Overnight Oats with Protein Powder

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This overnight oats with protein powder recipe is an easy way to start your day off on the right foot! This protein overnight oats recipe is full of protein, fiber, and good for you ingredients to keep you feeling full and satisfied. Make it ahead of time for an easy healthy breakfast on busy mornings.

I’m not a morning person, so I love when I’m able to have breakfast ready to go before my coffee is brewed. That’s why this protein overnight oats is perfect as it can be prepared the night before and it’s magically ready to go in the morning! Even better, overnight oats with protein powder added means I get an extra boost of protein which keeps me feeling full longer.

A glass of overnight oats with protein powder topped with berries and granola.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This overnight oats recipe is a budget-friendly breakfast and only takes a few minutes to make. I love a good time and money saving recipe! You simply take a couple of minutes to mix everything together, and rolled oats are a great budget-friendly ingredient.
It’s a healthy and nutritious way to start off the day! Between the rolled oats and chia seeds, you’ll have a nutrient-packed breakfast!
They’re a versatile meal prep! You can change the flavor of the protein powder, you can stir in a different nut butter, you can top it with anything your heart desires or something different every day! What’s not to love about that?

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients needed to make overnight oats with protein powder.

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.
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! When they absorb the milk, it helps thicken the overnight oats.
protein powder — I use 100% Whey Protein Isolate in vanilla but use your favorite protein powder! This is where you can get creative! I also own boba tea protein in a few flavors and strawberry protein powder. If I add the milk tea flavored protein powder or jasmine tea flavored protein powder, then it’ll add a fun flavor to my overnight oats.
milk — you can use any milk of your choice, from cow’s milk to non-dairy milk. I personally prefer whole milk, but it’s up to you!
maple syrup — you can use maple syrup or honey to sweeten the protein overnight oats. Make sure you use real maple syrup and not pancake syrup.
almond butter — a bit of healthy fat added to the protein oats will help keep you feel full for longer!

How to Make Overnight Oats with Protein Powder

Set of two photos showing overnight oat ingredients added to a bowl.

In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, chia seeds, protein powder, milk, maple syrup, and almond butter.

Set of two photos showing overnight oats stirred together in a bowl.

Mix until well combined.
Cover with a lid or plastic and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
When ready to eat, serve with toppings of choice, such as jam, berries, and nuts.

Angled view of a glass of overnight oats with protein powder with fresh berries and granola on top.

Recipe Tips and Notes

Make sure you don’t add your toppings too early. I like to add the toppings right as I’m about to serve.
You can add a few spoonfuls of Greek yogurt to add even more protein to the overnight oats and make it creamier.
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. They’re so pretty.
Use a good-quality protein powder as the protein powder you choose to use will affect the overall flavor of the overnight oats. If you dislike the flavor of your protein powder, the overnight oats will unfortunately not mask the flavor.
Make sure to stir the overnight oats well as chia seeds can clump up.
Want to make this into a few different flavors? You can add everything but the protein powder and then divide up the overnight oats into two to four containers and flavor them accordingly with your protein. It’s an easy way to change things up for your breakfasts.

A glass of overnight oats with protein powder on a serving board.

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 overnight oats in the freezer for up to 2 months.

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.

Can I heat up overnight oats?

Not a fan of cold overnight oats? No biggie! You can microwave the overnight oats with protein powder until warmed through before enjoying it for breakfast.

Are overnight oats healthy?

I would consider overnight oats to be healthy as they’re rich in fiber, protein, and antioxidants. They also contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals! Chia seeds are also rich in nutrients such as antioxidants, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Can I use steel-cut oats?

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