Overnight Oatmeal Recipe

This easy overnight oatmeal is creamy, satisfying, and ready to go in the morning. Rolled oats, chia seeds, coconut, maple syrup, and vanilla soak overnight in coconut and almond milk for a simple make-ahead breakfast that’s delicious cold or warmed up.

Overnight oatmeal is one of the easiest ways to have a hearty breakfast waiting for you in the morning. This version combines rolled oats and chia seeds with coconut, maple syrup, vanilla, coconut milk, and almond milk for a creamy oatmeal with just the right amount of sweetness. Mix everything together before bed, refrigerate overnight, then add your favorite fruit, nuts, seeds, or an extra drizzle of maple syrup in the morning. And if you prefer warm oatmeal, simply heat it before serving.

Why You’ll Love This Overnight Oatmeal

This easy overnight oatmeal recipe takes just a few minutes to prepare and can be customized differently every time you make it.

• Easy to make ahead: Mix everything together at night and breakfast is ready in the morning.
• Creamy and satisfying: Chia seeds and rolled oats absorb the milk overnight for a thick, creamy texture.
• Naturally sweetened: Maple syrup adds just enough sweetness without making the oatmeal overly sweet.
• Easy to customize: Add berries, sliced fruit, nuts, seeds, coconut, chocolate chips, or whatever you have on hand.
• Serve it cold or warm: Enjoy it straight from the refrigerator or heat it for a cozy breakfast.
• Great for meal prep: Make a batch ahead and portion it into individual containers for easy breakfasts.

Ingredients You’ll Need

A handful of simple ingredients makes this overnight oatmeal especially creamy and flavorful.

• Rolled oats: Use regular old-fashioned rolled oats rather than instant or quick-cooking oats for the best texture.
• Chia seeds: Help thicken the oatmeal as it sits and add a little texture.
• Cinnamon: Adds warm flavor; adjust the amount to your preference.
• Unsweetened shredded coconut: Adds subtle coconut flavor and texture without extra sweetness.
• Pure maple syrup: Sweetens the oatmeal and complements the coconut and cinnamon.
• Canned coconut milk: Adds richness and subtle coconut flavor and is an important part of the flavor profile of this oatmeal. Be sure to use canned coconut milk rather than refrigerated coconut milk beverage.
• Almond milk: Adds the additional liquid the oats need while keeping the recipe dairy-free. Feel free to substitute another dairy or non-dairy milk you have on hand.
• Vanilla extract: Rounds out all the flavors.

How to Make Overnight Oatmeal

There’s very little work involved—just mix everything together and let the refrigerator do the rest.

• Combine the ingredients. Add the rolled oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, coconut, maple syrup, canned coconut milk, almond milk, and vanilla to a large container with a tight-fitting lid.
• Stir well. Make sure the oats and chia seeds are evenly mixed with the liquid.
• Refrigerate. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
• Serve. Stir again before serving and add your favorite toppings. Enjoy cold or warm.

Overnight Oatmeal Toppings

One of the best things about overnight oatmeal is how easy it is to change the flavor simply by changing the toppings.

• Fresh fruit: Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, bananas, peaches, or mango
• Nuts: Almonds, walnuts, pecans, or hazelnuts
• Seeds: Pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, or flax seeds
• Something sweet: An extra drizzle of maple syrup or honey
• Something creamy: A splash of coconut milk, almond milk, regular milk, or cream
• A little treat: Mini chocolate chips or extra shredded coconut

Can You Eat Overnight Oatmeal Warm?

Absolutely. Overnight oatmeal doesn’t have to be eaten cold, and warming it is a great option if you prefer a traditional bowl of oatmeal.

• Microwave: Heat individual servings in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until warmed to your liking.
• Stovetop: Warm the oatmeal gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally.
• Adjust the consistency: The oatmeal will continue to thicken as it sits, so add a splash of milk if you’d like it creamier after heating.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

Overnight oatmeal is ideal for making ahead, whether you prepare one batch for the next morning or portion it for several breakfasts.

• Store the oatmeal in a covered container in the refrigerator.
• Give it a good stir before serving, especially after it has been refrigerated for more than one night.
• If it becomes thicker than you like, stir in a splash of milk until it reaches your preferred consistency.
• Add fresh fruit and crunchy toppings just before serving for the best texture.
• Portion the oatmeal into individual jars or containers for easy grab-and-go breakfasts.
• For the best texture, enjoy within 3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

A few simple substitutions and adjustments make this overnight oatmeal easy to adapt to what you have on hand.

