If you’re following a grain free lifestyle and miss having a hearty bowl of oatmeal in the morning, here is a simple overnight oatmeal that’s nutrient dense and gluten and grain free. It can be topped with your favorite nuts, seeds, nut butters, berries or bananas.
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Changing to a gluten free and mostly grain free diet was not as difficult as one might imagine. But surprisingly, the most challenging part of changing my lifestyle, was strangely enough, giving up oatmeal. I know that’s laughable, but I loved the stuff and couldn’t get enough of it. I’d been eating oatmeal almost exclusively since I was in High School. It was the breakfast I naturally gravitated towards. It was what I enjoyed most and looked forward to every morning.
I figured the pain I was experiencing after nearly every single bowl of oatmeal, was just part of how one feels after eating breakfast. A denial that lasted years upon years. I can still hear my mother telling me: “Maybe it’s the oatmeal, you should try something else for breakfast”. A defiant protest followed nearly every one of her well meaning suggestions. “Me, give up oatmeal? That’s preposterous”
Sure enough, oatmeal played a big role in a lot of the pain I was experiencing and after mourning what I thought was an irreplaceable breakfast, I had to move on. It’s been 2.5 years since I’ve had a bowl and I’ve somehow survived.
Funny enough the days of feeling like I’m somehow missing out are long gone. That mindset has been replaced with all the wonderful things I have gained. Less pain, less inflammation, more clarity, etc.
Though let’s face it, there’s something extremely comforting about having a warm bowl of porridge in the morning, especially as the weather starts to get cooler. So in honor of my former breakfast, I decided to play around with an overnight paleo oatmeal recipe and surprised myself. It actually tasted great!
My version of paleo oatmeal is rich in nutrients, healthy fats and proteins as it’s made with nuts, seeds and coconut flakes.
Does paleo oatmeal include oats?
No, paleo oatmeal is 100% grain free but the consistency turns out to be much like oatmeal and is a perfect substitute for those following a paleo, grain free, anti-inflammatory or whole 30 lifestyle.
So what’s in paleo oatmeal?
Paleo oatmeal is incredibly easy to make and all you’ll need are chia seeds, flax seeds, waltnus, coconut flakes almond milk (cashew and coconut work too) and vanilla extract. This will create the base for your oatmeal.
Does overnight paleo oatmeal need to sit overnight?
That’s up to you. Unless you have a lot of time in the morning, I would opt for making the oatmeal the night before. If you have time, it will reach a thick consistency in about 2-3 hours but ideally overnight will give you the best paleo oatmeal. You can also store it in the refrigerator longer when you double up on the ingredients.
How to serve paleo oatmeal?
When it comes to oatmeal in general, it’s always about the toppings. In the morning, you can warm up the oatmeal in the micro or pan if you wish and add a few sliced bananas, berries, almond butter, cinnamon, coconut flakes and any nuts and seeds of your choice. If you want to make the oatmeal a little bit creamier, you can always add a bit more milk of your choice. I went with vanilla cashew, which is my favorite.
You could also add the sweetener of your choice, whether it’s honey or maple syrup or a little bit of coconut sugar. Or you could just rely on the sweetness from the banana and berries.
What are the benefits of eating paleo oatmeal?
Unlike the traditional oatmeal, all of the ingredients are very nutrient dense. They are full of fiber, manganese, magnesium, protein, calcium and antioxidants. Paleo oatmeal is also low in carbohydrates and high in good fat, which keeps blood sugar low. And above all it is grain free, which can be life changing for some sensitive types. You’ll also be fuller longer and not likely need to snack in between meals.
Do you need any special equipment for making paleo oatmeal?
You will need a blender, as some of the seeds will need to be ground in order to obtain the desired consistency. Also, I find mason jars with lids to work best but you can choose to use whatever airtight works best for you.
More breakfast recipes you may like:
- Paleo Collagen Mini Muffins 3 Ways
- Cardamom Pancakes with Orange Flower Water
- Paleo Granola
- Nutrient Dense Blueberry Smoothie
📖 Recipe
Overnight Paleo Oatmeal
This overnight paleo oatmeal is a delicious and nutritious grain-free alternative if you still want that oatmeal feel.
Ingredients
- ¼ cup chia seeds, divided
- ¼ cup flax seeds
- 6 tablespoon chopped raw walnuts
- ¼ cup coconut flakes
- 1.5 cups almond, coconut or cashew milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
1. In a blender or food processor, add 2 tablespoon chia seeds, flax seeds, and walnuts and finely grind.
2. In a large jar, add remaining ingredients and stir well.
Store overnight in the refrigerator.
3. When ready to eat, you can either eat the paleo oatmeal cold or warm it up slightly. And if you wish, add a bit more milk.
4. You can top it with bananas, honey, fruit, cinnamon or any nuts and seeds you'd like.
Notes
Let sit overnight for 12 hours.
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Golden Flax Seeds, 2 Lbs - Fiber | Protein | Omega Fats
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Navitas Organics Chia Seeds, 8 oz. Bag — Organic, Non-GMO, Gluten-Free
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365 Everyday Value, Walnuts, Chopped, 8 oz
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Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Coconut Flakes, 1 Lb - Medium Flakes | Perfect for Baking | Making Coconut Milk
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 2 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 473Total Fat: 38.5gTrans Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgCarbohydrates: 24gFiber: 32gSugar: 3gProtein: 12.5g
Raia Todd
Soooo gorgeous! And nutritious, too, of course. 😉 I love that it's an overnight recipe. Makes the mornings so much simpler!
Daniela Modesto
Oh I'm such a fan of prepping breakfast in advance - there's nothing better than having everything be done!
Carol
Im on keto. Could you post nutritional information for this please? Thanks!
Daniela Modesto
Hi Carol, sure thing! I just updated it. The carbs may be a bit high for keto but of course, it depends on how you divide your day up 🙂 I hope this helps and take care!
Ann
Great on tomorrow's To Do List. Thanks. Now do lunch!
dmodesto
Oh I'm so happy to hear this!! 🙂
Kristen Wood
This recipe is so creative and nutritious! I truly cannot wait to try it out. And, that video is absolutely gorgeous! 🙂
Daniela Modesto
Ah that means so much my friend! It's scary venturing in the video realm but also exciting!
Lyndsey
How long does this stay good in the refrigerator when prepared!? Thanks!
Daniela Modesto
Hi Lyndsey,
So this will be good for about 3-5 days! 🙂
Carol Little R.H. @ Studio Botanica
I love making overnight breakfast dishes and this one is an 'up-level' version!
What a fabulous video -- just made me want to go shopping immediately and make this at once... will do so asap! Thanks.
Daniela Modesto
Thank you so much, Carol! I love having food ready in the morning! Makes mornings much sweeter!
Denise
Can I use a grinder instead of a blender?
Daniela Modesto
Hi Denise, Sure can as long as it grinds everything down, no problem to!
Elizabeth
Can almonds or cashews be substituted for walnuts? My daughter has a walnut allergy.
Daniela Modesto
Hi Elizabeth! Yes, that should be perfectly fine. Cashews will work well because they work similarly as far as consistency! 🙂 Feel free to reach out with anything else and I can help troubleshoot!
Liz
Hi there. Would I be able to use pecans in replacement of walnuts?
Thanks
dmodesto
Hi Liz, I haven't tried it with pecans but I think that's a wonderful option. I'd love to hear how it turns out for you if you try it. I certainly love the taste of pecans.
Robin
So there are no oats in this “Overnight Oatmeal”?
dmodesto
Hi Robin, there are not. It's called "overnight paleo oatmeal" for those following a grain free diet!