5 Vegan Overnight Oats Recipes You Can Meal Prep! (2024)

by Faith VanderMolen

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No matter how busy your are, you can enjoy a healthy, delicious breakfast each day of the week with these vegan overnight oats recipes. With 5 different flavor variations and minimal prep time, you'll be set with a unique, healthy breakfast all week long.

5 Vegan Overnight Oats Recipes You Can Meal Prep! (1)

You probably know by now that I am oatmeal-obsessed. I'm especially happy when I'm enjoying a pre-made, creamy bowl of overnight oats. Overnight oats really are the best breakfast. Some of my favorite overnight oats recipes are Key Lime Pie Overnight Oats, these Vanilla Protein Overnight Oats with Zucchini, decadent Cookie Dough Overnight Oats and these unique, but delicious Vegan Golden Milk Overnight Oats!

Jump To
  • Why You'll Love These Recipes!
  • Ingredients
  • Substitutions
  • Basic Vegan Overnight Oats Recipe
  • Variations
  • How to Make 5 Flavors of Vegan Overnight Oats
  • Expert Tips
  • Recipe FAQs
  • 📖 Recipe

Why You'll Love These Recipes!

  • You can make all of these 5 vegan overnight oats flavors ahead of time so that they are ready and waiting for you when you wake up in the morning. You'll have a different flavor of breakfast all week long without much effort!
  • The flavor combinations are endless when it comes to overnight oats. Today I'll just be sharing 5 flavor variations with you, but use your creativity and taste preferences to make whatever flavors you want.
  • Overnight oats are not only delicious, but a balanced way to start the day. I'm full for hours after a batch of overnight oats and hopefully you too will feel satisfied after trying one of these vegan overnight oats recipes!
  • For basic, plain overnight oats, you'll only need 3-4 pantry staple ingredients. It doesn't get much easier than that.
  • It's super easy to double, triple or quadruple overnight oats depending on the number of people you'll be serving.

Ingredients

5 Vegan Overnight Oats Recipes You Can Meal Prep! (2)
  • Rolled Oats - Rolled oats are lightly processed oat groats and I think they result in the best texture of vegan overnight oats. You can find rolled oats at almost every grocery store.
  • Chia Seeds - I love using chia seeds in my overnight oats as they soak up a lot of liquid and make overnight oats super thick and creamy.
  • Non-Dairy Milk - Any non-dairy milk will work well in this recipe. Homemade almond milk or homemade oat milk would be delicious. If you don't have time to make your own milk, store-bought oat, almond, soy or cashew would all be amazing as well.

Substitutions

  • Oats - While I love the texture that rolled oats provide in overnight oats, you can also use quick oats if that is all you have on hand. However, quick oats will result in a slightly goopier texture and you may need to add more non-dairy milk. I've heard that steel cut oats also work, but I've never tried it before! Don't use oat flour.
  • Chia Seeds - For me personally, chia seeds are vital for overnight oats as they add a nice tapioca pudding-like texture. However, not everyone uses them. If you choose to omit the chia seeds you won't need as much milk. You could also substitute them for flaxseeds (ground or whole) or pumpkin seeds, but the texture won't be the same.

Basic Vegan Overnight Oats Recipe

  • ½ cup rolled oats
  • 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1 cup of non-dairy milk

In a jar, stir together the rolled oats and chia seeds. Pour in the non-dairy milk and stir everything to combine. To this basic recipe I add different spices, fruits, sweeteners and mix-ins to make whatever flavor I'm craving!

