10 Best Overnight Oats Recipes

Overnight oats are healthy, full of flavor, and one of the easiest breakfasts you'll ever make. With countless flavor combinations and simple customization, overnight oats provide a perfect healthy breakfast solution for those with busy mornings.

Overnight oats are made by using a combination of whole rolled oats, milk and yogurt. When you leave the oats chilled in the fridge overnight, the oats get a chance to absorb the liquid.

This creates a soft, chewy, and creamy texture that’s very filling and eaten cold with a spoon.

If you like this overnight oatmeal, you might also enjoy my popular baked oatmeal breakfast cups and chia puddings with 6 flavors. Both are great for grab-and-go breakfasts.

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Overnight Oats Recipes

Overnight oats are so easy to meal prep in advance and store in the fridge. They last a long time if you assemble them properly (I go through that in detail below).

Plus, they’re full of healthy nutritious ingredients including protein and fiber that will help to increase your energy.

Free Overnight Oats Cookbook

Make sure you grab my gluten free overnight oats recipe cookbook. Inside you’ll get the six delicious flavor recipes you see here plus all the best tips and tricks for making this delicious breakfast.

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What's the difference between overnight oats and regular oats?

The primary difference between overnight oats and regular oats lies in the preparation method. With overnight oats, you soak old-fashioned oats in liquid and refrigerate them overnight (or for a few hours), allowing them to absorb the liquid and soften.

In contrast, regular oats are typically cooked on the stovetop or in the microwave, resulting in a faster, warm, and creamy oatmeal dish.

Overnight Oats Ingredients

When I make my overnight oats, I like to start with a simple base and then get creative with toppings and mix-ins. Here's my go-to base recipe that ensures the oats turn out creamy and flavorful:

• ROLLED OATS - I always use old-fashioned rolled oats for the best texture. Quick oats just don't produce the same results. These can be found at any grocery store in the cereal aisle.
• MILK OF CHOICE - Overnight oats are adaptable to any type of milk. I used regular milk for this recipe, but you can also use a dairy-free alternative like almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk, oat milk or hemp milk. For extra flavor, try something like vanilla almond milk.
• YOGURT - Adding a dollop of yogurt makes the overnight oats even creamier and more satisfying. You can use regular yogurt, greek yogurt, skyr yogurt, or a dairy-free option like cashew yogurt. Each kind of yogurt will give a little different consistency to the overnight oats. In general, the thicker the type of yogurt, the thicker the overnight oats will be.
• SWEETENER - A touch of sweetness goes a long way. I usually opt for a drizzle of maple syrup or honey, but you can also use stevia, monk fruit sweetener, coconut sugar, or ¼ of mashed banana to sweeten your oats.

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Additions

Once the base is ready, you can get creative with the mix-ins and toppings. Here are some of my favorites:

• FRUIT - Fresh or dried fruits are a great way to add natural sweetness, color, and extra nutrients to my overnight oats. I particularly enjoy berries, sliced bananas, or raisins. The Quaker Oats recipe also suggests adding fruits to your overnight oats.
• NUTS AND SEEDS - A sprinkle of nuts or seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds) adds crunch and a dose of healthy fats. I like using almonds, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds, but the options are endless!
• CHIA SEEDS - I love adding chia seeds for an extra nutrient boost and because they help thicken the oats, giving it a great texture. You can think of them as a secret ingredient that makes a big difference!
• FLAVOR ADD-INS - There are so many great ingredients to flavor your oats. You can try cocoa powder, chocolate chips, cinnamon, cream cheese, peanut butter, and jam just to name a few.

NOTE: If you don’t like yogurt, I have a dairy-free overnight oats recipe at the bottom of this post using chia seeds.

