Overnight Oats Recipe

Learn how to make overnight oats! This easy, make-ahead breakfast is perfect for busy mornings. Find my base recipe plus 4 fun variations below.

Four jars of overnight oats

When someone asks me for an easy, healthy breakfast idea, this overnight oats recipe is the first thing I suggest. It’s perfect for busy mornings, as you can make individual servings ahead of time and take them on the go. It’s also satisfying enough to keep you full till lunch, made with simple ingredients like oats, chia seeds, and (optional) yogurt. But best of all, it’s fun.

What could be fun about oatmeal, you ask? Well, this yummy breakfast is endlessly customizable. Once you learn how to make overnight oats, you can experiment with mix-ins like cocoa powder or vanilla extract or pile on toppings like nuts, seeds, and fresh fruit. To get you started, I’m sharing four tasty variations (+ my go-to base recipe!) below. Try them out, and then get creative making your overnight oats your own!

Maple syrup dripping into Mason jar filled with oats, chia seeds, and yogurt

Overnight Oats Recipe Ingredients

When I first started making overnight oats, I kept them really simple, using just oats and almond milk. But after a little experimentation, I realized that adding chia seeds to overnight oats takes them to a whole new level. They give the oats a delicious thick and creamy texture, sort of like that of chia pudding. They also add protein, fiber, and healthy fats. What’s not to love?

Now, I use these ingredients in my go-to overnight oats recipe:

  • Whole rolled oats – Also known as old fashioned oats. Quick oats and steel-cut oats will NOT work here. Quick oats will be too mushy, while steel-cut oats will be chewy and tough.
  • Chia seeds – For extra protein and the perfect thick and creamy texture.
  • Almond milk – Or any milk you like! Dairy milk and oat milk both work well. Coconut milk adds rich flavor and yields an especially creamy texture.
  • Maple syrup – For sweetness. Honey works too.
  • And a pinch of salt – To make the oats extra-flavorful.

If you like, you can stir in Greek yogurt as well. It adds more protein and makes the oats creamier. Skip it to make this recipe dairy-free.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

Hand pouring almond milk from pitcher into jar with base recipe ingredients

The Best Overnight Oats Ratio

Back when I made overnight oatmeal with just oats and milk, I used equal parts old fashioned rolled oats and milk.

Now that I add chia seeds, I like to use a little more liquid so that my oats don’t get too thick.

I use this ratio: 1/2 cup oats to 2/3 cup milk to 1 tablespoon chia seeds. When I make overnight oats with yogurt, I stir in 1/4 cup Greek yogurt to make them extra-creamy.

Find the complete recipe with measurements below.

How to Make Overnight Oats

My method for how to make overnight oats is super simple! Here’s how it goes:

  • Place the oats, chia seeds, maple syrup or honey, salt, and yogurt, if using, in a lidded container or jar.
  • Pour in the almond milk, and stir thoroughly to combine. Make sure that there are no chia seeds clumped around the bottom or sides of the jar!
  • Cover and store overnight, or for up to 5 days, in the fridge.

When you’re ready to eat, give the oats another stir, add your desired toppings, and enjoy!

Almond milk streaming into jar with base recipe ingredients

To meal prep overnight oats, set out a Mason jar for each serving you want to prep. Add all the ingredients EXCEPT the milk to each jar. Then, add the milk to one jar and stir that jar together before adding the milk to the next. I find that adding the milk to one jar at a time helps prevent the chia seeds from getting too clumpy. Once you mix up all the overnight oats, cover and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to eat!

I recommend waiting to add your favorite toppings until the morning you plan to eat your oats. That way, nuts, seeds, and granola will stay crunchy, and fruit will stay bright and fresh.

Apple pie overnight oats recipe

Overnight Oats Recipe Variations

Now for the fun part: flavor variations! Here are four that I really love:

1. Apple Pie Overnight Oats

I stir applesauce and warm spices into the creamy oat base and top it off with diced apples and toasted pecans for crunch. If I have them on hand, I also add a scoop of my stovetop cinnamon apples to this variation. They taste like the inside of an apple pie!

Peach crisp overnight oats recipe

2. Peach Crisp Overnight Oats

Topped with sweet, juicy peach slices and nutty granola, this overnight oatmeal is an ode to my favorite peach crisp.

PB&J overnight oats recipe

3. PB&J Overnight Oats

I load up this variation with creamy peanut butter and a strawberry chia jam that packs a HUGE punch of berry flavor. Fresh strawberries and raspberries amp up that flavor even more, and toasted peanuts add the perfect crunch. For a twist on this variation, swap almond butter and toasted almonds for the peanut butter and peanuts.

