Pineapple Overnight Oats Porridge: The Fresh, Quick, and No-Cook Breakfast!
If there’s one meal we should never skip, it’s breakfast: it’s the essential recharge that gives us the energy and clarity to face every day at our best. But who really has the time, every morning, to prepare something nutritious and tasty?
The answer is simple: with the Pineapple Overnight Oats Porridge, your wake-up will be a feast of flavor and wellness, without stress or stovetops!
This recipe revolutionizes the classic English breakfast, turning it into a fresh, creamy, and super-energetic dessert that you prepare… while you sleep! Forget the cooking, the effort, and the morning rush.
Just mix rolled oats, milk or a plant-based drink, Greek yogurt, and a touch of honey (or maple syrup) the night before, store it in the fridge, and when you wake up, your breakfast will be ready to be enjoyed.
Today’s version is a tribute to freshness and tropical flavors: creamy porridge is combined with a layer of vanilla Greek yogurt enriched with pieces of fresh pineapple and its natural juice. The result is a perfect balance of sweetness, acidity, and an enveloping texture that will keep you satisfied for a long time, keeping hunger away until lunchtime.
Whether you’re facing a busy day at the office, school, or just want to treat yourself to a delicious and healthy treat, this no-cook porridge is the ideal solution. Super easy to prepare, versatile, and incredibly satisfying. Let’s get started!
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Very cheap
- Rest time: 4 Hours
- Preparation time: 15 Minutes
- Portions: 2
- Cooking methods: No-cook
- Cuisine: English
- Energy 156.90 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 29.38 (g) of which sugars 13.29 (g)
- Proteins 11.06 (g)
- Fat 0.73 (g) of which saturated 0.11 (g)of which unsaturated 0.56 (g)
- Fibers 3.68 (g)
- Sodium 129.05 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 150 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup water (or plant-based milk or cow's milk)
- 1 tsp honey (or maple syrup)
- 1/2 cup 0% fat Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup 0% fat Greek yogurt
- 1 slice pineapple (+ the juice)
- pineapple
Tools
- Bowl
- 2 Small cups
Steps
In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, teaspoon of honey (or maple syrup), 1/2 cup of Greek yogurt, and the water (or chosen milk). Stir all the ingredients thoroughly with a spoon until well combined and the mixture is homogeneous. Transfer the porridge base to a single-serving cup or a glass jar with a tight seal. Place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight, so the oats absorb the liquids well and become creamy.
After the porridge has rested, proceed with preparing the second layer. Clean the fresh pineapple: remove the outer skin and the central core. Cut a slice of pineapple and dice it, collecting the juice it naturally releases (the rest of the pineapple can be stored for other preparations). In a separate bowl, combine the 1/3 cup of Greek yogurt, the freshly diced pineapple, and a tablespoon of its juice. Mix well until combined.
Take the cup with the porridge base from the fridge. Gently pour the yogurt and pineapple mixture over the oat layer, leveling the surface with the back of a spoon. You can enjoy your No-Cook Porridge as is, simply adding some extra fresh pineapple cubes on top and, if you like, a mint leaf for a touch of color and aroma.
If you desire an even more indulgent breakfast, melt 1 oz of white chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave (at low power, stirring every 30 seconds) with 1 tsp of coconut oil. Evenly distribute the melted chocolate over the yogurt and pineapple layer. Put in the refrigerator for a couple of minutes, just enough for the chocolate to slightly solidify. What a delight!
NOTES Ingredients and Possible Substitutions
The Overnight Oats Porridge is an incredibly versatile dish, perfect for adapting to every taste and dietary need.
Rolled Oats: They are the base of this breakfast. Rich in fibers (especially beta-glucans, beneficial for cholesterol), vitamins, and minerals. Substitutions: You can use whole rolled oats or quick oats (which soften faster). If you are celiac or gluten-sensitive, make sure to choose certified gluten-free oats.
