Valentine’s Day Overnight Oats 

Total Time: 5 minutes to prep (at least 4 hours to soak)
Serves: Makes 1 serving

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rolled oats 
• 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds 
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or honey, optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 1/4 cup fresh strawberries, diced (plus extra for topping)
• 1 tablespoon dark chocolate chips (or cocoa nibs)
• 1 tablespoon crushed walnuts or almonds (optional for crunch)

Instructions

1. In a mason jar or a small bowl, combine the rolled oats, almond milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Stir until everything is mixed together.
2. Add the diced strawberries and dark chocolate chips to the mixture, stir them in, or leave them on top for a nice layered look.
3. Cover your jar or bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or for at least 4 hours) 
4. In the morning, give the oats a good stir and top with more fresh strawberries, a sprinkle of dark chocolate chip, and some crushed walnuts or almonds for crunch.

Why We Like This Recipe (Benefits):

1. Heart-Healthy Ingredients

Overnight oats recipes include ingredients like berries, almonds, chia seeds, and oats—all great for heart health. They are packed with fiber which can help lower cholesterol levels. Oats also have a low glycemic index, helping to stabilize blood sugars. Chia seeds are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are essential for brain health and help reduce inflammation.

2. Protein

Ingredients like Greek yogurt and chia seeds provide protein. You can also increase the protein content by adding a scoop of protein powder. This helps with muscle repair and keeps you satiated and overall energized throughout the day.

3. Antioxidants

Berries and dark chocolate provide the body with antioxidants. Antioxidants help the body fight off harmful free radicals which helps reduce oxidative stress and inflammation in the body. Antioxidants can also help improve blood flow and lower blood pressure and can help reduce the risk of heart disease.

4. Customizable 

This recipe is very adaptable to your individual dietary preferences. You can swap out ingredients making it very versatile. This recipe also has natural sweeteners and by making it yourself, you control the ingredients and therefore level of sweetness. This can be helpful, especially for individuals with conditions that need to manage blood sugars and inflammation in the body.