Vegan Overnight Oats
Vegan, gluten-free, no bake/raw, oil-free, refined sugar-free, soy-free
Yield
1 bowl
Soak time
overnight or 2 hours
Prep time
Cook time
0 minutes
Total time
Vegan Overnight Oats are the time-crunched person’s breakfast secret weapon, since they take just a couple minutes to make at night before bed. When you mix together rolled oats, chia seeds, and almond milk, the chia seeds absorb the milk and the oats soften, creating an effortless chilled porridge. Place it in the fridge at night and forget about it until morning, when you’ll wake up to a cool, creamy bowl of oats that’s just perfect in the spring or summer. This is my go-to overnight oats recipe, but feel free to change up the fruit and other mix-ins as you like.
Ingredients
- 1 large ripe/spotty banana, mashed
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats
- 3/4 cup (180 mL) almond milk
- 1/4 teaspoon (1.25 mL) pure vanilla extract (optional)
Suggested Toppings:
- Granola
- Fresh fruit
- Coconut flakes
- Pure maple syrup
- Cinnamon
- Nuts and seeds
- Banana soft serve
Directions
- In a small bowl, mash the banana until almost smooth. Now stir in the chia seeds and cinnamon until combined.
- Stir in the oats, almond milk, and vanilla (if using). Cover and refrigerate overnight, or a minimum of 2 hours.
- In the morning, stir the oat mixture to combine. If your Vegan Overnight Oats have a runny consistency even after they soak, simply stir in an additional 1 tablespoon chia seeds and place the mixture back in the fridge until it has thickened up. If the oat mixture is too thick, simply add a splash of milk and stir to combine.
Tip:
- Not a banana fan? Try swapping the mashed banana for 1/4-1/2 cup of your favourite yogurt and liquid sweetener, if desired.
The picture is gorgeous as always!
I love how you added chia seeds for even more protein! The oats and chia helped keep me full for hours after I made this.
I added chocolate to the oats when they were warm — it melted and made the oats taste like chocolate chip banana bread! It was SO YUMMY.
https://peanutbutterandle.wordpress.com
Do you microwave it to warm it up? The chocolate bits sound like a heavenly addition, I’m intrigued!
No, it warms up over time.
How does it warm up over night? Do you make it in a crock pot?
Thanks for the alternative Ellie!
I suggest using dates to sweeten the oatmeal, especially if you’re on a raw, natural, or Raw Till 4 vegan diet like me.
Simply…
3/4 cup Old Fashioned Oats
Unsweetened Vanilla Soy Milk – enough to cover the oats and dates
6 Dates – diced into small pieces
8 Strawberries – diced into pieces
Pinch of Cinnamon
And you can dress this up with whatever fruit or nuts you’d like to add!
nynomads.com/2017/03/plantains-and-overnight-oats/
Dear Everyone,
Thank you so much for putting this here so I can follow. For many years I tried different things to substitute for meat. Thank goodness now I can follow these ideas here. This is amazing and I am so grateful for this. I don’t believe in meat and I enjoy veggies. The cruelty to animals must stop and I think I will always be supporting these petitions and avoiding meat. God Bless this website and keep up the good work. This will help me and others like me. Thank you again lets save all animals. Thank you. NOW and STOP the pain of all animals once and for all.
Sorry if this is a stupid question…but do you just use raw oats? Do you cook them? I always use steel cut oats and never tried rolled oats before so that’s why I was wondering what to do for this recipe. Thank you so much!
Hi Ish,
I use uncooked rolled oats. Hope you like the recipe!
I used uncooked rolled oats and I hated this. Is there something wrong with me? I’m going to try cooked and see if I like it better.
I’m sorry to hear that, Arianne! What was it that you didn’t like about it? I may be able to offer some suggestions for tweaking the recipe to more in line with your preferences. I’d love to help if I can! :)
Sorry if this is a silly question, but is it possible to make enough for the week / a few days and keep it? Or can it be frozen? …or does it have to be made fresh every evening?
Hi Jill,
I’m a majorly lazy morning person so I make enough for 4 days’ worth on Sundays when I make my breakfast. Works great! To reward myself one of the mornings I’ll make a parfait. Angela has amazing posts on here for them…
That’s really helpful – thank you so much :)
Have more faith in yourself…nothing like that would be a silly question.
