The best oats to use for overnight oats are rolled oats, also known as old- fashioned oats. These oats are steamed, rolled flat, and slightly toasted, which gives them a creamy texture with a slight chew after soaking overnight. Rolled oats absorb the liquid well, becoming soft but not mushy, making them ideal for overnight soaking. Here is a quick rundown of oat types for overnight oats:

• Rolled oats (Old-fashioned oats): Best for creamy texture with some bite. Soaking time: 6-8 hours. They maintain a pleasant texture without becoming too soft.
• Steel-cut oats: Have a dense and chewy texture, take longer to soften and usually need longer soaking or additional cooking.
• Quick oats: Absorb liquid very quickly and can become mushy, so less ideal for overnight oats but can be used if you want a softer texture fast.

Popular recommended brands for rolled oats used in overnight oats are Bob’s Red Mill Organic Rolled Oats, Quaker Old-Fashioned Oats, and Nature’s Path Organic Quick Oats if you want a faster soak. In summary, for the classic and best overnight oats experience, go with rolled oats/old-fashioned oats to get the ideal creamy, slightly chewy texture after soaking overnight. Steel-cut oats work if you prefer a heartier chew and have more soaking time. Quick oats can get too mushy for some preferences. This is the consensus across multiple expert sources and recipes on overnight oats.