Variations

  • Peanut Butter and Jelly - Stir some of your favorite jelly into a basic batch of overnight oats. The next morning, right before serving, add a drizzle of peanut butter on top.
  • Lemon Blueberry - Add a handful of blueberries (fresh or frozen is fine!), some lemon zest and a touch of maple syrup to a basic batch of overnight oats. Allow everything to sit overnight.
  • Double Chocolate -Add some cocoa powder , a touch of maple syrup and some cacao nibs (or chocolate chips) to a plain batch of overnight oats.
  • Cinnamon Apple - Simply add some shredded or chopped apple, cinnamon, and a touch of maple syrup to a basic batch of overnight oats and allow the flavors to meld together overnight in the fridge. The next day, top the oats with more apple, some chopped walnuts and more cinnamon!
  • Mango Coconut - Stir some desiccated coconut or coconut cream into a batch of plain overnight oats. Additionally, add in half of a fresh mango (chopped) and some ground cinnamon and ground ginger!
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How to Make 5 Flavors of Vegan Overnight Oats

5 Vegan Overnight Oats Recipes You Can Meal Prep! (4)

Step 1: Add the rolled oats, chia seeds, pinch of salt and dry flavorings to each mason jar. Stir well to evenly distribute the chia seeds.

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Step 2: Add in any mix-ins that can soak overnight.

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Step 3: Add in the non-dairy milk, stirring right away so that the chia seeds don't get stuck in clumps.

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Step 4: Add more non-dairy milk if some of vegan overnight oats look too dry or thick. Then seal the jars and store them in the fridge overnight.

Step 5: Before enjoying a serving of overnight oats, stir the oats well and add more non-dairy milk if necessary to loosen up the oats. Add any "day-of" toppings and dig in!

5 Vegan Overnight Oats Recipes You Can Meal Prep! (8)

Expert Tips

  1. In order to meal-prep multiple jars of overnights oats you can use one of two methods. You can make a large batch of basic overnight oats and then divide that batch among multiple jars before stirring in your mix-ins. Alternatively, you can make each flavor individually from the start. Place the rolled oats, chia seeds, salt, liquid and mix-ins into each individual jar, stirring well until everything is combined.
  2. Be sure to hold off on adding and fresh fruit, such as bananas, or crunchy toppings, such as chopped nuts or granola, until right before enjoying. Bananas oxidize and go brown once they are opened and chopped nuts would turn soggy.
  3. Right after I add the non-dairy milk to a jar, I stir everything right away. If you add milk to all 5 of your jars before stirring, the chia seeds in the first jars you added milk to may start to clump together.

Recipe FAQs

What are overnight oats?

Overnight oats are basically un-cooked oats that are soaked overnight in liquid with a few other ingredients. This results in cold, creamy oats that are ready for you when you wake up, can be taken on the go and can be topped with whatever you want!

Are overnight oats vegan?

Yes! They can easily be made completely vegan. All you have to do is soak the oatmeal in either non-dairy milk, non-dairy yogurt or a combination of both. It's as easy as that to make vegan overnight oats.

How do you make Vegan Overnight Oats?

Technically, you could just soak some oats in water overnight or until soft. Most people, however, like to include chia seeds and then soak the oats in milk (or a combination of milk and yogurt) overnight until soft and creamy.

Do you eat overnight oats hot or cold?

I almost always eat my overnight oats cold, but you can also reheat them either in the microwave or on the stove top to enjoy them warm. Just be aware that since the oats have already soaked for hours in the fridge overnight, the texture may be softer than if they were prepared in the morning.

Can you use quick oats to make overnight oats?

Yes, you can use quick oats to make overnight oats. Although I prefer to use old-fashioned rolled oats as they hold their shape better.

Can you use steel cut oats to make overnight oats?

I have yet to try it personally, but I have seen recipes using steel cut oats to make overnight oats. If you do use steel cut oats you will probably need more liquid and to allow the oats to soak for a longer period of time.

How long do overnight oats last in the fridge?

I usually keep my overnight oats for up to 4 days. If you make a batch with fruit such as mashed banana, however, you'll want to eat them within 24 hours as the banana will oxidize and turn brown.

Are oats gluten-free?

To ensure that your oats are gluten-free, be sure to buy certified gluten-free oats. While oats are technically gluten free, they are sometimes processed on equipment that has also processed gluten and can therefore become contaminated.

