Make single serving cinnamon roll overnight oats to enjoy the flavors of cinnamon rolls without all the work. This easy overnight oats recipe takes just 5 minutes to prepare, then refrigerate overnight. Enjoy them warm or chilled.
Table of contents
There are so many tasty ways to enjoy overnight oats, these cinnamon roll overnight oats are no exception! They've got all the cinnamon roll flavors without the work or mess.
Of course, these overnight oats aren't as fun to eat as a cinnamon roll, but it's one of my favorite easy breakfast recipes, and a great way to enjoy the flavors on busy mornings during the week with just 5 minutes of prep.
I recommend sticking to brown sugar and cinnamon for the most traditional flavor, maple syrup and honey would work, but that changes the cinnamon roll flavor in your cinnamon roll overnight oats.
There are many ways to adapt these cinnamon roll overnight oats, basic additions are yogurt and nuts. Adding yogurt bumps up the calcium and protein in this fiber filled breakfast.
A combination of carbs, protein, and fat helps you feel more satisfied after eating. That's why adding yogurt is a great option for creaminess and a hearty breakfast.
Also try warming up these cinnamon roll overnight oats before enjoying them. I usually prefer cold overnight oats, but heating them up really brings out the sweet cinnamon flavors. I highly recommend it.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the cinnamon roll overnight oats recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.
- Old fashioned/rolled oats: these oats are the same, and preferred for overnight oats because they have the best shape and texture after softening overnight.
- Brown Sugar: You can use lots of sweeteners, but brown sugar gives your cinnamon roll overnight oats the most classic cinnamon roll flavor. Pure maple syrup (or regular maple), honey, granulated sugar, coconut sugar, etc work.
- Chia or Flaxseeds: I like the added texture, omega 3 fatty acids and extra fiber in them. You're not adding a lot, but might as well get more out of the texture additions! Add whole flax or ground flaxseed.
- Vanilla Extract
- Cinnamon: Classic cinnamon is a essential in these cinnamon roll oats. You could swap the cinnamon for pumpkin pie spice (+ pumpkin) or gingerbread spice for fall/winter flavors.
- Salt: just a pinch of salt brings out the flavors of your delicious recipe for overnight oats.
- Milk: Use your favorite type of milk like dairy or non dairy milk. The more fat in your milk (or cream) the creamier your overnight oats will be)
- Cream cheese (optional): Cream cheese is in lots of cinnamon roll frostings, so add some cream cheese to your oats if you'd like. Soften it before adding.
- Thick yogurt (optional): Plain, vanilla, etc thick yogurt is a great addition to these cinnamon roll overnight oats. It adds creaminess, a thicker texture, flavor, protein, and calcium.
Instructions
Scroll down to the cinnamon roll overnight oats recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.
1. Add oats, brown sugar, chia/flax seeds, vanilla, cinnamon, yogurt (if desired), and a pinch of salt to your serving bowl, you don't have to use exact measurements. Stir oats and toppings together.
2. Pour milk over oats, stir. Cover your oatmeal recipe with lid or wrap. Refrigerate cinnamon roll overnight oats at least 8 hours, or overnight.
3. On the next day, stir and enjoy cold. You can also heat up your cinnamon roll overnight oats for warmed oats. You can add yogurt here (if desired), and top with a dusting of cinnamon.
Storage/Reheating Tips
I prefer making my cinnamon roll overnight oats in a bowl that I'll use. Jars are typical for overnight oats, and great because they have a tight fitting lid. But you don't have to use a mason jar. I prefer a lighter bowl if packing it on the go.
Store leftover overnight oats in an airtight container for about a week. This makes them great to make ahead for a few breakfasts. Enjoy cold or heat up when ready to eat. These won't freeze well, the texture of the oats will change.
Substitutions/Tips
- I highly recommend using old fashioned or rolled oats (they're the same). Quick oats/instant oats will break apart a lot, and steel-cut oats will still be quite chewy after chilling.
- Make these oats as is, add in suggested toppings in the recipe card, or additional add ins listed before. There are lots of ways to adapt this easy recipe.
- Milk options: oat milk, soy milk, coconut milk, vanilla almond milk,
- Yogurt is a great addition, I recommend a thick yogurt (like Greek yogurt) to add creaminess and protein. Vanilla, plain, berry, coconut, pumpkin, and other yogurts would be delicious in this cinnamon roll overnight oats recipe.
- Other great add-ins: butter, chopped pecans or walnuts, dried fruit (raisins would be great!), cream cheese frosting, cinnamon chips, fresh fruit, chocolate chips, would be great in this cinnamon roll overnight oats recipe.
FAQ
Rolled oats and old fashioned oats (they're the same) have the best texture after chilling. Quick oats break apart more and steel cut oats remain more chewy than rolled oats after chilling.
Overnight oats are a healthy breakfast, many recipes have oats, milk, toppings, and even yogurt in them. This combination of carbohydrates, fat, protein and fiber is nourishing and should be satisfying.
Other good overnight oat recipes
What to do with leftover ingredients
When you're cooking for one, you often have leftover produce, cans of whatever ingredient, etc. Here are a couple ideas on how to use up the leftover ingredients. It'll help you save money by wasting fewer ingredients.
Did you make this cinnamon roll overnight oats? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!
Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats for One
Equipment
- Small bowl with lid (or jar)
- Measuring cups, spoons
- spoon
Ingredients
- ½ cup old fashioned/rolled oats
- 1-2 Tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon chia seeds or flaxseeds
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch salt
- ¾ cup milk of choice
- 1-2 Tablespoons yogurt (vanilla, plain, berry, etc) optional
Instructions
- Add ingredients to serving bowl: ½ cup old fashioned/rolled oats (they're the same), 1-2 Tablespoons brown sugar, 1 Tablespoon flaxseed or chia seed, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of salt. Stir together.
- Pour ¾ cup milk over oat mixture. Stir together. Refrigerate for at least 8 hours, or overnight.
- Top with 1-2 Tablespoons yogurt (or add with other ingredients before chilling), enjoy warmed or cold.
Notes
- Old fashioned or rolled oats, which are the same are best for this recipe. Quick cooking oats are chopped rolled oats and will get too soft/fall apart. Steel cut oats will be very chewy after refrigerating.
- If you've got cream cheese, I recommend adding it for a more traditional cinnamon roll flavor (many cinnamon roll frostings have cream cheese in them). Just soften it before adding.
- Yogurt, particularly thick yogurt is a great addition for creaminess and tangy flavor. You can add it with the main ingredients, or add a dollop on top. Vanilla, plain, pumpkin pie, berry, etc would be good in these overnight oats.
- Optional Toppings: chopped nuts (walnuts and pecans would be great), raisins, pumpkin and pumpkin pie spice, gingerbread spice (I'd recommend replacing the cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice or gingerbread spice if using), cream cheese frosting (cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk).
Dina and Bruce says
Obsessed. Have made this all week long. So good!
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
it's so good and easy
Carrie Robinson says
This is perfect for me because I am the only one in my house who enjoys overnight oats for breakfast. Definitely making this for myself soon. 🙂
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
perfect! enjoy
Dannii says
The perfect Christmas overnight oats. So much flavour!
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
totally! so flavorful
Sara Welch says
Enjoyed these for breakfast this morning and started my day off right! Was easy, hearty and delicious; the best breakfast for busy mornings, indeed!
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
totally! glad it worked for you