Learn how to make overnight oats with this base overnight oats recipe. It’s made with 5 ingredients and can be easily adapted to create any flavor you like.

Five jars of different flavors of overnight oats on a white background.

Overnight oats are a cold, no-cook breakfast made by soaking rolled oats in liquid (typically milk and yogurt) in the fridge overnight. As the oats soak overnight, they absorb the liquid and thicken to create a cold oatmeal with a thick, creamy, and pudding-like texture.

That said, not all overnight oats are created equal. Without the correct ratio, they can turn into a liquid mess or a clumpy disaster. The key to good overnight oats is balancing the right type of oats with a good ratio of liquid and a good thickener.

Fortunately, this easy overnight oats recipe does exactly that and creates (what I think are) the best overnight oats possible. And once you’ve got the base recipe down, you can mix-and-match your favorite toppings to customize your breakfast just the way you like.

Jar of overnight oats with a wood lid on a white background.

Why You’ll Love Them

Quick and Easy – You can prep these healthy overnight oats in less than 10 minutes.
Well-Balanced – They are a well-balanced meal with protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and healthy fats.
High in Protein – The combination of milk and yogurt ensures the oats have 25 grams of protein per serving.
Keep Well – They keep well in the fridge for days, so you can meal prep overnight oats, making them perfect for busy mornings.

Bowl of Greek yogurt, bowl of chia seeds, bowl of rolled oats, bowl of honey, and jar of milk on a white background.

Ingredients + Substitutions

Oats – To make the overnight oats and add some complex carbohydrates. You can use old-fashioned rolled oats or quick oats. Do not use instant oats (i.e., pre-cooked oats) or steel-cut oats; they will not absorb as much liquid or provide as good a texture.
Milk – To add some liquid and add some protein. I used 2% milk; however, you can use any percentage you like or use a non-dairy milk if preferred.
Yogurt – To create a creamy texture and add some more protein. The recipe calls for plain Greek yogurt, but you can use any type of yogurt you like.
Chia Seeds – To thicken the overnight oatmeal and add some healthy fats and fiber. The recipe calls for whole chia seeds, but you can use ground chia seeds if preferred.
Honey – To add a hint of sweetness, although optional. Maple syrup and brown sugar would also work well.
Toppings – You can flavor the overnight oats with your favorite toppings.

Grid of 4 images with a jar of rolled oats; jar of rolled oats with chia seeds and honey being drizzled on top; jar of rolled oats, chia seeds, honey, and Greek yogurt; and a jar of of rolled oats, chia seeds, honey, and Greek yogurt with milk being poured in.

Dietary Adaptions

To Make Them Gluten-Free: Use certified gluten-free oats.

To Make Them Dairy-Free: Swap the milk for unsweetened almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or oat milk, and the Greek yogurt for coconut yogurt.

Jar of banana bread overnight oats on a white background with a spoon, rolled oats, and sliced banana and pecans on the side.

Red’s Nutrition Tip

Overnight oats are high in soluble fiber, particularly beta-glucan, which has been shown to support heart health and lower cholesterol levels.

Jar of apple pie overnight oats on a white background with a spoon, rolled oats, and apple slices on the side.

Serving Suggestions

This base overnight oats recipe is a balanced meal with protein, carbohydrates, fiber, and fats. It can be enjoyed as is or adapted to suit your personal calorie or macro needs. For example:

To make them higher in protein, add a scoop of protein powder.
To make them higher in fiber, add chia seeds, extra fresh fruit, or frozen berries.
To make them higher in fat, add a drizzle of nut butter or pumpkin seeds on top.
To add more flavor, use flavored milks, such as chocolate milk or unsweetened vanilla almond milk, and flavored yogurt, such as vanilla Greek yogurt.
To add texture, top them with crunchy granola, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or granola.

Jar of peanut butter and jelly overnight oats on a white background with a spoon, rolled oats, and fresh raspberries on the side.

Topping Ideas

In addition to the flavor variations below, here are some topping ideas for overnight oats:

Fresh Fruit: Chopped strawberries, blueberries, sliced banana, diced pears, etc.
Dried Fruit: Raisins, dates, dried cranberries, etc.
Nuts: Chopped peanuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, etc.
Seeds: Sunflower seeds, flax seeds, hemp hearts, etc.
Nut Butter: Peanut butter, almond butter, pecan butter, Nutella, etc.
Chocolate: Cocoa powder, mini chocolate chips, etc.

Jar of blueberry almond overnight oats on a white background with a spoon, rolled oats, and fresh blueberries on the side.

Storage

Refrigerate overnight oats in an airtight container for up to 5 days. They cannot be frozen.

Jar of chocolate coconut overnight oats on a white background with a spoon, rolled oats, and shredded coconut on the side.

More Overnight Oats Recipes: