When your busy, seriously amazing sister who’s chasing around two beautiful kids (4 and 2 years old) all day asks if you could make her an overnight oats recipe to make morning mealtime easier, for goodness sake, you make the woman some overnight oats.
This version is as simple as it gets: 5 ingredients, 5 minutes prep time, no fancy methods, and simple ingredients. Let’s do this!
What Are Overnight Oats?
Overnight oats are a quick and easy breakfast or snack made by soaking rolled oats in liquid overnight.
We love how overnight oats seem to keep the integrity of the oat intact, helping to avoid that gummy texture that cooked versions sometimes take on.
They’re simple to prepare (no cooking required!) and perfect for when you need a make-ahead breakfast or snack, especially for those with hectic mornings.
Keep reading to learn our perfect formula for overnight oats!
How to Make Overnight Oats
After a little testing, I’m happy to report that our simple, straight-forward method truly yields the best results! I even tried partially cooking the oats with warm almond milk before refrigerating, but much preferred this completely raw version.
We use the following base formula for making perfect overnight oats:
1/2 cup Dairy-Free Milk + 3/4 Tbsp Chia Seeds + 1/2 cup Rolled Oats = Perfect Overnight Oats
You can play with formula as needed, adding more dairy-free milk for wetter oats, or adding more chia seeds (or oats) for thicker, more pudding like oats.
To make your overnight oats, simply add these ingredients to a small jar or bowl with your preferred sweetener (we love maple syrup or stevia!). We also added peanut butter to this version for a flavor and protein boost!
Give the mixture a few stirs to make sure the oats have been fully immersed in the milk. Then, cover and leave in the refrigerator overnight to let the oats soften and flavors meld.
Overnight oats FAQs
How long do overnight oats last?
Overnight oats can be prepared up to 2-3 days in advance, sometimes longer.
Can you eat overnight oats hot?
Overnight oats can be eaten hot or cold. To heat, microwave for ~45-60 seconds (just ensure there’s enough space at the top of your jar to prevent overflowing), or transfer to a saucepan and heat over medium heat until warmed through.
Can you use quick oats?
We prefer using rolled oats to make overnight oats, but you can use quick oats – they will just be softer.
Can you use steel cut oats?
Though we haven’t tried it, some people report success using steel cut oats to make overnight oats. They will take longer, require more liquid, and probably won’t be quite as soft. They may also be more difficult to digest.
Are oats gluten-free?
This is somewhat controversial as some believe even certified gluten-free oats to be troublesome for those with gluten sensitivities and celiac disease. But based on our own research and experience, it seems certified gluten-free oats make this recipe gluten-free.
overnight oats Flavor Ideas
Using our formula as a base, the possibilities for overnight oat flavor variations are endless!
We have recipes for:
- Decadent Chocolate Overnight Oats
- Peaches and Cream Overnight Oats
- Apple Pie Overnight Oats
- Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
- Golden Milk Overnight Oats
More inspiration:
- Peanut butter + chocolate almond milk or cacao nibs
- Coconut yogurt + berry compote
- Homemade nutella + banana
- Carrot cake (add in some finely shredded carrot, walnuts, and a chopped date!)
- Peanut butter + “jelly” compote
We hope you LOVE these oats! They’re:
Creamy
Hearty
Perfectly (& naturally) sweet
Peanut buttery
Satisfying
& Absolutely delicious
These oats would make the perfect make-ahead breakfast or snack, especially for those of you with hectic mornings. We also think it would make the perfect meal to enjoy after an intense workout – hello 15 grams of protein!
Into oats? Try these Recipes!
- How to Make Oat Flour
- How to Make Oat Milk
- 1-Bowl Vegan Banana Oat Pancakes
- The Perfect Bowl of Oats
If you give these a try, leave a comment below, rate them, and don’t forget to tag a picture @minimalistbaker on Instagram! We’d love to see what you come up with. Cheers, friends!
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats (5 Ingredients!)
Ingredients
OATS
- 1/2 cup unsweetened plain almond milk (or sub other dairy-free milks, such as coconut, soy, or hemp!)
