Easy Overnight Oats (vegan)

Vegan Overnight Oats are a simple, healthy, make-ahead breakfast perfect for busy mornings. The base recipe takes just 5 minutes to mix together then into the fridge overnight. Overnight oatmeal is totally customizable with fresh toppings to suit your taste and dietary needs. Vegan, gluten free, sugar free, dairy free, and more!

I'm sure you've heard of overnight oats; but if not, they're a no-cook, make-ahead, super easy method for preparing oatmeal. Just soak rolled oats in milk (or water) overnight until they get thick and creamy. Overnight oats are a healthy, protein-rich breakfast that can be enjoyed cold or warm - perfect for busy mornings or a grab-and-go, post workout snack.

Oatmeal is a nutritious, nutrient packed, whole grain that's a great source of plant protein and fiber. If interested, read more about the nutritional benefits of oats and the healthy benefits of oats by Dr. Michael Greger.

Overnight Oat Ingredients

I love how easy and flexible this breakfast recipe is. The oatmeal base remains the same, but you can customize the oats with any toppings or add ins you enjoy. So with very little effort, you get a different, nutritious breakfast every morning!

Here's what you'll need to make vegan overnight oats:

Base Ingredients for Vegan Overnight Oats

• Oats: Use whole rolled oats for a creamy yet chewy texture. Quick oats become too mushy, steel-cut oats are too firm, but rolled oats are just right!
• Milk: For the liquid, use your favorite non-dairy milk like almond milk, oat milk, cashew milk or soy milk. Use water if you prefer.
• Yogurt: Choose the best tasting, plant based yogurt or thick Greek yogurt. It adds a tangy flavor, creamy texture, and protein while keeping the overnight oats completely vegan.
• Chia seeds: Chia seeds, a nutritional powerhouse, add plant protein, fiber, and healthy fats. They give the oats a thick, creamy (not gummy) texture.
• Maple syrup: For sweetness (agave works too). Optional but delicious!
• Pure vanilla extract: Adds flavor and sweetness.
• Pinch of salt: To make the flavors pop.

Topping Ideas for Healthy Overnight Oats

Get creative with optional toppings. Your overnight oats can be healthy or indulgent whatever you're craving that day! Here's some add-in and topping inspiration:

• Fresh fruit: Mixed berries (fresh or frozen), bananas, cherries, peaches, apples, etc.
• Dried fruit: Raisins, cranberries or blueberries, dates, goji berries.
• Nuts and seeds: Add a sprinkle of hemp seeds, ground flax, almonds, walnuts, pecans or pumpkin seeds for healthy fats, extra protein, and crunch. Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder for extra loaded protein oats.
• Nut and seed butters: Peanut butter, almond butter, nutella, sun butter, etc.
• More add ins: Cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, apple pie spice, maple syrup, agave, brown sugar, coconut flakes, crumbled biscoff cookies, cacao, and chocolate to name a few flavor options.

How to Make Vegan Overnight Oats

This version is as simple as it gets: 5 pantry ingredients, 5 minutes work, and a foolproof method for prepping the oats so the texture is creamy and perfect every time! There's no cooking either so it's a great overnight oatmeal recipe for kids and beginners! Let's get into the details:

1. Put the oats and chia seeds into a container or jar* and give a stir. Add the yogurt*, vanilla, salt, and maple syrup.

Pro Tip: For perfect oat texture, I stick with a ratio of equal parts rolled oats to almond milk then half the amount of yogurt. If you don't have yogurt (or don't like it), I recommend bumping up the milk slightly for the best creamy oatmeal texture. Feel free to tweak the ratios to suit your taste.

2. Pour in the almond milk then stir to combine until there are no clumps.
3. Cover and refrigerate overnight (up to 4 or 5 days).
4. When ready to eat, give a stir (add more milk as needed), top with desired toppings, and enjoy.

*WHAT SIZE JAR SHOULD I USE?: A 12-16 oz jar is a good size for single serving overnight oats (depends how many toppings you add!). If you have old jam or salsa jars (etc) at home, use those (check that the lid doesn't leak). If you are buying jars, something similar to these mason jars is great for overnight oats and many other things too - like homemade sauces, dressings, jam, etc etc. You can find great jars at the second hand shops for next to nothing too!

Overnight Oatmeal Variations

The flavor combinations are endless - have fun with it! Just to get you started, here's a few popular vegan variations: (4 photo)

• Apple Crisp Overnight Oats: This combination is perfect for apple season! I top the creamy oatmeal base with tangy sweet, chopped apples and homemade granola, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a drizzle of maple syrup. A breakfast nod to my son's favorite dessert - vegan apple crisp.
• Banana Nut: Stir a little mashed banana, cinnamon, and peanut butter into the oatmeal base if you like. Top with sliced bananas, toasted walnuts or peanuts, and drizzles of peanut butter (almond butter or nutella) and maple syrup. Indulgent add in: Biscoff cookie crumbles.

• Peanut Butter and Jam (PB & J) Overnight Oats: A power couple for good reason! Add a spoonful of peanut butter for creaminess and blueberry cherry jam for a tangy berry flavor. Top with fresh berries and crunchy toasted nuts for a killer combo.
• Berry Bliss: Mixed berries (fresh and/or frozen), toasted almond slices, hemp seeds, drizzle of maple syrup and nut butter, slivers of mint and lemon zest for freshness.

My go-to vegan overnight oats is a random mixture of whatever I have on hand - I call it my Kitchen Sink Overnight Oats.

• Kitchen Sink Overnight Oats is my preferred healthy, filling breakfast. Typically I warm the oatmeal base (just to take the chill off) then I add lots of extra almond milk, diced banana, a huge scoop of frozen and fresh blueberries, a sprinkle of cinnamon, hemp hearts, and ground flax. Then top off with any fresh berries I have in fridge or garden, and a little splash of maple syrup. I could eat this overnight oat combination every day it's so damn delicious!

Expert Tips & FAQ

A few tips for success and answers to questions that might come up:

• How to make vegan overnight oatmeal taste good?: The base ingredients set the flavor profile for your overnight oats. The type of dairy free milk and yogurt will greatly affect the flavor. Make sure you choose milk and yogurt that taste good to you. I always use my homemade almond milk because the flavor is superior to any store bought non dairy milk. My favorite plant based yogurt is Riviera (coconut milk vegan yogurt).
• Overnight oats too thick?: In the morning if your overnight oats are too thick, add extra milk until desired consistency is reached. I add lots because who doesn't love cereal milk!
• Sugar free overnight oatmeal: Skip the maple syrup and stir mashed banana into the base oatmeal for natural sweetness. Vanilla and cinnamon add the essence of sweetness as well. Ensure you use unsweetened plant-based milk for sugar free overnight oats.
• Can I eat overnight oats warm?: Yes, eat your overnight oats cold, warm or hot - it's your breakfast! Gently heat the oats before adding your toppings of choice.
• Are oats gluten free?: Yes, oats are a naturally gluten free but can become cross contaminated in the field or during production. If you have a gluten sensitivity or celiac disease, it's best to check for Certified Gluten Free Oats.

Storing and Meal Prep

• So simple! So quick! Line up your mason jars (or similar), add all the base ingredients (except the milk) to each jar, stir together. Add the milk give a good stir, cover and place in the fridge.
• Base mixture keeps well for 4-5 days in the fridge.
• Prepare fresh fruit toppings ahead of time (if desired) but store separately.
• Wait to add fresh toppings until just before eating. That way the ingredients stay crunchy, fresh, and bright.

More Vegan Breakfast Recipes

If you love breakfast like I do, here's a few more healthy breakfast ideas that are totally plant based (egg free!) and extra delicious:

• The Best Vegan Granola Clusters
• Vegan Banana Bread
• Easy, Fluffy Vegan Pancakes
• Tofu Scrambled Eggs
• Tasty Vegan Breakfast Burrito

Did you make this Easy Vegan Overnight Oats recipe? Let me know in the comments below your favorite combination! Appreciate it 🙏🏻
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