Take 5 few minutes to prep these overnight oats with yogurt to make the fastest breakfast in the morning. Just add oats, yogurt, milk, fruit, seeds, and peanut butter powder. It's as easy as the drive-thru, but less expensive.
[This recipe was originally posted in April 2017. It has been updated with cooking instructions, expert tips, FAQ, related recipes, photos, video and ways to repurpose/use up ingredients]
Table of contents
Hate spending time cooking breakfast in the morning? Me too.
This overnight oats with yogurt template is another recipe you can make ahead of time and spend zero time in the AM. Make them one night at a time or a couple batches for the week.
Oats look great in glass jars, but don't need to be assembled and stored in one. Choose a bowl with a lid, that's as big as a 16 ounce jar so everything can fit.
Choose a container with a lid that seals well if you're going to travel with your oats.
A couple lessons I learned making these oats
Topping options are endless for overnight oats. This overnight oats with yogurt recipe is my basic recipe. I use plain Greek yogurt because it's what's in my fridge.
Mashed bananas add tasty flavor and sweetness, but you can add more sweetener.
Make these oats in the bowl/container you'll eat it out of. It means fewer dishes and effort.
You can just assemble the oats and stir just when ready to eat, BUT add your yogurt and banana first, then oats and remaining ingredients.
In my video, you'll see that milk can't reach the oats if there's yogurt between, they won't soften this way.
Ingredients
Scroll down to the easy overnight oats with yogurt and frozen berries recipe card for the amounts of each ingredient, but here's a quick visual + description of what's in this recipe.
- Greek yogurt: Use whatever flavor you have on hand. I usually use plain and add banana &/or honey for extra sweetness. Any fruity flavor works, and regular yogurt too.
- Oats: I usually use old fashioned/rolled oats (they're the same), but steel cut work too. You might need to add extra liquid to the steel cut oats. Quick cook might work, but might also get too mushy. See what you like.
- Banana: I like adding banana for sweetness and flavor. Especially when using plain yogurt in my overnight oats with yogurt. It's not necessary, but you might want to add another sweetener.
- Peanut Butter Powder: It's not a necessary addition, but I've been loving peanut butter flavor in my overnight oats lately. If you're a PB fan, check out this PB&J overnight oats recipe below.
- Chia Seeds: This is honestly just a fun addition that's also a good source of fiber. Not necessary, but adds a nice texture.
- Fruit: My favorite is adding frozen berries. They thaw into the oats and add lots of flavor, are less expensive than fresh fruit, and are easy to store. Use whatever you like best, though.
- Milk/Liquid: It will hydrate your oats, making them easier to eat, and creamy. Milk adds extra flavor and creaminess to your overnight oats with yogurt. Use your fave plant/animal milk.
Instructions
Scroll down to the overnight oats with Greek yogurt recipe card for more detailed instructions. Here's a quick overview + photos to see how to make this recipe in general.
1.To start your overnight oats with yogurt, add yogurt, banana, then old fashioned/rolled oats.
If assembling in this order, you don't have to stir before enjoying. See the photo below to see why.
2. Then top with peanut butter powder, chia seeds, fruit. Adjust the amounts & toppings in your overnight oats to your preference.
3. Pour milk over oats and fruit. Completely cover the oats. Place lid on jar and seal. Refrigerate for 2 hours, up to 4 days.
Storage/Reheating Tips
You can make it up to 4 days before eating. Eat your overnight oats with yogurt cold or hot by heating it up in the microwave.
More Flavor Combinations
Cherry Vanilla. Add ¾ cup frozen cherries and use vanilla yogurt to oats, milk, and chia seeds for cherry vanilla overnight oats. You can also add a dash of vanilla extract.
PB&J. Add about 1 Tablespoon of jam (raspberry!) and 1 Tablespoon peanut butter to oats, yogurt, chia seeds and milk.
This has been my favorite combo lately. The jam is sweet enough and adds lots of flavor, plus they're super peanut buttery.
Substitutions/Tips
- Old fashioned oats work best because they don't get mushy (like quick cook oats) and aren't too chewy (like steel cut oats).
- Use whatever fresh or frozen fruit you have on hand like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, mango, apple, & banana.
- No need to stir your overnight oats with yogurt, just make sure that the oats are covered with milk. Stir before eating.
- Other Great Add-Ins: flax seeds, chia seeds, chocolate chips or cocoa, jam, etc are all great in overnight oats with yogurt and frozen fruit.
FAQ
Some kind of fresh or frozen fruit
Milk of choice to hydrate and soften the oats
Sliced or mashed banana, the banana adds a nice sweetness!
Nut butter
Flax or chia seeds
Chocolate
Cinnamon, nutmeg, or pumpkin pie spice
Vanilla
Jam
You can make overnight oats with yogurt and store them in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Just make sure to sniff them before eating. Foods usually smell off before being unsafe to eat.
Overnight oats with yogurt and frozen fruit are definitely easier to eat cold, straight from the fridge, but you can stir them up and microwave them for about a minute.
Other quick breakfast recipes
- Yogurt Bowl
- Microwave Eggs
- Make ahead Sausage & Egg Casserole
- Make ahead Banana Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
- Triple Berry Smoothie with Granola
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 from overnight oats with yogurt.
It'll help you save money by wasting fewer ingredients.
- Greek Yogurt: Broccoli Salad with Greek Yogurt, Peanut Butter Yogurt Dip, and Apple Pie Overnight Oats.
- Banana: Bananas Foster Pancakes, Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal.
- Peanut Butter Powder: Strawberry Banana Smoothie, Peanut Butter Caramel.
