Oats have become one of the most prominent foods in recent times. Oats have appeared on the dining tables either for breakfast or brunch. A tasty, easy, and convenient way to indulge in oats is by soaking them overnight. It is not only enjoyed for its taste but also because it is packed with nutrients.
Read More: Is it Okay to Eat Oats at Night?
According to the National Institutes of Health, oats contain a considerable amount of valuable nutrients such as proteins, starch, unsaturated fatty acids, and dietary fibre as soluble and insoluble fractions. Oat also contains micronutrients such as vitamin E, folates, zinc, iron, selenium, copper, manganese, carotenoids, betaine, choline, sulphur containing amino acids, phytic acid, lignins, lignane, and alkyl resorcinols. Although wheat and rice are consumed in large amounts, oats are consumed as whole grain cereal instead of processed products.
The best part of the oats is that it is easily potable which is considered a great go-to breakfast option. Overnight oats are extremely versatile and can be customised according to preferences. However, the oats often turn soggy or bland. This means, some steps are going wrong in the process. Here are five tips that will keep oats from becoming soggy.
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- Choose The Correct Ratio
The first step to achieving perfect overnight oats is choosing the right ratio of oats to milk. The ratio to focus on is 1 part of oats and 2 parts of liquid. This ratio will help the oats to soak in the liquid but not so much that they become soggy. It is advisable to be careful about the amount of milk used in the recipe as it would ensure the oats are nice and plumped up in the morning.
- Choose The Right Oats
When planning for an overnight oats recipe to indulge in the morning, it is important to choose the right type of oats. It is important to go for rolled or old-fashioned oats. This is because they soak in the liquid well which helps them to become nice and soft overnight. If steel-cut oats are used, they take a longer time to become tender and might not give the desired creamy texture.
- Add Other Ingredients
Overnight oats become additionally nutritious when other ingredients are added. To make the oats flavourful, it is important to add flavours and sweeteners. One can experiment with ingredients like cocoa powder vanilla extract, cinnamon, honey, or maple syrup. Even mashed fruits like berries and bananas can be added before refrigerated.
- Perfect Layering
The taste of overnight oats will elevate if multiple layers of flavouring are added. It is important to pay attention to the layering of ingredients. Always make sure one starts by putting the oats at the bottom of the jar or container. Then add chia seeds or nuts, before topping with other ingredients. This technique will help the oats to soak up the liquid even and not become soggy.
- Refrigerate
Even if it's cold outside, don’t forget to refrigerate. Oats require refrigeration for at least four to six hours to soak up the liquid. Cover the container with a lid so that the cold air in the refrigerator does not dry up the ingredients of the oats.
Note: Don’t add additional toppings to the oats mixture before refrigerating it. Just before serving the oats top it with fresh fruits, nuts, or syrups.