A meal prep ready, hearty and satisfying breakfast to pull together! Peanut Butter Overnight Oats Recipe is easy to make and is versatile enough to adapt for dietary needs. I’m sharing how to make peanut butter oats four ways with vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options!
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Meal Prep for Overnight Peanut Butter Oats
I was probably late in the game – discovering overnight oats. But it was when I was teaching that this hearty, grab n go breakfast was brought to my attention. Another teacher brought overnight oatmeal to an early morning meeting. You know I had my eye on them! How could I resist? They were just like these Overnight Oats with Coconut Milk. I was smitten!
In an effort to discover this creamy, make ahead breakfast, I started playing with proportions, and including various add-ins, like creamy peanut butter or other nut butter, yogurt, chia seeds, cacao, etc. Over time, overnight oats became a weekly habit, especially during summer. And why not? They’re easy to meal prep which ensures there’s no early morning tummy rumbles.
Quick Guide: How to Make Overnight Oats with Peanut Butter
Making overnight oats couldn’t be easier. With five pantry ingredients, prep time is kept to a minimum. For this healthy recipe, I’m sharing two delicious variations, with easy optional add ins to keep things interesting and to enjoy seasonal ingredients! Make these overnight peanut butter oats vegetarian or dairy free (vegan). In summary, here’s how to make em’ (see recipe card for details):
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats with Yogurt:
- First, in a small jar, mix oats, milk, yogurt, and maple syrup. Stir in the peanut butter.
- Next, lid the jar and rest in the fridge overnight.
- Last, in the morning, stir, add toppings and enjoy.
Dairy Free Peanut Butter Overnight Oats (Vegan):
- First, in a small jar, mix oats, maple syrup, dairy free milk such as homemade cashew milk or vanilla almond milk, and chia seeds.
- Second, rest 3-5 minutes and mix again. Swirl in the peanut butter.
- Next, lid the jar and rest in the fridge overnight.
- Last, in the morning, stir, add toppings and enjoy.
Why Overnight Oats?
Health Benefits: Oats have many health benefits including digestive support, they’re whole grain, support blood sugar balance and can help reduce LDL cholesterol. They have a fair amount of protein and fiber to keep us feeling satisfied through the morning.
SO Flavorful: Oats just taste good! They have an Earthy flavor and help produce a rich creamy texture in this recipe.
Convenient: Overnight oats are simple to whip up and convenient to have in the refrigerator the next morning without having to make breakfast. Especially when you’re flying out the door!
Versatile: Make em’ gluten free overnight oats, with or without yogurt, use milk of choice, top with favorite berries, jam, seeds, diced apples or stewed apples, or bananas and chocolate chips! An overnight oats breakfast bar is fun for a small crowd.
How to Enjoy Overnight Oats
Use small Mason jars or Weck jars for individual portions. Overnight oats taste amazing chilled, however they can be gently warmed if desired. Simply pop em’ in the microwave for about 30-45 seconds.
How Long Do Peanut Butter Overnight Oats Last?
Without added toppings, enjoy overnight oats up to three days after making. I’ve tested this recipe with and without toppings in the fridge over a three day period. Some toppings fare better than others for meal prep. For example, blueberries and apples hold up well, strawberries and bananas not so much. They tend to get mushy as they set in the fridge.
What to Top Overnight Oats With
There are SO many options and the sky is the limit! Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats: top oats with slice bananas just before enjoying. A sprinkle of cocoa nibs or mini chocolate chips are such a delight!
- PB&J Overnight Oats: Swirl in your favorite jam! Be sure to omit the maple syrup if making PB&J oats.
- Peanut Butter and Apples Overnight Oats: Dice up your favorite apple, top oats up to one day before enjoying. Sprinkle apples with cinnamon and enjoy! Or, give my stewed apples or blueberry compote a try (they’re make ahead ready too!).
- Simply Overnight Oats with Peanut Butter: Enjoy simply or with a sprinkle of your favorite seeds, like chia or hemp hearts.
What Kind Of Peanut Butter to Use
I like natural peanut butter. Look for organic, roasted, unsweetened, lightly salted peanut butter. It’s the gloppy kind you’ll need to stir before enjoying. My favorite brand is Santa Cruiz.
Which Oats to Use for Overnight Oats
For a hearty texture, use regular old fashioned rolled oats. They offer a rich consistency and their texture is soft yet noticeable. Look for rolled oats in the bulk bins for best value.
If gluten free, look for gluten free certified rolled oats. I like Bob’s Red Mill certified gluten free oats. Oats are naturally gluten free, however they’re easily cross contaminated during processing if processed in a facility that also processes gluten containing grains.
A Few Recipe Notes
- Vegan Peanut Butter Overnight Oats: use your favorite dairy free yogurt, or omit the yogurt and make my dairy free variation with plant milk and chia seeds! It’s such a delight!
- Make Ahead? Yes please, up to three days.
- Single or Multiple Batch: I make a triple batch for convenience. Simply scale up the number of servings you’d like from the single recipe and portion into individual storage containers.
- Storage Containers: Portion single serves in 8 oz Mason or Weck jars for ultimate convenience!
More Healthy Breakfast Recipes to Love
- Creamy Coconut Porridge
- Pumpkin Porridge
- Sourdough Oatmeal Pancakes
- Gluten Free Sourdough Waffles
- Banana Pecan Oat Waffles
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Ingredients
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats with Yogurt:
- 1/3 C (35g) Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
- 1/4 C (60g) Milk dairy or plant, I use homemade cashew*
- 1/4 C (60g) Whole Milk Greek Yogurt plain, unsweetened
- 1-2 tsp Maple Syrup or to taste. omit if swirling in jam
- 1 Tbs Natural Peanut Butter
Dairy Free Peanut Butter Overnight Oats:
- 1/3 C (35g) Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
- 1/2 C (120g) Dairy Free Milk I use homemade cashew milk*
- 1 Tbs Chia Seeds
- 1-2 tsp Maple Syrup or to taste. omit if swirling in jam.
- 1 Tbs Natural Peanut Butter
Optional Toppings:
- Stewed Apples
- Sliced Bananas and Mini Chocolate Chips or Cocoa Nibs
- Favorite Jam omit maple syrup if using.
- Seasonal Berries
- Diced Apples sprinkled with cinnamon
Instructions
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats with Yogurt:
- Into an 8oz (226g) or small Mason jar, add the oats, milk, yogurt and maple syrup. Stir. Taste for sweetness and adjust to taste. Top the oats with peanut butter or swirl it in.
- Lid and refrigerate overnight or up to three days.
Dairy Free Peanut Butter Overnight Oats:
- Into an 8oz (226g) or small Mason jar, add the oats, milk, chia seeds and maple syrup. Stir. Allow to set for 3-5 minutes to thicken and stir again to distribute the chia seeds. Taste for sweetness and adjust if needed. Top the oats with peanut butter or swirl it in.
- Lid and refrigerate overnight or up to three days.
To Enjoy:
- When ready to enjoy, stir, add a splash of milk if desired and top with diced apples, and sprinkle with cinnamon. Share simply with bananas or jam. Or, give my stewed apples or blueberry compote a try (they're make ahead ready too!).
