Best Autumn Fruits for Your Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are a fantastic way to enjoy a satisfying meal without any morning rush. By simply combining rolled oats, your favourite yoghurt, and a few other ingredients in a jar the night before, you wake up to a ready-to-eat breakfast. Here I want to share the best autumn fruits for overnight oats.
As the days get shorter and a crisp chill fills the air, our breakfast cravings often shift from light summer bites to something more comforting. But a cosy start to the day doesn’t have to mean a hot breakfast, that is why overnight oats are perfect. A quick, delicious, and healthy breakfast that practically makes itself.
Why Choose Overnight Oats?
If you haven’t yet jumped on the overnight oats bandwagon, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about. Besides being incredibly convenient, this simple breakfast offers a host of benefits that make it a worthy addition to your morning routine.
- It’s a Time-Saver: The biggest appeal is the convenience. Assembling your oats takes less than five minutes the night before. In the morning, you just grab your jar and a spoon. No cooking, no mess, no stress.
- It’s a Healthy Breakfast: Oats are a fantastic source of fibre, particularly beta-glucan, which is known to help lower cholesterol and keep you feeling full for longer. This means you’re less likely to reach for unhealthy snacks before lunch.
- It’s Fully Customisable: You have complete control over what goes into your jar. You can adjust the sweetness, experiment with different milks, and, most importantly, pile on your favourite toppings. This makes it easy to cater to dietary needs and personal tastes.
Autumn Fruits for Overnight Oats
Autumn offers a wonderful harvest of fruits that pair beautifully with the creamy texture of overnight oats. From crisp apples to sweet figs, these seasonal fruits for overnight oats make tasty seasonal breakfasts.
Apples
Is there anything more autumnal than a crisp, juicy apple? This versatile fruit is a classic choice for a reason. Apples add a refreshing crunch and a perfect balance of sweet and tart flavours that cut through the richness of the oats.
- How to use them: You can dice them raw for a fresh crunch or cook them down with a sprinkle of cinnamon for a soft, comforting, apple-pie-inspired topping. For an extra flavour boost, try grating an apple directly into your oat mixture before leaving it to soak.
- Best varieties: Look for firm, crisp apples like Braeburn, Gala, or Jazz. Their sweetness holds up well, and they won’t turn mushy when using these autumn fruits for overnight oats.
Pears
Often overshadowed by apples, pears are an equally delicious autumn fruit. They have a delicate, floral sweetness and a soft, buttery texture when ripe, making them a great choice.
- How to use them: Diced ripe pears can be stirred directly into your oats for a subtle sweetness. For a more decadent treat, try poaching them in a little water with a cinnamon stick and a star anise. The soft, fragrant fruit and its spiced syrup are a game-changer.
- Best varieties: Conference and Comice pears are excellent choices for autumn fruits for overnight oats, as they become very soft and sweet when ripe.
Figs
With their jammy texture and honey-like sweetness, fresh figs feel like a treat. They bring a unique flavour and a touch of uniqueness to your breakfast jar. Early Autumn is their peak season, so be sure to grab them while you can. Whilst they might not be the fruits you would think of for overnight oats, they actually work perfectly.
- How to use them: Simply slice them and arrange them on top of your oats in the morning. Their natural sweetness is often all you need, but a drizzle of honey or maple syrup can complement their flavour if you want something a little sweeter.
- Best varieties: Brown Turkey and Black Mission figs are widely available and packed with a rich, sweet flavour.
Plums
Plums offer a delightful sweet-tart flavour and a gorgeous deep red or purple colour. They soften well when cooked, creating a compote-like topping that swirls nicely into creamy oats. If you have a plum tree, you could also make this lovely quinoa salad, which I love!
- How to use them: You can add diced fresh plums for a juicy bite, but they truly shine when gently cooked. Simmer chopped plums with a splash of water and a touch of sugar or honey until they break down into a thick, syrupy sauce.
- Best varieties: Victoria plums are a classic British favourite, known for their perfect balance of sweetness and tartness. A perfect choice of fruits for overnight oats, you could even do a combination of plum and apple, yum!
Blackberries
As summer fades, the last of the blackberries appear. Their deep, tangy flavour provides a sharp contrast to the mildness of the oats, and their vibrant colour makes a very pretty breakfast. These are one of my favourite autumn fruits for overnight oats!
- How to use them: Scatter a handful of fresh blackberries on top of your oats just before serving. You can also mash a few with a fork and swirl them through the mixture for a beautiful ripple effect and a more integrated flavour.
Enjoying Your Autumn Fruits for Overnight Oats
Making a healthy and delicious breakfast doesn’t need to be complicated. With a little planning, overnight oats can provide a nutritious and comforting start to your day. By using autumn fruits for overnight oats, you can create a more affordable breakfast, as seasonal fruits are often less expensive. You may even get the fruits free from your own garden.
Do you have any other favourite autumn fruits for overnight oats that you can recommend? Let me know in the comments below.
