Protein Overnight Oats | Easy Healthy Breakfast! (2024)

Jump to Recipe·

2 Comments

·

Rating★★★★★ 5 from 1 vote

These Protein Overnight Oats are the perfect breakfast when you want something healthy, filling, and easy to prep for the week. You only need a few simple ingredients and 5 minutes to make this yummy protein-filled recipe!

Want to hit those protein goals? Make my Creamy Peanut Butter Banana Smoothie or High Protein Blueberry Kale Smoothie.

Protein Overnight Oats | Easy Healthy Breakfast! (1)

Table of Contents

  • What Are Overnight Oats?
  • Recipe Ingredients
  • Flavor Variations
  • How to Make Easy Protein Overnight Oats
  • Do You Eat Overnight Oats Hot or Cold?
  • How Long Do These Last?
  • Can You Freeze Overnight Oats?
  • Get the Recipe

Easy & Healthy Overnight Oats

Easy breakfasts are the way to go these days. I think that just about all of you will agree that the main reason you would skip breakfast is that you don’t have time to make a healthy meal. Well, that’s about to change! Let me introduce you to Protein Overnight Oats, the no-excuse easy breakfast option that ANYONE can make (kids, too!).

I love overnight oats because they take just a few minutes to prep the night before and then they are ready to go in the morning. The only thing you need to do in the morning is to give the jar a little stir and maybe put some optional garnishes on top. And that’s it! It doesn’t get easier and is much better for you than grabbing a donut on the go.

This recipe is perfect because it only requires some really basic ingredients that are usually already in my kitchen. It’s also a great way to use up any questionable bananas you have laying around (we all have them sitting on the counter, right?!).

Protein Overnight Oats | Easy Healthy Breakfast! (2)

What Are Overnight Oats?

Overnight oats consist of mixing raw rolled oats with a liquid (usually a type of milk) and other seasonings and then letting them sit overnight so that the oats soften.

The overnight oats are also usually sweetened with things like maple syrup or honey. Additionally, there are lots of other different ways to flavor the oats like adding fruit, chia seeds, and/or protein powders.

Protein Overnight Oats | Easy Healthy Breakfast! (3)

Recipe Ingredients

Here is what you need to make this basic Protein Overnight Oats recipe. Don’t forget to check out the recipe card below for the exact measurements of each ingredient.

  • Banana: Adding mashed bananas is a great way to use up bananas that are starting to brown. Plus, they add sweetness and more protein.
  • Rolled Oats
  • Vanilla Protein Powder: You could also use chocolate protein powder for a rich, cocoa flavor.
  • Chia Seeds: The chia seeds help thicken the oats and provide more nutrition, as well.
  • Cinnamon: Cinnamon is a great spice to use for oats because it’s usually always in the kitchen and is family-friendly. You could try different spices, too, like nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice.
  • Almond Milk: You could also use regular milk, oat milk, or another dairy-free option.

What Oats Are Best for Making Overnight Oats?

Rolled oats are the best oats to use for this recipe. They absorb the liquid perfectly for soft, but still tender, oats.

I don’t recommend using quick oats as they would get too mushy. And steel oats also won’t work because they won’t get soft enough.

Flavor Variations

One of the best things about overnight oats is that you can mix up the flavors and never get sick of them! Feel free to experiment with things like different spices, fruits, nut butters, and protein powders. Or you can try some of my other delicious overnight oats recipes.

  • Easy Creamy Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
  • Vanilla Almond Overnight Oats
  • Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Protein Overnight Oats | Easy Healthy Breakfast! (4)

How to Make Easy Protein Overnight Oats

Here are the easy steps for making this overnight breakfast recipe.

Protein Overnight Oats | Easy Healthy Breakfast! (5)
Protein Overnight Oats | Easy Healthy Breakfast! (6)

First, combine all of the ingredients in a mason jar. You’ll need to make sure that you mix everything really well so that the flavors develop and the oats soften.

Then refrigerate the oats overnight. The oats should be refrigerated for at least 12 hours for the best flavor.

Enjoy the overnight oats the next morning. You can serve them plain or add any toppings that you like.

Protein Overnight Oats | Easy Healthy Breakfast! (7)

Topping & Mix-In Ideas

The kids and I love to add different toppings and mix-ins to our overnight oats. Here are some of our favorites:

  • Strawberries, Raspberries, Blueberries, Blackberries
  • Nut Butters
  • Granola
  • Vanilla Greek Yogurt
  • Nuts and Seeds

Do You Eat Overnight Oats Hot or Cold?

The beauty of this recipe is that you don’t even need to reheat Protein Overnight Oats! Which makes it even faster and easier (and perfect for enjoying oats in warmer weather).

However, if you want to warm up the overnight oats, go ahead! You can heat them up in the microwave.

How Long Do These Last?

Guess what? There’s another HUGE perk to making these Protein Overnight Oats. They are perfect for week-long meal prepping. The overnight oats will last in the fridge for up to 5 days. So, you can make a bunch at the beginning of the week and be good to go!

Can You Freeze Overnight Oats?

Yes! You can freeze overnight oats really easily! So it’s another great way to make a bunch of breakfasts and store them for the future. You can freeze them in mason jars for up to 6 months and then simply thaw them overnight in the refrigerator the night before you want to enjoy them.

Print

Protein Overnight Oats | Easy Healthy Breakfast! (8)

Protein Overnight Oats

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 1 review

  • Author: Krista
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 24 hours
  • Total Time: 24 hours 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 1x
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Stir
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

These Protein Overnight Oats are the perfect breakfast when you want something healthy, filling, and easy to make.

