This recipe for overnight oats without chia seeds is simple, versatile and healthy, plus it is a perfect make-ahead breakfast or snack. This basic overnight oats recipe requires 3 ingredients and you will find many ideas on how you can customize it. Fully vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free.
Overnight oats are my go-to easy breakfast most mornings.
I like how you can whip up a big batch at the beginning of a busy week and let it thicken in the fridge without any effort. But, I often get "What can I use instead of chia seeds in overnight oats?". Chia seeds can be expensive and their tapioca texture might not be your thing. Or, you might have run out of it. You actually don't need chia seeds to make overnight oats!
Making a no-chia seeds overnight oats recipe using just oats is ultra simple (5-min of prep time) and made using 3 kitchen staple ingredients: thick rolled oats, plant-based milk (such as oat milk) and sweetener of choice (I prefer maple syrup).
✅ Want to try more vegan overnight oat recipes? Check out these high-protein overnight oats, quinoa overnight oats and overnight oats with frozen fruits.
I hope you give it a try. Let me know how it turned out! ❤️
Jump to:
➡️ What are overnight oats?
Overnight oats is a mixture made by combining rolled oats with milk, and usually flavoring ingredients of your choice. The cold overnight oats have to rest for a few hours for the consistency to turn thick and creamy, explaining its name.
❤️ Why you will love this recipe
- Perfect no-cook meal prep recipe for quick breakfasts on busy mornings
- Made with healthy ingredients and LOADED with fiber, plant-based protein and healthy fats.
- Can be personalized in so many ways
- Kid-friendly and budget-friendly
- Nutritious and filling recipe
- Fits many diets: vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and easy-to-make nut-free
🗒 Ingredient notes (+ substitutions)
- Rolled oats: thick or old-fashioned oats are best to make overnight oats. Quick oats lose all texture after soaking in milk, making the overnight oats too mushy. On the other side, steel-cut oats aren't working either as they need to be cooked to be soft enough to enjoy. That being said, if you only have quick-cooking oats, then yes, you can still make it, although the consistency will be a little runnier and soft. Look for certified gluten-free oats if necessary.
- Plant-based milk: I love oat milk from oatly for making overnight oats as it is already so creamy and slightly sweet from the natural sugar from rolled oats. But, you can use your milk of choice, such as almond milk (adds a delicious nutty flavor) or soy milk (adds more protein). Coconut milk also is great for adding flavor and making overnight oats ultra-rich!
- Sweetener: I like pure maple syrup for making overnight oats. It has a delicious caramel-like flavor and the consistency works well in a pudding-like texture. You can also use agave nectar. In a pinch, you can also use a little brown sugar if that's all you have.
- Almond butter: you don't have to use it, but it adds such an amazing creamy and rich consistency. Also, it boosts your breakfast with more plant-based protein and healthy fats to help you stay full longer.
⭐️ Full list of ingredients (+ quantities) down below in the recipe card!
📝 Variations to the recipe
- Protein-packed: add more of the almond butter or switch to peanut butter to add more protein to your breakfast. Other protein-rich ingredients to consider are hemp seeds, protein powder, almond meal (or almond flour) or cooked quinoa (check out my quinoa overnight oats!).
- High-antioxidant: stir in a spoonful of raw cacao powder to make a chocolatey version, but also to add a ton of healthy free radical-fighting antioxidants. Raw cacao nibs also are great! Also, you can add antioxidant-rich matcha green tea powder to your overnight oats!
- Fiber-boosted: this overnight oats recipe is already rich in fiber, but to add even more of it, then blend in some ground flax seeds. Chopped prunes also is great to include more fiber in your meal or try psyllium husk!
- Spices: I like a combination of vanilla and a little cinnamon, but feel free to also include nutmeg, ground cardamom, pumpkin spice mix, ground ginger, chai mix, etc.
- Ultra creamy texture: you can also stir in some vegan yogurt for a creamy consistency.
🍽 How to make overnight oats without chia seeds
Step 1: In an airtight container, combine the rolled oats, plant-based milk, maple syrup, almond butter (if using) cinnamon and vanilla extract.
Step 2: Stir to combine until it is uniform and then, cover.
Step 3: Transfer to the fridge and let it rest for at least 4 hours or overnight.
Step 4: When ready to eat, give the overnight oats a good stir. If it is thicker than what you want, then add a little more milk and stir again. Serve as you wish with fruit jam (I layered mine with the strawberry rhubarb compote in this vanilla barley breakfast bowl), fresh fruits, nuts, etc (see below). Enjoy!
⭐️ Detailed recipe (+ video) down below in the recipe card!
💡 Helpful tips
- The longer the overnight oats rest, the thicker it becomes. So, make sure to check on consistency and add more milk if needed.