- 3/4 Tbsp chia seeds
- 2 Tbsp natural salted peanut butter or almond butter (creamy or crunchy // or sub other nut or seed butter)
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup (or sub coconut sugar, organic brown sugar, or stevia to taste)
- 1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats (rolled oats are best, vs. steel cut or quick cooking)
TOPPINGS optional
- Sliced banana, strawberries, or raspberries
- Flaxseed meal or additional chia seeds
- Granola
Instructions
- To a mason jar or small bowl with a lid, add almond milk, chia seeds, peanut butter, and maple syrup (or other sweetener) and stir with a spoon to combine. The peanut butter doesn’t need to be completely mixed with the almond milk (doing so leaves swirls of peanut butter to enjoy the next day).
- Add oats and stir a few more times. Then press down with a spoon to ensure all oats have been moistened and are immersed in almond milk.
- Cover securely with a lid or seal and set in the refrigerator overnight (or for at least 6 hours) to set/soak.
- The next day, open and enjoy as is or garnish with desired toppings (see options above). See more flavor/topping suggestions in the blog post above!OPTIONAL: You can also heat your oats in the microwave for 45-60 seconds (just ensure there’s enough room at the top of your jar to allow for expansion and prevent overflow), or transfer oats to a saucepan and heat over medium heat until warmed through. Add more liquid as needed if oats get too thick/dry.
- Overnight oats will keep in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, though best within the first 12-24 hours in our experience. Not freezer friendly.
Video
Notes
*Prep time reflects preparation and overnight soaking.
*The first, fifth, and last images reflect two servings (double ingredients) with additional chia seeds and peanut butter.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with fortified almond milk and without optional ingredients.
Evgeniya says
This is my first time making overnight oats. I used to think that people come up with overnight oats recipes just to show off their cute Mason jars, but oh boy! I was wrong! These are absolutely delicious!!! I heat them up in a little bit and topped them with apple and banana slices. So so so good!
We’re so glad you gave them a try and enjoyed the result, Evgeniya! Thank you for sharing! xo
ELIZABETH WHITSON says
This was great. I want to avoid dairy and I used ground almonds instead of chia seeds but it was so delicious and filling 10/10 thank you !
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Elizabeth! Thank you for sharing! xo
Janet says
So easy and so delicious. Pears are in season so I topped
It with them very yummy. Can hardly wait to buy more oats
And make more, haha.
Another great recipe, thanks so much..😋
Yum! That sounds extra delicious. Thank you for the lovely review, Janet! xo
Maddy says
This recipe has a solid base but needs some juj-ing to make it more exciting. Next time Im going to add a pinch of salt and a little more almond milk to the mix, and then top with flax seeds and pecans (for a crunch factor) and fresh fruit. Love how take-on-the-go-able it is! Perfect quantity for breakfast for one.
Thanks for sharing, Maddy! We recommend salted peanut butter for best flavor, but a little extra salt is always welcome :)
Wendy says
Made using plain old milk because it is what is most commonly in the fridge, almond butter and sugar free maple syrup. Works well with with an add in of a tablespoon or so of sultanas. Such an easy and sustaining breakfast. I definitely rate this one highly. I like a bit of whatever fruit is around on top – sometimes some grated apple, sometimes some sliced banana and sometimes berries or kiwi fruit.
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Wendy! Thank you for the lovely review and for sharing your modifications! xo
Patricia says
Can’t believe it took me so long to make overnight oats, I have discovered a new regular breakfast. I used almond milk, stevia and PB powder to keep the calories down. I warmed it up in the microwave and added some raspberries. It was so good and so quick and easy to make. Thanks for another amazing recipe that will be a keeper.
We’re so glad you tried out the recipe and enjoyed it, Patricia! Overnight oats really are such a quick and easy breakfast. Thank you for sharing! xo
angel says
these are the best overnight oats i’ve ever had!! is there a way to make them chocolate peanut-butter by adding cocoa powder? how much would you add?
We’re so glad you enjoy the recipe, Angel! And definitely to chocolate PB! Take a look at our chocolate overnight oats recipe. We’d recommend swapping the almond butter for peanut butter in that recipe :)
Kirsty says
I used 1 tbsp of Nutella and 1 tbsp peanut butter instead of the 2 x tbsp of peanut butter as per the recipe, and it was amazing! No idea of the calorific implications but it tasted better than cocoa powder in my opinion.
