Vanilla Overnight Oats

Name: Vanilla Overnight Oats
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 245 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats; 1 tablespoon chia seeds; 3/4 cup non-dairy milk ((I like oat, cashew or almond milk best)); 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup; 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract ((can use vanilla bean or vanilla bean paste but they are more concentrated so use less)); nut butter, banana, fresh fruit, granola, nuts, seeds, unsweetened shredded coconut, yogurt.

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These Vanilla Overnight Oats are super easy only needing 5 ingredients and sweetened with maple syrup. This dairy free vegan overnight oats recipe is perfect for meal prep.

Side image close up of Vanilla Overnight Oats topped with banana, strawberry and peanut butter.

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Why you will love this recipe
Ingredients
Variations
How to make these Vanilla Overnight Oats
Expert Tips
Recipe FAQs
More Vegan Oat Recipes
Vanilla Overnight Oats

Why you will love this recipe

Delicious Flavors: This Vanilla Overnight Oats recipe is sweet from the maple syrup and vanilla while the oats, chia seeds and oat milk add a hearty, chewier, and filling texture and taste, making these delicious tasting overnight oats healthy and perfect.
No cooking: These overnight vanilla oats require no cooking. Just easily combine the ingredients to make this tasty overnight oats recipe.
Jumpstart Your Day: This is the best vanilla overnight oats recipes. It's perfect for meal prepping your breakfast, light lunch, or a snack. You only need five simple ingredients for this vanilla overnight oats with chia seeds (plus the topping you choose to add). It's quick and easy to prepare; just double this recipe's size, giving you additional overnight oats in the fridge for anytime you'd like.

More vegan oatmeal recipes you will love.

Ingredients

Be sure to take a look at the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and quantities to make these Vanilla Overnight Oats.

Non-dairy milk: I like oat milk, cashew milk, and almond milk the best.
Pure Maple Syrup: Make sure to use pure maple syrup not a sweetened variety. This is the natural sweetener used in these Vanilla Overnight Oats.
Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: These work the best as they get nice a soft.
Vanilla Extract: You can use vanilla bean or vanilla bean paste but they are more concentrated so use less.

Variations

Cold or Warm: Just one of those questions, it's 100% your choice. Many like it cold right from the fridge, some pick slightly warmed to room temperature and than others will use the microwave to actually heat the overnight oats. Regardless of which temperature you like the overnight oats will taste delicious.
Toppings: Toppings do add a bit more excitement to overnight oats. It's better to add the toppings you've picked just before eating so they don't deteriorate while stored (but it's up to you). These are a few ideas; frozen or fresh berries, bananas, chopped almonds, pecans, walnuts or any kind of nut butter, granola, flaked or shredded coconut. Feel free to add your favorites on top.
Nut Butter: Easily add a little nutty flavor to this Vanilla Overnight Oats recipe. Some options are peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower butter for a nut-free version, or use any nut butter you'd like.
Additional Protein: If you'd like to increase the amount of protein, feel free to add your preferred protein powder to this vanilla overnight oats protein recipe. Simply add half to a whole scoop of protein powder directly into the oats mixture, stir it in, and you will need to add a small amount of extra plant milk to compensate for the protein added.
Vegan: I used oat milk in this vanilla overnight oats recipe, but feel free to use your preferred plant-based milk. The flavor of the milk you use will slightly vary this recipes taste, but it will still be delicious.
Gluten-Free: You can make this overnight oats recipe gluten free, just make sure the oats you get are certified gluten-free oats to avoid the risk of cross-contamination.

How to make these Vanilla Overnight Oats

Vanilla Overnight Oats in glass jar ready to go sit in the fridge.

Step 1: Add the oats, chia seeds, non-dairy milk, vanilla and maple syrup to a jar or bowl and whisk together. Place in the fridge for about 15 minutes.

Remove from fridge, whisk out any clumps and then return to the fridge for at least 3-4 hours preferably overnight. Can store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

When ready to enjoy add your favorite toppings, I like nut butter and banana the best.

Expert Tips

Old Fashioned Oats: Instant and quick oats do not work in this recipe. It's important to use old-fashioned oats in this recipe; I used organic old fashioned rolled oats that were gluten-free.
Consistency: You have the option to adjust the consistency of this homemade Vanilla Overnight Oats recipe. According to your preference, if you prefer a thicker consistency, add a bit less oat milk. If you like it runnier, add a bit more oat milk. You can either mix it in while making the recipe or add it right before eating.
Double: I've doubled this tasty vanilla overnight oats recipe, so I can easily and quickly grab it from the fridge, making an easy grab-and-go breakfast, relaxing at home breakfast, or snack. Store it in mason jars for up to 4-5 days and it's best to add any toppings right before eating or before leaving the house.
In a Hurry: Yes, if you're short on time, after 2-3 hours you can eat this vanilla oatmeal, the oats will have absorbed some of the liquid. But for the best taste and texture it's best to soak the oats overnight. So it's always a good idea to double this recipe to have some ready.

Recipe FAQs

What do chia seeds do in overnight oats?

Chia seeds add a thicker and creamy texture to overnight oats recipes.

Do you actually leave overnight oats overnight?

Yes, overnight oats are usually left in the fridge overnight to get the best texture and soak up the liquid from the recipe. Usually they can last 3-4 days in the fridge.

Is it okay to put vanilla extract in oatmeal?

It is ok to add vanilla extract to oatmeal and to overnight oats, it adds a nice vanilla flavor to the oats.

Top view of vanilla oats topped with peanut butter, banana and strawberries.

More Vegan Oat Recipes