- Carrie Underwood’s oats are high in fiber, protein and heart-healthy fats.
- Chia seeds and berries boost antioxidants and gut-friendly nutrients.
- This balanced recipe supports digestion, energy and blood sugar control.
Overnight oats have infinite combinations and it’s always fun to find out how other people are putting fresh twists on tender oats to make them their own. Country singer Carrie Underwood shared her go-to overnight oats recipe back in the day on Facebook, and this quick, six-ingredient mix of oats, chia seeds, berries, spices, nuts and almond milk is a perfect balance of protein, fiber and flavor.
To assemble her breakfast the night before, Underwood starts with ½ cup oatmeal and mixes it with ½ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk, 2 tablespoons of almond slices, ½ tablespoon chia seeds, a sprinkling of pumpkin pie spice and some blueberries. She leaves it in the fridge overnight and, in the morning, drizzles the whole thing with a little maple syrup or agave.
If we break down her choices, we see what a balanced breakfast this is. Oats as a base is a great way to start the day because the fiber makes you feel fuller longer and helps regulate blood sugar—no more blood sugar crashes midway through your morning. Specifically, the soluble fiber in oats is helpful in many ways, especially because of its prebiotic properties. Those prebiotics help to feed the good bacteria in your gut, which can help with digestion and inflammation.
Unsweetened almond milk is a great milk substitute because it’s lactose-free, so people who have trouble with dairy can enjoy the creamy texture of milk. But we recommend you make sure it’s fortified with vitamins like A and D, which you will naturally find in dairy milk. Almonds themselves, which Underwood uses in the form of sliced almonds in her overnight oats, add extra protein, fiber and healthy fats, all of which help the body function at its best.
Chia seeds are a great add in for overnight oats because they swell up with the added liquid and produce a pleasant, pudding-like consistency over time. They also have many health benefits. Like oats, they are a good source for fiber. Plus, they provide omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce chronic inflammation and the risk of certain diseases like heart disease.
Blueberries, besides being delicious, are also a wonderful antioxidant-rich food that brings color, sweetness and nutrients to this simple breakfast. Plus, blueberries offer a nice touch of vitamin C for immune system health.
Finish everything with some pumpkin pie spice for cozy winter flavor and a drizzle of maple syrup or agave for sweetness—you could also opt for honey, if that’s what you have on hand. Any of these ingredients are a fun alternative for sugar, as they’ll add more depth of flavor and bring some more moisture to your bowl.
Underwood may have shared this recipe several years ago, but oats are definitely timeless to us. If you want to shake up your routine and add a few more overnight oats recipes to your meal prepping plan, start with fun ideas like our Lemon-Poppyseed Overnight Oats and our York Peppermint Pattie-Inspired Overnight Oats. With a solid overnight oats formula in your pocket, you’ll never run out of ideas for easy breakfasts—and you might even stay full longer in the morning while you’re at it.
