Peanut butter overnight oats take 5 minutes to prep and you'll have a healthy breakfast all week long. Make this recipe in a jar or in a giant bowl and serve it with bananas. I love this recipe because it's dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free and really filling! Perfect for the morning!
Love overnight oats? Try carrot cake overnight oats or pumpkin pie overnight oats for fall.
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I recently asked everyone on Instagram what they wanted to see more of and so many people said meal prep breakfasts! I totally get it. When I worked 9-5 I struggled with making a healthy breakfast and getting out the door on time. When I had breakfast ready to grab and go it made my life so much easier.
Meal prep breakfasts means no cutting boards in the morning, no washing veggies, no extra dishes to do. Just grab a healthy meal and hit the road.
Keep a list of meal-prep breakfasts on hand and your life gets easier. I've got this chocolate chia pudding in my back pocket to make too. Full of flavor, protein, and tons of fiber!
Why we love these peanut butter overnight oats
- Easy: These peanut butter overnight oats are a great option for an easy breakfast. They're made in just a few minutes and you have them ready the next morning.
- Great for meal prep: You can make a big batch on a Sunday and separate them into jars for every day of the week. Or if you forget you can make them quickly before you go to bed on a weeknight.
- Healthy & delicious: Not only are these overnight oats easy, but they're also delicious and healthy. Who doesn't like peanut butter and banana? If you don't like bananas you can leave them off the top but I really like the combo.
Ingredient List
Here are the simple ingredients for this peanut butter overnight oatmeal recipe. Most are pantry staples and easy (and affordable) to find in the grocery store. Jump down to the recipe card for exact measurements.
- Gluten Free Rolled Oats: This recipe calls for a certified gluten-free oats if needed. (Our favorite brand is Bob's Red Mill!) I don't recommend using steel cut oats or quick oats because they don't absorb liquid the same way. However we recommend the hearty old-fashioned roll oats for this recipe.
- Chia seeds: These add fiber and a rich, pudding-like texture.
- Pure maple syrup: A natural sweetener, without overdoing it.
- Banana slices: Use ripe bananas for best results. (About 2 medium bananas.)
- Peanut butter: Gives it that peanut buttery goodness! Use or almond butter as a substitute if needed.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the overall flavor and brings out the natural sweetness.
- Dairy-free milk: Coconut milk, oat milk, cashew milk, or almond milk are great options.
- Protein powder: This is optional. Vanilla or peanut butter taste great. My favorite protein powder is Be Well By Kelly because the protein is such high quality, there are zero carbs, and the flavor is amazing.
How to Make Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
The full printable recipe is below, but let’s walk through the steps with some photos and a video so you have a clear idea of what to expect. This peanut butter overnight oats recipe is really easy and these step-by-step instructions will make sure they turn out every time.
- In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon to incorporate.
- Cover mixture with plastic wrap or divide mixture into 4-5 separate containers and cover then place in the refrigerator overnight or up to 12 hours.
- Perfect make-ahead breakfast: Eat and share immediately or meal prep and save to have as a delicious breakfast for the week.
Are overnight oats good for you?
Peanut butter and oatmeal are really good for you! It's full of fiber and complex carbs that will keep you full all day and the peanut butter adds some protein too. Make sure you get a peanut butter that doesn't have any added sugar. I really like Smucker's All Natural Peanut Butter. Just double-check the label before you buy it!
Recipe Variations
- Add in hemp seeds instead of chia seeds to get fiber, without the texture of chia seeds.
- We always add a couple of scoops of vanilla protein powder to oatmeal, even our hot pumpkin pie oatmeal, to help keep us full all morning.
- Opt for a different fresh fruit like sliced strawberries.
- Adding vanilla Greek yogurt is another way to add some extra protein. (Use a non-dairy yogurt if you'd like a vegan option.)
- Add favorite toppings like crushed peanuts, extra banana slices, or chocolate shavings.
- For a peanut butter chocolate variation, add a little unsweetened cocoa powder
- Swap in any nut butter like almond, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter. Whatever nut butter you use, the protein from them plus the healthy and gluten-free oats will be a great meal to start the day.
Recipe FAQs
Do you eat overnight oats cold?
Overnight oats are traditionally created to be eaten cold. You leave them in the fridge overnight with the milk so the oats and seeds soak up all of the liquid instead of using heat to do it. You can microwave them before eating if that's your preference.
What kind of oats do you use for overnight oats?
For the best results, use regular old-fashioned oats or thick rolled oats. They're just right to stand up to the milk soaking all night so they won't be soggy the next day. They hold their structure really well and make the perfect overnight oat recipe.
Are overnight oats healthy?
Overnight oats are a well-balanced and healthy breakfast or snack. They're full of fiber and these peanut butter oats have healthy fats. The rolled oats are gluten free and this recipe is dairy free. Overall a very healthy option!
How long do overnight oats last out of the fridge?
Overnight oats are best when eating within 5 days of putting them in the fridge. Which is w
Overnight oats are best when eating within 5 days of putting them in the fridge. Just portion them out and store them in an airtight container or mason jar—which is why they're perfect for meal prep Sunday night! By the time you make a batch, you'll have one serving every weekday morning through Friday.
Tools For This Recipe
Box grater to shred the carrots: You could also pulse them in a food processor to speed up the process.
Storage container to soak the oats overnight in the fridge: Our favorite sealable container is a mason jar or Weck jars.
If you love this recipe as much as I do, don't forget to follow me on Instagram and tag me with @what_mollymade so I can see it and feature you.
More High-Protein Breakfast Recipes
If you want to try other easy overnight oats recipes, good news — we have plenty to choose from. Start withblueberry overnight oats, pumpkin pie overnight oats, or strawberry cheesecake overnight oats.
Another perfect healthy breakfast idea is this cottage cheese toast. or savory quinoa breakfast bowl.
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 2 ¼ cups Gluten Free Rolled Oats (I used Bob's Red Mill)
- ¼ cup chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ½ cup mashed ripe banana (about 2 medium bananas)
- 3 tablespoons peanut butter (or almond butter)
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 ¾ cups dairy free milk (almond, cashew, etc)
- 2 scoops vanilla or peanut butter protein powder (optional)
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir with a wooden spoon to incorporate.
- Cover mixture with plastic wrap or divide mixture into 4-5 separate containers and cover then place in the refrigerator overnight or up to 12 hours.
- Eat and share immediately or save for the week for meal prep.
Michele says
I just tried these overnight oats and they are so delicious! They kept me feeling full for so long!