Jill, The only silly question is the question that’s never asked. You can get Quaker brand rolled oats (NOT the minute-type) at any supermarket. I see them in the cereal aisle. I’ve also seen them in the bulk section of some stores like Whole Foods and Sprouts.
Could something else be used to substitute the chia seeds? I can’t find them in my local grocery store :(
Hi Emily,
Unfortunately there is no substitute.
Okay – is there a link you could provide to where you get yours? Thx!
I got some from a local health food shop – I have seen them around but rarely in supermarkets
Hi Emily,
Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods have them.
You can also order them from Amazon.
Emily,
do you happen to have a sprouts (or as a last resort, whole foods) near you?
(https://www.sprouts.com/) They generally have all of that in bulk.
Isela
Aldi’s now carries chia seeds too! You can also order them on Amazon.
I buy my chia seeds from Amazon :D cheaper too!
AMAZON girl!!! Or thrive.com or doortodoororganics….hope you found them by now!
You could add hemp seeds in place of chia seeds… I actually add both! So good!
Emily- you could substitute flax seeds, they are cheaper than chia and have omega 3s. Find them literally anywhere- Bob’s Red Mill has a package at Walmart, Target, etc.
Thanks for the tip!! I, too, don’t have chia seeds on hand (though I know where to find them here). I, too was wondering if flax seeds would work for a substitute. I just might try this one tonight!! Thank you, thanks you!!
I just bought some Chia seeds from Wal-Mart! (Who knew..)
I wonder…do you have any nutrition facts?
Eat whole, healthy foods instead of being worried about nutrition facts. If you have a medical condition that requires careful monitoring of food intake, there are many sources online for ingredient nutrition facts.
Such an ignorant comment… eating natural foods doesnt magically make calories, sugar, protein, etc not count!
I have type 1 diabetes, so nutritional information is paramount for my health. Carbs need to be counted, if not calories!
Hi
I get my chia seeds from Amazon :-)
Holland and Barrett shop has chia seeds
This recipe looks great! I’m allergic to bananas, unfortunately. Is there a substitute or a way to adjust the recipe to compensate for that texture? Thank you for all of your delicious recipes! They have truly helped transform my life :)
I have an oat allergy and I have noticed that you use oats or oat flour in many of your recipes. I have your cookbook as well, which makes use of oats and oat flour as well. I was wondering if you have any suggestions for oats or oat flour substitute.
Thanks
Approximately how many grams of protein would this yield?
Hi! I was just wondering what size mason jar you use?
Thanks!
I just used the small “Jam” jars, I believe they were 8oz. And I did fill them all the way to the top. My 8 yr old ate about 2/3 of the jar.
Sooo good. There is something about the texture of oatmeal my son doesn’t like but he loved this!
Oh this one is AMAZING! I needed it for a meal on the go! Thank YOU!
xx
Krista
www.hundredblog.com
can this be heated as a hot porridge? cold porridge a don’t always appeal to my palette.
Try it. I haven’t made this recipe but I’ve made similar recipes that I only liked heated. Experiment yourself to suit your own taste.
I’m way late in a response to this, but you can always throw this in the microwave in the morning when you’re ready to eat it to heat it up. That’s what I do with mine – especially in the winter when a cold breakfast isn’t very appealing. You can heat it for about 30 seconds on high to slightly warm it, or 1:30 or so to heat it all the way.
Could steel cut oats be substituted for the rolled oats?
Looks delish!
I was wondering the same thing. Did you try it? How’s it go?
I’ve tried it before (admittedly in a different recipe) and it does not work. The steel cut oats were barely softened overnight.
I will be trying this for breakfast, too! Thanks so much for sharing your fabulous recipes.
xoxoBella | http://xoxobella.com
I was just wondering how important is the refrigeration step? I am looking for breakfast foods to take hiking so I won’t have access to a fridge. Thanks!
Hi,
What is a portion size once the overnight oats have settled? Also what is the calorie content more or less of that?
Thanks!
you don’t happen to have the nutrition info on this do you? husband diabetic, looking for carb info. thanks.
