FF: No-Cook Refrigerator Oatmeal Jars

So these are ALL over Pinterest, if you haven't seen them yet, I'd be surprised. I was looking for a way to make some quick breakfasts for myself and DH, so I decided to try them a couple of weeks ago. They are cold oatmeal breakfasts in a jar, but they don't really taste like oatmeal. Because you mix them with Greek yogurt and some other ingredients, and you eat them cold, it takes like sweet, thick, rich yogurt treat... not that much like oatmeal. But nevertheless they are DELICIOUS and something you should try.

These are seriously absurdly easy, and SUPER tasty, not to mention really good for you! Ace really loved them, even texted me part way through the day one day the first week I made them, just to tell me how great they were, and that is saying something. He doesn't typically rant and rave about food, and he's brought these up at least a half dozen times that week, saying how much he liked them, and a few times since. They were an instant hit around here. They last for 2-4 days in the fridge, depending on the ingredients you add in, so they are great for make ahead meals-on-the-run. He takes them to work with him in the morning, and then eats them as a great mid-day snack.

There is a basic recipe, and then you have to decide what you want to add in, and there are TONS of options. I'm going to post a few of my favorites below, so that you can try some of them. I also really encourage you to try your own combinations and find ones that you really love. We've had our fair share of "misses" (mocha flavored and banana nut were the least successful), but the ones below are the flavors we liked the best.

Here's the basic ingredients you need:

• 1/4 Cup of Rolled Oats: don't get quick cooking oats or steal cut, they won't work the way you need them to, I buy the Organic Rolled Oats from the bulk bins at Sprouts, but you can find rolled oats and any grocery story

• 1/4 Cup of Greek Yogurt: I like Fage, but really any brand will work. I get loads of coupons for Fage, so that's typically what we get. 

• 1 1/2 Tsp of Chia Seeds: these help to thicken the mixture, and they are SO good for you. If you haven't read up on the benefits of chia seeds, do it. They are little amazing wonder-seeds of healthiness. I buy mine in bulk at Sprouts as well, but most larger grocery story chains will also carry them pre-packaged, and typically in the aisle with the nuts. 

• 1/3 Cup of Milk: I used skim milk, but almond or soy milk would be great for this as well

• 1 Tbsp of Some Sweetener: There are tons of options for this, but go for something natural and healthy. You can use Agave, Pure Maple Syrup, Honey or Preserves as a great option for this. 

• 1/4 Cup of Some Fruit: Choose something that pairs well with the sweetener you have selected, or a flavor combination that you love. Some fruits work better than others, for example, bananas aren't that great, because they get brown and mushy pretty quickly. But any sort of berry is a great choice. Also note that the type of fruit you choose will determine how long these will stay good in the fridge. Fruits that need lots of cutting up or dicing (like peaches) will go "bad" faster and should be used in 1-2 days. "Whole" fruits like whole berries will stay much longer, and will last 3-4 days. 

• Mason Jars: I used the pint sized for these, but truthfully any container with a lid that can hold about a cup of stuff would work just fine. 

Below are the different recipes for the different flavor combinations that we like. Please note that the initial four ingredients are the same for each, but the last ingredients will differ depending on the flavor.

Blueberry:

• 1/4 Cup of Rolled Oats
• 1/4 Cup of Greek Yogurt
• 1 1/2 Tsp of Chia Seeds
• 1/3 Cup of Milk 
• 1 Tbsp of Maple Syrup
• 1/4 Cup of Whole Blueberries 

Apple: 

• 1/4 Cup of Rolled Oats
• 1/4 Cup of Greek Yogurt
• 1 1/2 Tsp of Chia Seeds
• 1/3 Cup of Milk 
• 1 Tbsp of Honey
• 1/2 Tsp of Cinnamon 
• 1/4 Tsp of Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 Cup of Applesauce (unsweetened) 

Blackberry: 

• 1/4 Cup of Rolled Oats
• 1/4 Cup of Greek Yogurt
• 1 1/2 Tsp of Chia Seeds
• 1/3 Cup of Milk 
• 1 Tbsp of Seedless Blackberry Preserves (Boysenberry would be great also!) 
• 1/4 Tsp of Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 Cup of Whole Blackberries (you can cut these in half if they are too big) 

Raspberry: 

• 1/4 Cup of Rolled Oats
• 1/4 Cup of Greek Yogurt
• 1 1/2 Tsp of Chia Seeds
• 1/3 Cup of Milk 
• 1 Tbsp of Agave 
• 1/4 Tsp of Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1/4 Cup of Whole Raspberries 

How To Assemble Each Jar: 

For each of the recipes above, the process is the same for each one, you are just using separate ingredients. I like to make these in large batches, preferably of just 1 or 2 flavors, so that I'm doing the same steps at the same time. If you try to make too many flavors at once, its not always easy to remember which jar is which. 

Step 1: Add the oatmeal to the jars.

Step 2: Add the chia seeds to the jars.

Step 3: Add in the Greek yogurt to the jars. 

Step 4: Add the milk to the jars. 

Step 5: Add in the sweeteners that you are using (honey, agave, maple syrup, preserves, etc.) 

Step 6: Add in any additional flavorings (vanilla extract, almond, extract) This is what the jars will look like with everything in them:

Step 7: Put the lids on the jar, and SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE the jars! Do this until everything is well combined, which is usually around 10 seconds or so. This is what they will look like after you are done shaking them

Step 8: Remove the lid, and stir in whatever fruit you are using with a spoon. You don't want to add in the fruit before you shake the jar, because it crushes the fruit.

Step 9: Replace the lid on top of the jar, and place in the refrigerator. Let them sit at least overnight (or about 10 hours), and enjoy them cold the next morning or afternoon or evening or late at night....

I just made these jars, so they aren't quite ready to show the finished product, but I will add some more pictures later of what they look like after they are finished! So yummy!