Filling and Delicious High Protein Overnight Oats
High Protein Overnight Oats with peanut butter make a delicious vegan breakfast option that’s both healthy and satisfying. Perfect for meal prep, this recipe is packed with flavor and nutrients, offering a convenient way to start your day without relying on protein powder.
For another high protein breakfast recipe, try my Cheesecake Protein Pudding next!
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are one of my favorite quick breakfasts, and this recipe is hard to beat. Soaked in liquid overnight and chilled in the fridge, the oats become creamy with no cooking required. It’s simple, delicious, and ready to enjoy when you wake up.
I love how versatile this recipe is. You can change up the toppings or swap out the nut butter to keep things fresh throughout the week. Since it’s egg-free and dairy-free, it’s a healthy option that works for almost anyone.
This is also perfect for meal prep. Make a few jars at once and grab one in the morning for a nutritious start to your day. It’s a vegan breakfast that fits into any routine with ease.
What Makes these Overnight Oats High Protein?
These overnight oats are high in protein thanks to the combination of peanut butter, flaxseed, and oat milk. Peanut butter adds a creamy texture and a significant protein boost, while flaxseed is not only high in protein but also great for heart and gut health. Oat milk adds extra protein without any dairy, making this a vegan-friendly option.
Ingredients
- Rolled oats: I use rolled oats because they soak up the liquid perfectly overnight, creating a creamy texture without getting mushy.
- Ground flaxseed: This adds a boost of protein, fiber, and omega-3s, which are great for heart and gut health.
- Ground cinnamon: A warm, slightly sweet spice that enhances the flavor of the oats without overpowering them.
- Date sugar: Completely optional, but it adds a natural sweetness if you like your oats on the sweeter side.
- Vanilla oat milk: My favorite dairy-free milk for its subtle vanilla flavor, but any plant-based milk will work.
- Peanut butter: Adds protein, healthy fats, and a rich, nutty flavor that makes the oats so satisfying.
- Date syrup: A natural sweetener that complements the peanut butter and cinnamon beautifully.
- Banana: Mashing half into the oats adds creaminess and sweetness, while the slices on top make for a perfect finishing touch.
- Walnuts: I love the crunch and heart-healthy fats they bring, but you can swap them with any nuts or seeds you prefer.
How to Make Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
See recipe card for ingredient quantities and full instructions.
Combine the Dry Ingredients
I start by adding rolled oats, ground flaxseed, cinnamon, and a touch of date sugar into a mason jar. Using a jar with a lid makes it easy to shake or stir later. If you’re not into sweet oats, feel free to skip the date sugar—it’s totally optional!
Add the Wet Ingredients
Next, I pour in vanilla oat milk (or any dairy-free milk I have on hand), followed by a drizzle of date syrup and a generous spoonful of peanut butter. If I’m adding protein powder, I mix it in at this stage too. These ingredients bring the creamy texture and rich flavor to the oats.
Mash the Banana
I mash half of a banana with a fork, stirring it into the oats mixture. This step gives the oats extra creaminess and a natural sweetness. The other half is saved for topping in the morning.
Mix and Refrigerate
I give everything a good stir, making sure the oats are fully coated in the liquid and peanut butter. Once mixed, I seal the jar with the lid and pop it into the fridge. Letting it chill for at least 6 hours (or overnight) ensures the oats soften and soak up all the flavors.
Add Toppings and Enjoy
In the morning, I stir the oats to loosen them up and check the texture. If they feel too thick, I add a splash of oat milk to get them just right. Then, I top them with banana slices, walnuts, and an extra drizzle of peanut butter or date syrup for good measure.
Tips
Don’t skip the step of mashing half the banana into the oats before soaking them. It adds natural sweetness and creaminess, taking the texture and flavor to the next level. This small step makes the oats taste indulgent without needing extra sugar.
Vegan Overnight Oats Recipe Substitutions & Variations
- Switch the milk: Use almond milk, soy milk, or any other dairy-free milk in place of vanilla oat milk.
- Try a different nut butter: Substitute peanut butter with almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for a unique flavor.
- Add a chocolate twist: Mix in a tablespoon of cocoa powder or sprinkle chocolate chips for a rich, dessert-like treat.
- Incorporate chia seeds: Stir in a tablespoon of chia seeds for an extra dose of fiber and omega-3s.
- Boost creaminess: Add a dollop of vegan Greek yogurt to make the oats even creamier.
- Switch the nuts: Replace walnuts with sliced almonds, pecans, or even pumpkin seeds for a different crunch.
- Experiment with fruit: Top the oats with fresh berries, sliced peaches, or diced mango instead of bananas.
- Sweeten it differently: Swap date syrup for maple syrup, agave, or even a drizzle of honey if you’re not strictly vegan.
Storage
Store high protein overnight oats in an airtight container or mason jar with a lid to keep them fresh. They’ll last in the fridge for up to 4 days, making them perfect for meal prep.
If the oats thicken too much over time, just stir in a splash of your favorite dairy-free milk to loosen them up. Keep any toppings separate until you’re ready to eat for the best texture and flavor.
FAQ
Can I use instant oats instead of rolled oats?
Instant oats will become too mushy when soaked overnight, so rolled oats are the best choice for the right texture.
How can I make the oats thinner in the morning?
If the oats are too thick, just stir in a little more dairy-free milk until they reach your desired consistency.
Is eating overnight oats every day healthy?
Eating overnight oats every day can be healthy, but it’s important to consider a few potential downsides. The high fiber content may cause some bloating, and oats’ phytic acid can reduce mineral absorption over time. To minimize this, soak the oats properly and pair them with a varied diet. Overall, they’re a nutritious, convenient option when balanced with other foods.
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After you try this Vegan Overnight Oats recipe, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Comment below and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube for more delicious recipes!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon Ground flaxseed
- 1/2 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon Date sugar optional, for extra sweetness
- 3/4 cup Vanilla oat milk sub any dairy free milk of your choice
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon Date syrup
- 1/2 Banana sliced, plus more for topping
- 1/4 cup Walnuts roughly chopped
Instructions
- Add the rolled oats, ground flaxseed, cinnamon, and date sugar to a mason jar that has a lid.
- Now add in the wet Ingredients: gently pour in the vanilla oat milk, date syrup, and add the peanut butter. If you’re using protein powder, add it here too.
- Mash the Banana: Mash half of the banana with a fork and stir it into the oats mixture for extra flavor and creaminess. Reserve the other half for topping later.
- Mix everything together until the oats are evenly coated with the liquid and peanut butter.
- Cover the jar with the lid and let it sit in the fridge for at least 6 hours or overnight so that the oats can soak up all of the liquids and get tender.
- Toppings: In the morning, give the oats a quick stir. Slice the remaining banana and top your oats with the banana slices, strawberries, raspberries, chopped walnuts, and an extra drizzle of date syrup or peanut butter if you want.
- Enjoy!
Equipment
- Mason jar airtight container with a lid
- Small bowl (optional, for mashing banana)
Notes
- Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder for even more protein if desired.
- If the oats are too thick in the morning, you can add a little more oat milk to loosen them up.
- You can also swap walnuts for any other nut or seed of your choice.
- For an extra boost, you can top with chia seeds or hemp hearts.