How Long Are Overnight Oats Good For (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 5 days

Everyone can store the overnight oats for around 4 to 5 days without any issues. The oats would get softer if they are soaked in milk or water for more time. The creamy flavors and texture of the oats come when they are prepared overnight.

The person can store the overnight oats in the fridge as the ingredients may get bad at normal room temperature. The oats are always delicious and best during the first two days. After 3 to 4 days, the oats would start losing their value even if stored in the fridge.

After 2 to 3 days, the liquid of the oats would get separated from the oats. The person can mix the oats again before enjoying the food. Everyone should store the oats in jars or containers that will support their shelf life.

How Long Are Overnight Oats Good For?

The overnight oats will hold their value and taste for around 4 to 5 days. Everyone can divide the overnight oats into batches before storing them in the containers. The person should avoid adding extra ingredients such as blueberry or strawberry in the oats.

If someone stores the overnight oats in the fridge with additional ingredients, then it may get soft in the fridge. The oats contain dairy or vegan milk which can stay fresh for more than a few days. If a single ingredient in the oats gets bad, then it would affect the whole dish.

The moisture lock process helps in making the overnight oats last extremely long. The oats if stored in the sealed container would not catch any moisture. The moisture would reduce the quality of the overnight oats.

People who do not like to get involved in the frequent oats-making process can freeze the oats. Overnight oats are great for people who have no time for cooking. These oats would be an extremely healthy and wholesome meal.

People can follow many methods to prepare the overnight oats. The overnight oats should be stored in a dark and dry place. The sunlight exposure would reduce the shelf life of the oats. When the oats are mixed with normal water, then they work as perishable food.

These foods can easily host bacterial growth. Therefore, it’s vital to store it in a place where there won’t be any bacteria.

Why Are Overnight Oats Good For This Long?                                        

The dry oatmeal can be stored for years if the required conditions are satisfied. The overnight oats have a shelf life of around 3 to 4 hours at normal room temperature. This is because the microorganism present in the environment would grow very quickly in the overnight oats.

The oats without liquid would have a shelf life of around 12 months or more. The person can know by the following signs that the overnight oats are gone bad:

The oats would start smelling bad.

The normal color of the oatmeal would change if the oat is gone bad. There will be dark spots visible in the overnight oats.

Mold growth is very seen in the overnight oats when they go bad.

The person should choose a good and suitable container for the oats. Glass is taken as the best container for storing overnight oats. The plastic containers would catch the smell of the previously stored meals. The same container would influence the smell of the overnight oats.

Giving the oats a gentle stir after removing them from the refrigerator is vital. Always keep the overnight oats in the middle space of the refrigerator where the temperature function is less.

In the door of the fridge, the temperature fluctuation happens when the person opens the door repeatedly.

Conclusion

People can use almond milk for making overnight oats. Choosing the correct dairy for making overnight oats is important. The shelf life of cow’s milk is less than the almond vegan-free milk. The vegan overnight oats will have better shelf life than the dairy overnight oatmeal.

People can heat the overnight oats in the microwave before having the oats for the breakfast.

References

1. https://gut.bmj.com/content/52/11/1649.short
2. https://www.yumi-organics.ca/blogs/recipes/brain-boosting-oats