Not only do overnight oats recipes save a ton of time in the morning, but they also taste delicious and are highly nutritious. We'll show you how to transform some oats and toppings into a new breakfast favorite!
Overnight oats recipes start your mornings off on the right foot, even if both feet are running out the door as soon as you wake up. These recipes are so simple to make; just mix oats, milk, yogurt and a little honey together the night before and stick the mixture in the fridge to enjoy in the morning with some fruit and granola. Nutritious, wholesome and packed with fiber and protein—what’s not to love about this easy breakfast idea for busy mornings?
If you’re anything like me, though, you can’t eat the same breakfast for weeks on end, no matter how convenient and nutritious. Luckily, this overnight breakfast is super easy to customize. Our overnight oats recipes use simple ingredients like cocoa powder, fruit, nut butters, baking spices, jam and so much more to create exciting flavors like apple cinnamon, PB&J, chocolate and tiramisu.
If you’re ready to add healthy grab-and-go breakfast recipes to your weekly repertoire, start with overnight oats. They’re the most simple, nutritious and quick—not to mention: No cooking is required!
1/14
Overnight Oatmeal
From the Recipe Creator:
Start this breakfast the night before so you can get some extra sleep in the morning. My husband adds coconut to his, and I stir in dried fruit. —June Thomas, Chesterton, Indiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 345 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 4mg cholesterol, 53mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 5g fiber), 10g protein.
For those who have never made overnight oats, here’s a standard recipe. The base is made with oats, milk, yogurt and honey. It’s delicious as is (topped with fruit and a drizzle of honey), but you can revamp this recipe with all sorts of ingredients, like baking spices, nut butters, bananas, coconut, cocoa powder, pineapple, granola and dried fruit. If you need a bit of guidance with measurements, check out the overnight oat variations in the recipe.
2/14
Chocolate Overnight Oats
From the Recipe Creator:
Chocolate lovers will enjoy this easy and healthy breakfast recipe! Simply stir oats, cocoa powder, Greek yogurt, milk, brown sugar and vanilla together in a jar and look forward to tomorrow's breakfast. —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cup: 342 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 14mg cholesterol, 64mg sodium, 61g carbohydrate (33g sugars, 5g fiber), 9g protein.
It’s amazing how much a little cocoa powder can transform a basic overnight oats recipe into something completely new. Add to the fun by sprinkling chocolate chips on top, and you’ll be eating chocolate for breakfast in no time.
3/14
Blueberry Overnight Oats
From the Recipe Creator:
Make your morning a little easier by prepping these overnight oats in just 10 minutes. The Greek yogurt gives it a creamy texture, while brown sugar, cinnamon and fresh blueberries provide a sweet flavor that'll brighten your day. —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 388 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 22mg cholesterol, 82mg sodium, 66g carbohydrate (38g sugars, 5g fiber), 10g protein.
Between the fresh blueberries, cinnamon and brown sugar, these overnight oats taste like blueberry pancakes. Even if you’re not a morning person, you’ll definitely look forward to getting out of bed for this.
4/14
Tiramisu Overnight Oats
From the Recipe Creator:
These tiramisu overnight oats taste like the classic dessert, thanks to the inclusion of freshly brewed espresso and a layer of Greek yogurt sprinkled with cocoa powder on top of the chocolaty oats. —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/4 cup: 346 calories, 10g fat (5g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 61mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 5g fiber), 9g protein.
All of classic tiramisu’s buzzy coffee and chocolaty indulgence has found its way into these overnight oats. Espresso-soaked oats replace the usual ladyfingers, and Greek yogurt serves as a healthier alternative to the traditional mascarpone cream layer. Don’t forget the cocoa powder dusting on top—it’s the signature finish of tiramisu!
