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
(click stars to vote)
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.
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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
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
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