Easy Protein Overnight Oats - Healthy Living James (2024)

Published: by James Wythe · This post may contain affiliate links

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If you haven’t tried Protein Overnight Oats, this is your sign! An incredible 5-ingredient breakfast recipe that is also super easy to make and filling! It’s also gluten-free and vegan and ready in minutes. Yum!

Easy Protein Overnight Oats - Healthy Living James (1)

Recipe Difficulty – Very Easy

Jump to:
  • Why this recipe works
  • Ingredients to make Protein Overnight Oats
  • Substitutions
  • Variations
  • How to make Protein Overnight Oats
  • Leftovers
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Recipe
  • Reviews

Why this recipe works

Overnight Protein Oats are absolutely fantastic for prepping the night before a busy morning. Since they last for 5 days in the fridge, it’s a great way to get your whole work week full of mornings prepped! And they’re great for kids, so get some overnight oats jars ready for everyone!

This overnight oatmeal is healthy and delicious! It is super easy to mix up this recipe and its toppings so you don’t get bored with the same old thing. Use these overnight oats with yogurt to mix up your morning coffee routine!

They also keep you full until lunch!

This was inspired by my Pumpkin Oatmeal recipe on this site, and are next level topped with my Homemade Nutella.

Ingredients to make Protein Overnight Oats

Easy Protein Overnight Oats - Healthy Living James (2)
  • Gluten Free Porridge Oats – absorb everything perfectly! In the US, these will just be your standard old-fashioned or rolled oats. If you have any spare try making my Oat Crumble Topping.
  • Vegan Chocolate Protein Powder – adds a delicious flavour plus protein to this healthy overnight oats recipe.
  • Chia Seeds – thicken up the texture of these protein oats and add even more health benefits! If you have some spare you can make a chia egg with them to make my Gluten Free Waffles.
  • Coconut Yoghurt – brings the perfect compliment of flavour to the chocolate protein powder.
  • Dairy Free Milk – helps these high protein overnight oats get to their perfect consistency.

Toppings of Choice:

  • Sliced banana, yoghurt mixed with cacao powder, and dark chocolate chips
  • Mashed raspberries and almond butter
  • Blueberries, coconut yoghurt, and lemon zest

See recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions

  • Vegan Chocolate Protein Powders – Play around with other flavours here! Chocolate Peanut Butter protein powder or vanilla would be great!
  • Coconut Yoghurt – Greek yogurt or regular yoghurts will also work if you aren’t vegan. Find fun combinations between your protein powder and yoghurt flavours!

Variations

  • Deluxe – Making overnight oats with milk deluxe is all about the toppings! I have some suggestions in the ingredients list, but the sky is the limit! Bring in your favourite fruits and flavours.
  • Kid friendly – Top with your child’s favourite fruits for a great healthy breakfast!

For oats in a different form, try my 3 Ingredient Oat Cookies recipe on my website.

How to make Protein Overnight Oats

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Step 1: Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl and mix well.

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Step 2: Put the mixture into a jar or other airtight container and place in the fridge overnight.

Easy Protein Overnight Oats - Healthy Living James (5)

Step 3: Add your favourite toppings and enjoy!

Hint: Try mixing up the protein powder and yoghurt flavours as well as your toppings to experience a different taste to your vegan overnight oats every time!

Leftovers

Leftover chocolate overnight oats will keep in the fridge for up to five days. Keep them in a sealed container and stir before enjoying!

Recipe FAQs

What are some good toppings for overnight oats with chia seeds?

I love to add some chocolate protein powder to mine, but vanilla protein or your favourite protein flavour would also be great. If you really want to get crazy, go for an Apple Cinnamon, Cinnamon Roll, Salted Caramel, Banana Cream Pie, or Strawberry Banana overnight oats recipe.

How long do the overnight oats last?

5 days! So you can prepare these healthy overnight oats for the whole week in advance so you can grab them on the go on a busy morning.

Easy Protein Overnight Oats - Healthy Living James (6)

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE…

  • Oat Crumble Topping
  • Pumpkin Oatmeal
  • Homemade Nutella
  • Gluten Free Waffles

Tried this Protein Overnight Oats recipe? Please leave a star rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ below and let me know how you get on. Hearing positive feedback is one of the best parts of creating recipes so please review it below and leave a comment!

P.S Never miss a new recipe! Get more healthy recipes sent straight to your inbox weekly – Subscribe and receive a free recipe eBook!

Recipe

Easy Protein Overnight Oats - Healthy Living James (11)

Protein Overnight Oats

Energising and nutritious Protein Overnight Oats are perfect for meal prepping and both vegan and gluten-free!

5 from 1 vote

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Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: British

Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian

Servings: 1

Calories: 814kcal

Author: James Wythe

Cost: £1.50

Ingredients

  • 60 g gluten free porridge oats
  • 1 scoop vegan chocolate protein powder
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 250 ml coconut yoghurt
  • 320 ml dairy free milk

Toppings of choice:

– Sliced banana + yoghurt mixed with cacao powder + dark chocolate chips

– Mashed raspberries + almond butter

– Blueberries + coconut yoghurt + lemon zest

    Instructions

    • Simply combine all the ingredients in a bowl and combine well.

    • Put the mixture into a jar or Tupperware and place in the fridge overnight.

    • Before eating the next morning, add your toppings of choice. See ideas above.

    Notes

    Step-by-Step Photos: My blog post includes helpful step-by-step photos to help guide you through making this recipe.

    Substitutions & Variations: I have included a list of these in the post above.