I use a diet tracking app (like LoseIt) to enter a recipe, then the app can calculate nutritional values for you. It may not calculate to the milligram or micronutrient, but it has done an adequate job tracking my protein.
Hi Angela, this is a great recipe! You might like my cool weather version: mix dry ingredients into a small jar (clean jam jar) and top with hot (soy) milk. Screw on lid and eat at the office still warm a good hour later. No microwave! Great for using fresh hot soy or almond milk straight from a soymilk maker. For making the night before, cool to room temp, put on lids, then refrigerate. Heat when ready to eat. This works great with steel cut oats or whole groats. I also like it with some protein powder added to it to keep hunger at bay (I bike an hour to work so am pretty hungry on arrival).
Yum, just made some for my breakie tomorrow! :)
Lennae xxx
www.lennaesworld.com
;
This breakfast is delicious! I put it in a jar and took it to the office. My entire family gobbled it down this morning. Last night I made the mixture put it in a bowl in the fridge. Then threw in a pile of berries into jars for everyone and put the lids on. This morning I mixed up the oatmeal (nothing needed to be added as it was a perfect consistency) and I let my daughter take her lid off the mason jar and fill it up! The “cold” got to her a little so I warmed it for her and she gobbled it down. Hands down one of my favorite new recipes! Thanks for sharing.
Could I substitute something else for the banana? Applesauce maybe?
i have tried many varieties of overnight oats in the past 6 months. there is no question that this recipe is the best!! i even ate it cold… which has never before pleased my palate. thank you!
Eating these overnight oats this morning. Cold. With no toppings. I was going to add some toppings and then I realized there’s a whole banana in the recipe! I’m totally enjoying them and loving the fact that I didn’t have to make them this morning. Easy peasy. Awesome recipe!!!
Made my second batch of this recipe last night/this morning! Delicious! Love it with frozen berries and hemp seeds.
(bowing at your feet) THANK YOU!
I am always trying tricks for a speedy breakfast routine and have been unsuccessful achieving any consistency – or long-term palate satisfaction.
No lie – I was extremely apprehensive. Cold oats turned mush in almond milk? I was motivated by the idea that if this was good my breakfasts would be earning me a healthful gold star AND I would SAVE so much time and MONEY.
Angela I couldn’t have been more blown away at how convenient and delicious your recipe turned out! It was fantastic cold and the variety can be changed so easily with all kinds of fruits and nuts.
I eat this every morning during my work week. Thanks for the help!
Hi, this looks amazing!
It’s getting cold where I am now…do you have suggestions on making a warm version, and/or do you think this one can be warmed in the morning?
Thanks!
Does anyone have recommendations for substituting the banana with an alternative ingredient? I love the idea of this breakfast, however i can’t stomach banana.
This is my all-time FAVOURITE go-to recipe for breakfast! It’s fast, it’s easy, it’s delicious! I recommend it to everyone who is looking for a new breakfast idea on the run!
For all of you that have asked what to sub for bananas. I make mine without bananas. I just use flax seed and chia seed, put in sliced strawberries (about 3) and small hand full of blueberries. Then top with almond milk and stir and place in refrig. Don’t miss the bananas!
Can I substitute the milk with cashew milk?
I was wondering could I make this recipe without Bananas?
Hi Angela, I’ve made this for my partner in crime and he raves about it! Thank you :)
Angela! I’ve been an avid reader of your blog since the beginning of 2015. It started when my friend posted a pic of her green monster smoothie on instagram and tagged you in it. After that, I started following you and I have read your posts and your stories. About 5 weeks ago, I had 4 major attacks with my stomach and terrible pain. Nonetheless, I spent a lot of time on the couch/ going to hospital/ specialists/ doctors etc. so when I was feeling a little bit okay and had to leave the apartment before I went crazy, I went to chapters and picked up your amazing cookbook. After reading it, I’ve been using it in a “meal-prep” fashion to be able to eat well a bit easier. I also, am a researcher, grad student under a lot of pressure, research assistant and supply teacher with a background of similar eating disorders. I have been using your cookbook for a week for meal prepping and having my mother and grandmother over for dinner tonight, my mother said “you are looking so much better, you have a glow about you” and my grandmother agreed and said “yes, your color is looking so much better”. Thank you for this, one of my fav recipes! And thank you for your cookbook so I can have my glow. Happy New Year :)
Hi Stef,
I’m so glad to hear that you are enjoying the cookbook and feeling better! Thanks for your support!
