Cereal Milk Overnight Oats

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Flavored with sweet cereal-infused milk, this cereal milk overnight oats recipe is a nostalgic way to start your day. This delightful overnight oats recipe is full of protein and will keep you feeling full and satisfied all morning. They’re the perfect grab-and-go breakfast recipe!

One of my favorite ice cream flavors is cereal milk, so why not turn it into overnight oats? I love the sweet, nostalgic flavor and it gives me a great reason to pick up a box of my favorite childhood cereals!

A glass of cereal milk overnight oats topped with fruity pebbles.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Overnight oats are always my go-to meal prep recipes as they come together so quickly and easily by simply mixing together ingredients in a bowl. The fridge does the rest, and in the morning, you’ve got a delicious grab-and-go breakfast! Although this cereal milk version involves a bit of extra time to infuse the flavor into the milk, it’s not much more work!
Most of these ingredients are easy to find and budget-friendly, making for a budget-friendly meal for the week. Rolled oats and chia seeds are pantry staples that you can buy in bulk and keep on hand for a while, so I always stock up when I see a sale.
Thanks to the rolled oats, yogurt, and chia seeds, this overnight oats recipe is full of protein, fiber, and just general wholesome goodness. It makes for a nourishing way to start off your day.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients needed to make cereal milk overnight oats.

milk — you can use any milk of your choice, from cow’s milk to non-dairy milk such as almond milk or oat milk. If you don’t have milk, you can make it with water, like my overnight oats with water recipe.
cereal — use your favorite cereal! For this recipe pictured, I’m using the limited edition pastel Fruity Pebbles.
rolled oats — make sure you are using old-fashioned rolled oats. Instant oats and quick oats do not hold up as well, so I do not prefer the texture of the oats after they’ve been soaked.
yogurt — a thick and creamy yogurt works with the chia seeds and rolled oats to give the overnight oats a creamy texture. Using Greek yogurt will add a boost of extra protein. If you don’t have yogurt, you can use applesauce or mashed bananas, but you won’t get the same amount of protein.
chia seeds — chia seeds come in both black and white seeds, but there is no difference in nutritional content, so take your pick. They’re an excellent source of plant-based protein! When they absorb the milk, it helps thicken the overnight oats.
protein powder — I use vanilla protein powder to add more protein to this overnight oats recipe. Make sure to use one that tastes good! The other ingredients won’t mask the flavor of the protein powder if it’s one you’re not a fan of.
maple syrup — you can use maple syrup or honey to sweeten the overnight oats. Make sure you use real maple syrup and not pancake syrup. You can also use honey. I recommend not adding too much at first because the milk is sweetened by the cereal. You can always add more maple syrup when serving.
vanilla extract — just a splash of vanilla extract is all you need.

How to Make Cereal Milk Overnight Oats

Set of two photos showing cereal added to milk to infuse the flavor.

In a bowl, combine the cereal and milk. Cover and set aside in the fridge for 30 minutes so the milk can be infused with flavor.
Drain the milk through a fine-mesh strainer.

Set of two photos showing ingredients added to a mixing bowl and combined to set overnight in the fridge.

Add the cereal milk, rolled oats, chia seeds, yogurt, protein powder, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a bowl.
Mix until well combined. Cover and put the mixture into the fridge (or individual containers) for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
When ready to enjoy, top with some chopped fruit or berries, etc, or additional cereal and enjoy!

Recipe Tips and Notes

You can add even more protein to this by using Fairlife’s ultra-filtered milk. I love their milk!
For an on-to-go meal, mason jars are great. 16-ounce wide-mouth mason jars are great if you plan on adding toppings, so you don’t spill anything. I also LOVE a good weck jar.
Add a drizzle of almond butter or peanut butter on top to add a little extra protein to the overnight oats.
I don’t leave the cereal in the overnight oats because it’ll turn soggy and slowly disintegrate in the overnight oats. I always strain it out and don’t add the cereal as a topping until ready to eat!

Overhead view of a jar of cereal milk overnight oats with fruity pebbles on top with a spoon inside.

Make Ahead Tips

Meal prep: store the cereal overnight oats without any toppings in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Freezer: to freeze overnight oats, portion out the oats in small containers, then freeze! Thaw the overnight oats in the fridge for 6-8 hours/overnight before you’d like to eat them. You can store the overnight oats in the freezer for up to 2 months.

What are overnight oats?

Overnight oats are a no-cook method of preparing oatmeal! It’s made by soaking rolled oats in some liquid, such as milk, overnight so they become soft and digestible.

Are overnight oats healthy?

I would consider this protein overnight oats recipe to be healthy as the ingredients are rich in fiber, protein, and antioxidants. They also contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals!

Can you use steel-cut oats for overnight oats?

While you can use steel-cut oats, keep in mind that steel-cut oats will need to be soaked longer, and the texture will be dense and chewy in comparison. This overnight oats recipe, in particular, uses rolled oats, so I recommend following the recipe if this is your first time making overnight oats.