If you crave a more pronounced matcha flavor and a richer green, feel free to increase to 1.5 or even 2 teaspoons in future batches.

• Sweetness to Taste: Coconut milk and some plant-based milks have natural sweetness. Give your oats a taste test in the morning before deciding if you need to add any extra sweetener.

• Creaminess Factor: For an extra rich and creamy texture, especially if you like a thicker consistency, try using full-fat canned coconut milk (the beverage kind, not the thick cream) or a creamy oat milk.

• Layering Trick: For a distinct layered look (similar to the Coconut Matcha Delight), you could try putting the oats and a portion of the milk in first, chilling briefly, and then pouring the whisked matcha milk over the top for a two-toned effect.

• Boost Your Bowl: Easily add more protein by stirring in a scoop of vanilla or unflavored protein powder (ensure it's well mixed to avoid clumps), or by adding a dollop of Greek yogurt on top in the morning.

• Meal Prep Power: These oats are ideal for batch prepping! Make a few jars at once on Sunday night, and you'll have healthy, ready-to-eat breakfasts for 3-4 days stored conveniently in your refrigerator.