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

    Are overnight protein oats good for you? ›

    High protein in overnight oats are a perfect source of energy especially if you're an athlete. Because oats contain dietary fiber, protein, B vitamins and minerals, they are also excellent for building muscles. The magnesium it contains promotes muscle regeneration and relieves muscle cramps.

    Does protein powder go bad in overnight oats? ›

    These protein powder overnight oats should be stored in an airtight container in the fridge and will stay good for 3-4 days.

    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."

    Are overnight oats still healthy? ›

    Whether you enjoy overnight oats or cooked oats, both numerous health benefits and versatility in recipes. They are a whole grain powerhouse, packed with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

    Can I eat overnight oats every night? ›

    Eating overnight oats regularly can be a healthy and convenient choice. Oats are a good source of fiber, which can aid digestion and help maintain stable blood sugar levels. They also provide essential nutrients like vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

    Which is healthier oatmeal or overnight oats? ›

    The intensity of heat while cooking is the contributing factor, lower the heat better the nutrient availability. When you soak the oats overnight, it's almost like you're cooking them, but the process is much longer and slower, and it's done without heat. Hence, it is more nutrient rich than cooked version.

    What happens if you leave overnight oats for 2 nights? ›

    How Long Overnight Oats Last. 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.

    How much protein powder should I put in my overnight oats? ›

    You will need 30g of your favorite one. For me this is 1 scoop, but it may be a little different for you depending on the type of protein powder you use. Milk: My favorite milk to use here is vanilla unsweetened almond milk. The amount of milk you use will depend on the consistency you like in overnight oats!

    Why shouldn't you put overnight oats in the fridge? ›

    If you soak your oats overnight at room temperature (do not put them in the fridge!) between 7-15hrs it allows the natural enzymes and other helpful organisms to begin fermenting the grain and this will neutralise a large portion of the phytic acid.

    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.

    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 put chia seeds in overnight oats? ›

    Why Do You Put Chia Seeds in Overnight Oats? Chia seeds up the nutrition content in overnight oats. They're loaded with good-for-your-gut fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which help calm inflammation in your body and may protect you from chronic disease. They also add a nice protein boost to this recipe.

    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.

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

    Use plain old fashioned rolled oats, not quick oats. Quick oats will get too soggy when soaked with milk. And do not use steel cut oats because they won't soften enough to eat just with milk unfortunately. Try this steel cut overnight oatmeal instead.

    Is 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.

    Are overnight oats healthier than cooked? ›

    What is the difference between overnight oatmeal and cooked oatmeal? One of the most obvious and most noticeable differences between the two is the difference in the temperature of the final product. This temperature difference, however, contributes to making the overnight oatmeal a healthier option.

    Are overnight oats high in calories? ›

    Overnight oats are a great source of many nutrients. One prepared cup (240 ml) of the basic recipe made with 2% cow's milk and without the optional ingredients provides the following ( 1 ): Calories: 215 calories. Carbs: 33grams.

    References

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