- Frozen Berries: Triple Berry Smoothie with Granola and Single Serving Baked Oatmeal.
Did you make these overnight oats with yogurt? Leave me a comment & rating to share how it turned out!
Easy Overnight Oats with Yogurt
Equipment
- Mason jar or sealable bowl
- spoon
- knife
- cutting board
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- ½ cup Greek yogurt flavored or plain
- ½ small banana (optional) sliced or mashed
- ½ cup dry oats like old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1-2 teaspoon peanut butter powder optional
- ½ cup frozen berries or other fruit
- ½ cup milk or more if desired
- 1+ teaspoon sweetener (optional) honey, maple syrup, brown or white sugar, etc
Instructions
- Add ½ c Greek yogurt, ½ banana, ½ c old fashioned rolled oats to a mason jar or travel bowl, layer in fruit, peanut butter powder, and chia seeds (in no particular order). Cover oats with ½ c milk. You don't need to stir overnight oats, as long as you layer in the yogurt, banana (optional) and then oats and remaining ingredients. The yogurt and banana block liquid from soaking into the oats, so they won't soften in the fridge.
- Refrigerate at least overnight, or for up to 4 days. Grab in the morning, and enjoy hot or cold.
Video
Notes
- Old fashioned oats work best because they don't get mushy (like quick cook oats) and aren't too chewy (like steel cut oats).
- Use whatever fresh or frozen fruit you have on hand like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, peaches, mango, apple, & banana.
- Other great toppings: Fresh fruit, nut butter, flax seeds, chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, or jam.
- If you have a narrow jar or bowl, add the milk in before the yogurt so you don't have to stir!
- If yogurt blocks milk from soaking into the oats, secure a lid on top and shake until oats are submerged. Stir before eating.
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Holly says
This is my go to breakfast choice for weekdays. So much healthier and less expensive than eating out. I used the homemade vanilla yogurt I made in my Ninja Foodi and they turned out great! Thanks for the tips and great flavor ideas.
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
glad you like it. I bet it's extra tasty with your homemade yogurt!
Kathleen says
I'm loving the addition of yogurt in these overnight oats. It brings an extra layer of flavor and depth to an amazing breakfast.
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
totally agree
Nikki says
Delicious! I especially love that it’s high in protein and fiber too!
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
yes definitely!
Seema Sriram says
As we are working through a healthier eating plan for my daughter, This ovenight oats recipe is divine.
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
glad you like it!
Ali says
These overnight oats were so good! It was my first time making overnight oats with yogurt in them and it made them so much creamier.
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
it's a game changer!
Jean says
Just had my first overnight oats using your basic recipe with frozen cherries and blueberries, absolutely delicious! Couldn’t finish it all though so will adjust amounts accordingly. Looking forward to trying other variations.
Rebecca Clyde MS, RDN, CD says
great to hear! and good idea to adjust as needed, if you don't want leftovers and your hunger before eating it was pretty typical.
Anjali says
I make your overnight oats for me and my kids on a regular basis -- it's such an easy meal prep breakfast, it tastes great, and it makes getting out the door so much easier in the morning!
Ieva says
This is great! Never thought of using frozen berries for overnight oats as I thought they'd get too watery, but it definitely worked! Will make again 🙂
Rebecca says
yes, they're such an easy addition!
Kristen says
This turned out so perfectly delicious! Thank you for the great recipe. 🙂
Rebecca says
awesome to hear! thanks
Casey says
Added PB2 and these were SO GOOD!!! Perfect healthy breakfast!!
Rebecca says
I love adding powdered PB to smoothies too! yum
Katie says
And breakfast is served! I love making overnight oats, and these truly are so simple! I love them, and so does my family. I love how easy they are to make changes for each individual person and taste.
Rebecca says
oh it's so easy!
Mary Clyde says
Hi Rebecca!
I make this recipe for breakfast MOST days. I make enough for three days. It is so nice to get up to an already made breakfast! Thank you so very much!
Jessica Mott says
This really should say to put milk in after the oats. I had to dump it and mix in bowl because I put oats in first as stated then yogurt and fruit then milk but the milk didn't sink to bottom cause of yogurt
Rebecca says
Ohh good point, if you use a narrow jar or bowl it wouldn't sink down. Thanks for the heads up! I'll change the recipe
Corinne says
Thank you for mentioning the impracticality of jars. I agree they're pretty, and not only heavy, they're breakable!! I just shake my head when I see a blog post extolling the virtues of jars as a suitable portable lunch vessel. My son would drop one on the concrete floors of his school cafeteria the first time I dare put a jar in his lunch box.
I also want to thank you for an approachable overnight oats recipe. I've not tried them, but I like oatmeal and oatmeal cookies, so it would seem to reason I'd like another oats containing recipe. And with your's, I don't have to pull the blender out (I'm not about that).
Rebecca says
ahhh thanks Corinne! and amen, they look great, particularly in photos but I'm not going to haul them to & from work. And do it! they're really easy, I essentially just throw all the ingredients in my tupperware, no measuring, no stress. and amen to the blender, I love mine but it's loud and has to be cleaned afterward.
Anne|Craving Something Healthy says
Love those disclaimers!! I'm an overnight oats addict 🙂
Kelli McGrane says
I'm eating overnight oats as I read this 😉 Love how simple they are to make and so many flavor options!
Rebecca says
yay! Love them so much, partly because they're so easy & versatile
Nicole says
I love overnight oats. Yours look so delicious with the berries!
Rebecca says
me too! thanks, berries are my fave add-in