“I live on overnight oats! As a busy entrepreneur and mom, I prep them the night before in a mason jar that I can grab and go in the morning. The oats, mixed with flax and hemp seeds and topped with seed butter and fresh fruit, keep me satisfied and full throughout my busy day.” - Nicole Ledoux, Co-Founder
A big batch of vegan overnight oats recipe is the perfect one as a meal prep at the beginning of a busy week. You can grab your overnight mason jar of rolled oats or steel-cut oats as you run out the door for work or school and enjoy it in the car. With endless flavor variations, this meal is your go-to breakfast without ever getting bored.
Studies show that a filling, nutritious breakfast is the best thing we can do to start off on the right foot and prevent our well-intentioned diets from going haywire later in the day. Breakfast is also a key opportunity to get in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and fiber that may otherwise be missed. The key to a well-rounded bowl of oats, cold or hot, is to add a source of protein and healthy fat to the carbohydrate-rich, whole-grain oats. The extra protein and fat will slow down how quickly the meal is digested, making it more filling and keeping your blood sugar (and energy level) on an even keel.
To make our signature vegan overnight oats, we start with a filling base of certified gluten-free oats, chia seeds and non-dairy milk. Feel free to use any milk you prefer, but we like one that is neutral in flavor with no added sugar and a bit of protein. Overnight oats plus chia, when soaked together, result in a thick parfait, but feel free to add more milk if you enjoy a thinner consistency.
Vegan overnight oats recipes might include the use of non-dairy milk such as soy milk, unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk, coconut milk, hemp milk, etc. You can use these or any other dairy-free milk to love overnight oats here. Nut butter or seed butter is used along with other optional toppings.
Chia seeds are the perfect addition to swirl into an overnight oat breakfast. The little seeds, chock full of healthy fats like anti-inflammatory omega-3's, soak up the liquid and contribute a thick oat texture, as if you had spent the morning over the stove, cooking up a creamy porridge or regular cooked oatmeal. Chia seeds make simple soaked overnight oats healthy, filling, satisfying and super nutritious! We are also partial to adding seeds like hemp, flax, pumpkin and sunflower to our overnight oats recipes for a boost of plant-based protein, heart-healthy fats and a treasure trove of micronutrients, phytochemicals and antioxidants.
Note: You'll notice that our overnight oat recipes don't include any sweetener. This is intentional, as we found each oats recipe requires a different amount of added sweetness depending on the flavor variation. If you prefer your overnight oats recipes more on the sweeter side, feel free to add a bit of your favorite natural sweetener. Some good options are pure maple syrup, agave, honey (for non-vegans), organic cane sugar, coconut sugar, stevia or date paste.
Let's make you find a delicious recipe for each day of the week.
1. Thin Mint Vegan Overnight Oats Recipe
1/2 cup rolled oats oats
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
2 tablespoons 88 Acres Dark Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter (prepared using roasted sunflower seeds)
1 tablespoon mint leaves, chopped
Mix oats, milk, chia seeds and cocoa powder together and let soak overnight. In the morning, mix in chopped mint leaves and top with Chocolate Seed Butter.
2. Bananas Foster Overnight Oats
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1/2 banana, mashed 1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 banana, sliced
1 tablespoon maple syrup
2 tablespoons 88 Acres Vanilla Spiced Sunflower Seed Butter
Mix oats, milk, chia seeds, mashed banana, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg together and let soak overnight. In the morning, add sliced banana and Vanilla Spice Sunflower Seed Butter and drizzle with maple syrup.
3. Chocolate Strawberry Overnight Oats
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon chia seeds
4 strawberries, chopped
2 tablespoons 88 Acres Dark Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter
Mix oats, milk, and chia seeds. In the morning, add the Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter and chopped strawberries to the oats-soaked overnight.
4. Carrot Cake Overnight Oats With Chia Seeds
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup almond milk
1 tablespoon chia seeds
2 tablespoons carrots, shredded
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
88 Acres Spiced Ginger Apple Seed'nola
Mix oats, almond milk, chia seeds, shredded carrots and pumpkin pie spice and let soak overnight. In the morning, add Apple Ginger Seed'nola on top soaked oats for a bit of crunch.
5. Spiced Pear Overnight Oats
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ginger
1 tablespoon maple syrup
1 pear, chopped
88 Acres Spiced Ginger Apple Seed'nola
Mix oats, milk and chia seeds and let soak overnight. In the morning, saute chopped pears with cinnamon, ginger and maple syrup over medium heat until soft and add to oat mixture. Top with Apple Ginger Seed'nola.
6. Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon chia seeds
3 tablespoons pumpkin purée
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2 tablespoons 88 Acres Vanilla Spiced Sunflower Seed Butter
88 Acres Spiced Ginger Apple Seed'nola
1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
Mix oats, milk, chia seeds, pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spice and let soak overnight. In the morning, add Vanilla Spiced Sunflower Seed Butter, Spiced Ginger Apple Seed'nola and pumpkin seeds, if desired.
7. Mocha Chip Overnight Oats
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup vegan milk
1 tablespoon chia seeds
2 tablespoons strong coffee
1 tablespoon vegan chocolate chips
2 tablespoons 88 Acres Dark Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter
Mix oats, milk, chia seeds and coffee and let soak and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, add the Chocolate Sunflower Seed Butter or chocolate peanut butter and vegan chocolate chips and enjoy the delicious breakfast!
FAQs About Vegan Overnight Oats
1. How do overnight oats differ from regular oatmeal?
Basic overnight oats are prepared using a no-cook oatmeal preparation method. Rolled oats are soaked in non-dairy yogurt, milk, or vegan milk and put in the refrigerator overnight. On the other hand, a regular oatmeal mixture is usually cooked.
2. How can I make healthy overnight oats using nut butter?
Nut butter, despite its saturated fat content, is a nutritious source of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, making it an excellent addition to balanced nutrition.
Therefore, you can prepare healthy overnight oats using natural butter from nuts. Take rolled oats, and add non-dairy yogurt or any milk you prefer. Here, add the vegan butter obtained from nuts, such as chocolate peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or peanut butter, for extra creaminess and flavor. You can also add a touch of pure vanilla extract and introduce some nutritious optional toppings like chopped nuts, chai seeds, shredded coconut, fresh or frozen blueberries, or fresh berries.
3. Can I eat overnight oats hot instead of cold?
It is up to you. Traditionally, overnight oats are served cold, some people even freeze overnight oats. If you would rather have them warm, you can heat them in the microwave or on the stove. Simply transfer the jar or container to a dish or pot that can be heated in the microwave until the required temperature is reached. It's delicious both ways!
4. What are some creative toppings for creamy overnight oats?
Creamy overnight oats can have several creative toppings, such as cacao nibs for a chocolatey crunch, a little pure vanilla extract for flavor, a few seeds, protein powder for extra protein, chopped nuts for flavor plus texture, flax meal, coconut cream etc. You can check out a good overnight oat recipe available online that sits well with your preferences.
5. Is it possible to make overnight oats with Greek yogurt for added protein?
Yes! Greek yogurt is a rich base for overnight oats owing to their high protein content. You will get creamy overnight oats with a satisfying, tangy flavor. Those who prefer vegan food opt for vegan yogurt instead.
6. Why include hemp seeds in overnight oats?
Make-ahead breakfast options like overnight oats gain from the addition of hemp seeds. They are a great option for maintaining heart health and offering a pleasant crunch in your breakfast because they are rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and fiber.