You might know that Blake Lively has a passion for food and cooking. And this S’mores cupcake recipe is one of her best.
In 2016, Gwyneth Paltrow shocked us all when she revealed her recipe for overnight oats.
The revelation, which can be found in her 2016 cookbook, “It’s All Easy,” changed the way most of us eat oatmeal — and now it’s time for you to try it, as well!
We break it all down for you below.
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For starters, overnight oats are uncooked oats that are soaked in milk, yogurt or another liquid overnight in the refrigerator, allowing for quick-and-easy consumption in the morning (or whenever needed).
Oats, which are among the healthiest grains on earth, are a gluten-free whole grain packed with fiber, protein and a host of vitamins and minerals, according to the National Library of Medicine.
They also contain a type of soluble fiber called beta-glucan, which promotes a healthy gut and helps to lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels.
Of course, one of the primary issues many people have with overnight oats is the lack of sweetness. And while sugar, stevia, syrup and honey will do the trick, some people are looking for a little more zest.
That’s where Paltrow’s recipe comes in with two not-so-secret (anymore) ingredients: almonds and orange juice!
Almonds are a good source of protein, fiber, healthy fats, Vitamin E and Biotin, according to The Nutrition Source, but it’s the orange juice that takes these oats to the next level.
Not only does the OJ (and zest, according to Paltrow’s recipe) add Vitamin C and fiber to your diet, but it adds the subtle pop of citrusy sweetness that this morning meal needed.
How to make Paltrow’s famous almond orange overnight oats
In her “It’s All Easy” cookbook, Paltrow describes her oats as both vegetarian and gluten-free.
“These make such a great breakfast on-the-go,” she writes in the book. “Whip them up the night before and they’ll be perfectly cold and creamy in the morning.”
Here’s what you’ll need, per the cookbook:
- 1 tablespoon silvered almonds
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened coconut flakes
- ¼ cup gluten-free quick-cooking oats
- A pinch of kosher salt
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt
- ½ cup almond or rice milk
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice
To make her famous almond orange overnight oats, sauté the almonds and coconut flakes until lightly browned and add them to a bowl or mason jar.
Add the remaining ingredients and stir before covering and refrigerating for at least a few hours — but no longer than two days.
In the book, Paltrow stresses the importance of using quick-cooking oats over traditional rolled oats to ensure the liquid is absorbed properly.
Paltrow also included a recipe for chocolate cinnamon overnight oats, which used ground cinnamon, raw cacao, vanilla, dates, chia seeds and, of course, orange juice.
Benefits of adding overnight oats to your weekly diet
The health benefits of overnight oats are obvious.
It’s highly nutritious, supports heart and digestive health, improves blood sugar control and is known for its antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, per a 2021 review.
And you can enhance those benefits by adding various nuts, berries, seeds, spices and other ingredients (hello, orange juice!) to the mix.
It also solves one of the biggest issues people have with breakfast: not having the energy to make it.
Since overnight oats can be made ahead of time and saved in the fridge for up to a few days, you can have it prepped and ready to eat in the morning.
Just take it out of the fridge and dig in!
But if you’re looking for something to avoid, Paltrow once said in a 2013 interview that juice cleanses have left her “hallucinating for 10 days” in the past.
“Be aware: A juice detox can crash your metabolism and lead to future weight gain,” she said to “The Telegraph” in 2013.
Now just imagine a breakfast featuring Paltrow’s overnight oats and Taylor Swift’s famous pop-tarts and cinnamon rolls — perfection!
