These overnight oats with protein powder have a whopping 30 grams of protein! Its protein comes primarily from protein powder, milk, and peanut butter.

This is the type of breakfast that will stick with you and keep you going for hours.

As an added bonus it comes together in a few minutes and is the perfect make ahead breakfast.

These oats can be made in about 5 minutes and last in the fridge for up to 4 days! I usually make a batch of 4 at the beginning of the week, so each morning I have one ready to go.

Getting the Ratio in These Overnight Oats with Protein Powder Just Right

Oatmeal can be a divisive topic. Most people prefer their oatmeal one of two way – either thick like paste, or thinner and a bit wetter. I like my oatmeal a bit “wetter.”

However, that’s not how this recipe is formulated. I created this recipe to make a thicker oatmeal once it comes out of the fridge. This way everyone is happy in the end!

People who like a thick oatmeal can eat it straight out of the fridge and anyone who wants it a bit thinner can add a splash of milk or water.

How Far in Advance Do You Need to Make Overnight Oats?

Despite their name, overnight oats don’t actually have to sit in the fridge overnight.

However, they do need a bit of time to soak up the water or milk and soften. If I forget to make my overnight oats ahead of time, I find they only need about 3 hours to soak before they’re ready to go. They’re definitely a bit thinner when they soak for less time though.

Letting them sit overnight not only helps them fully soften, it also gives the flavors a chance to develop.

Long story short, an overnight soak is ideal but not necessary if you are short on time.

Can Overnight Oats Be Eaten Warm?

Not everyone can get behind the idea of eating uncooked, cold oats. And I get it, if you haven’t tried overnight oats before it can seem strange.

But trust me on this one, cold overnight oats are absolutely delicious. They’re also an incredibly refreshing breakfast on a warm day.

With that being said, you can eat overnight oats warm. They can be heated just like any other bowl of oatmeal. Pop them into the microwave and heat in 30 second intervals until they’re warm.

What Type of Protein Powder is Best in Overnight Oats?

To figure out what protein powder works best in overnight oats, I tested out several different types of protein powder. I tried vanilla vs. chocolate protein powder and whey vs. vegan protein powder.

In general, I think these overnight oats taste best with vanilla protein powder. The juicy berries, peanut butter and brown sugar blend together better with a more subtle protein powder flavor like vanilla. However, you can also use chocolate protein powder if you like it better.

Then it was time to explore the type of protein. I tried so many vegan protein powders and sadly they just don’t dissolve the same way whey protein does.

In general, I prefer vegan protein powder to whey because my body has an easier time processing it. But to give these overnight oats a smooth texture, I recommend using whey protein.

Substitutions and Swaps

While I love this recipe for overnight oats with protein powder just the way it is, I know some of you might not have all these ingredients on hand!

Below are some swaps and substitutions that can be made in this recipe:

• Rolled Oats – This recipe turns out best with rolled or old-fashioned oats. You can use quick oats if that’s all you have, but you should reduce the amount of water or milk to 1/2 a cup.
• Chia Seeds – If you don’t have chia seeds, you can omit them from this recipe. They absorb a lot of liquid though, so you will need to reduce the amount of milk to 2/3 cup to get the right consistency.
• Brown Sugar – This recipe uses brown sugar, which gives it great flavor! You can reduce or omit this ingredient; I just like a hint of sweetness in my oats. You can also use honey or any sweetener you like.
• Protein Powder – I love to use vanilla protein powder for these oats, but you can also use chocolate. Whey protein usually dissolves easiest, but you can also use vegan protein powder. If you want to make protein overnight oats without protein powder, use 1/4 cup of greek yogurt in its place.
• Peanut Butter – I love adding a spoonful of peanut butter, but any nut butter or spread (like Nutella) would taste great.
• Berries – These oats turn out best with 1 cup of ripe, juicy berries. I usually add a mixture of blackberries, raspberries and blueberries, but any berry will work. You can also use frozen berries or fruit.
• Milk – I prefer making these oats with skim milk but you can also use water or any dairy free milk.

Tips for Making the Best Overnight Oats with Protein Powder

• Make your oats in a sealable container like a mason jar!
• Feel free to double this recipe or make multiple jars to last the entire week.
• If possible, use vanilla whey protein powder to give these overnight oats a smoother texture.
• These protein overnight oats stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• If you like your oatmeal a bit thinner, I suggest adding a splash of water or your favorite milk before eating.
• Top your overnight oats with peanut butter, fresh berries, and a sprinkle of chopped nuts to take them to the next level.

Let Me Know What You Think!

If you try this recipe for overnight oats with protein powder, I’d love to hear what you think of it! Please leave a rating and share a comment below.

Tag me @chelsweets and use #chelsweets so that I can see your amazing creations on social media!

Other Recipes You Might Like: