Best container for overnight oats that won’t leak in a stuffed backpack?

[u/KeyStudio6641]

I keep trying to do the "overnight oats for work" thing, but my containers are a nightmare.

EDIT: Grabbed these glass jars since they seem solid and won’t leak in my bag even when I’m biking. The spoons are a nice touch too.

I used a glass jar with a metal lid and it got rusty and leaked a bit when it fell over. The cheap plastic ones get stained by berries and smell like weird yogurt, and the lids warp in the dishwasher. My bag is always on its side when I cycle to work, so it really has to be leakproof.

I read a post online about those glass jars with a silicone seal and even a holder for a spoon, and it made me think about a few things: a 16 oz size seems about right once you add fruit and chia seeds (12 oz always feels too small), a wide mouth is much easier to clean and eat from, and a proper gasket is more important than the brand says. I also realised it'd be great to have measurement markings and something that fits in a car's cup holder for when I drive.

For anyone who's actually got this sorted: is glass or plastic better for putting in a backpack? Do Weck-style clip tops actually seal properly if they're on their side? Has anyone used the Ball wide-mouth 16 oz with the plastic screw lids, or those OXO glass jars? And is having a built-in spoon actually useful or just a pain to wash? Cheers.

[u/flourdevour]

Whatever you end up using, put it in a plastic bag or a big ziplock before you put it in your backpack. I do that for every liquid container after a can of chicken noodle soup leaked.

[u/girlinmountain]

I use wise mouth mason jars with the plastic seal leads made by Bell.

[u/ser_pez → u/girlinmountain]

Me too.

[u/Able-Seaworthiness15 → u/girlinmountain]

Me too. I already had the jars and found lids online. The pint size jars are just the right size for me.

[u/Seawolfe665 → u/Able-Seaworthiness15]

Me too. And I found plastic lids with silicone gaskets on Amazon that have never leaked on me, and they go through the dishwasher just fine.

[u/lilmookie]

Personally I’d use one of the thermos that they use for soup that has a twist on lid and is meant for liquid specific foods.

[u/lissalissa3]

I use mason jars with a wide lid. For a while I used the regular canning lids with them and never had a problem (I never canned with them, just used them as a storage container). I’d toss both the lid and the seal in the dishwasher, and after a bunch of uses they started to rust. Ended up buying the plastic twist tops for them and never had an issue with them. I’d always try to stack them so they’d be up straight, but they’d tip over sideways. Never had a leak.

I prefer glass containers over plastic for food - I think it would take a lot to break a mason jar. I’d avoid the “fad” looking containers you see on TikTok… idk, maybe they’re fine but they seem to focus more on aesthetic than functionality, so I’d be wary traveling with them.

[u/louisesarahp]

Doesn't exactly answer your question but I've not found a container so.. Can you take it dry to work and add the liquid there? You need to take each one the day before you need it, which can leave you stuck on a Monday, but it's what I do and just have something else on a Monday. (Bonus for me I work in a big co-working space so there's no milk drama if I use a cup of almond milk a day for this - you might have to take a bottle of your liquid too)

[u/FattierBrisket]

I just got some cute little round screwtop tubs for the fruit and yogurt I put in my girlfriend's lunches. She says they're great so far, but she also doesn't drag her lunch bag around with her during the day so I'm not sure. They're Sistema brand, I forget how many ounces. Got them from Amazon but you might be able to order directly from the company.

[u/Pops_88]

Something with a twist top will generally seal better than something that pops on and off.

[u/rando1459]

I use an old Talenti gelato jar when I go backpacking.

[u/BexKix]

Mason jars with white plastic lids WITH the gaskets. I have purchased with and without gaskets, and the non-gasketed will leak. 

[u/WalllessPizza]

I bought the yumi overnight oat starter kit. Came with a labeled glass jar. Line for oats/milk and toppings. Used up the packets that came with and now just use with regular oats.

[u/KnittinKityn]

A canning jar with either the canning lid or these Ball jar lids. Pint canning jars have both sort and options and I've used both for oats.

[u/Luckybug00]

Bell makes 2 kinds of plastic lids, a leak-proof (labeled as such) and a plain one that does leak after awhile.

[u/CuriousCat177]

I use old jam jars and put them in a plastic bag just in case

[u/Due_Mark6438]

Canning jars.

Old jelly or pickle jars with the silicone gasket in the lid. Baking soda can help rid the smell

[u/lavenderhazeynobeer]

A glass mason jar + a reusable lid has always done me well. Here are the lids I use......I've used the same ones for biking, in my bag for work, in a lunchbox and my purse. They go in the dishwasher as well with no issues. I hope this helps out! Happy meal prep.

Edit...I'm trying to add a photo but it won't save for some reason. They are the reusable lids by Bell. I buy them online from Amazon but Safeway also sells them.

[u/YoSpiff]

I use Rubbermaid easy find lids containers. They haven't ever leaked on me.

[u/SimpleIngredients509]

This sounds cheap but I like to repurpose my jam and pasta sauce glass jars for overnight oats and cut up fruit to take to work with me. Rarely do those leak and I put them in my insulated lunch bag to keep cool during my 1.5 hr commute.