How To Make Overnight Oats

This is the base for all overnight oatmeal recipes that we’ll be using for all of our flavors:

The overnight oats ratio is: ½ cup rolled oats + ½ cup milk + ⅓ cup yogurt + 1 tablespoon sweeter + pinch of salt = the best overnight oats

Making overnight oats is really simple and can be done in four easy steps:

1. MIX INGREDIENTS - First, mix all the base ingredients together in a bowl. These are the rolled oats, milk, yogurt, sweetener and pinch of salt. Add in any flavor additions.
2. ASSEMBLE - Pour the oat mixture into an airtight container, my favorite option is an 8 oz mason jar like I use in the photos. This is not mandatory, you can use any container you have as long as you seal it with a lid or cover it with plastic wrap.
3. CHILL OVERNIGHT - Place the overnight oats in the fridge overnight to let the oats fully absorb all the liquid.
4. SERVE WITH TOPPINGS - In the morning before you serve, give the oats a quick stir. Next, add any favorite toppings including, berries, sliced banana, shredded coconut, raisins, apple slices, dark chocolate chips, nut butter and anything else you like!

Best Containers To Use

When it comes to enjoying my overnight oats, I have found that the right jar makes all the difference. I prefer to use containers that are not only functional but also visually appealing.

After trying out several options, I have a few favorites that I'd like to share:

• 8 oz Wide Mouth Mason Jars - I love using glass jars since they're microwave-safe and leak-proof. These jars have a wide mouth, making it easy to mix and add ingredients, while their airtight seal keeps my oats fresh.
• 16 oz Wide Mouth Mason Jars - These jars are slightly larger than the 8-ounce ones, which means I can fit in more toppings or a bigger serving of oats for those extra-hungry mornings. The wide-mouth design simplifies the process of filling and cleaning the jars.
• 16 oz Plastic Mason Jars - If you prefer a plastic container because they are lightweight and less fragile than glass jars, then these 16 oz plastic mason jars are the perfect design! Its lid features an airtight seal and space to secure a spoon, ensuring my oats stay fresh and protected from spills during my morning commute.

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Tips For Making The Best Overnight Oats

Making overnight oats is almost foolproof, but there are a few tips to ensure the best results:

• Prep Ingredients The Night Before - Overnight oats are really easy to assemble. But you want to give the oats some time to fully soak up the milk and yogurt, and I find the best results are if you let them sit in the refrigerator overnight.
• Eat Overnight Oats Cold - Most people prefer to eat their overnight oats cold – this is what makes them an easy on-the-go breakfast. This might take a bit of getting used to. So if you think that eating cold oats is just too weird, you can warm them up in the microwave.
• When You’re Ready To Eat, Stir It Up and Enjoy - Overnight oats are pretty straightforward to eat. Take a spoon and stir them up – then take a bite. They’re wonderfully satisfying and delicious.
• Make Your Overnight Oats Enjoyable For Your Own Tastes: There are so many delicious flavors you can make with one basic overnight oats recipe. Below you'll find 10 of the best overnight oats flavors for you to try! These overnight oats are easily adaptable – try different fruits, nuts or seeds, and don’t be afraid to swap any ingredients out.

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1. Vanilla Overnight Oats

Vanilla overnight oats act as the base recipe for all the other flavors that you can make. But vanilla is so good you will definitely want to try it! This recipe will make 2 servings.

To make vanilla overnight oats you'll need:

• ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats (large flake oats)
• ½ cup milk (can be dairy milk or plant based milk)
• ⅓ cup plain yogurt (I prefer plain greek yogurt)
• ½ tablespoon honey (or maple syrup, brown sugar, coconut sugar or half a mashed banana)
• 2 teaspoon chia seeds (optional, but I prefer the texture of the oats when they're added)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• a pinch of sea salt

Add all of these ingredients to a bowl and mix them together. Place the oats in the fridge covered (use an airtight container like a mason jar) and leave overnight in the fridge. When you're ready to eat, give them a stir and then enjoy!

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How Long Do Overnight Oats Have To Sit?

Having the patience to wait for overnight oats is hard. I’ve tested these recipes after 30 minutes, 1 hour, 2 hours, 4 hours, and overnight.