5/14
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
From the Recipe Creator:
Who says oatmeal has to be boring? This overnight peanut butter version of the classic breakfast makes it taste as sweet as a cookie with brown sugar, cinnamon and Greek yogurt—plus it's packed with 18g of protein! —Margaret Knoebel, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 598 calories, 30g fat (8g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 250mg sodium, 69g carbohydrate (38g sugars, 6g fiber), 18g protein.
For a truly protein-packed breakfast, try overnight oats with peanut butter. I recommend a creamy, natural peanut butter. Natural peanut butter is drippier than no-stir peanut butter, which means it’s easier to combine with the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and Greek yogurt.
6/14
Pumpkin Overnight Oats
From the Recipe Creator:
Have dessert for breakfast with these pumpkin pie-inspired overnight oats. Simple and easy to make, this recipe makes a hearty breakfast that harnesses all the delicious flavors of fall with warm notes of cinnamon, clove, nutmeg and ginger. —Molly Allen, Hood River, Oregon
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 366 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 16mg cholesterol, 72mg sodium, 65g carbohydrate (36g sugars, 6g fiber), 10g protein.
Come fall, I’ll do just about anything to emit the vibe of the season into my daily life. Enter pumpkin overnight oats. Made with real pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice, these overnight oats taste like autumn itself. Bonus: Pumpkin puree is packed with fiber!
7/14
Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats
From the Recipe Creator:
Talk about wholesome and quick! You’ll be satisfied right up until lunchtime with these peanut butter banana overnight oats. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 325 calories, 10g fat (2g saturated fat), 1mg cholesterol, 89mg sodium, 54g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 5g fiber), 9g protein.
Peanut butter and banana are an unbeatable breakfast duo in my book. There are bananas in the oats and on top, so there’s no shortage of banana flavor to complement the peanut butter. Just wait to add the banana slices on top until you’re ready to eat or they’ll oxidize and turn brown.
8/14
Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
From the Recipe Creator:
Soon after I learned about overnight oats I decided to create a recipe with my favorite sugary combination: chocolate and peanut butter. Overnight oats are a perfect breakfast for busy mornings. —Anna Bentley, Swanzey, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 346 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 121mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (21g sugars, 6g fiber), 10g protein.
It’s almost hard to believe these decadent overnight oats are good for you. Peanut butter and chocolate? Yes! And with 10 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber, you’ll feel full, satisfied and particularly luxurious, even if it’s just a random Tuesday.
9/14
Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
From the Recipe Creator:
Many folks love this oatmeal cold, but I like to heat it up a little since I'm not a big fan of it right out of the fridge. Add a handful of nuts for crunch, flavor and extra health benefits. —Sarah Farmer, Waukesha, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/2 cups: 349 calories, 8g fat (4g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 263mg sodium, 59g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 7g fiber), 14g protein.
These cozy oats pull out all the autumnal stops: apples, cinnamon, brown sugar and pecans. Whew! If that wasn’t enough, there are a ton of other great inclusions you could add, too, like shredded carrots, raisins and more fall spices.
10/14
Overnight Oats with Yogurt
From the Recipe Creator:
I tasted muesli on a trip to Switzerland, and when I came home, I made it my way. Keep things interesting (and avoid midmorning munchies) by adding different fruits and nuts every day. —Maddie Kirk, Springfield, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup (calculated without fruit) : 249 calories, 9g fat (1g saturated fat), 3mg cholesterol, 46mg sodium, 36g carbohydrate (16g sugars, 3g fiber), 9g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2-1/2 starch, 1 fat.
Maple syrup is our sweetener of choice in these overnight oats. But don’t just pick a pancake syrup off the shelf and consider it maple syrup—it’s not. Pancake syrup is made with corn syrup and artificial maple flavoring. Pure maple syrup, on the other hand, is simply maple tree sap that’s been boiled down and concentrated. Always pick a good maple syrup from the store, not pancake syrup!
