Rice Pudding(ish) Overnight Oats

A more accurate name: overnight oats for your leftover cooked grains

February has long been my month of oatmeal. This year I again don’t have time to commit to the daily #28daysofoatmeal challenge, but I couldn’t let it pass without something to commemorate.

If you wish to try it out, though, the rules are simple: change up your bowl of oatmeal every day throughout the month. It’s a fun way to break free of a breakfast rut and get your creativity going (check out the #28daysofoatmeal hashtag on Instagram for inspo; there is tons of it, and not just from me). And make sure to use the tag when you share your photos so that I can see them.

After I finally warmed up to overnight oats last year, I’ve found them — like thousands if not millions of people before me — to be incredibly enjoyable and convenient to have on hand in the refrigerator (why was I so slow to catch up?). They’re quick to make, easy to transport, and also very satisfying and energizing in the morning.

Recently, with an excess of cooked rice and quinoa, I wondered about incorporating leftover cooked grains in, making them something of an “overnight mixed grains” situation (just to reiterate, these non-oat grains do need to be cooked first, unlike the rolled oats). I started with a combination of rolled oats, allowing them to plump up a bit with chia seeds in hot water, and then folded in my cooked grains and all the rest of the ingredients.

When I took a bite the next day, I was so struck by how similar the texture was to leftover rice pudding, something I really love when it’s thick and cold. So in the next couple rounds, I doubled down on that.

I amped up the rice pudding qualities with ground cinnamon and dates folded in (you could use raisins, too). Instead of milk or cream I went with an ample amount of creamy Greek yogurt, which, in addition to a few other tweaks, has helped to boost the protein, too.

It works out so well, allowing all kinds of flexibility. And as long as you’ve got leftover cooked rice or grains on hand, it’ll be just as easy as the original. I’ve got a number of notes below with the recipe.

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A quick reminder that my new book The Bread Machine Book is currently available for preorder, and we’ve got a “sweepstakes” preorder prize for one lucky winner:

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Rice Pudding Overnight Oats