These easy overnight oats make a healthy and nutritious make-ahead breakfast, perfect for busy mornings when you are on the go. Made with simple pantry ingredients and customised with your favourite add-ins, they make a convenient and portable protein-packed breakfast, lunchbox or after workout snack.
Overnight oats are a quick and easy breakfast or snack recipe that is made by soaking oats in liquid, as the name suggests, overnight! They are easy to prepare (no cooking!) and ideal for when you need a grab-and-go breakfast on busy mornings.
The beauty about these clever oats is that all of the ingredients are stirred together in a jar and come together overnight. No cooking, no mess, no clean-up! They take less than five minutes to make and all of the hard work happens in the fridge overnight.
Use this recipe as a base and add your favourite toppings (see a list of easy suggestions below). You’ll feel so smug when you save time in the morning by walking out the door with a jar of ready-made breakfast!
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Quick and easy – no baking or dishes. You can make these oats directly into the jar or bowl you’ll eat them from. All you will need is 5 minutes and your favourite ingredients!
- Dietary restriction friendly – this recipe can be made vegan and is nut-free, egg-free and contains no refined sugars.
- Kid-friendly – perfect for a healthy kids or toddler breakfast on the go!
- No fancy ingredients! Just common pantry staples like oats, apples, maple syrup and your favourite fillings.
What you’ll need
Ingredient notes
Rice milk – is used to soak the oats overnight. You can switch rice milk for any other preferred milk of choice. Dairy milk can be used, although of course then the recipe won’t be vegan friendly. You can also use almond milk, hemp or soy milk, or try overnight oats with coconut milk and peaches or passion fruit for a tropical twist!
Apple – I use one whole grated apple and leave the peel on for extra fiber. Keep the excess juice from the apple after grating and add this to the oats too. A little apple juice (1/4 cup) can also be added for flavour.
Greek yoghurt – for an extra protein hit, serve the oats with some unsweetened Greek yoghurt to the oats when serving. To keep this recipe vegan friendly, use coconut yoghurt instead!
Step by step photos
Add the oats and chia seeds to a large jar (or if you prefer, a large bowl). Stir through the maple syrup, vanilla and your preferred milk of choice. I use a jar with a 2 cup (500 ml) capacity, but a medium mixing bowl can also be used.
Add the remaining ingredients and stir. Cover the jar or bowl and leave the oats overnight, or for at least 3 hours.
Top with some yoghurt, berries, coconut or nuts (or a combination of your favourites!) and serve hot or cold.
FAQs
How do you store overnight oats? These oats can be prepared 2-3 days in advance and stored in a mason jar or airtight container in the fridge. You can even freeze them in individual portions to add to lunchboxes. Eat them hot or cold. To heat, add a serve to the microwave for 30-45 seconds, or until warmed through.
Can you use quick oats? Yes, but the consistency and texture of the oats will be softer.
Are oats gluten free? Pure oats are gluten free and safe for people with a gluten intolerance. However, some oats can be processed in facilities that also process ingredients like wheat, rye and other grains that contain gluten. If you require the oats to be gluten free, then it is safest to source gluten-free certified oats.
How do I add protein to my oatmeal? Fold in some Greek yoghurt when serving (non vegan option), add some chia or flax seeds or stir through your favourite plant-based protein powder for some extra protein overnight oats.
How do you make overnight oats thicker? You can play around with the ingredients as needed. Add more milk or a little apple juice for wetter oats, or more chia seeds and extra oats for thicker oats, to reach your preferred consistency.
Topping and flavour suggestions
Using this recipe as a base, the flavour possibilities are endless! Try some of the following combinations;
- Top with some baked or stewed apples with extra cinnamon (my favourite!)
- For blueberry overnight oats, add some blueberry compote, extra blueberries and Greek yoghurt
- Chopped banana, medjool dates and walnuts
- Swap the grated apple for a little extra milk and add some cacao powder or Nutella and banana.
- Add some acai powder for added antioxidants or a scoop of your favourite protein powder (a little extra milk will be required) for extra protein.
Related recipes
For healthy and protein packed breakfasts on the go, you’ll also love these recipes!
For more kid and toddler lunch box ideas, check out these recipes. Or for tips on time saving and bulk baking school lunches, see this post here.
To save time and money on healthy school and toddler lunches, see my 50 Healthy School Snacks E-BOOK! It also contains a bonus Guide to Making 2 Minute Lunches.
If you try these protein overnight oats, I’d love to hear about it! Feel free to leave a comment below and let me know your favourite, or send me a message. For more lunchbox inspiration, tips and to share your own recipes and creations, head over to my Facebook Group; Healthy Lunchboxes Australia.
Easy Berry Protein Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup rolled oats
- 3 tbsp chia seeds
- 2/3 cup rice milk or almond milk, or other milk of choice
- 1 tsp vanilla vanilla bean paste or essence
- 3-4 tbsp maple syrup
- 1/4 cup raspberries or other preferred berries
- 1 apple grated, peel on. Use the extra juice from the grated apple or also add 1/4 cup apple juice
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 2 tbsp currants
Optional
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder optional. You will also need an extra 1/4 cup milk or some apple juice if using protein powder.
To serve
- Greek yoghurt or coconut yoghurt
- Extra berries, or baked apples see below for more ideas!
Instructions
- Add the oats and chia seeds to a mason jar (at least a 2 cup capacity) or a medium sized bowl. Add the milk, vanilla and maple syrup and stir.
- Add the remaining ingredients (add an extra 1/4 cup of milk or even apple juice if adding protein powder).
- Stir the contents until they are combined. Place the lid on the jar (or cover the bowl) and leave in the fridge overnight, or for at least 3 hours.
- The oats and chia will thicken and soak in the liquid to set. Top with Greek yoghurt (or coconut yoghurt for a vegan option) and extra berries or your favourite toppings. Serve either hot or cold.
Notes
- Top with some baked or stewed apples with extra cinnamon (my favourite!)
- For blueberry overnight oats, add some berry compote, extra blueberries and Greek yoghurt
- Chopped banana, medjool dates and walnuts
- Swap the grated apple for a little extra milk and add some cacao powder or Nutella and banana.
- Add some acai powder for added antioxidants or a scoop of your favourite protein powder (a little extra milk will be required).