Cinnamon Raisin Overnight Oats

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Made with a handful of simple ingredients, this cinnamon raisin overnight oats is an easy and wholesome way to start your day! With all the flavors of an oatmeal raisin cookie, this overnight oats recipe is the perfect meal prep breakfast for a busy weekday morning.

Full of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, this oatmeal raisin cookie overnight oats is such a fun and delicious way to start the day! This is one of my go-to overnight oats meal preps when I’m craving something on the sweeter, dessert-like side.

What Are Overnight Oats?

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

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Overnight oats are a meal prepper’s dream! They’re so easy to prepare before bed, and you’ll have at least four servings of breakfast ready to go in the morning!
Full of protein, fiber, and healthy fats, this cinnamon raisin overnight oats recipe will keep you feeling full and satisfied until lunch. There’s nothing worse than mid-morning hunger pangs!
They’re inspired by my favorite cookie: oatmeal raisin! So, if you’re a fan of oatmeal raisin cookies, then you have to make this overnight oats recipe!
Rolled oats and chia seeds are budget-friendly ingredients that you can buy in bulk. When stored correctly, they last at least a year.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients needed to make cinnamon raisin overnight oats.

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 compared to rolled oats. Oats are a great source of complex carbohydrates and are high in fiber, giving you energy. You can read more about the benefits of oats here.
chia seeds — chia seeds come in both black and white seeds, but there is no difference in nutritional content. They’re also an excellent source of plant-based protein and are high in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber! When they absorb the milk and yogurt, it helps thicken the overnight oats.
milk — you can use any milk of your choice, from cow’s milk to non-dairy milk. For this one specific overnight oats recipe, I prefer using oat milk as it adds additional oat-y flavor to really mimick an oatmeal cookie.
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. If you want this overnight oats recipe to have that same caramel note that the cookies have, you can swap the maple syrup for dark brown sugar.
Greek yogurt — to add to the creaminess of the cinnamon raisin overnight oats, the yogurt gives the overnight oats a creamy texture. Using Greek yogurt will add some extra protein to the overnight oats. I prefer using vanilla-flavored Greek yogurt, as plain yogurt is a bit too tangy.
ground cinnamon — you definitely need ground cinnamon to make this overnight oats recipe! Make sure your cinnamon is not stale. The untouched years-old bottle of ground cinnamon hiding in the back of your cupboard will not lead to flavorful overnight oats.
vanilla extract — I always recommend using real vanilla extract and not artificial extract. You can definitely use a little less or skip it if you are using vanilla flavored yogurt.
salt — a bit of kosher salt to help balance out the flavors.
raisins — feel free to use whatever raisins you have on hand. Regular raisins are great, but if you want sweeter raisins, try golden raisins!

How to Make Cinnamon Raisin Overnight Oats

Set of two photos showing cinnamon raisin overnight oats ingredients added to a bowl.

Add the rolled oats, chia seeds, milk, maple syrup, Greek yogurt, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, salt, and raisins to a bowl.

Set of two photos showing cinnamon raisin overnight oats stirred together in a bowl and covered with a lid.

Mix until well combined.
Cover and put the mixture into the fridge for at least 3 to 4 hours to set, but preferably overnight.

Overhead view of three jarsmof cinnamon raisin overnight oats before and after topping with raisins.

When ready to enjoy, stir well and add any desired toppings. I usually add a bit of extra raisins.

Three jars of cinnamon raisin overnight oats all topped with raisins and with a cinnamon stick stuck inside.

Recipe Tips and Notes

If you’re feeling particularly in the mood for a sweet breakfast, you can top the overnight oats with a crumbled oatmeal raisin cookie.
For an on-to-go meal, I like to store the protein overnight oats in mason jars. 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.
Make sure to stir the overnight oats well, as chia seeds can clump up. You can give it a second stir after the overnight oats sit in the fridge for a while.
If you prefer a thinner consistency to your overnight oats, add more milk.
If you would like more protein, you can add vanilla protein powder! You can also get specific high protein milk to use instead of regular milk. You can read more about high protein milk here.
Some granola or chocolate chips will add a nice different texture to your overnight oats.
A bit of peanut butter or another other nut butter pairs well with the flavors of this oatmeal raisin overnight oats!

A jar of cinnamon raisin overnight oats with raisins on top and a cinnamon stick.

Make Ahead Tips

Meal prep: store the 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.

Do you eat overnight oats hot or cold?

If you’re not a fan of a cold breakfast, no biggie! You can microwave the overnight oats until warmed through before enjoying them for breakfast. Overnight oats tend to be enjoyed cold as they are meant to be a quick grab-and-go option that you prepare beforehand.

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.

Are overnight oats healthy?

I would consider this 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!