These protein overnight oats have 30 grams of protein and surprisingly don’t use any protein powder! Their protein comes primarily from Greek yogurt, milk, and peanut butter, which I find is a lot easier for my system to process in the morning.

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

I’m not opposed to adding protein powder to my overnight oats, but I don’t always love the texture it gives them. That’s why I love this recipe so much. It has a creamy, smooth texture and is so easy to make!

These overnight oats come together 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 (on Fridays I like to treat myself to a bagel).

Having a healthy, protein-packed breakfast each morning helps me start my day on the right foot.

Getting the Ratio in These Protein Overnight Oats Just Right

Most people prefer their oatmeal one of two ways. Either thick like paste, or thinner and a bit wetter. I’m going to be honest with all of you, 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.

I find that the proper ratio of liquid to oats varies based on a lot of factors.

For example, I love adding chia seeds to my oats because they’re a great source of fiber, omega-3s, and protein. But they absorb a ton of moisture!

Usually I stick to a 1:1 ratio of oats to milk, but I use 2/3 of a cup of milk in this recipe because of the chia seeds.

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 does seem like an odd concept.

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 be 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.

Substitutions and Swaps

While I love this recipe for protein overnight oats 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 1/2 cup to get the right consistency.
• Brown Sugar – This recipe uses brown sugar, which gives it great flavor! You can also use honey or any sweetener you like.
• Greek Yogurt – Greek yogurt adds a wonderful creaminess to these oats along with a lot of protein. However, you can use any yogurt you have or like, or use dairy free yogurt.
• 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 fruit.
• Milk – I prefer making these oats with skim milk but you can also use water or any dairy free milk.
• Chopped Nuts – This is an optional topping, but they add a lovely bit of texture! I love using chopped walnuts or honey roasted peanuts.

Tips for Making the Best Protein Overnight Oats

• 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.
• 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 protein overnight oats recipe, I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a comment and rating below.

And don’t forget to tag me @chelsweets and use #chelsweets so that I can see your delicious creations!

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