7 Overnight Oats Recipes
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Learn how to save time and money and eat healthier by prepping these Overnight Oats recipes ahead of time for the week. Use our 7 different delicious combinations to start filling your fridge today. My personal favorites are Peach Pie and Almond Joy.
Why You’ll Love These Recipes
We can’t enough of Overnight Oats in our homes! In addition to our 7 Smoothie Pack Recipes, they are one of the easiest ways to consume whole grains, fruits, and good-for-you proteins every single morning.
We’ve created one Overnight Oats recipe for every day of the week, so you never get tired of the same one and so you include a variety of healthy ingredients in your diet throughout the week.
Get the Cheatsheet
Benefits of Overnight Oats
- Make-Ahead: You can whip up several of these on the weekend and have breakfast ready to go for the week. They just take minutes to put together.
- No Cooking Involved: The oats soften in the liquid as it sits in the refrigerator, which means no cooking is needed.
- Super Healthy: Breakfast doesn’t get much healthier than this! Just check out all the benefits of oats alone, according to Harvard School of Public Health. The combo of fresh or frozen fruit, whole grains, and other nutritious add-ins provides fiber, protein, antioxidants, and valuable minerals.
- Eat On the Go: Whether you have just a few minutes before you leave for the day or need to eat breakfast in the car or at your desk, this breakfast-in-a-jar fits the bill! Eat these overnight oats cold or warm. (Read on for tips for serving.)
- Super Tasty: With a balance of sweet, salty, and texture, our variety of overnight oat recipes will make the whole family happy. It’s like a dessert in a jar.
How to Make Overnight Oats
Now, let’s jump right into how to prep this healthy, make-ahead breakfast. Here is the basic method:
- Build the Base: In a clean 16 ounce mason jar, pour in your favorite (unsweetened) milk. Add old-fashioned or rolled oats and your all-natural sweetener of choice (pure maple syrup or honey).
- Add Fruit: Whether it’s fresh or frozen berries, chopped peaches or tropical fruit, or your favorite dried fruit, this ingredient adds more sweetness, flavor, and nutrition. We do recommend adding banana slices fresh rather than ahead of time, but they can work if you don’t mind mushy bananas.
- Add Toppings: This is where you can add more protein, texture, and flavor. Pour in the remaining add-ins, such as nut butters, Greek yogurt, flaxseed, chia seeds, nuts, cinnamon, etc.
- Shake and Refrigerate: Seal and shake. Set in the refrigerator for up to 3-5 days.
7 Overnight Oats Recipes
Here are the 7 different recipes you’ll find on our printable cheatsheet.
Recipe #1: Almond Joy
Love that candy bar with chocolate, coconut, and almonds? Well, now you can have everything that’s delicious about Almond Joy in one make-ahead, nutritious overnight oats recipe.
Recipe #2: Strawberry Shortcake
This recipe tastes surprisingly like the dessert we all know and love. Make this when strawberries are in season or use frozen strawberries all year round.
Recipe #3: Peach Pie
This overnight oats recipe combines all the best flavors, crunch, and sweetness of peach pie into a satisfying, nutritious breakfast. Now, that’s what I’m talking about!
Recipe #4: Blueberry Muffin
Fresh or frozen blueberries, chopped walnuts (optional), cinnamon, and vanilla come together in this oats recipe to create a tasty “blueberry muffin” experience.
Recipe #5: Raspberry Lemon
Raspberries and lemon zest star in this bright, fresh-flavored overnight oats recipe. Whip up a few batches when fresh raspberries are in season or make them anytime with frozen raspberries.
Recipe #6: Peanut Butter and Jelly
You don’t have to be a kid to enjoy this healthy take on America’s favorite sandwich. Polly and I agreed that this was one of our favorite combinations!
Recipe #7: Peanut Butter Cup
Peanut butter and chocolate marry together in this healthy breakfast that you might mistake for dessert!
Common FAQs About Overnight Oats
The best containers for overnight oats have a wide enough opening to eat out of, are microwave-safe (preferably glass not plastic), and have a leak-proof lid. My two favorite containers are either 12- to 16-ounce Mason jars with lids or 2-cup glass Pyrex bowls with lids. There are also dedicated overnight oats glass jars with spoons now! I haven’t tried them, but it’s a fun idea.
We hear this question a lot. The best way to serve overnight oats is…whatever you like best! Eating them cold or warm works.
Serve Overnight Oats Cold: Shake the jar. Stir in a little extra milk if it’s too thick and more sweetener if you’d like. Grab a spoon and eat your oats cold. This is the perfect solution for those mornings when you’re on the run!
