If you’re looking for an easy breakfast for busy mornings then you’ve come to the right place. I’ve rounded up over 30 of the best overnight oats recipes from around the web, all made using nutritious and wholesome ingredients. There are so many fun variations of the basic overnight oats recipe here for you to get inspired by.
If you don’t know what overnight oats are, they are a breakfast or healthy snack made from soaking rolled oats (also known as old-fashioned rolled oats) overnight in your choice of liquid (usually your milk of choice), sweetener (I love using maple syrup) and other flavourings. Overnight oats end up with a pudding-like texture and can be really delicious! They are a really great recipe to make for meal prep as you can prep 4-5 days worth of breakfasts in one hit, with minimal fuss. Overnight oats are a great source of complex carbohydrates and other nutrients like protein and healthy fats, depending on what additions you include.
If you love overnight oats then you might also love chia pudding – I would definitely recommend trying my coconut chia pudding or my chocolate chia pudding recipes.
How to Make a Healthy Overnight Oats Recipe
To make a healthy and balanced overnight oats recipe it needs to contain complex carbohydrates, healthy fats and protein.
Base Recipe for Overnight Oats
An example base recipe for a single serving of overnight oats is:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats – you can also use quick oats or instant oats instead of rolled oats. Don’t use steel cut oats as they won’t absorb enough of the liquid and the mixture won’t work. Whole grains like rolled oats provide fibre and carbohydrates for more long lasting energy.
- 1/2 cup milk of choice – you can use a dairy-free milk like coconut milk beverage, oat milk, unsweetened almond milk, cashew milk or soy milk. Or if you don’t need a dairy-free option just use regular dairy milk.
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup – other sweeteners you can use include honey, agave syrup, apple sauce or mashed banana.
Rolled oats are a really great source of complex carbohydrates and provide a small amount of protein. I’ve listed some of my favourite ingredients below to increase the amount of healthy fats and protein in the recipe.
How to Add Protein & Healthy Fats to Overnight Oats
- seed and nut butters – adding a nut or seed butter is a great way of adding healthy fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals. I love using almond butter, cashew butter, peanut butter or tahini.
- nuts – instead of nut or seed butters you could use chopped and/or toasted nuts like almonds, flaked almonds, walnuts, cashews or brazil nuts.
- seeds – I love using hemp seeds, chia seeds, flax seeds (linseeds) or flax meal to help boost the plant based omega 3 content. They are also a great source of fibre, magnesium and calcium.
- Greek yoghurt – personally I make my overnight oats dairy free by using a non-dairy milk and coconut yoghurt (if using yoghurt). But if you’re not needing them to be dairy free then adding Greek yoghurt is a great way of increasing the protein content.
- protein powder – if you’re wanting to add protein powder to boost he protein content then I would recommend reading my article on Overnight Oats with Protein Powder. Some protein powders work really well in overnight oats and some make the mixture very runny.
Best Toppings for Overnight Oats
Now this is where you can get creative and add any of your favorite toppings to make an overnight oats recipe that you’ll love. Here are some ideas for toppings and mix-ins:
- fresh fruit – I like to use diced seasonal fruit like cherries, mango, apples, pear or kiwi fruit.
- fresh berries – fresh strawberries, fresh blueberries or raspberries go perfectly on overnight oats.
- chocolate chips
- coconut flakes
- cacao nibs
- vanilla extract
- cocoa powder – mix in cocoa powder for a delicious chocolatey overnight oats.
Equipment
For most overnight oats recipes you only need a few pieces of equipment. You will need:
- glass jars or glass containers with lids to store the overnight oats in.
- measuring cups and spoons.
- a spoon for stirring.
Best Healthy Overnight Oat Recipes
Read on to see some of the best overnight oatmeal recipes from around the web. Click through each link to see the full recipe and instructions.
Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
Smooth, creamy and lemony overnight oats served with a delicious blueberry compote, these Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats are a healthy breakfast that taste good enough to be dessert.
Banana Chia Overnight Oats
Got some ripe bananas to use up? Make my Banana Chia Overnight Oats for a grab & go breakfast that is super quick and easy to make! With a banana bread type of vibe, these creamy overnight oats will fill you up for the morning.
