Packed with extra protein to power your day, these high protein overnight oats are the ultimate make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings. Craving more? Don’t miss these delicious overnight oat recipes!
Key Ingredients
While I love a warm bowl of oatmeal, some mornings call for a grab-and-go option. Here’s what you need to whip up this easy protein overnight oats recipe.
- Oatmeal: Go ahead and call me Goldilocks. Steel-cut oats are too chewy, while quick oats tend to get mushy, old-fashioned rolled oats are just right!
- Chia Seeds: Chia seeds are a great way to add texture and a little protein. Out of chia seeds? Find a quick substitute for chia seeds, or leave them out.
- Milk: Use water or your favorite milk to prepare the old-fashioned oats. Unsweetened almond milk is my go-to for this recipe—it pairs perfectly with the chocolate protein powder and creamy almond butter topping. Try regular milk, oat milk, soy milk, or coconut milk, as I do for overnight oats with coconut milk, to find what you like.
- Protein Powder: Any flavor will do, but chocolate protein powder is my favorite. Or skip the protein powder and reach for your favorite protein drink, such as Fairlife, Orgain, or Premier Protein Shake, and pour it straight into the oats.
What’s the best protein powder for overnight oats?
The best type of protein powder depends on your budget, diet, and personal preferences, but here are a few suggestions.
Whey Protein: Whey blends smoothly and adds a creamy texture to the oats. I use double chocolate Optimum Nutrition protein powder for my husband’s overnight oats.
Plant-Based Protein Powder: Perfect for vegans and those avoiding dairy, options like pea protein, hemp protein, or brown rice protein work well. Remember that plant-based powders can be chalkier, so plan your mix-ins accordingly. I prepare overnight oats with chocolate Truvani protein powder when making overnight oats for myself.
Collagen Peptides: Collagen peptides dissolve quickly into milk without changing the flavor, making them ideal if you want extra protein without altering the taste. If using collagen, consider using flavored collagen powder, a sweetener, or a mix-in like Dutch-process cocoa powder since most of the flavor for this protein overnight oats recipe comes from the protein powder you use.
Whatever powder you choose, mix the powder with milk or water before adding it to the oats to ensure it is well blended.
- Toppings: Finish the oats with a drizzle of melted almond butter (I use the Kirkland brand from Costco)—or your favorite nut or seed butter—and a sprinkle of sugar-free chocolate chips before digging in.
Additions and Substitutions
Use this overnight oats recipe as a starting point. Get as creative as you like with different flavors and your favorite toppings.
- Experiment with mix-ins: Boost the protein by mixing Greek yogurt or cottage cheese into the overnight oats.
- Try more protein flavors. Chocolate protein powder is a versatile choice and pairs well with different mix-ins. However, I always recommend using what you have in your pantry—vanilla protein powder, peanut butter protein powder, and salted caramel protein powder are popular choices for the breakfast treat.
- Sweeten the oats. For a sweeter breakfast or a healthy dessert snack, stir pure maple syrup, honey, agave syrup, or a sugar-free option like monk fruit into the liquid before mixing it with the rolled oats.
How to Make Protein Overnight Oats with Protein Powder
The full recipe with measurements is in the recipe card below.
Step 1: Combine the rolled oats and chia seeds in an airtight container or Mason jar.
Step 2: Mix the milk, chocolate protein powder, and sea salt in a glass jar or liquid measuring cup using a whisk or milk frother until the powder is fully incorporated.
Step 3: Pour the protein mixture into the jar with the oats and chia seeds and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate overnight (at least 2 hours).
Step 4: Finish the overnight oats with melted almond butter and chocolate chips when you’re ready to eat.
Expert Tips
- Mix the protein first. Whisk the milk and chocolate protein powder before mixing it into the oats. This helps the protein powder dissolve so you don’t find chalky clumps in your overnight oats.
- Give the oats extra room. Use a glass jar or container with extra space—the oats and chia seeds will expand as they soak. The same goes for any mix-ins you add, like fruit, yogurt, or nuts.
