Author: Creamy, customizable overnight oats that take just 5 minutes to prep! Perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts, meal prep, and endless flavor variations. Just mix, chill, and enjoy a healthy, satisfying breakfast all week long.
It's time to upgrade your morning oatmeal game. Skip those store-bought oatmeal packets and make your own overnight oats instead! The base of this overnight oats recipe is creamy, lightly sweetened, and super satisfying. Customize it with your favorite add-ins to make it your own, whether it's chocolatey and decadent or light and fruity. You can eat them cold straight from the fridge (Adam's favorite) or warm them up in the microwave (my favorite). The best part: it's the same effort as a packet, but way tastier, creamier, and more filling.
Why Overnight Oats Are the Best Breakfast for Busy Days
- Make-ahead for easy mornings: Stir everything together the night before and breakfast is ready and waiting in the morning, which makes your AM routine a little bit easier!
- Endlessly customizable: There's a flavor variation for every craving! I have lots of ideas below, but you can also come up with your own.
- Thick and creamy texture: Chia seeds and rolled oats create a thick, spoonable consistency without any cooking.
- Easy, wholesome ingredients: The base is made with simple pantry staples you likely already have on hand.
Ingredients for Basic Overnight Oats
- Rolled oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats are ideal because they soften to the perfect texture overnight. Quick oats will work in a pinch but will be a bit mushy. Steel-cut are too hard.
- Plant-based milk: Oat, soy, coconut, or almond milk all work well, but any plant-based milk you enjoy works here (you can even use a flavored milk like vanilla or chocolate)!
- Chia seeds: Help thicken the oats and create a creamy, pudding-like texture.
- Maple syrup: Adds gentle sweetness and cozy flavor. You can substitute agave, date syrup, or sweetener of preference.
- Vanilla extract: Just a bit takes the flavor up a notch.
- Salt: The surprising secret ingredient that enhances oatmeal and overnight oats.
How to Make Overnight Oats
- Combine: Combine oats, plant-based milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt in a jar or bowl.
- Mix: Stir well, making sure the chia seeds are evenly distributed. Add any desired mix-ins and stir again.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours, or overnight for the creamiest texture.
- Stir & serve: In the morning, stir well. If it's too thick, add a splash of milk. Add any toppings if desired. Enjoy cold, or microwave until warmed through.
Flavor Variations
- Blueberry Vanilla: Add ¼-½ cup blueberries.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter: Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder + 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter. It's like a peanut butter cup in breakfast form!
- Apple Pie: Add ¼ cup diced apple + ¼ teaspoon cinnamon + pinch nutmeg.
- Strawberry Shortcake: Add ¼ cup chopped strawberries. This, combined with the vanilla flavor of the oats, makes it taste like strawberries and whipped cream.
- Banana Bread: Add ½ mashed banana + ¼ teaspoon cinnamon for cozy Vegan Banana Bread vibes.
- Maple Pecan: Add 1 extra teaspoon maple syrup and top with toasted pecans.
- High-Protein Chocolate: Add 1 scoop vegan chocolate protein powder + 2-3 tablespoons extra milk.
- Lemon Blueberry: Add zest of ½ lemon + a handful of blueberries. The perfect springtime breakfast!
- Pumpkin Pie: Add 2 tablespoons pumpkin purée + ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.
- Mocha Chip: Add 1 teaspoon instant coffee + 1 tablespoon cocoa powder + 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips.
- Carrot Cake: Add 2 tablespoons finely grated carrot + 1 tablespoon raisins + ¼ teaspoon cinnamon.
- Coconut Mango: Add ¼ cup diced mango + 1 tablespoon shredded coconut. Like a tropical vacation in a jar!
Serving Suggestions
These vegan overnight oats are a filling meal on their own, but if you want to add a little something on the side, here are some ideas:
Storage
Store overnight oats in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. Because the oats will last through the work week, I like to make a big batch on Sunday night and enjoy them all week long.
The oats will thicken as they sit, so stir in a splash of plant-based milk before serving if needed.
If you try this overnight oats recipe, let us know by leaving a comment, rating it, and don't forget to tag @itdoesnttastelikechicken on Instagram.
Bon appetegan!
Sam Turnbull
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Overnight Oats (Easy Base Recipe + 12 Variations!)
Creamy, customizable overnight oats that take just 5 minutes to prep! Perfect for grab-and-go breakfasts, meal prep, and endless flavor variations. Just mix, chill, and enjoy a healthy, satisfying breakfast all week long.
