In our mile-a-minute, always-on world, when it comes to food, we often favor convenience and efficiency over taste and pleasure. Sad, but true. But—and stay with me here—what if we didn’t have to choose? What if, instead of opting for efficiency for efficiency’s sake, we saved time on prep so we could give our attention over to the enjoyment of eating? Clearly that’s already crossed someone’s mind, and so the phenomenon of easy overnight oats recipes was born.
I’ve been a passionate breakfast eater from birth. Growing up, like every good 90s kid, I’d rise and shine to a bowl of cereal. In college, you could catch me bright and early at the dining hall, quietly sipping my coffee while getting ahead on my reading. Even today, I’ve stuck to a consistent and committed morning routine, following up my favorite workout with none other than my tried and true overnight oats.
With overnight oats, here’s where things get even more magical: When it comes to this breakfast staple, the possibilities are endless. Takes and options abound—savory or sweet, the combos are yours to create. So with that in mind, let’s get to the good stuff. These 10 couldn’t-be-simpler overnight oats recipes will make a morning person out of us all.
Feature image by Tieghan Gerard.
Peaches and Cream Overnight Oats from Minimalist Baker
Why We Love It: Hot take: There’s no classic combo better than peaches and cream (IMO—totally puts apples and cinnamon to shame). With my sights set on summer, you can bet I’ll be consuming my weight in sun-ripened peaches. In the meantime, this recipe plus frozen peaches will work in a pinch.
Hero Ingredient: Cashew butter gives your jar of overnight oats a little heft and body, balancing out the sweetness while keeping this superstar breakfast from tasting… too healthy (yes, it’s a thing!).
Get the recipe for Peaches and Cream Overnight Oats.
Blueberry & Coconut Bircher Muesli from The First Mess
Why We Love It: Vegan, portable, and designed for easy prep? Check, check, and check. This recipe hits the trifecta of overnight oats gold. And those colors? I’ve never seen the red, white, and blue aesthetic done so beautifully.
Hero Ingredient: Whether you pick plain or vanilla, the yogurt keeps this muesli creamy as creamy can be.
Get the recipe for Blueberry & Coconut Bircher Muesli.
Blueberry Muffin Overnight Oats
Why We Love It: In the morning, nothing beats a blueberry muffin—with the exception of this healthy, hearty, and nutrient-packed spin. On even the busiest mornings, it only takes about three seconds to pull a jar of it from the fridge and drop it in your purse. Have a little more time? Give yourself the gift of sitting down and mindfully munching on this creamy, dreamy delight of a morning meal.
Hero Ingredient: Lemon zest brightens up the berries’ natural sweetness.
Get the recipe for Blueberry Muffin Overnight Oats.
Overnight Oats from Love & Lemons
Why We Love It: One formula, four delicious recipes. Step by step, this recipe takes you through all the basics of making the most delicious overnight oats. From there, you can select from four crave-worthy topping combos. I’ll be choosing chocolate chip cookie—because I’ll take any excuse to eat dessert for breakfast.
Hero Ingredient: The toppings options are in abundance, and though I’ll always lean sweet, definitely try the pairing of tahini and pomegranate. Tahini’s slightly bitter, nutty bite is like nothing you’ve ever tasted before.
Get the recipe for Overnight Oats.
Maple Pecan Overnight Oats from Fed + Fit
Why We Love It: Say the words “maple pecan” and I can’t help but let out an audible yelp of excitement and delight. Like the peaches and cream oats above, these Maple Pecan Overnight Oats do the traditional pairing justice. Add to the tablespoon of maple syrup and handful of chopped pecans a sprinkling of ruby red pomegranate arils, and you’ll have the most delicious breakfast—and my goodness, is it a sight to see.
Hero Ingredient: I have this habit of teasing the hero ingredient in the paragraph above, and here I am at it again. Those pomegranate arils: stunning.
Get the recipe for Maple Pecan Overnight Oats.
Pecan Banana Bread Overnight Oats from Half-Baked Harvest
Why We Love It: Leave it to Tieghan Gerard to create the most crave-worthy overnight oats in the game. If you love banana bread (which I’m 95% sure you do), you’re going to fall hard for all the flavors of this comforting and cozy breakfast. I love this recipe because it beautifully displays one of the (many) things I love most about overnight oats. With the oat and liquid combo as a base, you can play with the flavors as you please. Have fun and be inspired by your favorite desserts and sweets. Because with banana bread and overnight oats, you really can’t go wrong.
Hero Ingredient: A sprinkling of toasted coconut flakes give your oats an unexpected, but totally welcome, tropical twist.
Get the recipe for Pecan Banana Bread Overnight Oats.
Easy Basic Overnight Oats from Eating Bird Food
Why We Love It: In this recipe (and it’s true of all the others in the roundup), easy’s the operative word. The ratio of oats to milk to yogurt is perfectly balanced, giving you a slightly liquid-y, just creamy enough spoonful. If the photo above is any indication—which it totally is—this recipe encourages creativity and lets you lean into your cravings. Chocolate Chip? Peanut Butter? Berry Oats? The choice is yours to make.
Hero Ingredient: It might seem like a surprise, but that pinch of salt lets all the flavors shine through.
Get the recipe for Easy Basic Overnight Oats.
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats from Minimalist Baker
Why We Love It: Two words: peanut butter. Do I even need to finish this paragraph? While the nut butter options are endless, I’ll always take it back to the classic. Soft and smooth (creamy PB > crunchy PB), peanut butter not only makes these oats downright delicious, but will fill your Mason Jar with plenty of protein, keeping you satiated until lunch—and perhaps, beyond.
Hero Ingredient: With only five ingredients to choose from, it’s clear that all the components of this recipe play a crucial role. But if I had to pick? Chia seeds soak up all the almond milk, helping make these oats THICK.
Get the recipe for Peanut Butter Overnight Oats.
Protein Overnight Oats from Real Food Whole Life
Why We Love It: A truth about overnight oats that I’ve only skimmed past until this point? They require zero cooking on your part. Sure, if you have the time for it, a thoughtful weekday breakfast can feel particularly indulgent. But if I need to sign on to a meeting 15 minutes after I wake up (it happens… )? You can bet I’m reaching for something that’s pre-prepped and requires nothing more than the pop of a lid and submerging of a spoon.
Hero Ingredient: A scoop of vanilla protein powder not only keeps you full and energized, but combined with the tiniest bit of vanilla extract, flavors your whole jar with just enough sweetness.
Get the recipe for Protein Overnight Oats.
Easy Overnight Oats from Downshiftology
Why We Love It: I’ve highlighted many wonderful things about overnight oats, and while all of these are true, there’s nothing better than the endless creativity your oats can inspire. Case in point, these amazingly easy oats. I love a good infographic, and this recipe perfectly illustrates the five ingredients that make the meal (teaser: oats, yogurt, milk, chia seeds, and maple syrup). From there, only the limits of your imagination can hold you back. This recipe offers a key pro tip, too: If you’re wanting your oats sooner rather than later, just two hours in the fridge will do. Creaminess awaits.
Hero Ingredient: You have to try the carrot cake combo. It’s like your favorite treat, minus the sugar rush—and inevitable crash.
Get the recipe for Easy Overnight Oats.
Do you have a favorite easy overnight oats recipe? Share in the comments!