- Do you have to soak the oats overnight? Although called overnight oats, they only need to soak for 2-3 hours before they’re ready to eat—the longer the oats soak, the softer they become.
- Stir before you serve. Stir the oats to distribute the flavors before adding your toppings. If they’ve thickened too much in the fridge, add a splash of milk to bring the oats back to life, and enjoy!
If you enjoy high protein overnight oats, try more high-protein breakfast treats!
Serving Suggestions
Breakfast that comes together while you sleep? That’s hard to beat! The protein overnight oats combine three simple ingredients—rolled oats, your choice of liquid, and chocolate protein powder. Any toppings or mix-ins you include are an added bonus. I drizzle melted almond butter and a few chocolate chips, but here are some topping ideas to mix things up.
Toasted nuts and seeds—walnuts, pumpkin seeds, pecans, sunflower seeds, shaved almonds—are a great way to add a little crunch.
Top the oats with a dollop of homemade fig jam, Nutella, Biscoff cookie butter, or your favorite nut or seed butter.
Brighten the dish with fresh raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, mango chunks, or banana slices on top or on the side to complete the meal.
How Long Do Overnight Oats Last?
- Refrigerate: Overnight oats stay fresh in the fridge for five days– perfect for weekly meal prep! Store them in the airtight container or glass jar you make them in. If the oats seem dry or sticky after sitting in the fridge, add a splash of milk. Give it a good mix, and they’re ready to enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you eat overnight oats warm or cold?
Serve overnight oats chilled straight from the fridge for a convenient, no-cook breakfast. But, if you’re craving something warm, microwave the oats in 30-second increments before stirring and adding your toppings.
What is the ratio of oats to liquid for overnight oats?
It comes down to personal preference. I usually like a 1:1 ratio of old-fashioned oats to milk. However, I always adjust the liquid if I am adding chia seeds and other mix-ins that may soak up more liquid.
Are overnight oats a good source of protein?
You can have your oatmeal and your protein, too! Overnight oats can be a great source of protein, depending on what you include. A serving (1/2 cup) of old-fashioned rolled oats has 5 grams of protein; increase the protein with milk, protein powder, chia seeds, and other mix-ins. These protein-packed overnight oats have 30 grams of protein per serving.
More Overnight Oats Recipes:
Protein Overnight Oats
- Airtight Container or Mason Jar
- ⅓ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- ⅓ cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- 1 pinch sea salt
- 2 tablespoons almond butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon Lily's chocolate chips
- Combine the rolled oats and chia seeds in an airtight container or Mason jar.
- Mix the milk, chocolate protein powder, and sea salt in a glass jar or liquid measuring cup using a whisk or milk frother until the powder is fully incorporated.
- Pour the protein mixture into the jar with the oats and chia seeds and stir to combine. Cover and refrigerate overnight (at least 2 hours).
- Finish the overnight oats with melted almond butter and chocolate chips when you’re ready to eat.
- Mix the protein first. Whisk the milk and chocolate protein powder before mixing it into the oats. This helps the protein powder dissolve so you don’t find chalky clumps in your overnight oats.
- Give the oats extra room. Use a glass jar or container with extra space—the oats and chia seeds will expand as they soak. The same goes for any mix-ins you add, like fruit, yogurt, or nuts.
- Do you have to soak the oats overnight? Although called overnight oats, they only need to soak for 2-3 hours before they’re ready to eat—the longer the oats soak, the softer they become.
- Stir before you serve. Stir the oats to distribute the flavors before adding your toppings. If they’ve thickened too much in the fridge, add a splash of milk to bring the oats back to life, and enjoy!
Shari
Wednesday 25th of January 2023
We found this recipe on Google and have been making them at least once a week since. Thank you for the recipe.
Tressa Jamil
Wednesday 25th of January 2023
I am so happy to hear that these protein overnight oats have been a win for you; thank you for taking the time to rate and comment.