Indian-Style Overnight Oats with Saffron, Cardamom, and Pistachios Recipe
A fragrant and nutritious Indian-style overnight oats recipe infused with cardamom, saffron, and rose water, enriched with creamy yogurt and topped with crunchy pistachios. Perfect for a quick, wholesome breakfast or snack that’s ready to enjoy straight from the fridge.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 6 hours 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Indian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Overnight Oats Base
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt (or Greek yogurt)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1.5 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1/2 teaspoon rose water (optional but magical)
Saffron Milk
- A pinch of saffron threads
- 1 tablespoon milk (for infusing saffron)
Toppings
- 1 tablespoon chopped pistachios (plus more for topping)
Instructions
- Infuse Saffron: In a small bowl, warm 1 tablespoon of milk gently until just warm, not boiling. Add a pinch of saffron threads to the warm milk and let it sit to release color and flavor.
- Prepare Oats Mixture: In a jar or mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, plain yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup or honey, ground cardamom, rose water (if using), and the remaining milk. Stir well until the mixture forms a thick, loose batter.
- Combine and Portion: Pour the saffron-infused milk into the oats mixture along with the chopped pistachios. Mix thoroughly to evenly distribute all ingredients. Then, divide the mixture equally into two glass jars or containers.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Cover the jars and refrigerate them overnight or for at least 4 to 6 hours to allow the oats and chia seeds to absorb the liquids and flavors.
- Serve: In the morning, give the oats a good stir, then top with additional chopped pistachios and a few saffron strands for a beautiful, aromatic finish. Serve cold and enjoy.
Notes
- You can use any milk of your choice—dairy or plant-based like almond, coconut, or oat milk.
- Rose water is optional but adds a lovely floral note enhancing the traditional Indian flavors.
- Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of maple syrup or honey to your preference.
- The oats and chia seeds will thicken the mixture; if it becomes too thick, add a splash more milk before serving.
- This recipe is naturally gluten-free if you use certified gluten-free oats.
Keywords: overnight oats, Indian breakfast, cardamom oats, saffron oats, healthy breakfast, vegetarian, chia seeds, pistachios
