Overnight Oatmeal Recipes to Jumpstart Your Morning

Steel-cut oats offer a nutty alternative to hot cereal made with rolled oats. If you prefer, substitute firm pears for apples or dried cranberries for the raisins.

The best way to cook steel-cut oats during the week? Don’t cook them at all. Instead of a slow simmer, soak the oats overnight in your milk of choice, and serve the next morning. The oats soften and plump in the liquid yet retain a wonderfully chewy texture. If you prefer them warm, heat in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Cocoa nibs add a little extra crunch and a wake-up jolt similar to coffee. We love the contrast of creamy oats with the crunchy granola (recipe below). Use seasonal blackberries and citrus or any fruit you like.

This oatmeal bowl is a great on-the-go breakfast and is also made probiotic-rich with the addition of kefir.  This bowl is best enjoyed cold becuase the active cultures in kefir are sensitive to heat. Resist the urge to microwave the oats, keeping it chilled for maximum benefits.

A buttermilk, syrup, vanilla and cinnamon mixture makes a super rich and creamy oatmeal. Refrigerate overnight and top with fruit and nuts just before serving.

Speed up your morning routine with a low-maintenance breakfast made the night before. Studies show frozen blueberries have considerably greater polyphenol concentrations than fresh, while most other nutrient levels are comparable between the two. Walnuts deliver a one-two punch of crunch and nutrition: They are a top nut for brain health thanks to the powerful combination of omega-3 fats, vitamin E, and antioxidants.

These little jars filled with fiber, whole grains, and protein are a necessary solution to your busy weekday mornings. The best part is, they're extremely customizable. Feel free to experiment with any of these additions: A spoonful of plain Greek yogurt or natural peanut butter, a handful of nuts (we prefer walnuts), some raisins or other dried fruit, or a tablespoon of chia seeds or ground flax meal. Not a fan of cold oats? Simply place the glass jar in the microwave (without the metal lid!) and nuke for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Steel-cut oats have a wonderful chewy texture but can take a long time to cook. By soaking them overnight, all you have to do is heat them in the morning. Chia seeds help make the cereal creamy and filling. The recipe comes from the outdoor cooking experts behind the blog Dirty Gourmet, dirtygourmet.com.

GEAR 2-qt. backpacking saucepan, spork, backpacking stove and fuel, Nalgene bottle (for measuring), backpacking ladle

Lose weight the 5:2 way. This quick and easy healthy breakfast recipe is featured in the breakfast section of the new 5:2 Starter's Guide to The 2-Day Diet. The book provides a selection of over 100 tasty recipes that meet the daily 500 calorie allotment for the 2 days of intermittent fasting, as required by the 5:2 Diet.