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This overnight oats recipe is the stuff dreams are made of. Let’s learn how to make overnight oats (so simple!) then dive into all the ways you can dress up your oats. Hello breakfast-to-go in a few easy steps. My favorite part are the toppings— that’s really where these recipes shine (and keep me excited to make them again and again).
This creamy make-ahead recipe is one of my favorite oatmeal recipes for breakfast — swap in any of my non-dairy milk alternatives to make it dairy-free.
What Makes This Recipe Different?
I know the Internet is laden with recipes for overnight oats, so I’m definitely not trying to re-invent the wheel with this recipe. Yet I wanted to try and come up with a variation that was plant powered and boosted with nutrients.
My recipe has the following ingredients: rolled oats (a given, right?!), chia seeds, flaxseed meal, unsweetened almond milk, vanilla extract, and a touch of maple syrup. Even before adding toppings, that’s giving you 3.5 grams of protein, as well as 3.3 grams of dietary fiber.
This overnight oats recipe is also high in calcium, without any dairy in it at all! The chia seeds also offer high quality protein + antioxidants. Want more chia goodness? Check out my collection of chia seed recipes.
This recipe is also a great way to fuel up before a workout. Check out my other pre-workout snacks for more simple, nourishing ideas.
How to Make Overnight Oats
Don’t let the prep time fool you. This recipe for overnight oats is EASY. Simply measure the ingredients for the base into a bowl, then stir. Once mixed together, cover and place in the fridge overnight.
When you wake up, add whichever toppings seem right in the moment, then dive right in and eat! If I’m going to prep something ahead, I like to make it as simple as possible. This overnight oats recipe is def my kind of recipe.
Storage Options
As you can see from the photos of these adorable snack packs, I like to store my overnight oats in 4 oz glass containers. The lids screw on tight, so I don’t worry about tossing one of these containers into my bag. They’re also just the right size for scooping out all the goodness my fridge just melded together overnight.
Mason jars also stack up nicely, which helps when storing. While you can store this overnight oats recipe in plastic containers, I find that glass seems to do a better job jelling all the ingredients together for some reason.
Overnight Oats Toppings
Alright, now we’re on to the fun part: toppings! Obviously you can + should top them absolutely however you want. Yet I got serious about finding some good combos for you to try. So if you need some inspo, read on:
- Almond-y joy: shredded coconut, sliced almonds, mini chocolate chips, maple syrup
- AB&J: strawberry jam, almond butter, fresh strawberries, sliced almonds
- Blueberry delight: blueberry jam, fresh blueberries, cinnamon
- Banana protein boost: banana, almond butter, cinnamon, honey
No matter how you top this overnight oats recipe, it’s gonna be good.
More Breakfast Options
This might shock you but… I don’t always have a green smoothie for breakfast. *GASP* I’ll give you a moment to pick your jaw off the floor. Seriously though, I sometimes like having my daily smoothie for a snack or lunch. I’ve actually got some incredibly scrumptious non-smoothie breakfast options, like these overnight oats, to share with you.
- Breakfast cereal bars– These taste like childhood for me, yet are super fun to make and I can pronounce all the ingredients in mine.
- Carrot cake oatmeal– This warm baked oatmeal is so flavorful. Bon appetit!
- Pumpkin pancakes– Use this recipe to make decadent pancakes or waffles. Super filling, and easy to freeze for on-the-go breakfasts in the future as well.
- Almond butter & jam muffins– These are my ultimate go-to breakfast. I can’t express how delicious these are, plus they’re easy to make!
- Plant-based protein bars– Loaded with nuts + seeds, as well as dried fruit, these versatile bars are epic- tasty, filling, and fun to reheat in the toaster oven before you drizzle with almond butter.
- Vegan yogurt parfaits– I was shocked at how delicious this vegan ‘yogurt’ was the first time I tried it. And when mixed with my Healthy Granola recipe or even the maple coconut granola from our 21-Day Cleanse, I was hooked. Like the overnight oats recipe below, it’s easy to break this recipe down into snack sized portions. Or just make two big parfait-style breakfast treats out of it and enjoy.
Now that I’m craving breakfast foods, let’s whip up this overnight oats recipe and meal prep like pros. Don’t forget to comment + review this recipe, especially if you made some topping magic of your own. I love hearing new ways to top this simple recipe!
Simple Overnight Oats
Jen HansardVideo
Ingredients
Oat Base:
- 1 cup gluten-free rolled oats
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground flaxseed
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
Suggested toppings #1
- ¼ cup raw coconut flakes
- 1 tbsp raw almonds sliced
- 1 tbsp mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1-2 teaspoon pure maple syrup
Optional toppings #2
- 1-2 teaspoon strawberry jam
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- ¼ cup strawberries diced
- 1 tbsp sliced almonds
Optional toppings #3
- 1-2 teaspoon blueberry jam
- ¼ cup blueberries fresh
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Optional toppings #4
- ½ banana
- 1 tbsp almond butter
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon raw honey
Instructions
- Stir together the oats, chia seeds, flaxseed, almond milk, vanilla and maple syrup in a bowl or jar.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Stir the oats and finish with your choice of topping combination before serving.
Recipe Notes
- Milk Swaps: Any unsweetened dairy-free milk works in place of the almond milk.
- Sweetener Swaps: Honey can replace the maple syrup in the oat base. For a vegan topping #4, use maple syrup instead of honey.
- Protein Boost: Stir 1 scoop of homemade protein powder into the oat base, with an extra splash of milk to keep it creamy.
- Make Ahead: The oats keep, covered, in the fridge for up to 4 days. Stir in a splash of milk if they get too thick, and add toppings just before serving.
Nutrition
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Thankyou for sharing such wonderful info. I have many health issues and am so looking forward to trying your lovely recipes.
2 months ago I unexpectedly became very ill. The fact is my body was shutting down and had I not presented when I did., within 2 hours it would have been too late.
They discovered embolisms in my heart stomach and leg. The. One in my heart if it had gone to my head would have caused a massive stroke.
So your wonderful talent and interest in sharing your healthy regime, will be a great gift to me.
Oh my gosh. I am so sorry, but as glad you are okay. Yes, eating this way is so beneficial for your health. Good luck on your journey.
The coconut and chocolate chips made this a five star recipe for my husband! Simple to make, delicious to eat.
Husband approved?! That’s awesome, Wendy!