Serve Overnight Oats Warm: This is our preferred way to serve overnight oats. Shake the jar and then remove the lid. Warm the oats in the microwave for about 45 seconds. Stir. Add more milk or sweetener as needed. Warm up even more, if desired.
While rolled oats are the most commonly used oats for overnight oats because they soften more quickly, you can use steel cut oats. However, you’ll need to increase the soaking time and may want to use more liquid to ensure they soften adequately.
Yes, but the texture will be much mushier, almost porridge-like.
You certainly can, but just know that the texture after thawing will be very mushy oats and fruit.
A better bet might be to try one of our Baked Oatmeal recipes instead:
– Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Baked Oatmeal
– Peanut Butter and Banana Baked Oatmeal
– Baked Oatmeal with Fruit
– Brownie Baked Oatmeal
You can use various liquids like plain cow’s milk, almond milk, soy milk, or coconut milk, depending on your dietary preferences and taste.
If using rolled oats, they ideally need to sit at least 4 hours but are even softer and better after 6-8 hours in the fridge.
It’s best to eat overnight oats within about 3-5 days, especially if you added in fresh or frozen fruit. After that, the texture and quality of the oatmeal deteriorate.
Sure! Adding protein powder will increase the protein and calories. If using a sweetened protein powder, be sure to cut back on the sweetener in the overnight oats recipe. You may also need to add more liquid.
Wouldn’t it be fun to have your fridge stocked with several of these flavors for the week ahead? Go ahead and spend a few minutes making some for the week!
Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!
7 Overnight Oats Recipes
Learn how to save time and money and eat healthier by prepping Overnight Oats ahead of time for the week. Use our 7 different delicious overnight oats recipes to start filling your fridge today.
Ingredients
Almond Joy:
- 1/2 cup milk (we prefer plain almond milk), plus more for serving
- 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2–1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 teaspoon 100% cocoa powder
- 1–2 tablespoons sliced almonds
- 1–2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
- 1/2 banana, sliced
Strawberry Shortcake:
- 1/2 cup milk (your choice), plus more for serving
- 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 –1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 cup frozen or fresh chopped strawberries (chopped is easier to eat than sliced)
- 2 tablespoons vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1–2 tablespoons sliced almonds
- 1/8 teaspoon pure vanilla
Peach Pie:
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or your choice of milk)
- 1/3 cup rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup, plus more to taste (sub: honey)
- 1/2 cup diced peaches (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Blueberry Muffin:
- 1/2 cup milk (your choice), plus more for serving
- 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 cup frozen or fresh blueberries
- 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Raspberry Lemon:
- 1/2 cup milk (we prefer plain almond milk), plus more for serving
- 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2–1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey
- 2 tablespoons vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1 cup fresh or frozen raspberries
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds
Peanut Butter and Jelly:
- 1/2 cup milk (your choice), plus more for serving
- 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 –1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 cup frozen or fresh chopped strawberries (chopped is easier to eat than sliced)
- 1 tablespoon all-natural peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon all-natural strawberry jam
- 1 tablespoon chopped peanuts
- 1–2 teaspoons chia seeds
Peanut Butter Cup:
- 1/2 cup almond milk, plus more for serving (or your choice of milk)
- 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (sub: quick oats)
- 1/2–1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
- 1–2 tablespoons chopped peanuts
- 1/2 banana, sliced
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
- In a 12-16 ounce mason jar, pour in the milk.
- Add oats and your all-natural sweetener of choice (pure maple syrup or honey).
- Add in the remaining fruit and add-ins (except bananas, which you will add right before eating so they don’t turn brown and mushy).
- Screw on the lid tightly and shake. Set in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 3-5 days.
- You have two choices how to serve them:
Serve Cold: Shake the jar. Open and add in the bananas (if they are in your recipe). Stir in a little extra milk if it’s too thick and more sweetener if you’d like. Grab a spoon and eat your oats cold. This is the perfect solution for those mornings when you’re on the run!
Serve Warm: This is our preferred way to serve overnight oats. Shake the jar and then remove the lid. Warm the oats in the microwave for about 45 seconds. Stir. Add in the sliced bananas (if they are in your recipe) and more milk or sweetener, as needed. Warm up even more, if desired.
Notes/Tips
- If using rolled oats, they ideally need to sit in the fridge for at least 4 hours but are even softer and better after 6-8 hours in the fridge.
- It’s best to eat overnight oats within about 3-4 days, especially if you added in fresh or frozen fruit. After that, the texture and quality of the oatmeal deteriorate.
- You can use steel-cut oats in place of the rolled oats, but they will require longer in the fridge to get soft and may need more liquid. Quick oats will result in a mushy, porridge-like consistency.