That sounds extra delicious, Kirsty! Thank you for sharing! xo
Amber says
You could use a chocolate almond milk instead of regular almond milk to make them
Chocolate pb! That’s what I do & add some mini chocolate chips if you’d like. It does add sugar to it though making it a little less healthy!
Bruce J Duthler says
I like the idea of the recipe, but I really want to keep the calorie range in the 300’s, hopefully not more than 350. Still mulling the idea of trying it. Additionally, prefer to use 1 or 2% milk instead of the “fancy” milks.
Feel free to use your preferred milk! You could split it into two servings or reduce the amount of nut butter or maple syrup, if desired.
Leigh says
I love this recipe – it’s my go-to for overnight oats! My kids love them too – major bonus. My question is – what is the reason for using non-dairy milk instead of cow’s milk? Does it keep longer in the fridge or change the consistency? Thank you!
Hi Leigh, you could use cow’s milk! We just do mostly dairy-free recipes on MB :)
Karla says
I’m no stranger to overnight oats, but this recipe takes them to another level. I followed the recipe exactly and then topped with banana slices and cacao nibs. So good! Thanks, Minimalist Baker! You’ve made breakfast so much better.
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Karla! Thanks so much for sharing! xo
Liz says
Second day trying overnight oats! Made this one on Sunday – today I’m eating it. At first I was like… “why is it so gooey and chunky” but after actually taking a bite I was like hmmmm i dig this one better than a strawberry one I made. I do want for it to be creamier, read the previous feedback and I’ll definitely try to do a full cup of (almond milk for me). Other than, this is so tasty!
Lovely! Thanks so much for sharing, Liz!
Erin says
I made this a few times but it was way too dry for me. I’ve since started making overnight oats with 1 cup oat milk per 1/2 cup of oats and it’s so much creamier.
Thanks for sharing, Erin!
Saadiyah says
Hello! Made this tonight for the second time and love it! I never thought I would like overnight oats but it works bc I just heat some in a saucepan in the morning with a few splashes of almond milk and then I like to add strawbs, blueberries, walnuts, almond slices, coconut slices and chocolate chips. So yum! Also Greek yogurt for protein! And I use kodiak protein oats btw. The last time I made it it lasted me about 4-5 days I think and they were perfectly fine until the end :D
We’re so glad you enjoyed them, Saadiyah! Thanks so much for sharing! xo
Shannon says
I make this twice a week for my roommate and I. It’s so creamy, delicious and great for grab and go. We love it and thank you for sharing this recipe with us.
Woohoo! Thanks so much for the great review, Shannon. We’re so glad you both enjoy this!
Shannon says
This recipe is awesome!! I make it as described, using maple syrup with the addition of vanilla protein powder. I use vanilla almond milk so it goes well together, and you really can’t even tell a difference in consistency. I enjoy eating it cold, topped with an assortment of fresh berries – phenomenal! So easy to grab and go!!
Lovely! Thanks so much for sharing, Shannon! xo
Eliza says
I’m using dairy milk and non-organic brown sugar and nobody is going to stop me. Oh and extra gluteny oats.
Whoop! We hope you enjoy, Eliza!
cecil says
tried this with variations, loved it, thanks
Yay! Thanks, Cecil!
Andrea W says
This was SO yummy. I used cashew butter, ground flax instead of chia seeds, and coconut milk. I topped with mango. Absolutely delicious.
We’re so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks so much for sharing, Andrea! xo
Jenny Pompilio says
I made this for my 16yo son for school breakfast last week. Unfortunately he saw the chia seeds and balked-wouldn’t even try it. I was hoping he wouldn’t notice them :-( But I got to eat it and LOVED it! Do you think I could grind the chia (or use flax meal)? I’d still like to get some of the fiber and omegas from the chia seeds into it for him if at all possible.
Hi Jenny! You could certainly use ground chia seeds but they might make the texture a bit more gel-like. You could possibly try white chia seeds? We’re glad you enjoyed it!
KT says
You could try hemp seed. Or sunflower seeds. They blend in better.