Water / Plant-Based Milk / Cow’s Milk: The liquid that hydrates the oats. Substitutions: Plant-based milk (almond, soy, coconut, rice, oat) is a great alternative for those looking for a vegan or lactose-free breakfast. Each type of milk will give a slightly different flavor to the porridge.
Honey / Maple Syrup: Natural sweeteners. Substitutions: You can use agave syrup, stevia (use sparingly), pitted dates blended with some water, or simply omit if you prefer a less sweet breakfast.
0% Fat Greek Yogurt: Provides creaminess and a high protein content, which helps prolong the feeling of fullness. Substitutions: You can use whole Greek yogurt, plant-based yogurt (soy, coconut, almond) for a vegan or lactose-free version, or even regular natural yogurt, keeping in mind that the consistency will be slightly less dense.
Fresh Pineapple: Brings sweetness, acidity, and freshness. Substitutions: Other fresh fruits like strawberries, blueberries, mango, peaches, kiwi are also excellent. You can use frozen fruit (allow it to thaw before adding) or even well-drained canned fruit (but be mindful of added sugars).
STORAGE
The Pineapple Overnight Oats Porridge keeps perfectly in the refrigerator, inside an airtight container or a cup well covered with plastic wrap, for 2-3 days. This makes it ideal for preparing multiple servings ahead of time for the week. If you prepare it for several days, I recommend adding the pineapple and any chocolate just before consuming, to maintain the freshness and crunchiness of the fruit.
Recipe Alternatives and Variations
The beauty of Overnight Oats lies in its endless customization. Here are some ideas to inspire you
Cocoa and Banana Porridge: Add: 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder to the porridge base.
For the topping: Banana slices, dark chocolate shavings, and a dusting of cocoa.
Berry and Chia Seed Porridge: Add: 1 tablespoon of chia seeds to the porridge base (it might require 1-2 tbsp more liquid). The chia seeds will form a gel, making the porridge even denser and creamier.
For the topping: Blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and a teaspoon of nut butter (e.g., peanut or almond butter).
Tropical Porridge with Mango and Coconut: Replace: Pineapple with 1/2 cup of fresh mango cubes.
Use: Coconut milk instead of water or cow’s milk for the porridge base.
Add: Toasted shredded coconut as a garnish.
Protein Porridge (post-workout): Add: 1 scoop (about 20-30g) of protein powder (vanilla or plain) to the porridge base.
For the topping: Fresh fruit, seeds (flax, sunflower, pumpkin), and some peanut butter.
Origins and History of Overnight Oats
Porridge is an ancient dish, its origins dating back to ancient times, when grains were cooked and softened in water or milk to make them more digestible and nutritious. Its popularity is particularly rooted in Anglo-Saxon countries, where it has been a breakfast classic for centuries, often prepared with oats and served hot.
The concept of “Overnight Oats”, meaning “night oats”, is a more modern variant that has gained immense popularity with the increased focus on healthy eating and the need for quick and convenient meals. The idea of preparing porridge in advance, without cooking, letting the rolled oats soften overnight through the absorption of liquids and yogurt, has become a brilliant solution for those who have little time in the morning.
This cold version not only preserves the nutritional properties of oats best but also makes it perfect for the warmer months or simply for those who prefer a fresh breakfast. Overnight Oats is a perfect example of how culinary traditions can evolve to adapt to the rhythms and needs of contemporary life, without sacrificing taste and well-being.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
How can I achieve the right consistency for Rolled Oats?
Achieving the perfect consistency for oats is all about the oats-to-liquid ratio. Generally, a 1:2 ratio works well. If the oats are too thick, add a little more liquid, or if they’re too runny, slightly reduce the amount of milk/water next time.
How can I balance the sweetness when adding fruit and toppings to Rolled Oats?
Overnight Oats with some combinations (e.g., with hazelnut or pistachio cream) might be too sweet. Keep this in mind when layering and consider tasting a spoonful before adding extra sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
Can I heat my Overnight Oats or should it be eaten cold?
Overnight Oats are traditionally consumed cold or at room temperature, but if you prefer it warm, you can heat it for a few seconds in the microwave.
