I finally found a quick, healthy, on the go, protein packed and insanely delicious morning hero: The Best Overnight Oats Recipe!

This breakfast checks all my morning boxes: simple ingredients, minimal effort, protein and fiber rich, kid friendly and so creamy and dreamy.

This grab and go meal has been our summer and busy school mornings go-to.

This recipe is the definition of effortless cause I maybe spend two minutes at night stirring a few ingredients together.

Then I wake up in the morning rewarded with a nourishing breakfast that tastes like dessert but leaves me energized for hours.

My kids absolutely love this breakfast and surprisingly never tire of it.

Probably because I can customize it so many ways with so many flavors and additions.

And I absolutely love that I can prepare our meal the night before making breakfast prep easier than ever!

With the confidence in knowing my kids are still getting a satisfying breakfast that tastes like a treat but fuels like a full meal.

Mom Win!

So whether you’re packing breakfast for work, rushing kids out the door for school, or just trying to make mornings smoother, overnight oats are a total game changer!

You’re welcome 🙂

Helpful Kitchen Supplies:

Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons
Spatula or Mixing Spoon
Mason Jars

Ingredients to make The Best Overnight Oats

Oats (I love One Degree Sprouted Oats)
Greek Yogurt
Milk
Chia Seeds
Maple Syrup
Vanilla

*These ingredients are for the basic recipe for Overnight Oats. See below for more additions and variations.

How to Make The Best Overnight Oats

In a pint size mason jar, add greek yogurt, milk and oats together giving it all a good stir. Then add in the chia seeds, maple syrup and vanilla.

Give it all a good stir, cover and place in the refrigerator until the morning.

I like to prep my overnight oats the night before eating them, but they can be prepared several days in advance for an easy grab and go breakfast all week long!

Flavor Additions and Variations for the Best Overnight Oats

You can turn the simple base into dozens of fun flavors and combinations!

Add in Fruity and Fresh:

Berries
Diced apples
Banana slices
Peaches
Mango’s
Cherries
Pinapples

Try some Crunch and Texture:

Chia seeds
Hemp Hearts
Granola
Toasted Coconut
Nuts
Seeds
Flax
Cacao nibs
Chocolate Chips

Tasty Sweeteners and spices:

Maple Syrup
Agave
Honey
Cinnamon
Vanilla
Cocoa Powder
Nutmeg
Cardamom
Pumpkin Pie Spice

Some Favorite Flavor Combinations:

Peanut butter and Banana: Add 1 Tbsp Peanut Butter to overnight oats, and add sliced banana in the morning
Peanut Butter Cup: Add 1 tsp cocoa powder and 1 Tbsp peanut butter to overnight oats, and add mini chocolate chips in the morning
Berry Cheesecake: In the morning add in your favorite berries with a drizzle of honey
Apple Pie: Add 1/4 tsp cinnamon to overnight oats, and add 1/4 cup diced apples in the morning
Carrot Cake: Grate 1 Tbsp carrots into overnight oats and add walnuts/raisins with a dash of cinnamon in the morning.
Cinnamon Roll: Instead of maple syrup, add 1 Tbsp brown sugar with 1/4 tsp cinnamon
Cookie Butter: Add 2 Tbsp Cookie Butter or Almond Butter and sprinkle in your favorite crunchy cookies or graham crackers

What combinations or variations would you create? I’d love to hear in the comments below!

Common Questions about Overnight Oats:

Do I have to let them sit overnight?

Preferably, yes. But 4-5 hours should yield you enough time to allow the grains to soak too.

Can I use Quick or Steel Cut Oats?

No, I do not recomment. Quick oats have their name for a reason, because they can be made quickly. Therefore they will yield you very soft oats, not exactly the texture you want for overnight oats.

Steel Cut oats are also not recommended because they are thick and dense and not able to soften when cold in the refrigerator.

Stick to old fashioned oats or the One Degree Sprouted Oats for the best, most creamy texture!

Can I make these overnight oats dairy free?

Yes! You can replace the milk for your milk of choice as well as the yogurt for a dairy free option. They will still turn out creamy and delicious.

How long do overnight oats last in the fridge?

3-5 days is a safe duration to keep overnight oats in the fridge.

I personally recommend eating them within 1-2 days.

Can I heat these up?

Yes! If you prefer a warm breakfast, you can microwave these for 30-60 seconds, or warm them up on the stovetop in a small saucepan until warmed through.

Add a splash of milk if necessary to keep their creamy texture.