Vanilla Overnight Oats

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Are you in need of a breakfast idea that’s both quick and easy for those hectic mornings? Try making vanilla overnight oats! This recipe calls for basic pantry items such as rolled oats, chia seeds, yogurt, milk, and maple syrup, and it tastes just like a sweet and creamy vanilla pudding. The best part? It only takes 5 minutes to prepare! Just let the oats mixture sit in the fridge overnight and wake up to a delicious and healthy breakfast. Give it a try, and it’ll become your new go-to breakfast!

A jar of vanilla overnight oats with blueberries on top and a spoon inserted.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Preparing overnight oats is incredibly simple and convenient. All it takes is mixing the ingredients in a bowl and leaving them to sit in the refrigerator overnight. This recipe is foolproof and guarantees delicious results.
A serving of overnight oats is a great way to start your day. Rolled oats, chia seeds, and yogurt are all packed with nutritious goodness.
Most of these ingredients are easy to find and budget-friendly, making for a budget-friendly meal for the week.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients needed to make vanilla overnight oats.

rolled oats — for best results, it’s important to use old-fashioned rolled oats instead of quick oats. The latter options tend to lose their texture when soaked, which is why I personally don’t prefer them.
milk — you can use any water or milk of your choice, from cow’s milk to non-dairy milk. However, I find whole milk to make the creaminess overnight oats. If you don’t have milk, you can make it with water, like my overnight oats with water recipe. Vanilla almond milk or another vanilla-flavored milk will add more vanilla flavor.
chia seeds — chia seeds are available in both black and white variants, but their nutritional content remains the same. These seeds are a great source of plant-based protein. When mixed with milk, they help in thickening the overnight oats.
yogurt — the yogurt works with the chia seeds to give the overnight oats a creamy texture. I suggest using a thick, creamy yogurt for the overnight oats. I am using vanilla bean Greek yogurt.
maple syrup — maple syrup is my preferred sweetener, but you can use your favorite one.
vanilla extract — I recommend using real vanilla extract and not artificial extract for the best flavor.
salt — a pinch of salt helps bring the flavors together.
vanilla protein powder – I highly recommend adding a bit of protein powder to this to add some extra protein and vanilla flavor.

How to Make Vanilla Overnight Oats

Set of two photos showing ingredients for vanilla overnight oats added to a bowl.

Add the rolled oats, chia seeds, yogurt, milk, vanilla extract, salt, and maple syrup in a bowl.

Set of two photos showing before and after vanilla overnight oats setting in the fridge.

Mix until well combined. Cover and put the mixture into the fridge (or individual containers) for at least 4 hours but preferably overnight.
When ready to enjoy, you can top it with some granola, chopped fruit or berries, etc, and enjoy!

A jar of vanilla overnight oats with granola and blueberries on top.

Recipe Tips and Notes

You can easily add some add-ins to increase the amount of protein in this vanilla overnight oats recipe. Nut butter and additional protein powder are a great addition.
This can be pricey depending on the availability but if you have vanilla beans, you can scrape some of the beans into the overnight oats mixture for even more vanilla flavor.
For a grab-and-go meal, mason jars are great. 16-ounce wide-mouth mason jars are great if you plan on adding toppings and don’t want anything to spill or overflow. I also LOVE a good weck jar.

Make Ahead Tips

Meal prep: store the vanilla 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.

A jar of vanilla overnight oats with another in the back and a jar of chia seeds.

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. They are a convenient and healthy option for busy mornings!

Do you eat overnight oats hot or cold?

You can enjoy this vanilla overnight oats recipe cold or warmed up in the morning! Simply microwave the overnight oats to warm them up if you do not want to eat them cold.

Are overnight oats healthy?

The ingredients in the overnight oats are pretty healthy! Rolled oats, chia seeds, yogurt, and milk 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 frozen fruit overnight oats recipe, in particular, uses rolled oats, so I recommend following the recipe if this is your first time making overnight oats.