Chocolate banana bread overnight oats recipe

4. Chocolate Banana Bread Overnight Oats

I stir cocoa powder, mashed banana, cinnamon, and nutmeg into this variation’s base to give it a rich, chocolatey banana bread flavor. Sliced bananas, walnuts, and chocolate chips top it off.

I hope you love these variations! But remember – you can also feel free to make your oats your own.

Other Topping Ideas

Try stirring spices or protein powder into the oat base, or experiment with toppings like seasonal fresh fruit, dried fruit, coconut flakes, nuts, seeds, or nut butters.

If you find a combination you love, let me know in the comments below!

Four jars filled with apple pie, PB&J, peach crisp, and chocolate banana overnight oats recipes

More Favorite Healthy Breakfasts

If you love this recipe, try one of these healthy breakfasts next:

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Overnight Oats

rate this recipe:
4.98 from 315 votes
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Serves 1
Learn how to make overnight oats! This healthy, make-ahead breakfast is easy to customize. Try one of the variations in the recipe below, or experiment with your own combinations of mix-ins and toppings.

Ingredients

Base Recipe

Variations:

Apple Pie

Peach Crisp

PB&J

Chocolate Banana Bread

Instructions

  • Make the base recipe: In a Mason jar or other lidded jar, place the oats, chia seeds, maple syrup, salt, and Greek yogurt, if using.
  • Add the almond milk and stir until the mixture is well combined and there are no clumps of chia seeds at the bottom of the jar. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for up to 5 days.
  • In the morning, top with your desired toppings and serve with drizzles of maple syrup.
  • For apple pie overnight oats, stir the applesauce and cinnamon into the overnight oat base. Refrigerate overnight. In the morning, top with diced apple, chopped pecans, and cinnamon apples and drizzles of maple syrup, if desired.
  • For peach crisp overnight oats, make the plain overnight oat base. Refrigerate overnight. In the morning, top with peach slices, granola, and drizzles of maple syrup, if desired.
  • For PB&J overnight oats, make the plain overnight oat base. Refrigerate overnight. In the morning, top with chia jam, peanut butter, chopped strawberries, raspberries, and chopped peanuts.
  • For chocolate banana bread overnight oats, stir the mashed banana, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg into the overnight oat base. Refrigerate overnight. In the morning, top with banana slices, chopped walnuts, chocolate chips, and drizzles of maple syrup, if desired.

Notes

Chia Jam Recipe
  • 1 pound strawberries
  • ½ teaspoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • 3 tablespoons chia seeds
Place the strawberries, lemon juice, maple syrup, and salt in a small saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until softened. Use a fork or a potato masher to mash the strawberries, keeping a few a little chunky. Remove from the heat and stir in the chia seeds. Transfer to a jar and let cool, uncovered, at room temperature, then cover and chill in the fridge.

282 comments

4.98 from 315 votes (193 ratings without comment)

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  1. Emiley
    03.12.2025

    5 stars
    I made this for the Love & Lemons cooking club. My pb&j version was a perfect breakfast! Cute, filling, and simple. This is one I would definitely do again.

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.14.2025

      Hi Emiley, thanks for joining in the club! I’m so glad you enjoyed the oats.

  2. Milly
    03.10.2025

    5 stars
    One of my favorite go to breakfast recipes! Love adding PB2 powder instead of peanut butter to have the flavor, but not the full density of actual peanut butter! Another favorite way to change it up is to add Frozen Cherries the night before!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.14.2025

      Hi Milly, great tip about the PB2 powder! So glad you love the oats.

  3. Ari
    03.10.2025

    5 stars
    This is such a great, customizable meal prep option! I’ve made the apple pie and chocolate banana versions and then used to base to riff off of with the produce I’ve had. Some favorite combos have been lemon blueberry and kiwi raspberry!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.14.2025

      Hi Ari, I love the kiwi raspberry idea! I’ll have to try that one

  4. Melanie Lizardi
    03.10.2025

    5 stars
    Apple Pie Overnight Oats, Who Knew! This has been the tastiest Overnight oats recipe that I have tried! I am lactose intolerant and subbed silk plain almond milk yogurt and it was amazing. The right consistency, not too thick. I am trying banana chocolate bread next!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.14.2025

      Hi Melanie, aww yay! So glad you loved the recipe.