Coffee Overnight Oats
Combine you breakfast and morning coffee with these delicious overnight oats. They are filled with wholesome ingredients to have you feeling full all morning long while giving you that caffeine kick. Or if you’re like me and just love that coffee flavor but can do without the caffeine then opt for decaf.
Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats
Filled with healthy fats, fiber, complex carbohydrates and protein, these chocolate chip overnight oats are a delicious and healthy start to the day. Meal prep them in advance for an excellent grab and go breakfast for those busy mornings. With a smooth and creamy texture and dark chocolate chips dotted throughout, this easy overnight oats recipe is a no brainer.
Almond Butter Overnight Oats
If you’re looking for a quick and healthy breakfast for busy mornings then my almond butter overnight oats are the perfect recipe for you. Made with wholesome ingredients like rolled oats, chia seeds and almond butter and naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup, these almond butter overnight oats are filled with protein, healthy fats and complex carbohydrates.
Pistachio Overnight Oats
Calling all pistachio lovers! If you tend to lean towards pistachio gelato then I have a feeling these Pistachio Overnight Oats will be your new go-to nutritious breakfast.
Applesauce Overnight Oats
Apples and cinnamon are a flavour match made in heaven and that’s what makes my Applesauce Overnight Oats just so good. Creamy oats are sweetened with applesauce and topped with the wholesome cinnamon stewed apples and a sprinkle of hemp seeds.
Overnight Oats with Frozen Fruit
My Easy Overnight Oats Recipe with Frozen Fruit is perfect for those days where you’re craving a certain type of fruit but it’s just not in season. But with this nutritious breakfast I can eat my favorite fruit any old day of the year.
Overnight Oats with Protein Powder
These delicious overnight oats with protein powder are so easy to make and contain around 30 grams of protein per serving! Make ahead the day before for a healthy breakfast for those busy mornings. These protein oats are a great option to meal prep on the weekend and top with your favourite toppings before eating.
Overnight Oats Without Milk (Four Ways!)
Do you have a craving for overnight oats but you have no milk on hand? Or you’re wanting to make overnight oats without milk to make them dairy free? This creamy, smooth overnight oats recipe is perfect for you and only takes minutes to prepare!
Peanut Butter Chocolate Overnight Oats
These peanut butter chocolate overnight oats are rich and creamy with a pudding like consistency. They are so luscious, they make you feel like you’re having dessert for breakfast!
Strawberry Overnight Oats with Coconut Milk
A satisfying and delicious coconut milk Strawberry Overnight Oats recipe, made extra creamy with coconut yoghurt, hemp seeds, chia seeds and vanilla. These strawberry, hemp, coconut overnight oats are dairy free and vegan.
Blueberry Overnight Oats
These delicious Blueberry Overnight Oats are the perfect breakfast for those mornings when you have no time to cook or want to take your breakfast with you! These take only 5 minutes to prep!
Recipe: The Healthful Ideas
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Mango Overnight Oats
These mango overnight oats feel like a mini tropical vacation in a jar. Start your morning with a delicious, no-cook breakfast that you can grab on the way out the door. Easily make it vegan and dairy free with plant-based milk and yogurt.
Recipe: The Healthful Ideas
Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
Thick and creamy pumpkin pie overnight oats with chia are the perfect make-ahead breakfast! These healthy pumpkin overnight oats are protein-packed thanks to Greek yogurt and naturally sweetened with a bit of pure maple syrup. Top with whatever your heart desires!
Recipe: Ambitious Kitchen
High Protein Peanut Butter Cup Overnight Oats
Incredible high protein peanut butter cup overnight oats with a delicious chocolate peanut butter shell for the ultimate breakfast treat! This peanut butter overnight oats recipe packs 20g of protein and almost 10g of fiber for a super satisfying, filling, and nutrient-dense way to start your day.
Recipe: Ambitious Kitchen
Coffee Overnight Oats
If you ever wondered if you can mix coffee and oatmeal, the answer is YES! Coffee overnight oats taste like your bowl of cold oatmeal and your morning cup of coffee combined. If you’re an absolute coffee lover, add sweet coffee cream on top to make your breakfast a little more indulgent.
