Stop Pouring Leftover Coffee Down The Drain And Use It In An Easy Breakfast Dish

Forgot about your last cup of java? Got some extra cold brew lying around? Stop the waste and use your coffee in an easy breakfast dish: overnight oats. This tasty breakfast is loved for its simplicity, compatibility with many flavor profiles, and is great for prepping ahead of time. Plus, you can skip the morning brew in exchange for a stimulating bowl of oats that'll keep you feeling satiated and energized.

To make coffee-filled overnight oats in a pinch, mix together ½ cup of oats, ¼ cup of coffee, ¼ cup of milk, ½ teaspoon of vanilla, a dash of cinnamon, and maple syrup to taste in a leak-proof storage container. Feel free to add an extra dash of milk if the oats aren't fully submerged. There are plenty of ways to customize this dish, too. For extra fiber toss in a tablespoon of chia seeds. For added creaminess, mix in ⅓ cup of vanilla yogurt or a tablespoon of peanut butter. For crunch and extra nutrients top the overnight oats with a handful of walnuts and pecans. If you desire a chocolate flavor, spoon in cacao powder or chocolate chips, which pair amazingly with the rich coffee base. For a bit more fiber and freshness add in a sliced banana or a handful of blueberries. 

Once your ingredients are sorted give everything a good mix and refrigerate. The oats will be ready in a few hours but will be even better if they can sit in the fridge overnight. They'll last four to five days, making them handy for meal prepping.

Though leftover coffee can be saved and used in many sweet ways, from tiramisu to coffee-flavored frosting, it does have limits. Coffee can sit out at room temperature for around 12 hours before it runs the risk of bacterial growth. It can be saved by storing it in a fridge for an additional day or two, though it's best to just discard or repurpose the coffee before it gets past that point. So if you have brew leftover from the morning turn the coffee into overnight oats that evening unless you'd rather refrigerate it for an upcoming recipe.

If you suspect your brew is too far gone but would like to repurpose it, consider using it for fertilizer. Fill a glass with equal parts water and leftover brew before feeding the concoction to your indoor plants. If you tend to make a stronger brew you can opt for a ⅓ coffee to ⅔ water ratio. 

If you have extra coffee grounds you'd like to use up, try using these ground coffee beans as a dry rub to bring an earthy, bold character to a slab of steak. Make a dry rub in a jiffy by mixing ground coffee, paprika, brown sugar, sea salt, pepper, and garlic. Rub your mixture into the steak for a balanced, acidic flavor. If your beans have gone stale (prevent this with a better storing method), mix your ground coffee with sugar and coconut oil for a beautifully scented homemade body scrub.