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1/2 banana, mashed
  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1 scoop of vanilla protein powder
  • 2 teaspoons chia seed
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk

Instructions

  1. To a 16 oz. mason jar, add mashed banana, rolled oats, vanilla protein powder, chia seed, cinnamon and almond milk. Using a spoon, stir everything together and seal.
  2. Place in the refrigerator overnight.
  3. Pull out in the morning when ready to eat. Serve as is or with your favorite toppings.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1
  • Calories: 383
  • Sugar: 8 g
  • Sodium: 175 mg
  • Fat: 8 g
  • Saturated Fat: 1 g
  • Carbohydrates: 45 g
  • Fiber: 9 g
  • Protein: 33 g
  • Cholesterol: 0 mg

Filed Under:

  • Gluten-Free
  • Healthy Breakfasts
  • Kid Friendly
  • Oatmeal
  • Recipes

More Make-Ahead Breakfast Ideas

  • Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding
  • Sweet Potato Hash Baked Egg Cups
  • Gluten-Free Healthy Banana Nut Bread
  • Prosciutto Egg Cups
  • Apple Pumpkin Muffins
  • Banana Bread Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars

DON’T MISS A RECIPE ->

FACEBOOK|TWITTER|PINTEREST|BLOGLOVIN|INSTAGRAM

Let's Connect:

Protein Overnight Oats | Easy Healthy Breakfast! (2024)

FAQs

Are overnight oats a healthy breakfast? ›

Overnight oats offer a range of health benefits, due to their rich fibre and protein content. They also contain a number of vitamins and minerals, some of which include manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. This makes overnight oats healthy for your gut, as well as for overall health and well-being.

Is it okay to eat overnight oats every morning? ›

Overnight oats are perfectly safe to be eaten every day. You may even eat them every morning if you like. However, some say that they feel oats give them digestive issues; overnight oats are not unsafe for those without medical conditions that affect digestion.

Is it okay to put protein powder in overnight oats? ›

If you want to use a vegan protein powder, that will definitely work for this oatmeal recipe. Whey protein also works. The type of protein powder doesn't matter in terms of how the consistency will turn out – it really just creates flavor variations! Vanilla is my favorite flavor for this protein overnight oats recipe.

Are oats overnight healthy for weight loss? ›

Not only is it lower in calories compared to many other breakfast foods, but it also has a number of other health benefits. These include: Weight management: Oats have high fiber content, which can make you feel fuller for longer. This helps to control your appetite, naturally reducing your calorie intake.

What not to add in overnight oats? ›

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

Is it OK to eat oatmeal every morning for breakfast? ›

One of the most notable benefits of eating oats every day is their positive impact on heart health. The soluble fibre in oats helps reduce LDL (bad) cholesterol levels by absorbing cholesterol in the digestive system and promoting its excretion.

Why chia seeds in overnight oats? ›

Why do you put chia seeds in overnight oats? Chia seeds up the nutrition content in overnight oats. They're loaded with good-for-your-gut fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which help calm inflammation in your body and may protect you from chronic disease. They also add a nice protein boost to this recipe.

Do overnight oats spike blood sugar? ›

Oats have a low glycemic index, meaning they cause a slower and more gradual rise in blood sugar levels compared to refined carbohydrates. This slow release of glucose into the bloodstream helps prevent spikes in blood sugar, promoting stable glycemic control.

Do you eat overnight oats cold? ›

Overnight oats are meant to be eaten cold, however, if you prefer warm oats you always have the option to heat them up. Because you soak the oats overnight, they become soft and easy to digest making them delicious eaten cold!

Can oats overnight replace a meal? ›

Oats Overnight holds a unique place in the meal replacement game because it consists of whole foods, rather than just flat liquids. Oats are complex carbs, which means they also keep you feeling fuller for longer.

Does eating oats at night reduce belly fat? ›

While oatmeal can't target specific areas like belly fat for weight loss, its high content of fiber and complex carbohydrates may keep you full for longer. This might support overall weight loss.

Why are overnight oats good for your gut? ›

The Beta-Glucan in oats promotes bile-acid excretion which transports toxins out of your gut. The resistant starches found in oats also provide a rich food source for the friendly bacteria that live in your gut, which helps keep your microbiome in good balance.

Are overnight oats too high in carbs? ›

A regular overnight oat recipe contains about 33 grams of carbs, including 6 grams of fiber. While 27 grams of net carbs are not much for anyone not following any particular diet, this is a bit too much for someone with a blood sugar issue.

Are overnight oats good for gut health? ›

Oats improve gut health

The Beta-Glucan in oats promotes bile-acid excretion which transports toxins out of your gut.

Are overnight oats better than toast? ›

Oatmeal has a lower energy density than bread, with 0.7 calorie per gram compared to 2.5 for whole-wheat bread and 2.6 for white bread. A study published in the "European Journal of Clinical Nutrition" in 1995 found that oatmeal really is more filling than bread. Oats have a lower glycemic index than most other grains.

Why are overnight oats healthier than cooked? ›

When oats soak overnight, it's almost like you're cooking them without the heat, which helps the starches break down. Once broken down, the levels of phytic acid in the oats decreases, allowing your body to better absorb the nutrients and digest them more efficiently.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Dong Thiel

Last Updated:

Views: 5377

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Dong Thiel

Birthday: 2001-07-14

Address: 2865 Kasha Unions, West Corrinne, AK 05708-1071

Phone: +3512198379449

Job: Design Planner

Hobby: Graffiti, Foreign language learning, Gambling, Metalworking, Rowing, Sculling, Sewing

Introduction: My name is Dong Thiel, I am a brainy, happy, tasty, lively, splendid, talented, cooperative person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.