11/14
Strawberry Overnight Oats
From the Recipe Creator:
These strawberry overnight oats will be ready and waiting for you in the morning. The PB&J-inspired breakfast is both gluten-free and dairy-free. Use more or less sugar depending on the sweetness of the strawberries. —Jolene Martinelli, Fremont, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 352 calories, 10g fat (1g saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 183mg sodium, 60g carbohydrate (12g sugars, 12g fiber), 10g protein.
For anyone looking for a fiber-rich breakfast, stop scrolling. You’ve found it. Thanks to strawberries and chia seeds, these overnight oats have 12 grams of fiber per serving. Score!
12/14
Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats
From the Recipe Creator:
This yummy breakfast bowl gives everyone's favorite sandwich a healthy twist. Switch to crunchy peanut butter and sprinkle chopped peanuts over the top if you like the extra crunch. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 323 calories, 12g fat (3g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 112mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (27g sugars, 3g fiber), 10g protein.
Want to get your kids on the overnight oatmeal train? PB&J-flavored oats will certainly do the trick. While we suggest strawberry jelly, feel free to use their favorite flavor. Even almond butter or another type of nut butter can be used as a substitute for peanut butter.
13/14
Overnight Cherry-Almond Oatmeal
From the Recipe Creator:
Would you like breakfast ready for you when the sun comes up? If so, try my hot cereal. It's so simple—just place the ingredients in the slow cooker and turn it on before you go to bed. In the morning, enjoy a healthy, warm and satisfying dish. —Geraldine Saucier, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 276 calories, 4g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 306mg sodium, 57g carbohydrate (35g sugars, 4g fiber), 5g protein.
The trio of sweet cherries, buttery almonds and spicy cinnamon makes this overnight oats recipe one you can feel good about. Anyone who loves a cherry almond mousse pie or an English bakewell tart will adore this combo.
14/14
Overnight Baked Oatmeal
From the Recipe Creator:
My husband and I spent a long weekend at a bed-and-breakfast not far from our home. The owners shared this delicious recipe with me, which I made my own with a couple of simple changes. —Jennifer Cramer, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Nutrition Facts:
1/2 cup: 331 calories, 13g fat (2g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 364mg sodium, 46g carbohydrate (30g sugars, 4g fiber), 8g protein.
So you enjoy warm oats, not cold, but still want all the ease of making overnight oats? We got you. This recipe is as simple as stirring all the ingredients together the night before and letting the mixture soak overnight in the fridge (like regular overnight oats)—it just requires a little baking time in the morning so the oats are nice and warming for you and guests.
Overnight Oats Recipes FAQ
What is the best recipe for overnight oats?
The best recipe for overnight oats is to stir together 3 tablespoons milk, 1/3 cup old-fashioned oats, 3 tablespoons yogurt and 1 tablespoon honey in a Mason jar until well combined. Screw the lid on and let the mixture sit in the fridge overnight. In the morning, add your toppings and enjoy!
Feel free to switch up the ingredients or add more to achieve a desired flavor. Ingredients like cocoa powder, dried or fresh fruits, baking spices or nut butters can offer a world of different flavor variations, like pina colada, Black Forrest, carrot cake or banana bread, to name a few.
Are overnight oats healthy?
While we all have different opinions on what constitutes as “healthy,” overnight oats are generally considered healthy thanks to their whole, nutritious ingredients. Between the oats, yogurt and milk, there’s usually 10 grams of protein and 5 grams of fiber in one serving of overnight oats. They’re often sweetened with natural sweeteners, too, like honey or maple syrup. You can even add more fiber to overnight oats with chia seeds or flax seeds, more protein with protein powder, or healthy fats with nuts or nut butters.
What are the best toppings for overnight oats?
The best toppings for overnight oats are fruit, honey, granola, nut butters, dried fruit (like cherries, raisins or shredded coconut), cinnamon or jam. However, it’s essential not to add granola or nuts to the overnight oats until just before eating, as they can become soggy. Similarly, slice bananas on the overnight oats just before enjoying otherwise the bananas will oxidize and turn brown.
