The morning is always the worst time of day to be rushing around trying to get ready, maybe do a little yoga, AND fix yourself a nutritious, but yummy breakfast, especially if you're vegan and don't have the luxury of scrambling up a few eggs or getting a drive-thru breakfast burrito. I have found that the easiest way to enjoy a delicious, healthy breakfast without spending any time in the morning preparing it is to make overnight oats!

Overnight oats are a very versatile breakfast that you can really add anything to. In my recipes I used plain, instant oats, almond or cashew milk, and maple syrup as a sweetener. I also added chia seeds to every jar for a little extra protein (you can always use the extra protein as a vegan), as well as some extra seasonings and toppings to add flavor. I made these the night before, taking about five minutes to mix up the base, and then added the toppings in the morning!

The first oats recipe I have is Mixed Berry Shortcake. For this recipe I took the base of instant oats, unsweetened almond milk, maple syrup, and chia seeds, and added strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries, a little vanilla extract, and some granola on top for texture. This was my favorite recipe by far. The oats were creamy and sweet but filled me up enough to hold me over until lunch.

The next recipe was for Banana Bread Oats. This recipe included the base of oats, almond milk, maple syrup, and chia seeds, as well as about half of a sliced banana, a pinch of cinnamon, and some granola. This recipe was the most reminiscent of my childhood when I used to eat cinnamon oatmeal with bananas on top. I also think this recipe would be fantastic with a dollop of nut butter mixed in!

Finally, I created the Almond Joy Overnight Oats! This recipe was the one that I was looking forward to most. Inspiration struck when I was looking in my cabinet and saw almonds, Hawaiian coconut, and dairy free chocolate chips. This was the most fun recipe to make as well as to eat. For these oats I started with the base, except I used chocolate cashew milk. This milk is much thicker so I had to use an extra half cup to completely soak the oats. I also added a little cocoa powder to the mix and topped it with crushed almonds, some coconut pieces I got in Hawaii, and chocolate chips.

l hope that you try one or more of these recipes and love them! I have found that overnight oats are the absolute best breakfast for the mornings that I have to be to work or class at 8 a.m. and don't want to be rushed. My goal is for people to love my recipes and maybe come up with their own concoctions!

Base of Overnight Oats

1 cup instant oats

1 tbsp chia seeds

1 1/2 cups non-dairy milk

2 tbsp maple syrup or some other liquid sweetener

1. Mix dry ingredients together in an empty jar.

2. Mix in liquid ingredients.

3. Let sit overnight or at least 4 hours.

Mixed Berry Shortcake Overnight Oats

1 handful strawberries

1 handful blueberries

1 handful blackberries

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 handful granola

1. While mixing the oats the night before, add the vanilla extract and blueberries in with the liquid ingredients.

Banana Bread Overnight Oats

1/3 to 1/2 a ripe banana

1 tsp cinnamon powder

1 handful granola

1. Mix cinnamon into dry ingredients when mixing oats the night before.

2. Add bananas and granola on top in the morning.

Almond Joy Overnight Oats

1 tbsp cocoa powder

2 cups chocolate cashew milk

1 handful almonds

1 handful coconut chips

1 handful dairy-free chocolate chips

1. While preparing the oats the night before, add cocoa powder to dry ingredients and 2 cups, instead of 1 1/2, cashew milk to oatmeal.

2. Add all toppings in the morning.