Overnight Oats are easy to make at home, and this has it all—four delicious recipes plus the best tips and tricks!

Try an acai bowl, mango smoothie, or strawberries and cream oatmeal next!

Four varieties of overnight oats recipes, each showcasing different flavors and toppings.

Quick And Easy Breakfast

In college, I ate overnight oats every morning for four years—it was the easiest, tastiest, and most filling breakfast. It kept me full for hours and was packed with nutrients, so I never got tired of it.

My secret? Constantly mixing up flavors and trying new combos. So when I say I’m an expert on overnight oats, I mean it! Here are my favorite combinations and my best tips for the ultimate overnight oats.

How To Make Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are as easy as mixing ingredients and refrigerating overnight. In the morning, just stir, add toppings, and enjoy! Here are a few tips:

  1. Use old-fashioned rolled oats for the best creamy-yet-chewy texture. Avoid quick or steel-cut oats. Click here for my overnight steel-cut oats recipe.
  2. Stir before eating to ensure even texture.
  3. Add toppings last so the oats can fully absorb the liquid without interference.
Base recipe for overnight oats in a bowl, with almond butter beautifully swirled into it.

A Few Notes Before You Start

  • My base recipe is in the recipe card below, plus three extra flavors—chocolate, banana-almond, and berry—under each picture.
  • Overnight oats are best eaten cold. As they soak, they get soft, thick, and creamy. Want them warm? Just heat them in the microwave or on the stove.
  • You don’t have to make them the night before! I often mix them in the morning, work out, and eat them after 30–45 mins. 
  • Want them thicker? Stir in some chia seeds or extra oats for a creamier texture.

Ingredient Tips

Most ingredients are pretty basic, but here are a few helpful tips:

  • Sweetener: Add as much or as little as you like, or skip it. If you don’t want honey or maple syrup, try liquid stevia drops (I use 1/4 tsp). 
  • Greek Yogurt: Choose a mild, sweet yogurt. I love Honey Vanilla Greek yogurt (Greek Gods®). 
  • Dutch-Process Cocoa (for chocolate oats): This gives a rich chocolate flavor. Any Dutch cocoa works, but Hershey’s® Special Dark is easy to find.
The recommended yogurt and cocoa powder used in some of the recipes.

Chocolate Overnight Oats

To a mason jar or plastic container, add: (Makes 1 serving)

  • 1/2 cup (55g) old-fashioned oats
  • 1/3 cup (75g) honey vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 2/3 cup (156g) chocolate or vanilla almond milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup (adjust to taste)
  • Optional: Mini dark chocolate chips

Stir to combine, refrigerate overnight (or at least 30-45 minutes), stir again, and add toppings.

Topping Ideas: (Below are a list of suggestions; add as many or as few of your favorite toppings.)

  • 1 tablespoon roasted and lightly salted almonds
  • 1 tablespoon almond or peanut butter
  • 2 teaspoons chia seeds
  • 1 tablespoon chopped dark chocolate, cacao nibs, or mini chocolate chips
  • 1-2 tablespoons toasted flaked coconut
Almond joy overnight oats in a bowl, deliciously topped with almonds, shredded coconut, and chocolate chips.

Banana-Almond Overnight Oats

Makes one serving. Add to a mason jar or plastic container:

  • 1/2 cup (54g) old-fashioned oats
  • 1/3 cup (82g) honey vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or any milk)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup (130g) finely diced ripe banana
  • 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips

Refrigerate overnight (or at least 30–45 minutes), stir well, and add toppings.

Topping ideas: (Add as much or as little as you like!)

  • 1/2 banana, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon almond or peanut butter
  • Extra sprinkle of cinnamon
  • Chia seeds
  • 1–2 tablespoons toasted chopped pecans or walnuts
  • 2 teaspoons mini chocolate chips
Banana-almond variation of this recipe, topped with banana slices, swirled almond butter, and chocolate chips.

Berry Flavored Oats

Serves 1. Add to a mason jar or plastic container:

  • 1/2 cup (54g) old-fashioned oats
  • 1/3 cup (82g) honey vanilla Greek yogurt
  • 2/3 cup (156g) unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or any milk)
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons pure maple syrup (adjust to taste)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup assorted fresh berries (I like to chop them first)

Refrigerate overnight (or at least 30–45 mins), stir well, and add toppings.

Topping ideas: (Add as much as you like!)

  • 1/3 cup assorted fresh berries
  • Extra maple syrup (if not added to the base)
  • Handful of granola
  • 1–2 tablespoons toasted chopped nuts
  • Chia seeds
Berry overnight oats, healthy and ready for on-the-go consumption, topped with an assortment of fresh berries.
5 from 2 votes

Overnight Oats

Everything you need to know about making your own Overnight Oats at home! With all the best tips and tricks, this is your one-stop Overnight Oats read.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
chilling: 45 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 1 serving

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1/3 cup honey vanilla Greek yogurt I love Greek Gods; see note 1
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk or milk of choice
  • 1-1/2 tablespoons maple syrup see note 2
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon optional
  • Optional toppings see note 3

Instructions 

  • In a small bowl, mason jar, or plastic container, stir together the old fashioned oats, honey vanilla Greek yogurt, vanilla almond milk, pure maple syrup, vanilla extract, cinnamon (if desired), and salt.
  • Stir well and make sure all the ingredients are fully incorporated.
  • Cover the container and refrigerate overnight or until sufficiently cooled and thickened. (Sometimes I’ll even make them in the morning, get ready, then eat them—they are great even after only 30 minutes in the fridge.)
  • When ready to eat, top with any additional toppings if desired. Store Overnight Oats in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Recipe Notes

Note 1: The yogurt can overpower these oats, so get a mild-tasting, sweetened yogurt. Whatever you choose, make sure you like it plain or you likely won’t love it in these oats. A plain vanilla yogurt (not Greek yogurt) is also a great option.
Note 2: I like 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup best, but sweeten to personal preference (1/2 tablespoon up to 2 tablespoons maple syrup or 1/4 teaspoon liquid stevia.)
Note 3: Optional toppings: swirl of almond or peanut butter, mini chocolate chips, and/or fresh berries.
Storage: Store overnight oats in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep toppings separate until ready to eat.

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 376kcal | Carbohydrates: 36.8g | Protein: 6.1g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 130.3mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 8.8g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Meet Chelsea


Hello, and welcome to Chelseaโ€™s Messy Apron! Iโ€™m Chelsea, the recipe developer, food photographer, and writer behind the site. Iโ€™m passionate about creating simple, reliable, and delicious recipes that anyone can make.

Thanks for stopping byโ€”I hope you find something delicious to make!

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5 from 2 votes

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4 Comments

  1. Heather says:

    5 stars
    As your sister I love that this is such an easy, delicious, and filling breakfast!

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      Thanks so much Heather! ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Callie Hubert says:

    5 stars
    As your sister I have to say, we love all the overnight oat recipes but this has to be one of our favorites!! It makes our mornings so stress free and yummy!! Thanks chelsea!

    1. Chelsea Lords says:

      I am thrilled to hear this! Thanks Callie! ๐Ÿ™‚