I can honestly say that you need a minimum of 4 hours for the overnight oats to fully soak up the liquids and do their job. If you wait overnight they will be at their best consistency.

Oats after only 1 hour will taste sloppy and kind of gross. So even though it can be tough to wait overnight, you really need to for this to work.

2. Chocolate Overnight Oats

Chocolate overnight oats are really delicious! I love the overall chocolate flavor and hidden chocolate chips that come in every bite. This recipe will make 2 servings.

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup milk - dairy milk or plant-based milk
• ⅔ cup plain yogurt - greek yogurt works best
• 2 Tbsp chocolate chips
• 1 Tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 Tbsp honey - pure maple syrup, or sugar
• 2 tsp chia seeds - optional
• ¼ tsp salt

To make these oats, just add all the ingredients above to a large bowl and mix them together well. Store covered in the fridge for a minimum of 4 hours but preferably overnight.

Just before serving, give the oats a good stir. Sprinkle a few chocolate chips on top and then enjoy!

Do You Eat Overnight Oats Cold?

Yes! Just pull them out of the fridge, grab a spoon and give a quick stir. Then dig in. The oats do not need to be heated. This might seem a little strange at first, but after you get used to it, you’ll love eating them cold!

3. Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats

Similar to a classic PB&J sandwich, but in oat form! These peanut butter overnight oats would also taste yummy with some chopped nuts and dried fruit mixed in. This recipe will make 2 servings.

You can also swap the peanut butter with any nut butter or try sunflower seed butter for a nut-free option.

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup milk - dairy milk or plant-based milk
• ⅔ cup plain yogurt - greek yogurt works best
• 2 Tbsp peanut butter - or nut butter, seed butter
• 1 Tbsp honey - pure maple syrup, or sugar
• 2 tsp chia seeds - optional
• ¼ tsp salt
• 1 Tbsp strawberry jam - optional topping added when serving

For this easy overnight oats recipe, mix together all the ingredients except the strawberry jam. Cover with a lid and refrigerate overnight.

In the morning, just before you serve, give the oats a good stir. Then add a big spoonful of strawberry jam to the top.

This can be mixed in or served on top of the oats. For extra flavor, drizzle a bit of peanut butter or almond butter that has been warmed in the microwave overtop of the jam. Top with a few crushed nuts and serve!

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How Long Do Overnight Oats Last?

The overnight oats will last about a week in the fridge if stored in an airtight container. You can meal prep a batch of oats on Sunday night, store in the fridge and eat for breakfast throughout the week.

FAQs

4. Banana Bread Overnight Oats

I'm a really big fan of these banana bread overnight oats! Mashed banana acts like a sweetener so you don't even need to add any honey! You can also add banana slices to change the texture. This recipe will make 2 servings.

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup milk - dairy milk or plant-based milk
• ⅔ cup plain yogurt - greek yogurt works best
• ½ banana, mashed
• 1-2 Tbsp chopped walnuts - optional
• 1 Tbsp honey - pure maple syrup, or sugar
• 2 tsp chia seeds - optional
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp sea salt

To make this overnight oats recipe, first you'll need to mash half a banana with a fork. I prefer to mash it really well as it's barely noticeable when you mix everything together.

Next, add the mashed banana and all the other ingredients to a bowl. Mix them together evenly, then cover with a lid and place in the fridge to chill and let the oats soak overnight.

By the morning, your oats will be the perfect consistency! Just give them a quick stir and add any favorite toppings like sliced banana and more chopped walnuts.

**Get Our FREE Overnight Oats Guide: All six healthy overnight oat recipes in one easy-to-print format – sign up here to get it

Do Overnight Oats Have To Be In A Glass?

No definitely not. You can use any containers that you already have at home. The overnight oats should be covered while in the refrigerator.

You can use an airtight container with lid or wrap the top of the container with plastic wrap.

5. Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

The combination of apples and cinnamon goes perfectly with overnight oats! This recipe is an all-time favorite for that reason. This recipe will make 2 servings.