  • Healthy Cookie Dough Overnight Oats
  • Key Lime Pie Overnight Oats (Vegan!)
  • Low-Fat Vegan Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
  • Vegan Golden Milk Overnight Oats

Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 rating in the recipe card below & a review in the comments section further down the page.

📖 Recipe

5 Vegan Overnight Oats Recipes You Can Meal Prep! (13)

How to Meal Prep 5 Amazing Overnight Oat Jars

Faith VanderMolen

No matter how busy your are, you can enjoy healthy, delicious breakfast all week long with these 5 Make Ahead Overnight Oats Jars!

4.84 from 12 votes

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Additional Time 8 hours hrs

Total Time 8 hours hrs 20 minutes mins

Course Overnight Oats

Cuisine American

Servings 5 servings

Calories 263 kcal

Ingredients

BASE RECIPE

MANGO COCONUT

LEMON BLUEBERRY

  • Zest of half a lemon
  • 2-3 teaspoons maple syrup
  • Handful of fresh or frozen blueberries

PB&J:

  • 1 ½ tablespoons strawberry jam
  • Day of topping: 1 tablespoon peanut butter

DOUBLE CHOCOLATE

CINNAMON APPLE

Instructions

  • To 5 different mason jars, combine ½ cup of rolled oats, 1 tablespoon of chia seeds, a pinch of salt and ¾-1 cup of non-dairy milk. If you want thicker overnight oats, just use ¾ cup of milk.

  • Next, to each jar stir in the ingredients needed for whichever flavor you desire, excluding the "day of toppings" which you'll add the morning you eat that flavor.

  • Seal the jars and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days!

Notes

- For a cheaper version, you can do half milk and half water. The amount of liquid you use depends on how thick or runny you like your overnight oats. I like to use 1 cup per serving.

** Get all 5 recipes in a downloadable PDF!

*** For even more overnight oat recipes be sure to check out this post on 10 Vegan Overnight Oats Recipes!

Nutrition

Calories: 263kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 12gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 16mgSodium: 95mgFiber: 5gSugar: 10g

Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

More Overnight Oats

  • Green Superfood Overnight Oats
  • Vegan Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
  • Vegan Protein Overnight Oats
  • Vegan Protein Brownie Batter Overnight Oats

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Comments

  1. Faith says

    Ah thanks Diana! I hope you like the oats! Are you wanting more protein at breakfast? You could try tofu scramble, tempeh bacon, tofu/tempeh or bean breakfast burritos, chia pudding, smoothies with hemp seeds/protein powder/nut butter! Those are some thoughts that came to mind. Also, a jar of overnight oats with 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1 cup of soy milk and 1 tablespoon nut butter comes to 21 grams of protein which is pretty good in my opinion! And weird about the star rating. I'll look into it! Thanks for commenting. Its fun to know who's reading my blog!

    Reply

  2. Astrid says

    Hi!!! Great idea! For summer! Love it!
    Thank you for sharing! Love love ❤️

    Reply

    • Faith says

      Yes! We're all about overnight oats here in Malaysia cause it's summer all year round! Thanks Astrid!

      Reply

    • Giselle says

      I love breakfast but don’t always feel like starting my morning with cooking and cleaning! I will definitely give this a go! I could make this while I’m prepping a dinner. By the way, do you add the fruit with the overnight oats or just before eating? Thanks again for sharing!

      Reply

      • Faith VanderMolen says

        Hi Giselle! I'm right there with you...I love breakfast, but sometimes wish it was already ready for me every morning! The apple and blueberries should be fine to add with the oatmeal. Bananas are a fruit that you would want to add just before eating as they tend to oxidize and brown really easily. I hope you enjoy these overnight oat recipes!

Please Leave A Star Review In The Recipe Card!

