This vegan overnight oats recipe is not only healthy but so versatile. Easy to make into any flavor you love and a family favorite!
Easy breakfasts are a must in this crazy house. My favorite thing about this overnight oats recipe, other than how creamy and delicious it is, is that the kids can help prep it the night before!
We love starting our day off with a filling bowl of creamy oatmeal, but there’s just something about having it ready to go right away. Plus, it’s so easy to mix things up with a variety of filling options! Make up one base for the week, then prepare different toppings for each day to keep things interesting. You really can’t go wrong with this healthy breakfast.
Ingredients
For the base of the overnight oats, you will need the following ingredients:
- Rolled oats
- Plain dairy free yogurt
- Chia seeds
- Sweetener
- Vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Dairy free milk
How to Make Vegan Overnight Oats
As mentioned, this is so easy even the kids can help! Here’s what to do:
- Add all of the dry ingredients to your jar, then the yogurt and sweetener.
- Top with milk and mix.
- Allow to set in the fridge.
- Top and enjoy!
Flavor suggestions
The beauty of vegan overnight oats is that you can mix up the flavors constantly to keep things interesting. Here are a couple of our favorites:
Banana split flavor:
- Banana
- Strawberries
- Dairy free chocolate chips
- Chopped walnuts
- Almond extract
Peanut butter and jelly flavor:
- Jelly or jam
- Peanut butter
Berry cobbler flavor:
- Berries
- Granola
- Cashew or almond butter
Get creative and try something new each time! Here are a few more suggestions of mix ins:
- Fresh or frozen fruit
- Dried fruit
- Shredded coconut
- Nuts
- Nut butter
- Granola
- Raisins
- Chocolate chips
- Jam
- Spices like cinnamon or nutmeg
Tips and tricks
The following information will come in handy when preparing your vegan overnight oats:
- Things like nuts and the granola will soften if you add them at the start and may be best added fresh. But spices and nut butters do well when added overnight so the flavor can mix in.
- Both the chia seeds and sweetener are optional, adjust for your preferences.
- Don’t use quick cooking oats or the end result will be too soft and not as thick.
- You can omit the yogurt but it gives a creamier end result. You can also use a thick and creamy milk like coconut milk from the can to get the same creamy flavor.
- Overnight oats keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep in mind though that everything will continue to soften as time goes on.
- You can also just mix up the dry ingredients at the beginning of the week, and add the yogurt and milk the night before.
- Use a jar with sealed lids like a mason jar, or these Overnight Oats Jars that have guides for filling right on them!
Common Questions
Yes! Overnight oats are packed with fiber, protein, and whole grains. Keep your mix ins healthy as well and you have a healthy breakfast that will keep you full and satisfied!
It is not recommended to use instant oats as they will become overly soft and mushy.
By soaking oats overnight instead of cooking over heat, you are allowing the starches to break down. This makes it easier for your body to digest, and absorb the nutrients better.
Overnight oats are soaked in liquid for a period of time until they are softened. Regular oats are cooked in hot liquid for a much shorter time.
Old fashioned rolled oats or steel cut oats work best as they hold their texture better than instant oats.
Yes, fruit makes a great addition to oats! However, fresh or frozen fruit will release more liquid into the oats as they sit, so you may want to mix them in jut before serving.
More Vegan Breakfast Recipes
Start your day off on the right foot with healthy yet delicious food! You can’t go wrong with these plant based recipes:
- Chia Seed Jam
- Cream Cheese
- Yogurt
- Gluten-Free Banana Oatmeal Muffins
- Savory Spinach Oatmeal
- Vegan Scrambled Eggs
- Homemade Granola Bars
The Best Healthy Vegan Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats , gluten-free if needed (see note)
- ¼ cup plain dairy free yogurt , see note
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds , can omit if you don’t like them
- 1-2 tablespoons sweetener of choice , I used maple syrup (optional for added sweetness)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- ½ – ¾ cup dairy free milk of choice , the creamier the milk the richer the flavor will be
Banana split flavor:
- ¼ cup banana , chopped or mashed
- ¼ cup fresh or frozen strawberries , chopped or mashed
- 2 tablespoons dairy free chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- Peanut butter and jelly flavor:
- 2 tablespoons jelly or jam
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
Berry cobbler flavor:
- ½ cup fresh or frozen berries of choice , chopped or mashed
- ¼ cup granola , gluten-free if needed
- 1 tablespoon cashew or almond butter
Other optional toppings:
- Fresh or frozen fruit
- Dried fruit
- Shredded coconut
- Nuts
- Nut butter
- Granola
- Raisins
- Chocolate chips
- Jam
- Spices like cinnamon or nutmeg
Instructions
- Add all ingredients into a jar or air tight container. Mix well, if using a jar you can put the lid on and shake it to combine.½ cup rolled oats, ¼ cup plain dairy free yogurt, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1-2 tablespoons sweetener of choice, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, Pinch of salt, ½ – ¾ cup dairy free milk of choice
- If making the flavored option, you can add everything at the start or wait to add some ingredients right before you eat them. Things like nuts and the granola will soften if you add them at the start and may be best added fresh. But spices and nut butters do well when added overnight so the flavor can mix in.
- Allow to set in the fridge overnight or for at least 2 hours. Top with what you prefer and enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t use quick cooking oats or the end result will be too soft and not as thick.
- You can omit the yogurt but it gives a creamier end result. You can also use a thick and creamy milk like coconut milk from the can to get the same creamy flavor.
Recipe by Veggies Don’t Bite, visit our site for more great plant-based recipes.
Nutrition
Nutrition and metric information should be considered an estimate.
Amanda says
I love this recipe so much. The banana split combo is my favorite! Hate to admit it, but I’m kind of excited to wake up and eat my overnight oats first thing. Thank you for a healthy, easy breakfast option the whole family can enjoy.
Emily Kemp says
What a great idea to make berry cobbler into a breakfast, yum!
Jereen says
Do you use chia seeds? Picture shows them. If so, how much? Thanks
veggiesdontbite says
That’s so weird that it wasn’t in there recipe! I just changed plugins and I’ve had a few issues so maybe it was deleted. But it’s there now! I use a tablespoon but you can use less or more too!
Jenny Pierno says
Hey! Just to clarify – we don’t have to cook the oats first, correct?
veggiesdontbite says
Nope. You’re right. Just put them in the jar, add other ingredients, fill with milk, shake to mix and put in fridge for breakfast the next day!
Jenny Pierno says
Just bought some mason jars! Going to try this out this week. Yay 🙂
veggiesdontbite says
Awesome!! Let me know how it works out! I’m going to email you a little later about something too.
Dina says
It looks delicious, can’t wait to try it!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you! You will like it!
huntfortheverybest says
great healthy breakfast!
veggiesdontbite says
Thank you!! My kids love it. I’m working on the next one in my dessert series now.
Kelley O'Rourke says
Looks good! Thanks for posting!
veggiesdontbite says
Thanks Kelley!! And you’re welcome!
kristen says
Breakfast for tomorrow morning! Thanks Sophia!
veggiesdontbite says
No prob!! Let me know how you like it! I am working on a whole series of desserts…it’s so fun because everyone gets to pick which one they want in their jar!