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup milk - dairy milk or plant-based milk
• ⅔ cup plain yogurt - greek yogurt works best
• ½ cup chopped apple
• 1 Tbsp honey - pure maple syrup, or sugar
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp chia seeds - optional
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp sea salt

Make sure to chop the apple into very small pieces before making these overnight oats. To make this recipe, place all the ingredients in a bowl and mix them together evenly.

Scoop them into a mason jar or an airtight container and seal them with a lid. Let these chill in the fridge overnight. The next morning, you can give them a stir and then enjoy!

6. Pineapple Coconut Overnight Oats

Pineapple coconut overnight oats have a pina colada like flavor. You can enhance the coconut taste by using coconut-flavored yogurt and coconut milk.

Crushed pineapple adds the perfect sweetness, you might not even want to add honey! This recipe will make 2 servings.

**Get Our FREE Overnight Oats Guide: All six healthy overnight oat recipes in one easy-to-print format – sign up here to get it

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup coconut milk - or regular milk
• ⅔ cup coconut flavored yogurt - or plain yogurt
• ½ cup crushed pineapple - drained
• ⅓ cup shredded coconut
• 1 Tbsp honey - pure maple syrup, or sugar
• 2 tsp chia seeds - optional
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt

To make this recipe, it's important to drain the canned crushed pineapple of as much liquid as possible. It's okay if you can't drain all of it.

Next, add the pineapple to a bowl along with all of the other ingredients. Give it a good mix and then place the overnight oats covered in the fridge for a minumum of 4 hours, but preferrably until the next morning.

Give them a quick stir then scoop and serve!

7. Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

These carrot cake overnight oats have great flavor. The combination of shredded carrots, cinnamon, raisins and walnuts tastes just like carrot cake! This recipe makes 2 servings.

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup milk - dairy milk or plant-based milk
• ⅔ cup plain yogurt - greek yogurt works best
• ¼ cup shredded carrots
• ¼ cup raisins
• 2 Tbsp chopped walnuts - optional
• 1 Tbsp honey - pure maple syrup, or sugar
• 2 tsp chia seeds - optional
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp ginger powder
• ¼ tsp salt

To make these overnight oats you'll need to shred 1 medium carrot to get ¼ cup worth. Add the shredded carrot and all the other ingredients to a bowl and mix them together thoroughly.

Cover the container with a lid and place in the fridge to chill overnight. Give it a good stir before serving.

8. Tiramisu Overnight Oats

These overnight oats are totally delicious. They're creamy and have a hint of coffee taste, very reminiscent of tiramisu dessert. This recipe makes 2 servings.

• 1 cup rolled oats
• ¾ cup milk - dairy milk or plant-based milk
• ⅔ cup plain yogurt - greek yogurt works best
• ¼ cup cold coffee
• 2 Tbsp softened mascarpone cheese - or cream cheese
• 1 Tbsp honey - pure maple syrup, or sugar
• 2 tsp chia seeds
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ cup whipped cream - add as topping just before serving
• cocoa powder - for dusting on top of whipped cream

First, you'll need to soften the mascarpone cheese or cream cheese to room temperature. This will make it easier to mix.

To make this recipe, add all ingredients (except whipped cream and cocoa powder) to a bowl and mix them together. Cover and chill overnight in the fridge.

When ready to serve, mix the ingredients together. Top with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder and enjoy!

9. Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats

One of my favorite recipes of the bunch is this strawberry cheesecake overnight oats. The combination of fresh fruit, cream cheese, and graham crackers makes this recipe taste like cheesecake! It's very rich and decadent. This makes 2 servings.

**Get Our FREE Overnight Oats Guide: All six healthy overnight oat recipes in one easy-to-print format – sign up here to get it

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup milk - dairy milk or plant-based milk
• ⅔ cup plain yogurt - greek yogurt works best
• ⅓ cup chopped fresh strawberries
• ¼ cup crushed graham crackers
• 1 Tbsp honey - pure maple syrup, or sugar
• 1 Tbsp softened cream cheese (room temperature) - or softened mascarpone cheese
• 2 tsp chia seeds - optional
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ¼ tsp salt

First, chop some strawberries into small bite-size pieces. The smaller the better. Next, crush 1 or 2 graham crackers so that you have enough to equal ¼ cup of graham cracker crumbs.