5 Vegan Overnight Oats Recipes You Can Meal Prep! (2024)

FAQs

Can I prep overnight oats for 5 days? ›

Place the oats, chia seeds, maple syrup or honey, salt, and yogurt, if using, in a lidded container or jar. Pour in the almond milk, and stir thoroughly to combine. Make sure that there are no chia seeds clumped around the bottom or sides of the jar! Cover and store overnight, or for up to 5 days, in the fridge.

How long do overnight oats last meal prep? ›

We recommend storing overnight oats in the refrigerator in airtight containers for up to five days. That means if you're meal-prepping on Sunday, you can make a work week's worth of overnight oats and not have to think about breakfast again until Saturday. How convenient.

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.

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."

How many overnight oats can you prep? ›

They will soften more the longer they sit so I find they're best on days 1-3, but they're still safe to eat on days 4 and 5. With this said, overnight oats are great for meal prep and you can make them on Sunday for the work-week.

Is yogurt necessary for overnight oats? ›

No, yogurt adds a creamy texture but it isn't mandatory. You can use nut butter, banana, applesauce, or coconut milk instead. Can I make overnight oats without chia seeds? Chia seeds add a nice thick and creamy texture.

Is it OK 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.

Is overnight oats better with milk or yogurt? ›

Milk: You can make overnight oats with any kind of milk — dairy or non-dairy. If using non-dairy milk, it's best to stick with unsweetened. Greek yogurt: Not only does Greek yogurt make overnight oats more filling, but it also gives the oats a super-creamy texture.

Do overnight oats go bad in the fridge? ›

Oats Overnight are ready after 4 hours and last up to 36 hours in the fridge so they make a great breakfast two days in a row (or save for a snack later in the day after dinner -makes a great dessert replacement!)

What not to mix with oatmeal? ›

Whatever you do, steer clear of the worst offenders: dried fruit with added sugars, like Craisins or dried pineapple. "These are almost always made with added sugar, if not also an artificial sweetener, says Pennsylvania-based RD Gina Consalvo. "Always choose a fresh fruit instead." Need hard proof?

What kind of milk do you use 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 overnight oats have to be in glass? ›

You can definitely make overnight oats in a plastic container. Plastic jars tend to be more durable than glass, especially when dropped, making them a popular choice for families. They're also lightweight and inexpensive.

Are overnight oats hard on your stomach? ›

When simply soaking oats overnight without cooking them, they are more likely to be troublesome to your digestion than cooked oats. That means you're more likely to experience those GI symptoms like bloating, flatulence, and stomach cramps.

Why is my overnight oats slimy? ›

It's normal for overnight oats to become slightly slimy due to the starches in the oats releasing in liquid over time. ... Too much milk mixes with starches from the oats to make a gluey slime, and this was the texture that I didn't like.

Do you stir overnight oats before putting in fridge? ›

In a large glass jar, combine the oats, milk, yogurt, maple syrup or honey, chia seeds, vanilla cinnamon, and sea salt. Stir well to make sure all the ingredients are combined. Cover with a lid and place in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning, remove from the refrigerator and stir.

Can you soak oats for 5 days? ›

Overnight oats can be stored in an airtight container for up to five days in the refrigerator. The caveat is that they'll continue to soften the longer they sit — which might be a bonus if you like your oatmeal on the super-creamy side.

Can you eat overnight oats 7 days later? ›

Generally, overnight oats stored in the fridge are good for consumption within five days. It is like breakfast waiting for you! That's why you may rest from preparing breakfast for up to five days.

Can you prep oats for a week? ›

I know you are always looking for healthy, make-ahead breakfasts, and I keep coming back to my all-time favorite: steel-cut oatmeal. With a little forethought and a few Mason jars, you can make enough steel-cut oats for a whole week in just five minutes.

How many days can overnight oats soak? ›

Oats Overnight are ready after 4 hours and last up to 36 hours in the fridge so they make a great breakfast two days in a row (or save for a snack later in the day after dinner -makes a great dessert replacement!)

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