Recipe: Choosing Chia
Lemon Poppy Seed Overnight Oats
If you love overnight oats, these Lemon Poppy Seed Overnight Oats may just be your new favorite! Only 5 minutes to prep and ready when you wake up! A refreshing burst of lemon and the crunch of poppy seeds will get you ready for your day!
Recipe: Lemons and Zest
Banana Bread Overnight Oats
Banana Bread Overnight Oats taste just like a slice of fresh-out-of-the-oven banana bread. Sweetened with mashed banana and maple syrup, and studded with walnuts and chocolate chips, enjoy these banana overnight oats as a wholesome, make-ahead breakfast.
Recipe: Dishing Out Health
Maple Tahini Fig Overnight Oats
Maple tahini fig overnight oats are the perfect combination of sweet, savory, nutty and fruity. They’re a healthy, filling, delicious make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings!
Recipe: Lively Table
Nutella Overnight Oats
These Nutella Overnight Oats take minutes to prepare and are full of rich, chocolate and Nutella flavour. Topped off with some crunchy hazelnuts, chocolate chips and Nutella. One of the best ways to start your day!
Recipe: The Delicious Plate
Tropical Overnight Oats
These tropical overnight oats have a unique combo of creamy banana, sweet pineapple, delicious mango and toasted coconut. One bite and you’ll feel like you’re on a beach.
Recipe: Eating Bird Food
Gingerbread Cookie Overnight Oats
These Gingerbread Cookie Overnight Oats are creamy, dreamy, sweet, and festive. And they’re one of the easiest healthy breakfasts of all time! Just mix a few simple ingredients in mason jars, add the creamy topping, and refrigerate. These healthy oats are perfect for the busy holiday season!
Recipe: Jar of Lemons
Chocolate Peppermint Overnight Oats
The classic combination of rich chocolate and bright, refreshing mint comes together in these Chocolate Peppermint Overnight Oats! This grab-and-go breakfast is as nourishing as it is tasty.
Recipe: Wholefully
Key Lime Pie Overnight Oats
These Key lime pie overnight oats are packed with protein and are creamy, tangy, and delicious. They are easy to meal prep and take on-the-go. They’re the perfect nutritious and nourishing way to start your day!
Recipe: Dollop of Dough
High Protein Sugar Cookie Overnight Oats
A delicious, sweet, and healthy breakfast has never been this easy. Introducing high-protein Sugar Cookie Overnight Oats, which legitimately taste like a sugar cookie in a bowl. They’re sweet, they’re creamy, and if I didn’t know any better, I’d think I was waking up to the taste of a bakery-fresh sugar cookie for breakfast.
Recipe: Kale Junkie
German Chocolate Cake Overnight Oats
I don’t know about you, but chocolate cake sounds like a wonderful breakfast to me! My German Chocolate Cake Overnight Oats are the perfect way to fuel your day while feeling like you’re eating cake for breakfast!
Recipe: Kale Junkie
Tropical Spirulina Overnight Oats
Spirulina overnight oatmeal with dragonfruit and kiwi balls, blueberries and coconut are so sweet, creamy and filling. A great way to enjoy this superfood!
Recipe: Healthfully Ever After
Brownie Batter Overnight Oats
These Brownie Batter Blended Oats are the perfect healthy sweet treat, enjoy these as a meal prep-able breakfast, snack or after-dinner dessert. They’re no bake, plant based and so quick to make.
Recipe: Gina B Nutrition
Cookie Dough Overnight Oats
This Cookie Dough Overnight Oats is the perfect healthy breakfast for cookies lovers. It tastes like raw cookie dough but is much healthier, packed with wholegrain oats, vitamins, and proteins.
Recipe: The Conscious Plant Kitchen
Zucchini Bread Overnight Oats
Feel like Zucchini bread that you don’t have to bake? Zucchini Overnight Oats, or “zoats” is a one of a kind breakfast recipe that can be prepped in 5 minutes and ready when you wake up in the morning. These zucchini overnight oats are a delicious and healthy way to get in some extra veggies to your day!
Recipe: Lemons and Zest
Spiced Pear and Walnut Overnight Oatmeal
This warm and cozy Spiced Pear Oatmeal is a simple way to get a hearty, healthy breakfast in. Baked pears with just the right touch of cinnamon, walnuts, a hint of maple and more make this a perfect recipe to start your day!
Recipe: Lemons and Zest
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