Servings: serving
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Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats, (not quick oats)
- ⅔ cup plant-based milk, (such as oat, soy, or almond)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup, (or agave, or sweetener of choice)
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
- Optional flavor add-ins, (see Notes)
Instructions
- Mix: Add the oats, plant-based milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt to a small jar, bowl, or mug. Stir very well, ensuring the chia seeds are fully dispersed. Add any fruits or flavor add-ins now (see Notes) and stir again.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight, for the creamiest texture.
- Stir & Serve: In the morning, stir well. If too thick, loosen with a splash of plant-based milk. Enjoy cold straight from the fridge, or warm it up in the microwave if you prefer. Add any additional toppings as desired.
Notes
Storage: Overnight oats keep well in the fridge for 3-5 days, making them perfect for meal prep. The oats will continue to thicken as they sit, so simply add a splash of plant-based milk before serving if needed.
Meal Prep Tip: You can mix multiple jars at once, just multiply the recipe and refrigerate individual servings for grab-and-go breakfasts all week.
12 Flavor Variations:
- Blueberry Vanilla: Add ¼-½ cup blueberries.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter: Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder + 1 tablespoon natural peanut butter.
- Apple Pie: Add ¼ cup diced apple + ¼ teaspoon cinnamon + pinch nutmeg.
- Strawberry Shortcake: Add ¼ cup chopped strawberries.
- Banana Bread: Add ½ mashed banana + ¼ teaspoon cinnamon.
- Maple Pecan: Add 1 extra teaspoon maple syrup and top with toasted pecans.
- High-Protein Chocolate: Add 1 scoop vegan chocolate protein powder + 2-3 tablespoons extra milk.
- Lemon Blueberry: Add zest of ½ lemon + a handful of blueberries.
- Pumpkin Pie: Add 2 tablespoons pumpkin purée + ¼ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.
- Mocha Chip: Add 1 teaspoon instant coffee + 1 tablespoon cocoa powder + 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips.
- Carrot Cake: Add 2 tablespoons finely grated carrot + 1 tablespoon raisins + ¼ teaspoon cinnamon.
- Coconut Mango: Add ¼ cup diced mango + 1 tablespoon shredded coconut.
Nutrition
Serving: 1 serving (without additional toppings) | Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 85mg | Potassium: 464mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 625IU | Vitamin C: 12mg | Calcium: 339mg | Iron: 3mg
Beth says
Great recipe Sam! I've tried several of the variations and they're all delicious. I had a few left over canned peaches in the fridge so I made my own peach melba variation - add 1/3 cup diced peaches and 2 tablespoons of sugar free raspberry jam - it turned out really well!
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
That sounds delicious, Beth! 😊 Love that peach melba twist!
Jane says
Very easy and great creamy texture. Made it with blueberries and soy yoghurt
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks Jane! Blueberries and soy yogurt sound like a delicious combo 😊
Eeva says
Great recipe! I prepare a variation of this for my husband and myself almost every evening. Makes a yummy breakfast for the following day! 😊
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks Eeva! So thrilled you enjoy it! 😊
Sue says
Creative. I'm a huge fan of overnight oats and I was happy to find several variations of the standard recipe.
Carrot cake is one of my favorite treats! Now I can a make a healthier version, that mimics the flavors of this classic dessert, and enjoy it guilt free.
Next up, lemon blueberry. Thank you for a new take on a breakfast favorite.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks Sue! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the variations. So happy you love the recipe 😊
Betty Dargie says
! would love to try this recipe, but with steel-cut oats. Would that work or should they be cooked first?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Betty! Steel-cut oats can work, but they don’t soften as easily as rolled oats. For best results, I recommend either: (1) cooking them first, then chilling like overnight oats, or (2) giving the mixture a quick 1–2 minute microwave to warm it up, then refrigerating 6–12 hours to soften. Just note they’ll still be a bit chewier than rolled oats. If you try it, let me know how it turns out!
Betty Dargie says
Thanks, Sam. I'll give this a try.
Kat says
Did you know that you have to crush Chia seeds in order to release the omega-3‘s? Even if it’s a recipe where they’re swelling you still don’t get the full omega-3 benefit. Powders are crushed is best to improve the efficacy of absorption of the omega-3‘s. Just thought you might want to include that in your recipes.
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Thanks for sharing, Kat! Chia seeds are actually digestible whole, especially once they’re hydrated like they are in recipes such as overnight oats or chia pudding. Grinding them is optional, but not required. You can definitely use ground chia if you prefer though!
Marshall Lake says
Hi,
Have you tried using oat groats rather than rolled oats?
Sam Turnbull @ It Doesn't Taste Like Chicken says
Hi Marshall! Oat groats are the whole oat grain, so they’re much tougher than rolled oats and won’t soften properly just by soaking overnight. If you’d like to use them, I recommend cooking them first until tender, letting them cool, and then using them in the overnight oat mixture. They’ll have a pleasantly chewy texture that way!