Andy B says
Can I ask why this wouldn’t be freezer friendly? Is it that it ruins the dish to taste or is there some sort of health risk?
Hi Andy, no health risks that we know of. We think it would impact the texture and make the oats soggy, but we haven’t tested freezing it. Let us know if you do!
Danny says
I doubled the recipe and had enough for two very tasty, satisfying breakfasts. The first jar was eaten with fresh raspberries and blackberries. The second was eaten with another spoon of peanut butter and raw cacao nibs.
Amazing! Thank you for sharing, Danny!
Paula says
Overnight oats are a great quick breakfast option! So easy and convenient! I make mine with a doctor recommended protein shake which makes it 30 grams protein and 1 gram sugar.
Mari says
thank you for another awesome recipe! I usually find overnight oats to be too runny, but the combination of pb and chia seeds give this a fantastic texture. i added chopped apricots and granola this morning, and this was the best breakfast I’ve had in a long time.
We’re so glad you enjoyed this recipe, Mari! Your additions sound lovely too. Thank you for sharing! xo
Karen says
I love LOVE overnight oats. I haven’t made them in a while & searched up recipes. I found your page with these amazing recipes. Thank you for the detailed recipes. Everyone’s overnight oats look so amazing and filling in the mason jar- nearly over flowing. When I make mine, it’s only 1/2 of the jar. What size jars do you use or are your recipes doubled in the pictures/videos? My kids were expecting our oats to look more like yours. Lol
I think I need to get smaller jars. 😀
Hi Karen, we doubled the recipe for the photos/video. Sorry for the confusion!
Evelyn Burgos-Ramirez says
I get recipes online all of the time and I hardly ever leave reviews. I have made this recipe several times since I’ve come across the recipe and just made it again and figured I’d leave a review this time. This is the best overnight oats recipe I’ve tried. For starters, I love oats but do not like hot oatmeal. 😂 This recipe is a game changer. It’s so simple even my daughters 10 and 11 make it on their own. We have added bananas, blueberries, and/or strawberries. We have also made it in individual batches or family size batches (quadruple the recipe for my family of 4 to save even more one time and dishes!) We absolutely love it and look forward to breakfast the next morning every time we make it. I also tend to add a little extra almond milk in my serving as I Iike my oatmeal a little runny. My family prefer s it thicker. Other than that l, this recipe is perfect as is written, delicious, and easily customizable. Love it!! Thank you for posting!!
Amazing! We’re so glad the recipe is a winner in your family! Thank you for sharing, Evelyn! xo
Renee says
I warm it up just a little in the microwave and put cool blueberries on the top to make it perfect!
Yum! That sounds lovely, Renee. Thank you for sharing! xo
Char Char says
I have made this serval times now and it’s so yummy. However I have now made my own version to reduce the calories further, as I’m trying to cut back where possible. The only difference is I added water instead of milk and I only add one tablespoon of peanut butter instead of two. Everything else remains the same. The oats still come out thick, sweet and salty and it’s 140 calories less, depending on your toppings obviously. Less calories, but still just as yummy.
W Montgomery says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE THIS!! I have been making swiss oatmeal forever but was tired of it. I tried this recipe because I didn’t have any greek yogurt which many other recipes call for. I am so in love with this. The best tip….don’t fully mix your peanut butter. Every bite was slightly different in taste/texture but just as incredible inflavor. I topped mine with slice banana but can’t wait to try berries and/or coconut!! Thanks for sharing!
We’re so glad you gave the recipe a try and enjoyed it! Thank you for the lovely review! xo
Melissa says
So yummy! I used sugar free syrup and it was perfect. This definitely is on the make again list!
Great! Thank you for the lovely review, Melissa! xo
Mary says
This was delicious. I like to eat my overnight oats warmed up in the morning, so I heated them up in the microwave for 60 seconds before eating and it was like having a warm peanut butter cookie right out of the oven for breakfast. I did not add banana slices on top, but I can see that banana on top would be excellent. I’ll definitely be making this again.
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Mary! Love your description of it as a warm peanut butter cookie =) Thank you for sharing! xo
Nic says
This is brilliant. New to the overnight oat lark and not a fan of yoghurt so this was perfect. This tastes lovely. Will carrying on making it. Thanks for the receipe
Woohoo! Thanks so much for the great review, Nic. So glad you enjoyed!
