Overnight oats, a no-cook breakfast option

Overnight oats are a social-media-driven, no-cook breakfast option made by soaking oats — rolled or steel-cut — in milk or yogurt and often topped with fruits, nuts, or seeds. Overnight oats are making inroads on restaurant menus, particularly at fast-casual brands including Au Bon Pain.

Overnight oats’ versatility allows restaurant operators to experiment with unusual flavor combinations. They appeal to wellness-focused consumers, particularly younger Gen Z clientele; according to market research firm Datassential, 55% of the population has heard of overnight oats and 28% have tried them.

With predicted growth of 140% over the next four years (following 32% growth over the last four), according to Datassential’s MenuCast prediction tool, overnight oats can be a smart addition to any breakfast menu, tapping into demand for “better-for-you” options.

Click through the gallery above to learn more about overnight oats and see how one fast-casual restaurant chain is using them on the menu.