  5. Adelaide
    03.10.2025

    5 stars
    I’ve finally cracked the code to perfect overnight oats with this recipe! I feel like they are the perfect thickness, amount, and the small bit of chia seeds adds just a bit of texture without being weird. Some days when I want it a bit thicker, I increase to 1/2 cup yogurt and cut the milk. Either way is so delicious and is honestly making my mornings so much easier! The best part is how customizable these are – I’ve even subbed out the milk for coffee one day and added in some cocoa powder for a fun mocha kinda deal. Let your imagination run wild with these – you will not regret trying it 🙂

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.14.2025

      Hi Adelaide, thanks for this sweet comment! I’m so glad you love the recipe and that you’re having fun changing it up 🙂

  6. Shira
    03.09.2025

    5 stars
    Overnight oats are my favorite breakfast to make. They are perfect for busy work mornings. I slightly modified the apple pie variation by using only 1 teaspoon chia seeds, 1/2 cup soy milk and then adding some hemp seeds and vegan yogurt. Very hearty and filling.

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.14.2025

      Sounds delicious, Shira!

  7. Emily
    03.09.2025

    5 stars
    Love chia pudding so I am very excited about this recipe! I’ll have to wait overnight to taste it 😉

  8. Frankie
    03.09.2025

    5 stars
    The only overnight oats recipe I will ever need! The perfect slight sweetness and base for toppings. I added banana and almond butter!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.14.2025

      So glad you love the recipe, Frankie!

  9. Stacy
    03.09.2025

    5 stars
    Thank you for this month’s challenge – adds a little pep in my step for Sunday meal prep ; I added blueberry jam and cacao nibs. I also love the previous commenter’s suggestion of candied ginger… saving that for next week : )

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.14.2025

      Hi Stacy, so glad you enjoyed prepping the oats! Love the idea of using blueberry jam, that sounds delicious. I agree about the candied ginger too!

  10. Darilyn Schlie
    03.08.2025

    5 stars
    1/3 c. Of:
    Oatmeal
    Oat milk
    Yogurt
    Strawberry Compote
    Add:
    Nuts
    Coconut
    Dried fruit

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.14.2025

      Hi Darilyn, ooh I love the idea of mixing in strawberry compote!

  11. Lisa
    03.08.2025

    I’m so glad you did the overnight oats challenge! I was gearing up to make some–great minds think alike! I made mine today–four jars. I used almond milk and a combo of oats and 10 grain flakes. I put vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg in the milk and just a little coconut sugar. I put chia seeds and coconut in the oats. We’ll see how they turn out tomorrow–im excited!🙌

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.14.2025

      Hi Lisa, aww yay! What a great coincidence. I love the idea of mixing the 10 grain flakes into the oats, sounds delicious.

  12. Kat
    03.08.2025

    5 stars
    I heard of overnight oats but was scarred from a bad experience with girl camping where they buried the oatmeal overnight in a hole with a fire in it.😝 Started over with your recipe and now I wake up in the morning thinking of it! My fave new breakfast! Or snack!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.14.2025

      So glad you love the recipe, Kat!

  13. Sarah
    03.08.2025

    5 stars
    Love this overnight oats recipe. I added Vanilla yogurt, flax seeds and a scoop of vanilla protein powder to the recipe. In the morning I topped it with raspberries, slivered almonds, chocolate chips and a drizzle of honey. My kids even loved it (the chocolate chips helped)!

  14. Carolyn
    03.08.2025

    My go-to oatmeal recipe has added at the start craisins, raisins, chopped candied ginger, chopped walnuts, sunflower, pumpkin & sesame seeds (& some extra liquid to puff up the dried fruit) and PB, then chopped apple on the top.

  15. Gina
    03.08.2025

    Healthy and delicious! Love having breakfast ready for me in the morning so I can just grab and go! The addition of the chia jam is fantastic!

  16. Laurie
    03.07.2025

    I love that this recipe has chia seeds and Greek yogurt. I added flax seeds and vanilla to the recipe. I appreciate how simple and satisfying the overnight oats are. This morning I put banana, macadamia nuts and a drizzle of passion fruit jelly on top. I love the versatility of the recipe.

  17. Karen S
    03.07.2025

    5 stars
    Delicious! I’d never had them before. Made mine with 1/4cup lowfat Geek yogurt, and whole milk, as that’s what I had on hand. Topped them with blueberries. Will be putting these on repeat! Wish I’d known about these when I was working and commuting! The would have been perfect to bring in my backpack!

  18. Andrea
    03.07.2025

    5 stars
    I love overnight oats – can meal prep and make it different every time, but never thought about PB&J ones – so creative and so delicious. My son enjoys too!

  19. Mj
    03.07.2025

    Just made the chocolate banana bread one! Yum!!!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.07.2025

      So glad you loved it, Mj!

  20. Cynthia
    03.07.2025

    5 stars
    First time I prepared and ate overnight oats. I didn’t know what to expect. It was a great success (for the whole family) and I’ll be preparing them again. Thank you!

    • Phoebe Moore (L&L Recipe Developer)
      03.07.2025

      Hi Cynthia, I’m so glad you loved them!

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Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.