High Protein Overnight Oats

High Protein Overnight Oats You’ll Make Again and Again

Wondering why these overnight oats deserve a spot on your go-to breakfast recipe list? I'll tell you:

• This recipe couldn't be easier. You literally just have to mix a bunch of ingredients together in a jar and let it all chill for a while. I'd say it'll take you 2 minutes tops of active kitchen time. The rest is just patience.
• Not only are these oats creamy and delicious, with a little tang from the Greek yogurt and some sweetness from the maple syrup, but they're also a total protein powerhouse. If you use protein powder, one serving packs roughly 42 grams of protein.
• If meal prep is your thing, these overnight oats need to be on your list. It's so easy to make a bunch of jars at once and pop 'em in the fridge for grab-and-go breakfasts through the week. They even freeze well.

What You'll Need

Gather your ingredients and get to meal prepping. Here's what you'll need (see the recipe card below for exact measurements):

• Old-fashioned rolled oats – Definitely stick with old-fashioned oats. They have the best texture. Quick oats get too soft, in my opinion.
• Seeds – I went with chia seeds and hemp seeds. They both pack a powerful protein punch, and the chia seeds work to thicken the mixture a bit. I'd keep the chia seeds in there, but if you wanted to swap the hemp seeds out for chopped nuts or pepitas, you could.
• Maple syrup – Honey would also work. So would agave.
• Greek yogurt – Or a dairy-free Greek-style yogurt. Stick with “Greek-style” yogurt. It's thicker and is higher in protein. I usually use an unsweetened plain yogurt, but if you wanted to use a flavored yogurt, you could.
• Milk – Whole milk is my favorite here. Avoiding dairy? Try unsweetened almond milk or another plant milk of your choosing.
• Vanilla protein powder – This is optional, but it definitely ups the protein content in this powerful breakfast.

How to Make Protein Overnight Oats

Here's a quick look at how to make high-protein overnight oats. Please scroll to the recipe card below for a more detailed rundown.

• Mix. Mix together the oats, seeds, maple syrup, Greek yogurt, milk, and protein powder (if using) in a mason jar.
• Chill. Secure the lid and chill in the fridge for at least two hours. Ideally overnight.

Flavour Variations

These are pretty basic vanilla-maple flavored oats. If you want to change things up a bit, consider these exciting variations:

• Use a different protein powder. This is perhaps one of the more straightforward ways to change up the flavor profile. Whether it's chocolate, strawberry, or cookies and cream protein powder, feel free to go nuts.
• Chocolate cherry. You could mix a tablespoon or two of unsweetened cocoa powder into the oats along with some ripe chopped cherries. I'd leave the vanilla protein powder out in this case (although you could use chocolate protein powder).
• Coconutty. Swap the milk out for coconut milk and stir in some shredded coconut.
• Peanut butter. If you'd like to stir some Homemade Peanut Butter (or really any nut butter of your choosing) into the oats, go for it. It'll make the oats extra creamy and protein-packed.
• Blueberry lemon. I'll sometimes stir a little lemon juice and lemon zest into my oats along with some fresh blueberries to brighten things up.

Topping Ideas

While these overnight oats are delicious as is, I like experimenting with different toppings to doll them up. Try one (or several) of the following options:

• Crunchy options. Adding a sprinkle of chopped nuts to these oats is a great way to add some crunch and extra protein. Walnuts, pecans, macadamia nuts, or pistachios would be great. Prefer seeds? Try pepitas or shelled sunflower seeds. Other crunchy additions include coconut flakes, granola, and/or cacao nibs.
• Something creamy. Grab your favorite nut butter from the store or make this Homemade Peanut Butter and spoon it over the top. My Vanilla Bean Cashew Butter would be amazing, too. Not a nut butter person? Add a creamy touch with a dollop of Greek yogurt or even Coconut Whipped Cream.
• Anything fruity. Whether it's your favorite fresh berries, chopped peaches or cherries, or a dollop of Chia Seed Jam or Blueberry Compote, these overnight oats love a fruity addition.
• Sweet drizzles. These oats are just sweet enough, but when I'm feeling extra indulgent, I will sometimes add an extra drizzle of maple syrup or honey to the top.

Meal Prep and Storage

Overnight oats are an incredible meal prep addition. Make several jars and keep them in the fridge (or freezer) for the easiest ever grab-and-go breakfast. Here's how to store them properly:

• Refrigerator: Pop the lid on your overnight oats and store them in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: Overnight oats will keep in the freezer (in a freezer-safe container with the lid on) for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the fridge when you're ready to enjoy.

Whether you're storing your oats in the fridge or freezer, give them a good stir before you eat them. If they are too thick, you can mix in a little extra milk.

More High Protein Breakfast Recipes

Looking for more ways to power up your day with a protein punch? Check these recipes out:

• Cottage Cheese Pancakes
• Protein Oatmeal
• Spinach & Egg Meal Prep Breakfast Sandwiches
• 90-Second Pumpkin Pie Breakfast Quinoa
• The Best Soft-Boiled Eggs