Michelle says
Hi there! Can you tell me what size mason jars you are using here?
Hi Michelle! This jar is an old salsa or jam jar, which is ~12 oz and just a bit smaller than a pint-sized mason jar. Hope this helps!
Gina Francese says
This is absolutely delishious! Simple amd quick to make. I am making it again today for sure! Thank you so much for this recipe
Woohoo! So glad you enjoyed, Gina. Thanks for the lovely review!
Chris Chambers says
So delicious! Very simple. I substituted hemp seeds because I had them on hand and it worked well. Great recipe!!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Chris! Thank you for sharing! xo
Carolyn says
I love this recipe. Simple, delicious and it keeps me satisfied all morning. Thank you!
Yay! We’re so glad you enjoy it, Carolyn! Thank you for sharing! xo
Cheryl Jno-Baptiste says
Love this recipe. So easy to make and the toppings are endless that compliment the flavour . I agree with a previous reviewer try not to mix up your ( pea butter / peanut butter ) because each spoonful will be delightful. I used oatmilk and topped with plain greek togurt and a strawberry compote . Fabulous !! Thank you !
We’re so glad you enjoy it, Cheryl! Thanks so much for sharing! xo
Nicole Madsen says
This turned out so good! I made a double batch lastnight, heated in the microwave and then topped it with blueberries, blackberries and hemp hearts. We loved the peanut butter chunks (even our little girl who usually isn’t a fan of PB!)
Whoop! We’re so glad you and your family enjoyed it, Nicole. Love your add-ins too! Thank you for sharing! xo
Kaytee says
So I should start by saying I figured I should leave a review after making this recipe and adding my own toppings since the new year (2022) I’ve lost weight (almost 30 lbs!) and it leaves me with much more energy for the day than I ever expected. My own twists include strawberries and cream, peaches and cream, peanut butter and banana, and a few others. Love love love love this recipe. Thank you so much. Picky kids, picky husbands, irritable non morning people, everyone loves this. Don’t be afraid of the chia seeds. They’re fabulous and an absolute must in this!
Aw, we’re so glad you and your family have been enjoying them, Kaytee! Love all your flavor modifications! Thank you for sharing! xo
Jimmy says
I accidentally purchased steel cut oats……(MEN, NO ATTENTION TO DETAILS AS IT PLAINLY STATES IN THE RECIPE PREFERABLE NOT TO USE THEM) any suggestions?
Thank you so much for all you do!!!!!
Hi Jimmy, steel cut oats would be good in this or this recipe. We wouldn’t recommend them for overnight oats, unfortunately!
Regina says
OMG, so easy and SO delicious!! I eliminated the sweetener, and it was perfect for me. It was yummy cold, but I decided to heat it up since it’s freezing here in New England. I will definitely be making this regularly – thank you!
We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Regina! Thank you for sharing! xo
Siobhan says
Delicious! I added strawberries for a PB&J spin on it and topped it with freeze dried strawberries for crunch.
Sounds delish! Thanks so much for the great review, Siobhan!
Liz says
OMGEE!!! I came across this recipe by searching for different ways to up my resistant starch game. I made this last night and just had it to break my 13-hour fast. It was to. die. for. just as is! I do plan to add a pinch of Redmond’s Real Salt and swap out the maple syrup for allulose tonight. Thanks for the delicious recipe! YUMMO!!!
Yay! Thanks so much for the lovely review, Liz. So glad you enjoyed!
Nivi says
I make these multiple times and it is foolproof and delicious! Another great recipe from MB, thank you!
Whoop! We’re so glad you enjoy it, Nivi! Thank you for sharing! xo
Jc says
What jar is that?
An old jam (or maybe salsa?) jar!
Ines says
i make these so often for the perfect breakfast on the go
Sarah says
I make 2-3 jars of this on Sundays for the week ahead. Love it! I cut down on the peanut butter and sweetener but add whatever fruit is in season (right now I’m on an apple kick), cinnamon and walnuts. Frozen mixed berries work well too. It’s my favourite breakfast because I can have it mid morning at my desk at work. For those wondering what size jar, I use pint sized wide mouth mason jars. Works like a charm!