- Try to add fresh fruits last minute or just before enjoying. You can also simply mix the overnight oats mixture and then top with the fruits without stirring them in (keep them on top while you store them). This helps keep their freshness, which is great if you are planning on meal-prepping a few overnight oats at a time.
- If you are avoiding any added processed sweetener, then instead of maple syrup, you can add a mashed banana or chopped dates. Apple sauce can also help sweeten it naturally.
🍴 Serving suggestions
Here are my favorite toppings or adds-on when serving:
- Fresh fruits: as seen in the pictures, I topped it with blueberries and yellow ground cherries (straight from my garden!). Other fresh fruits that work great are bananas, mango, strawberries, raspberries (you can also mash them for a saucy result), pineapple, pear, blackberries, etc.
- Frozen fruits: I make overnight oats using frozen fruit all the time, especially when I run out of fresh fruit at the end of the week. You can slightly thaw them in the microwave before incorporating them into the overnight oats. Check out my overnight oats with frozen fruit recipe for inspiration!
- Nuts/seeds: hemp seeds are great in overnight oats since they are mostly undetectable and add a heaping serving of healthy fats and plant-based protein. You can include about 1 tablespoon per serving. Also, try adding chopped walnuts, almonds, sunflower seeds or pecans to add texture and nutrients. For the best crunchy texture, then enjoy it right away!
- Yogurt: layering overnight oats with yogurt is an easy way to create fun layers of texture and add extra flavor. I used the vanilla soy yogurt this time.
- Granola: you can add a small handful of yummy granola over the top just when serving just to add a nice crunchy topping to the otherwise very soft consistency. A great option is my easy 5-ingredient vanilla almond granola or try this turmeric superfood granola for a nice boost of antioxidants.
- Dessert-like: up for a nice treat? Then, feel free to serve overnight oats with a vegan chocolate sauce, tahini caramel, fruit jam, date caramel spread or simply toss in a few vegan chocolate chips.
❗️Storage tips and how to meal prep
This is the perfect make-ahead breakfast recipe!
You can make a big batch of it on Sunday night, store it in separate individualized portions and enjoy them throughout a busy week. 16 oz mason jars are great for that and you can flavor them differently to keep things interesting.
Don't forget to check on texture just before enjoying them since they often get thicker while resting. Also, add the fresh fruits only when ready to eat or keep them on top of the overnight oats to preserve freshness.
How long do overnight oats last?
You can make them up to 5 days ahead, although I think they are best when eaten within 3 days.
❓ FAQs
Yes, you can! Overnight oats are typically enjoyed cold straight from the fridge or at room temperature, but if you are a hot oatmeal kind of person, then you can also easily warm it up. Simply use the stove or the microwave and add some more milk if needed (warming them up will make them thicker).
Yes, you can. Feel free to make a big batch and thaw some the next week.
Yes, totally. If you run out of milk, then simply make it with water and ideally, add some vegan yogurt to make it richer and creamier.
I actually make overnight oats often the morning of when I need them. I get up early, prep the mixture and let it rest until I am hungry, which is about 1-2 hours later. In that case, the oats are more chewy and the overall texture is thinner and less creamy, but I like it like that. For a creamier result, then aim to have it rest for at least 4 hours.
Make sure to use a nut-free plant-based milk (such as oat milk) and also, omit the almond butter or swap for sunflower butter or pumpkin seed butter.
🌱 More overnight oats recipes to try
I hope you like this overnight oatmeal without chia seeds recipe as much as we do! If you try it, please leave a comment below and rate the recipe to let me know how it was. Your feedback is so helpful!
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📖 Recipe
Overnight Oats without Chia Seeds
Ingredients
- ¾ cup rolled oats - old-fashioned style
- ¾ cup plant-based milk of choice - I used oat milk
- 1-2 tbsp maple syrup - or other sweetener of choice
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- pinch of cinnamon
- ½-1 tbsp almond butter or ¼ cup of vegan yogurt - optional, to add more creaminess
Instructions
- In an airtight container, combine together the oats, milk, sweetener, vanilla extract, cinnamon and almond butter, if using. Then, cover and let it rest in the fridge overnight (or for at least 4 hours).
- The next day, give the oats a good stir and add more milk if needed. Then, taste and adjust sweeteness.
- To serve, you can layer with vegan yogurt or fruit jam (I used a strawberry rhubarb compote to make mine) and top with fresh fruits, nuts, seeds, granola, etc. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Storage tips: you can make a big batch and keep it in the fridge for up to 5 days. The longer it rests, the thicker it becomes, so adjust with more milk as needed.
- I share many ways you can serve this recipe in the blog post, so be sure to check it out!
- Nutrition: please note that the nutritional information is an estimate per serving provided for informational purposes only (calculated by software) and accuracy is not guaranteed. Consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if you need precise nutrition calculations for health reasons.
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