Protein overnight oats with old fashioned oatmeal, Greek yogurt, creamy peanut butter, and chocolate protein powder are a protein punch.
Overnight oats are a no-cook method for making your morning oatmeal. You combine all of your ingredients in a bowl or mason jar and soak them overnight in the refrigerator. The oats become soft overnight as all of the flavors come together.
After refrigerating, give the oats a good stir before adding your favorite toppings. You can enjoy the oats cold or you can warm them in the microwave. This is a great way to start the day!
For more healthy overnight oats recipes, you have to try these classic peanut butter overnight oats, vanilla overnight oats, or Nutella overnight oats (okay, so maybe that one isn't exactly "healthy").
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Recipe highlights
High protein: This single serving recipe has an estimated 17 grams of protein. This is a great healthy breakfast with whole grains, fiber, and protein.
Make-ahead breakfast: Overnight oats are perfect for meal prep, great for busy mornings.
Great base recipe: Customize this with your favorite toppings.
Ingredients
This overnight oats recipe with protein powder recipe calls for a few ingredients you may already have in your pantry.
- old-fashioned oats - Note that old fashioned rolled oats are different from quick oats or instant oats.
- chocolate protein powder - I use Orgain Creamy Chocolate Fudge
- almond milk - You can use any milk! Try cow's milk or plant-based milk like almond milk, coconut milk, or soy milk.
- plain Greek yogurt - This helps make the oats thick.
- creamy peanut butter - For some healthy fats and a little extra protein.
- maple syrup - For sweetness.
- chia seeds - To thicken the consistency overnight.
- vanilla extract - For flavor.
- salt - To enhance the flavors.
- cinnamon - Just a pinch.
See the recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Add all of the ingredients to a 12 oz jar or 16 oz jar or bowl and stir to combine until the peanut butter is completely incorporated.
The jar in my photos is a 12 oz jar, but 16 oz will give you more room to stir.
Mix in the protein powder thoroughly! No clumps. Here you can see all of the ingredients mixed together. You can see the comparison of two mason jars: a 12 oz jar versus a 16 oz jar.
This is a 12 ounce mason jar.
This is a 16 ounce mason jar.
Cover and refrigerate overnight for a minimum of four hours. Remove from the fridge, stir the oatmeal, and serve. Enjoy your easy breakfast the next morning!
I enjoy cold oats, but if you prefer warm oats, you can microwave the oatmeal in 30-second intervals and stir.
Topping Ideas
For a nice crunch, top with peanuts (chopped or whole), slivered or sliced almonds, toasted coconut flakes, chocolate chips, or granola. Fresh fruit also adds fiber. Try fresh strawberries, bananas, and blueberries would also be tasty toppings.
Substitutions
Here are a few ways to personalize your peanut butter overnight oats to make them your own.
- Oats - Try protein oats for extra protein.
- Protein powder - I use chocolate protein powder, but you can use any type of protein powder like vanilla protein powder or mocha protein powder.
- Milk - Use any type of milk for this recipe. I wrote the recipe using unsweetened vanilla almond milk because it's low-carb, and that's what I keep on hand. Dairy and non-dairy milk will both work. Oat milk is high carb, so be sure to read the nutrition label.
- Sweetener - Instead of maple syrup, you can use brown sugar or honey.
- Nut butter - Any kind of nut butter (almond butter, sunflower butter, you name it!) will work for this recipe. You could even punch up the protein with a high-protein peanut butter.
- Maple syrup - I use maple syrup but you can also use honey, agave nectar, or brown sugar (the same amount).
Equipment
With all of the ingredients combined, the volume in my mason jar measures around 10-12 ounces. I use a 12 oz jar in my photos, but you'll have more room to stir if you use a 16 oz wide-mouth mason jar for overnight oats. See my side-by-side comparison photos above.
I recommend a wide-mouth jar because it's easier to mix the ingredients with a wide opening. The mason jar also makes it easy to take my breakfast on-the-go.
There are also BPA-free plastic options, but the glass jars seem more environmentally friendly over the long run.
If you're dining at home or don't want to purchase a special container for your oats, you can also use a bowl and cover it with cling wrap or reusable food wraps.
Storage
Store leftovers in the fridge in an airtight container. Good for up to 4 days.
FAQ
Old fashioned oats are the best choice for overnight oats, but quick oats will work in a pinch.
📖 Recipe
Protein Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder
- ¾ cup almond milk unsweetened vanilla
- ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon cream peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 2 teaspoon chia seeds
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 1 pinch cinnamon
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a 16 oz jar or bowl and stir to combine until the peanut butter is completely incorporated.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight or a minimum of four hours.
- Remove from the fridge, stir the oatmeal, and serve.
Mary says
This is a fantastic recipe! The oats were delicious and very satisfying . The oats had a great chocolate taste and a beautiful creamy texture. I would recommend this recipe to others.
Kelsey says
This is my favorite way to use protein powder.