• Can I use a different milk? Yes. I recommend keeping the canned coconut milk because it adds richness and is an important part of the flavor of this recipe. Be sure to use canned coconut milk rather than refrigerated coconut milk beverage. The almond milk can easily be replaced with another dairy or non-dairy milk. In a pinch, you can use one type of milk for the entire recipe, although the flavor and richness will be a little different.
• Is this overnight oatmeal vegan? Yes. As written with canned coconut milk, almond milk, and pure maple syrup, this overnight oatmeal is naturally vegan.
• Can I use quick oats? Regular old-fashioned rolled oats are best for this recipe. Quick oats absorb liquid differently and can become much softer after soaking overnight.
• How long do overnight oats need to soak? Refrigerate the oatmeal for at least 6 hours or overnight so the oats and chia seeds have time to absorb the liquid and soften.
• Do overnight oats have to be eaten cold? No. You can enjoy them straight from the refrigerator or warm individual servings in the microwave or gently on the stovetop. Add a splash of milk if the oatmeal becomes thicker than you like.
• Can I make individual servings? Yes. Mix the oatmeal together and divide it among individual covered jars or containers before refrigerating. Add fresh fruit and crunchy toppings just before serving for the best texture.

This overnight oatmeal recipe is an easy one to keep in your breakfast rotation, especially on busy mornings. Make it the night before, then enjoy it straight from the refrigerator or warm it up and pile on your favorite toppings. With fruit, nuts, seeds, coconut, or a little extra maple syrup, it’s easy to make each bowl a little different.

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5 from 2 votes

Overnight Oatmeal Recipe

This easy overnight oatmeal is creamy, lightly sweetened with maple syrup, and ready for breakfast in the morning. Rolled oats and chia seeds soak overnight with canned coconut milk, almond milk, cinnamon, coconut, and vanilla. Enjoy it cold or warm with your favorite fruit, nuts, seeds, or other toppings.

Course Breakfast

Servings 4

Calories 241

Author Sally Humeniuk

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• 2 cups rolled oats not instant or quick cooking
• 2 Tbsps chia seeds
• ¼ tsp ground cinnamon or more to taste
• 2 Tbsps unsweetened shredded coconut
• 2 Tbsps pure maple syrup
• 1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk lite or regular
• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract

Optional toppings

• strawberries, blueberries, mango, or other fresh fruit
• almonds, walnuts, or hazelnuts
• sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, or flax seeds
• additional shredded coconut
• mini chocolate chips
• additional almond or coconut milk
• maple syrup or cream

Instructions

• Combine. Add the rolled oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, shredded coconut, maple syrup, canned coconut milk, almond milk, and vanilla to a large container with a tight-fitting lid. Stir well to combine.
  2 cups rolled oats, 2 Tbsps chia seeds, ¼ tsp ground cinnamon, 2 Tbsps unsweetened shredded coconut, 2 Tbsps pure maple syrup, 1 (14-ounce) can coconut milk, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
• Refrigerate. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
• Stir and serve. Stir the oatmeal well before serving. Divide among bowls and add your favorite toppings. Enjoy cold or warm.
  strawberries, blueberries, mango, or other fresh fruit, almonds, walnuts, or hazelnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, or flax seeds, additional shredded coconut, mini chocolate chips, additional almond or coconut milk, maple syrup or cream

To serve warm

• Stovetop: Place the desired amount of oatmeal in a saucepan and warm over low heat, stirring occasionally. Add a splash of milk as needed to reach your preferred consistency.
• Microwave: Place an individual serving in a microwave-safe bowl and heat in 30-second intervals, stirring between each, until warmed through. Add a splash of milk if needed.

Notes

• Use rolled oats. Regular old-fashioned rolled oats give the best texture. Instant or quick-cooking oats can become too soft after soaking overnight.
• Use canned coconut milk. Canned coconut milk adds richness and is an important part of the flavor of this oatmeal. Don't substitute refrigerated coconut milk beverage if you want the intended flavor and consistency.
• The almond milk is flexible. Feel free to replace it with another dairy or non-dairy milk you have on hand.
• Keep it vegan. As written with coconut milk, almond milk, and maple syrup, this recipe is naturally vegan.
• Adjust the consistency. Overnight oatmeal thickens as it sits. Stir in a splash of milk before serving if you'd like it a little thinner.
• Add toppings just before serving. Fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, coconut, and other crunchy toppings have the best texture when added at serving time.

Nutrition Facts

Overnight Oatmeal Recipe

Amount Per Serving

Calories 241 Calories from Fat 63

% Daily Value*

Fat 7g11%

Saturated Fat 2g13%

Trans Fat 0.01g

Polyunsaturated Fat 3g

Monounsaturated Fat 1g

Sodium 96mg4%

Potassium 209mg6%

Carbohydrates 39g13%

Fiber 7g29%

Sugar 8g9%

Protein 7g14%

Vitamin A 4IU0%

Vitamin C 0.1mg0%

Calcium 147mg15%

Iron 2mg11%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.