Description
This Nourishing Indian Overnight Oats recipe combines wholesome rolled oats with aromatic spices like turmeric, cardamom, and optional saffron, blended with creamy milk and yogurt for a healthy and flavorful breakfast. Enhanced with nuts and natural sweeteners, this easy, no-cook recipe is perfect for a quick nutritious start to your day.
Ingredients
Scale
Base Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup milk (dairy or plant-based like almond or coconut)
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt or plant-based yogurt
Spices & Flavorings
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/4 tsp ground cardamom
- 1 pinch saffron threads (optional but highly recommended)
- 1/2 tsp rose water (optional, for aroma)
Sweeteners & Toppings
- 1–2 tsp maple syrup, honey, or chopped dates
- 1 tbsp chopped pistachios
- 1 tbsp chopped almonds
- Fresh fruit for topping (like banana, berries, or mango)
Instructions
- Saffron Steeping: If using saffron, steep the threads in 1 tablespoon of warm milk for 5–10 minutes to release their vibrant color and delicate aroma, enhancing the flavor of the oats.
- Mix Ingredients: In a jar or bowl, combine rolled oats, milk, plain yogurt, turmeric powder, ground cardamom, your choice of sweetener (maple syrup, honey, or chopped dates), and rose water if using. Add the saffron-infused milk along with the steeped saffron threads at this stage.
- Add Nuts: Stir in chopped almonds and pistachios thoroughly to ensure even distribution, which adds a crunchy texture and rich flavor to the oats.
- Refrigerate: Cover the container tightly and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or preferably overnight. This allows the oats to soak up the liquids and flavors to meld while softening to a creamy consistency.
- Serve: In the morning, give the oats a good stir to combine any separated layers. Top with additional nuts, fresh fruits like banana slices, berries, or mango chunks, and a sprinkle of extra saffron or cardamom if desired for an appealing and aromatic finish.
Notes
- Use plant-based milk and yogurt to make this recipe vegan.
- Overnight oats can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator up to 24 hours for optimal freshness.
- Adjust sweetness to your preference by varying maple syrup, honey, or dates.
- Fresh fruits like mango and berries complement the spices and add natural sweetness.
- Steeping saffron is optional but highly recommended for authentic flavor and color.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free if gluten-free oats are used.