    To Store: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to five days. Stir before enjoying.

    To Freeze: Keep in an airtight container in the freezer for up to three months. Defrost by scooping into a covered bowl or container in the fridge the night before.

    Tip 1: If you want your overnight oats and chia seeds to be even more low calorie, use fat-free or low-fat yoghurt and milk.

    Tip 2: Top your chia overnight oats with fresh fruit like banana, strawberry, blueberry, etc.

    Tip 3: Try swapping out the flavours of protein powder and yoghurts for some added variety.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 814kcal | Carbohydrates: 68g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 21g | Fiber: 22g | Sugar: 12g

    Please note that Nutrition information is a rough estimate

    Did you make this recipe? Tag me Today!Tag @HealthyLivingJames on Instagram and use #HealthyLivingJames!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Review

    1. Easy Protein Overnight Oats - Healthy Living James (13)Holly says

      Easy Protein Overnight Oats - Healthy Living James (14)
      These were AMAZING! So quick and easy to prepare and tasted great in the morning 🙂

      Reply

      • Easy Protein Overnight Oats - Healthy Living James (15)James Wythe says

        Thank you Holly 🙂

        Reply

    2. Easy Protein Overnight Oats - Healthy Living James (16)Cate says

      Hi James, this looks delicious! Love your recipes!
      A couple of questions. Is the calorie content you’ve shown in calories or kilojoules?
      Also do you think this would work with quinoa flakes?
      Thanks! Cate

      Reply

      • Easy Protein Overnight Oats - Healthy Living James (17)James Wythe says

        Hey Cate, so it’s in calories per portion. I’ve not tried this with quinoa flakes but it would probably work 🙂 enjoy!

        Reply

    Easy Protein Overnight Oats - Healthy Living James (2024)

    FAQs

    Is overnight oats actually healthy? ›

    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.

    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."

    What are the healthiest oats to use for overnight oats? ›

    Old-fashioned rolled oats.

    Old-fashioned rolled oats are the best choice for overnight oats. They soak up the liquid overnight, leaving you with a creamy (but not mushy) texture. Save steel-cut and quick-cooking oats for another time. Milk: You can make overnight oats with any kind of milk — dairy or non-dairy.

    How long will protein oats last in the fridge? ›

    Overnight Protein Oats are absolutely fantastic for prepping the night before a busy morning. Since they last for 5 days in the fridge, it's a great way to get your whole work week full of mornings prepped!

    Is it okay to eat overnight oats every day? ›

    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.

    What happens to your body when you eat overnight oats every day? ›

    A bowl of overnight oats might help to strengthen your immune system. The inclusion of beta-glucan in oats aids in increasing the activity of our body's white blood cells (WBCs), which are responsible for defending us from sickness. Because oats are high in zinc and selenium, they help fight infections.

    Are overnight oats better with milk or yogurt? ›

    You only need two ingredients to make overnight oats, which are, of course, milk and oats. But it probably won't taste very good, and by adding in Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and a drizzle of your favorite sweetener, you're really creating a well-rounded breakfast.

    What is the secret to overnight oats? ›

    Add Twice as Much Milk as Oats

    Whether you prefer whole milk, rice milk or coconut milk, you can use it. Just make sure to add twice as much milk as oats. Note: You can also use whey, buttermilk or thinned yogurt for a tangier flavor.

    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.

    What milk is best for overnight oats? ›

    Overnight Oats are great with all kinds of milk, dairy (pasteurized) or non-dairy. Feel free to use your favorite! We do not recommend making Overnight Oats with water because it will result in an overly liquid texture. Did this answer your question?

    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!

    Is it OK to use regular oats for overnight oats? ›

    Old fashioned Oats:

    However, the different texture is why many people really like to use rolled oats when preparing their overnight oats. The increased texture and less mushy consistency often makes rolled oats the preference for overnight oats connoisseurs.

    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.

    How to make overnight oats more filling? ›

    You can also add yogurt and/or chia seeds to make your overnight oats more filling and thicken the texture. They're then sweetened (honey works great as a sugar-free option) and left to soften in the fridge overnight.

    What to add to oatmeal for protein? ›

    10 Simple ways to add protein to oatmeal
    1. Stir in some peanut butter. ...
    2. Use dairy milk or soy milk instead of water. ...
    3. Make overnight oats with soy or Greek yogurt. ...
    4. Mix in some hemp hearts. ...
    5. Top your oatmeal with roasted chickpeas. ...
    6. Treat yourself to a bowl of savory mushroom oats. ...
    7. Bring on the beans. ...
    8. Add a scoop of hummus.
    May 5, 2023

    Are overnight oats 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.

    Is eating oats at night good for weight loss? ›

    There is no particular time to eat oats. You can consume the oats at lunch and dinner too. This cereal, however, is consumed in breakfast mostly. It contains fiber, magnesium, complex carbohydrates, etc, which help in keeping your tummy full for a longer time, thus, reducing overeating.

    Are overnight oats too high in carbs? ›

    Are Overnight Oats Keto-Friendly? No, the classic overnight oats recipe is made of oats, a wholesome natural grain but very high in carbs. In fact, oats contain about 56 grams of net carbs per 100 grams. As a result, they spike blood sugar levels and are not approved on a keto diet.

    Are overnight oats healthier than quick oats? ›

    Another thing is the fact that as opposed to the cooked oatmeals since overnight oatmeals are not boiled they retain more nutrients. Overnight oatmeals also incorporate raw oats unlike cooked oatmeals, which use instant oats and therefore making it relatively more nutritious.

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