The cream cheese needs to be softened to room temperature for a couple hours so that it will mix in well.

Add all of the ingredients to a bowl and mix together. Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and place in the fridge to chill overnight. When ready to serve, stir the ingredients then scoop and enjoy.

10. Blueberry Lemon Overnight Oats

Blueberry and oats are a classic. Adding a bit of lemon zest truly takes this to the next level with flavor! This recipe makes 2 servings.

• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup milk - dairy milk or plant-based milk
• ⅔ cup plain yogurt - greek yogurt works best
• ⅓ cup fresh blueberries
• 1 Tbsp honey - pure maple syrup, or sugar
• 2 tsp chia seeds - optional
• 1 tsp lemon zest - or lemon extract (optional)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp salt

First, grate the peel of a lemon using a cheese grate. You'll need 1 teaspoon of lemon zest.

You can also use 1 teaspoon of lemon extract instead (it can be found in the baking aisle at the grocery store).

I prefer to use fresh blueberries over frozen blueberries, for their taste and texture. But frozen blueberries will also work.

Next, add all the ingredients to a bowl and mix together. Cover and store cold in the fridge overnight for the best results. In the morning, give the oats a good stir and top with more fresh berries. Serve and enjoy.

How To Store Overnight Oats

The easiest way that I’ve found to make overnight oats is by using 8 oz mason jars (250 ml). One serving of this recipe will sit perfectly in this size of jar (divide the recipe in half for one serving).

It’s easy to seal and stack in individual-sized portions in the fridge. If you begin to love eating overnight oats regularly, then purchasing a 12 pack of these mason jars for $20 is a great (and affordable) option for storage.

I also use these 8 oz mason jars for making homemade chia puddings. They’re really versatile.

Do Overnight Oats Have To Be In A Glass?

No definitely not. You can use any containers that you already have at home. The overnight oats should be covered while in the refrigerator. You can use an airtight container with lid or wrap the top of the container with plastic wrap.

**Get Our FREE Overnight Oats Guide: All six healthy overnight oat recipes in one easy-to-print format – sign up here to get it

Overnight Oats Without Dairy

Don’t like Yogurt? Lactose intolerant? No problem – this recipe combination can be used to create delicious oat base alternatives. Then just add the flavor additions to create any that you like:

Overnight Oats Without Milk

Instead of milk you can use water. Here’s the recipe combination: ½ cup rolled oats + ½ cup milk + ⅓ cup plain yogurt and 1 tablespoon sweetener (honey or maple syrup).

Overnight Oats Without Yogurt

If you’re not a fan of yogurt, then you can try the chia seed recipe below.

Overnight oats with chia seeds (Dairy-Free)

Instead of using yogurt, the chia seeds are used to thicken it up. Here’s the recipe combination: ½ cup rolled oats + ½ cup dairy-free milk (almond, cashew, oat, hemp, soy etc) + 2 teaspoon of chia seeds. Mix together and add any flavor additions. These will need to chill overnight as well.

On a side note, I really like adding chia seeds to my overnight oats as I did with all the recipes above! They add a nice consistency, but they are definitely optional. 

Chia pudding can sometimes be hard for me to eat because there are just too many chia seeds. But when you mix them with oats it's much more pleasant. 1-2 teaspoon of chia seeds can be added to any of these recipes, even with yogurt added as well.

In conclusion, overnight oats recipes are a fantastic breakfast option for those who are short on time in the morning or who simply want a healthy and delicious meal to start their day.

With endless flavor combinations and customization options, there's no reason to get bored with this versatile healthy meal. By following these simple recipes, you can enjoy a nutritious and satisfying breakfast that will keep you fueled and energized throughout the day.

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