- Feel free to add in some protein powder to your overnight oats to increase protein and calories. If using a sweetened protein powder, be sure to cut back on the sweetener in the overnight oats recipe. You may also need to add more liquid.
- Peanut butter/Peanuts Sub: Replace with almond butter, cashew butter, or sunbutter and almost any other finely chopped nuts you like. If you’re trying to avoid tree nuts, use shelled sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- Gluten-Free Note: If you have a gluten allergy, be sure to buy certified gluten-free oats. While oats are a naturally gluten-free food, they are often processed in a factory where gluten is present.
Nutrition info is for the Almond Joy recipe.
Thank you for these delicious free Recipes. Im a Newbie to Overnight Oats but can’t wait to try them all out. Almond Joy sounds yummy and I will try that one today:)
They are so easy and yummy! Peach Pie is my favorite but Almond Joy is close behind. 🙂
The peach pie overnight oats are delicious! I used Del Monte diced peaches because that’s what l had in the refrigerator. Tastes even better warmed up.
Hi Naomi! This is for sure my favorite overnight oats recipe. It really tastes like pie for breakfast! Thanks for leaving a review.
I love this had the strawberry one, but I’ve got the blueberry and raspberry just waiting mmmm
Would you have the nutritional info?
Hi Marlene! These recipes are so fun, aren’t they? We have nutrition info at the bottom of each individual recipe post. So, if you were to click on Almond Joy for example, you would find the nutrition info for that specific recipe at the end of the recipe card. Thank you for leaving a review! Reach out anytime you have questions.
Thanks, by the way I’m eating Almond Joy, omg like a dessert!
Right? I feel like most of the overnight oats recipes are the same — dessert for breakfast, but healthy! 🙂
Love these recipes!
Thank you! We love them too. 🙂 (My favorite is the Peaches and Cream though.)
I made the blueberry, and it was so easy and extremely good … this was my 1st. Cold oatmeal recipe, but will not be my last !!! I love it !
So glad to hear this Kreighan! My favorite is the peach pie. 🙂
Do you have calorie measurements for the different types
Yes, if you click on the link to each individual recipe in the article, you will find the nutrition info at the bottom of each recipe card. Let us know if you have any other questions!
Does anyone know a way to heat it up if we don’t have a microwave? Can I maybe put a filled mason jar from the fridge straight into a few inches of boiling water for a couple of minutes so that we could still take it to-go? Or would the glass break?
Great question. If you use the real deal Mason canning jars (not old marinara jars or pickle jars, which can crack easily), you can definitely warm it in simmering water.
I downloaded the cheat sheet then realised two of the recipes contain peanuts which I can’t eat. What would you suggest as substitutes?
I really enjoy roasted almond butter (and chopped toasted almonds) as a sub for peanut butter and peanuts. I hope that helps!
These are a huge favorite at our house! Can you tell me, does it work to double (triple, quadruple…!) the recipe in a big bowl and serve it for a crowd?
I’ve never thought to do that, but I don’t see why it wouldn’t work?
Can these be warmed up, I am not big on eating oats cold? Thanks :)!
Absolutely! I often warm them (in their mason jar) in the microwave for a minute or less and stir in a little extra milk.
Thanks for sharing this, I use true elements rolled oats and they gave me the perfect texture that I required for this recipe. Once again thanks!
Great to hear that! Thanks for taking the time to leave a review.
I thought I saw a shopping list of everything needed for the overnight oats?
We listed the ingredients in each printable recipe. Just click the link in this article of the version you want and scroll to the bottom. Hope that helps some!
Wow ! very nice recipes. Will totally try them, thanks for sharing. I have been using Rolled oats from True Elements – a clean label food brand Rolled Oats. They all look delicious could you recommend the best one for rolled oats?
Hi Riya. All of these recipes work best with rolled oats. My favorite is Almond Joy but I had someone tell the other day that her favorite is the Lemon Raspberry. Enjoy!
Nutrition info?
Hi Shara. You’ll find the nutrition info at the bottom of each individual recipe.
I love it didn’t grow up eating oatmeal but when my cholesterol was a little high I started eating it and now I love it and your recipes thank you
So glad they have been helpful to you.
You’re welcome, Sandra. We sure appreciate you taking the time to leave a review and share you story.
These are seriously delicious! I can’t believe I haven’t tried them sooner! Do you think quick oats would work as well?
Quick oats would get too mushy. Regular rolled oats are definitely better to use!
What about steel cut oats?
I haven’t tried this personally, so I don’t know. But, I can’t imagine they would get as tender as the rolled oats. Maybe if you left them in the liquid much longer? Has anyone else tried?
I agree with, Emily. Old fashioned, rolled oats are the way to go on these recipes. Glad you like them, Samantha!