Overnight Oats With Protein Powder

Overnight Oats with Protein Powder are an easy, healthy breakfast meal prep for those busy mornings. They can be customized for whatever sounds good, are packed with protein and fiber, and the best part is they come together in minutes! Plus, the base of this simple recipe is vegan and gluten free.

Overnight Oats are an essential recipe when you want to prepare breakfast in advance.  They involve just a few ingredients and no cooking, so minimal effort!  You may be thinking of warm traditional oatmeal and wondering how can you not cook oats. 

Traditional oats rely on water and heat to rehydrate the dried oats while overnight oats rely on liquid and time.  These can also be enjoyed cold, straight from the fridge, or hot, heated up in the microwave after they have soaked overnight.

For original overnight oats use yogurt to thicken the oats overnight.  Our version is vegan, however, so we use chia seeds and plant based milk to thicken the oats.  Chia seeds are a super neat ingredient.  They swell and develop a gelatin like outer layer when they come in contact with liquid. 

This helps to thicken the oats to create the iconic texture of oatmeal. And, in my opinion, overnight oats made with yogurt is too thick and gloopy?  If that is a word...  When these are made with chia seeds and milk, the texture is far more similar to the oatmeal we are all use to having for breakfast!

And to continue my rant as to why overnight oats are the best breakfast - they're totally customizable!  Simply make the standard base and then add what ever else your heart desires! 

Even better, add everything you want to the same jar as the base for less clean up!  We've made five different versions in this post - a cranberry orange white chocolate, blueberry vanilla, cinnamon pear honey, pumpkin pie, and chocolate peanut butter banana!

Jump to:

• Oats Base Ingredients
• How to Make This - Step by Step
• Quick Facts and Common Questions
• Overnight Oats Recipe Variations
• Try these other delicious breakfast recipe ideas!
• Recipe

Oats Base Ingredients

Oats: Oats are the base of any oatmeal, duh! We prefer to use quick oats (steel cut) that are gluten free. Steel cut oats are sturdier than rolled oats so they hold up better to being soaked overnight. However, traditional steel cut oats are too stiff and tough and will not soften when soaked overnight. Quick cook steel cut is the move here!

Plant Based Milk: The milk is what soaks into those oats and achieves the creamy texture of traditional oatmeal. Certain plant-based milk works really well here because they are thicker than cow's milk but still provide the moisture needed for the overnight oats. Oat milk, coconut milk in a can, flax milk, unsweetened almond milk, soy milk, and hemp milk will work great! We love Good Karma flax milk with Omega 3 + Protein for extra protein in our protein oats!

Chia Seeds: Traditional overnight oats use yogurt to thicken, but for this vegan version, we recommend using chia seeds. Chia seeds swell when moisture is added, making them a great way to thicken the oats without yogurt.

Vanilla Protein Powder: Protein powder also helps to thicken these oats. Protein powder typically has thickening agents in it because the intent is for people to mix it with milk or water for an on-the-go protein shake. And, shakes are thick and creamy. Plus, it means your breakfast will have a good amount of protein! Looking for one without, try my Trader Joe's Overnight Oats or Brownie Batter Overnight Oats without Protein Powder.

Toppings: Add whatever toppings sound good! Check out our favorites below!

How to Make This - Step by Step

Step one: Add oats, protein powder, chia seeds, and milk to mason jar.

Step Two: Add any flavors or toppings you’d like. Keep reading below for some delicious ideas!

Step Three: Cover and shake until well combined. Store in the fridge overnight to set.

Step Four: Enjoy the oats cold or heated up for one minute in the microwave.

Quick Facts and Common Questions

What equipment should I plan for this meal?

Five sealable jars or mason jars will be needed for this recipe. Pro tip: the size of your jar will depend on how many toppings you want to add. Be sure to use a jar that's big enough for you to stir in your toppings!

How long do overnight oats keep?

These oats will last for one week in the fridge, sealed.

Are overnight oats freezer friendly?

Yup! You can freeze overnight oats, just move to the fridge the night before you want to enjoy it so it can defrost by the next morning.

How do I reheat overnight oats?

Reheat overnight oats in the microwave for one minute. It helps to add a splash of milk before microwaving if the oats have dried out. They can also be enjoyed cold!

Does it matter what protein powder is used for overnight oats?

The type of protein powder used doesn't really matter - it depends on your taste preferences. However, my taste buds do not like stevia or the chalky texture that usually accompanies protein powder. Plus, vegan protein powder has a tendency to be extra chalky. My favorite plant-based protein powders are KOS Vanilla Cream (20 grams of protein per scoop) and Tropeka Vanilla. If not vegan, I Heart Macros is the best for mixing in.

Are overnight oats healthy?

Overnight oats provide ample protein, vitamins, and fiber which make for a nutritious and filling breakfast!

Are overnight oats eaten cold or hot?

Overnight oats are typically eaten cold, but can also be enjoyed hot.  If making overnight oats with yogurt, it is recommended they be eaten cold. If making overnight oats with chia seeds, they can be eaten hot or cold.  We recommend enjoying overnight oats hot if possible, topped with nut butter.

Overnight Oats Recipe Variations

A Few of My Favorite Things

Add-In Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon cranberry sauce or cranberry jam, dried cranberries will work too!
• Zest from half an orange or 1 tablespoon orange juice
• 1 tablespoon white chocolate chips - we love to use Lily’s!

Blueberry Fields

Add-In Ingredients:

• ¼ cup frozen blueberries or dried blueberries (1 tablespoon blueberry jam could also be used)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract

A Mediterranean Dream

Add-In Ingredients:

• ¼ cup diced pear (skin on is fine)
• 1 tablespoon honey
• ½ teaspoon cinnamon

Pumpkin Roll

Add-In Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoon pumpkin puree
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• ½ teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

The Elvis

Add-In Ingredients:

• ½ banana sliced
• 1 tablespoon milk chocolate chips or 2 teaspoon cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp peanut butter or peanut butter powder (any nut butter can be used)

Try these other delicious breakfast recipe ideas!

Extra Creamy Oat Milk Creamer

Breakfast Casserole with Turkey Sausage

Fruity Pebble Pancakes

Fancy Oatmeal with Carmalized Bananas

Recipe