I love this recipe any time of the year!!
These overnight oats are amazing! The sugar from the bananas makes it sweet enough to eat without adding any type of sweetener. They are also so easy to prepare and ready for breakfast in the morning which makes these oats so nutritious and convenient :) Thank you Angela!
This was delicious!! I did not have chia seeds so did not use and I did not use the vanilla or any topping and it was amazing. And I don’t like oatmeal. This was so good. Thank you so much! I’m feeling healthier already :)
Such an amazing, classic, easy recipe! I am not vegan but I am enjoying your recipes immensely. Photos are also so gorgeous, they encourage trying out new things!
I love that overnight oats are so versatile. There are so many different flavours you can make. I really enjoy peanut butter!!!
These are amazing! This is the first recipe with chia that I actually enjoy. I had my two kids try them as well and they loved them too! They heated theirs up in the morning and added in some melted peanut butter. This recipe is so easy and healthy. I’ve made them every day for the past few days. These will definitely be a staple for me. :)
Thanks so much for adding this recipe. I actually HATE oatmeal. I have never found a version hot or cold that makes me want to eat it….until yours! I made it exact to your recipe and added a bit of maple syrup per your suggestion for topping and ate the entire jar! Not sure what makes this one so special, but it is so delicious! I’ve struggled with veganizing breakfast, especially with my general aversion to oatmeal and having grown up on the southern tradition of bacon and eggs, so this really helps. Again thank you!
I LOVE this and I am a follower of all of your recipes! I make overnight oats almost everyday and I top it with my Whirlybird Granola. :) I wanted to see if you would be interested in trying some of my granola! I am a mom of 3 and I started this business because I could not find any granola that did not have artificial ingredients, added sugars, and still tasted great! Whirlybird Granola is vegan, free from GMO’s and anything artificial, and it tastes AMAZING!!! I would love to send you some samples to try on your oats or however you would like! If this is something you are interested in, just let me know and I will get the samples to you ASAP. Thanks in advance for your time!
Christy (owner of Whirlybird Granola)
Will this turn out fine if you skip the banana? Love your blog!
How long does this keep in the fridge? The recipe makes enough for probably 4-5 small servings for me (Not a huge eater in the mornings), which is great because I can make it Sunday Evening and last into the week. Am I safe to be eating this 4-5 days after making it?
delicious recipe though, Always make mine with some maple syrup and granola on top :)
Delicious! I love it! I’ve been eating this for every breakfast for over a week!
Have you tried with other fruits than banana?
Thanks
Hi Nathalie, great question! You could try using peeled mashed pear, or even shredded apple. Alternately, you could replace the banana by adding a bit of your favourite yogurt for thickening, and then adding your desired sweetener to taste. Hope this helps!
Hello Angela!
I was wondering if it could be an alternative to simply omit the yogurt/banana and use only the almond milk (in maybe lesser quantities) and sweetener. What do you think?
Thanks from a not-fan-of-bananas-who-might-not-have-yogurt-in-the-fridge ;)
Was looking for some sort of overnight breakfast and found this. I’m a longtime vegan and lover of oatmeal. This is perfect. I don’t add any toppings, just make the recipe as directed. I’ve shared it with several people, all of whom love it as much as I do. Thanks so much.
Hi Bonnie, I’m glad to hear you’ve been enjoying the overnight oats! Thanks so much for sharing the recipe love.
I’ve been using lots of ur recipes and just found this one. I only have steel cut and instant oats. Can I use either of those?
Hey Maria, I’ve used steel-cut oats in the past and it worked quite well (although I must say, the oats don’t get as cream as rolled oats, but they are nice and chewy). My guess is that instant oats would break down a lot while sitting overnight and might turn out overly “mushy”.
Yay thank you!
Hi Angela,
Can this be made with water and not milk?
Hey Karen, You can make it with whichever liquid you prefer, but I can attest that using milks creates a really creamy bowl! I think I tried it with water once in the past and wasn’t a big fan, but feel free to use what you like.