Nice! Thanks so much for the lovely review and for sharing your experience, Sarah. We’re so glad you enjoy this recipe!
Millie Rodriguez says
Made this last night and just finished eating some for breakfast. It was so good! I wasn’t sure it would be because I used some Keto nut butter I had leftover, but it was yummy. I usually like things crunchy, so I used some granola that had little chocolate nibs in it as a topping, and it just made my morning! I did find a couple of mushy chunks in it that I didn’t like, and when I took one and spread it out on a napkin, it was a clump of the chia seeds. I wonder if I can leave that out next time? Next time, I want to try it without the peanut butter and mix crunchy peanut butter in afterwards to see if I like that even better. Thanks for the recipe!
Hi Millie, we’re so glad you enjoyed it! You can leave out the chia seeds, but it won’t thicken quite as well, so we’d suggest using less dairy-free milk. Thank you for sharing your experience! xo
Kara Tsukerman says
I made this all the time and it’s always delicious and filling! Thank you!
Whoop! We’re so glad you enjoy it, Kara! xo
Chelsea says
I make these every now and then. Since I’m a breastfeeding mom and I workout, I double the recipe. I LOVE these! They definitely feel full when I eat them and they’re healthy. Highly recommend.
Yay! Thanks so much for the review, Chelsea. So glad you enjoy this recipe!
Want to love it says
What size mason jar are you using? My 1/2 cup almond milk and all ingredients added sit in about 1/3 of the hat while yours is over half full with just the non-oats ingredients.
Hi there! We can’t remember exactly, but we think it’s actually a re-used salsa or jam jar. Probably ~10 oz?
Rachel says
Super good! Only had quick oats but they were still awesome even just while assembling it, hopefully the texture will be okay in the morning despite using quick oats! I’m breastfeeding so I’m trying to eat oatmeal every day. Followed the recipe besides using cows milk instead of a plant based milk and added about 1 tsp of vanilla and we only had Jiff peanut butter. Very tasty!
Thank you for sharing, Rachel! It should be delicious, just a little less textured.
Carol says
Have always hated oatmeal and this has almost changed my mind. Still playing with the right amount of liquid and ingredients to get the perfect mouthfeel, but it’s a game changer for breakfast. Ty!!
Woohoo! Love to hear this. Thanks so much for the review, Carol!
Amy says
Firstly,
This was delicious and so decadent! We were big fans! I love overnight oats because they are so versatile and so easy! After a workout it’s perfect to not have to cook/think about breakfast.
My question: Should the oats still be chewy or should they resemble more the consistency of cooked oatmeal? I have made the pumpkin pie overnight oats and I remember they were much creamier.
We used oat milk because that is what we had and we wondered if perhaps that might have made the consistency different than what we normally expect with overnight oats. I think almond milk and other non dairy milks are more viscous.
Regardless, we LOVED it but just were not sure if we had the right consistency.
Great recipe!!
We’re so glad you enjoy the recipe, Amy! Thank you for sharing! Overnight oats will be more chewy than cooked oatmeal, but shouldn’t be overly chewy. You can try adding more dairy-free milk or letting them soak longer. Hope that helps!
Debbie says
Can you double this recipe in one container?
Yes!
Jacqui says
I’m not usually a cereal lover but this recipe looked really appealing. It was fabulous. I did reduce the amount of peanut butter (1 tbs. chunky) and used stevia instead of syrup. Added raspberries in the morning. It was filling, delicious. and healthy. Will definitely make it again.
Woohoo! So glad you enjoyed. Thanks so much for the lovely review, Jacqui!
Kimberly says
What size jars do you use? How many OZ?
Hi Kimberly, about a 1 1/2 cup or 12 oz jar. Hope that helps!
Maricelys Bonilla says
Definitely a must try especially if you love peanut butter. No funny aftertaste like a lot of recipes out there. Will definitely fill you up as I was only able to eat
Lovely! We’re so glad you enjoyed it, Maricelys! Next time, would you mind leaving a star rating with your review? It’s super helpful for us and other readers. Thanks so much! xo