Busy mornings call for Cinnamon Overnight Oats! This healthy and quick breakfast is made without yogurt, is vegan-friendly and can easily be made ahead of time and eaten on the go.
The last thing you want to do when you wake up on a chaotic Monday morning is to make breakfast, right? Thankfully, these Cinnamon Overnight Oats are ready to eat before you even get up!
This overnight oats recipe is cozy and filling thanks to a handful of simple ingredients. Rolled oats, dairy free milk, maple syrup, chocolate chips, and cinnamon are transformed into a delicious meal that always keeps you full for hours (just like my coffee overnight oats and PB&J overnight oats). Plus, you can’t beat the convenience of grabbing a jar and heading out the door!
Recipe features
- This recipe is made without yogurt, but can easily be customized to your liking.
- It’s a naturally dairy free, vegan, and gluten free meal prep recipe.
- A quick, simple, and filling breakfast you can prepare days ahead of time.
Ingredient notes:
- Rolled oats - Old fashioned oats (AKA rolled oats) are my favorite in overnight oat recipes because they soften without getting soggy. They’re the best choice over steel cut oats or quick oats.
- Cinnamon - You can even add a cinnamon stick for a gorgeous presentation.
- Almond milk - Any dairy free milk or regular milk will work.
- Maple syrup - The warmth and sweetness from maple syrup will balance each bite. Honey, cane sugar, brown sugar, or stevia works too!
- Vanilla extract - Optional, but so warm and delicious.
- Chocolate chips - To give this healthy breakfast some pizazz.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Stir everything together. Stir the milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract together in a bowl. Whisk in the oats, cinnamon, and chocolate chips next.
Step 2: Store in jars. Pour the mixture into small mason jars (or leave it in the bowl) and place in the fridge overnight.
Step 3: Enjoy! Top the soaked oatmeal with sliced bananas the next day and dig in!
Tips and FAQs
- If you need the overnight oats to be gluten free, make sure the rolled oats you use are certified gluten free.
- Top each jar of oats with sliced bananas, chopped apples, fresh berries, cinnamon raisin granola, whipped cream, or homemade jam for a boost of flavor.
- Want to replicate your favorite cinnamon rolls? Add a drizzle of vanilla glaze on top to give your cinnamon roll overnight oats a burst of sweetness!
- For one serving, store the oats in one 16-ounce mason jar. If you prefer smaller servings, pour the oat mixture into two 8-ounce mason jars.
What else can you add to overnight oats?
Chopped apples and bananas pair so well with cinnamon and oats. You could also stir in chia seeds, hemp seeds, protein powder, cocoa powder, Greek yogurt, vegan yogurt, or peanut butter to give the taste and texture a boost.
How long can overnight oats be stored in the fridge?
Cinnamon overnight oats will keep for about 5 days when kept in sealed glass jars in the fridge.
Can overnight oats be frozen?
Yes! You can double or triple the recipe and freeze them in sealedsingle serving jars. Just let them thaw overnight in the fridge, then enjoy the next day.
More make-ahead breakfast recipes
If you made this recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Thanks!
Cinnamon Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup almond milk or milk of choice
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla optional
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoon chocolate chips
Instructions
- Stir the milk, syrup and vanilla together in a bowl. Then, add the oats, cinnamon and chocolate chips and stir to combine.
- Pour the mixture into a jar (or leave it in the bowl) and place it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
UPDATE NOTE: This post was originally published in May 2015. It was updated with new text and photos in January 2022.
Michaela says
I’ve made this 3 times now. It’s my go to overnight oat recipe. I love the blend of cinnamon and cocoa.
Erin says
That's great to hear! Glad it's become a staple for you.
Manuel says
One of the easiest and healthiest ideas!
Thank you.
Amanda says
As a fellow currently planning my wedding bride, let me just say that the whole give a gift when you first *ask* someone to be your bridesmaid is a pretty new thing, and I think it should totally be your call. If you want to do a creative ask involving a gift, go for it! If you don't, don't. The one thing that *isn't* optional is getting a gift to give to every member of your bridal party the day of your wedding (or at the rehearsal dinner) as a thank you for being in the wedding.
Whitney Carney says
I would be completely happy if I was your bridesmaid and you gave me these oats. Just sayin'. 🙂
Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks says
This would be perfect if I'm craving sweets when I wake up - just get that craving out of the way in the AM with these oats!
