Somewhere along the line I went from eating nothing for breakfast,
to this…
Need less to say, I haven’t looked back!
After years of having no energy throughout the day, breakfast is now my favourite meal. I never skip breakfast anymore! Contrary to what I used to believe, eating a big breakfast did not make me put on weight. I have more energy to fuel my day, stronger workouts, and I rarely snack at night time because I know a filling breakfast is not long off.
I started making Vegan Overnight Oat Parfaits last Spring as a fun way to spruce up my breakfast. The parfaits involve layering vegan overnight oats, Banana soft serve, and an array of mix-ins in a glass or jar (you can also plop everything in a bowl if you prefer not to layer them!)
Before Bed: Prep your Vegan Overnight Oats in a bowl and place in the fridge- no cooking required. Peel and chop 1 banana and place in baggie or container in the freezer.
My go-to Vegan Overnight Oats recipe:
- 1/3 cup regular oats
- 1 tbsp-2 tbsp chia seeds (thickens mixture overnight)
- 1-1.25 cup non-dairy milk (I now use Eden organic soy which has 12 gram protein!)
- 1.5 tbsp carob powder or flavoured protein powder (optional)
- Maple syrup, to taste
- Fruit like blueberries, strawberries, peaches, kiwi, mango, banana.
In the morning: Process your frozen banana in the food processor to make creamy Banana soft serve. Grab your Vegan overnight oats from the fridge, banana soft serve, and desired toppings and layer them in a glass, jar, or bowl to make a parfait. For step by step photos see here.
Mix-in & Toppings ideas:
- Fruit (e.g., blueberries, strawberries, peaches, kiwi, mango, banana, etc)
- Nut butter
- Shredded coconut
- Raw buckwheat groats (adds a nice crunch)
- Cacao nibs
- Granola
- Crumbled Oat square
- Coconut butter
- Jam
The result is a healthy breakfast that tastes just like a frozen dessert. :) It is great for warmer weather when you don’t want a hot bowl of oats.
On really hot days…well, things can get a bit out of control…
Here are some of my favourite parfait recipes:
Chocolate Cake Batter Vegan Overnight Oats
Peanut Butter and Jam Vegan Overnight Oats
Strawberry Carob Vegan Overnight Oats
Strawberry Banana Softserve and carob Vegan Overnight Oats
Homemade Strawberry Jam Carob Vegan Overnight Oats
Blueberry Vanilla Banana Soft Serve Vegan Overnight Oats
Cherry Chocolate Bomb Vegan Overnight Oats (My FAV!)
Banana Soft Serve Vegan Overnight Oats
Banana Split Vegan Overnight Oats
Gingerbread Pumpkin Vegan Overnight Oat Parfait
My breakfast this morning was a fun take on Neapolitan ice cream.
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Neapolitan Vegan Overnight Oat Parfait (Vanilla, Chocolate Carob, Strawberry)
Yield: 1 serving
Vegan Overnight Oats:
- 1/3 cup regular oats
- 1.5 tbsp chia seeds
- 1-1.25 cup non-dairy milk
- 1.5 tbsp carob powder (or sweetened protein powder)
- 1 tsp cocoa powder
- Maple syrup, to taste
Directions: Mix together in bowl and place in the fridge overnight. Stir well in morning & add maple syrup to taste.
Banana Soft Serve:
- 1 large frozen banana, chopped
- 2-3 frozen strawberries (to make strawberry soft serve)
Directions: Process frozen banana in food processor. Remove half and place in bowl. Now add a few strawberries into the processor and process to make strawberry soft serve. Now you have both vanilla and strawberry soft serve.
Toppings I used:
- Chopped strawberries
- Blueberries
- Homemade granola
- Buckwheat groats
- Shredded sweetened Coconut
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I got to eat two of them because the jars were extra small.
Two parfaits > One parfait.
Mmmmm….today’s parfait looks beautiful!
I live neopolitan ice cream…this could only be an amazing version of that! Fabulous :)
I love the glasses and containers you put the VOO in…they’re just so pretty!
I seriously just bought some frozen cherries for the cherry bomb oats. I’m excited!
I was like you – never about the breakfast and now as soon as I wake up I’m thinking “what to have!”
I struggle to get Chia seeds in the UK, boo. Are the absolutley essential?
i’ve heard some people use ground flax and it works out (not whole seeds though!) you may have to reduce the liquid because it doesn’t absorb as much as chia.
Thanks, will try with Flax until I get my paws on some Chia!
Thanking you very muchly!
These look so decadent! How delicious – I definitely need to try some overnight oats soon!
This post is making me crazy excited for summer mornings on the porch! :D
I eat overnight oats every single morning, I did all throughout the winter as well. Although I keep all of my elements separate. I’m going to have to make it sometime when I’m not actually hungry just so I can take a beautiful picture too! ;)
you know, i think my favorite thing about your blog is seeing the pure joy you take in food. thinking about the first sentence of this post versus the last really made me smile, and i can certainly relate. big, healthy, energizing, decadent breakfasts for life. :)
Tht is kinda cool…I didn’t even notice the 1st sentence vs the last one. That makes me happy!
I’ve started to make overnight oats and then heat them briefly in the microwave in the morning. I know this isn’t really the point, but the texture bugs me otherwise whereas I really like them when they’re hot. I may have to try this layering/parfait idea to see if that will convince me that cold oats are tasty too.
I love this post! BTW, i wanted to hear your opinion on how to store chia seeds. I store them in the fridge because I assumed ‘oil spoils’ but what’s your take? What temperature maintains the optimum freshness and nutrition?
I always store them in a mason jar on the counter but now you’ve got me thinking! I’ll have to look for some info on it..
Oh my! Cannot wait to try that, I just happen to have all the ingredients. Thanks for sharing!
Im drooling now, and off to the kitchen to make some voo!
Ironic–I’m eating some overnight oats as I read this post!! I loooove all of your variations–seriously, how do you get them to look so photogenic?! My oats are tasty, but that definitely is not conveyed through the camera :).
thanks! I think the fancy glasses and the fruit them look prettier :)
I seriously just ate breakfast…..but I am thinking I might need an oat parfait as well! Amazing pictures and recipes!
These are my absolute favorite things to have for breakfast! I’ve been rocking cinnamon/raisin VOO with banana soft serve for breakfast the past three days. LOVE THEM.
Oh, this makes me miss chia seeds! They look so plump and yummy in your pics. (I just got my wisdom teeth out… can you imagine getting them stuck in those holes?) Just a few more weeks of healing before I give it a shot!
hope you heal quickly! I remember when I had a couple removed and yes they are two HUGE holes in your mouth!
You are without a doubt the overnight oats QUEEN. I love how beautifully you always present and photograph them!
Oh my goodness, these photos are beautiful and good enough to eat!
By the way, I’m a long time reader and so inspired by your story and just wanted to say my first hello! Thanks for such a great blog :)
Hey Lauren thanks for your nice comment!
Wowsa! That Neo VOO Parfait looks amazingly delicious. I kept staring at the top picture wondering if I missed a recipe, but luckily it’s brand new! ;) It’s fun coming up with new flavors to whatever suits my mood. Actually having VOO for lunch today! Angela, you got hooked on VOO and in love with chia seeds and for that I am grateful.