Kaylin @ Enticing Healthy Eating says
You know, I need to try more overnight oats. I'm already ridiculously addicted to oatmeal for breakfast, I need to surprise myself one morning and try overnight oats. Here's to spontaneity! Anyways, as for the bridesmaid gifts: I did actually get my bridesmaids a small basket of 4 things each when I asked them. But I wanted to get them things they would use. Each gift basket contained a small scented body wash, small candle, some red and pink sprinkles, and a rose gold bracelet with a small arrow on it as a charm. I wanted to get them useful things, not just something they would put away in a drawer and forget about using some day. They all loved them! And I really did well on my budget, I even broke down the costs of each of the items on my blog post I wrote about my bridesmaid gift boxes on my blog. Good luck with more wedding planning!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
ooooo oatmeal!! Lol, I swear ages ago you told me you didn't like oats so glad the tastebuds have changed! These look so good and I'm digging the chocolate and cinnamon combo!
Erin says
Well.. I like overnight oats but I dislike oatmeal. It makes no sense. Warm oats--I just can't.
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
Definitely agree that chocolate for breakfast is never a bad idea! And I don't think enough people realize how much better chocolate gets with a hint of cinnamon. Match made in heaven, I tell ya.
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie says
Chocolate for breakfast?! I am all over it! Especially when I can make it the night before and it is ready for me in the morning 🙂
Ang @ Nutty for Life says
I've been craving overnight oats recently, because I usually eat them cold. I should whip up a batch asap (prob of this recipe! haha). Although my mom might be devastated she won't get her AM smoothie.
I totally feel ya on the bridesmaid gift front. You're already spending beaucoup (big word alert) $$ on the wedding itself, and I mean .. are they really going to use the gift you give them or is it just going to go to waste? I guess the only caveat is that they're spending money on you too for the shower & the bachelorette party, so I think some people see that as a sort of thank you gift. But if anything I would give that at the actual day of the wedding, not as an asking gift. I think a cute card is sufficient.
I had no idea I even had an opinion about this until now.
Erin says
HAHAH you crack me up. I like your advice and I'm glad to see your opinionated side shine through. Thanks for the input lady.
Katalina @ Peas and Peonies says
This looks like a very fancy, delicious and yet healthy breakfast. Love it!
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape says
I simply sent my bridesmaids a handwritten card asking them if they would like to be my bridesmaid and what they meant to me - I don't think they expected anything more! Then I gave them a necklace each the day before the wedding to wear on the wedding day. Sometimes the small things rather than the big things are more meaningful 🙂
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape says
But I must also add in the UK the bridal party are expected to pay for everything regarding their bridesmaids - dress, hair etc....
Erin says
That's great advice! I think you're right... I'm not sure bridesmaids expect a gift when they are being asked, I do think it's nice though BUT I like the card idea. I'm definitely on board with that.
Chris says
I've been needing a new overnight oat recipe because I'm getting tired of the ones I have. So, thanks! As far as gifts, I gave my groomsmen custom/thoughtful gifts. (I thought they were thoughtful at least.) I mean yes, they were/are my good friends and would've said yes regardless, but think about it. They (your bridesmaids) are spending money on a dress, shoes, hair/makeup, all that stuff and it is for you. From that standpoint I wanted to show my appreciation with a thoughtful gift. My gifts weren't super elaborate, but they were unique. My two cents. =)
Erin says
Did you get them a gift to ask them, or just as a wedding gift? I completely understand what you are saying though.
Chris says
Oh... did I misunderstand the whole thing?? Ha! I got them as a wedding gift... like post wedding. Definitely not to ask them... I don't think a gift is necessary just to ask!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
I guess I really need to try this chocolate for breakfast thing everyone's doing! As for bridesmaids gifts, personally I think asking them with a nice card is enough and then giving them a gift the wedding weekend is more significant. That's what I did and that's what I remember my friends doing when i was a bridesmaid for them. And whichever way you go, it def doesn't need to be monogrammed!
Erin says
That's what I'm leaning toward.. thanks for your input! Oh, and chocolate for breakfast is a must! 😉
sassygirl says
I'd add a tsp. of chia seeds
to this yummy OOIAJar!!
🙂
Christine@ Apple of My Eye says
Love the chocolate chip and cinnamon combo! Thought I must admit, I'm really just not a fan of overnight oats. For me, they're one of those things you keep WANTING to like, but the texture just throws me off.
And monogrammed things? I'm the complete opposite 😉 . I love getting unique and customized gifts for people and I'm not ashamed to say that lots of monogramming will be happening haha!
Erin says
HAHA we can agree to disagree on monogramming 😉 And I'm weird about oat texture... I like overnight oats but dislike oatmeal. It's strange.
The Healthy Apple says
Love the idea of chocolate for breakfast. Those bananas on top look AMAZING!!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says
Overnight oats are the best! Plus, preparing them the night before means one less thing to do in the a.m.
Erin says
YES that's the whole reason why I like them 🙂
Heather @Fit n Cookies says
Mmm! I eat oats a lot, actually way more infrequent than I used to, but still a lot. I haven't tried adding chocolate powder to them before. I used to add chocolate protein powder which was good! I will be giving this one a try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I actually always make this flavor combo! I just had them yesterday! Chocolate and cinnamon....just so good!