Pin It Creamy, customizable overnight oats layered in jars with delicious toppings and ideal for meal prep and Instagram-worthy breakfasts.
I first tried making overnight oats in jars after seeing beautiful breakfast creations online and quickly discovered how simple and satisfying they are to assemble. Preparing batches in advance has become my go-to strategy for healthy eating during the workweek.
Ingredients
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: 2 cups
- Milk (dairy or plant-based): 2 cups
- Plain Greek yogurt (or plant-based yogurt): 1 cup
- Chia seeds: 2 tbsp
- Maple syrup or honey: 2 tbsp
- Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
- Salt: Pinch
- Fresh berries: 1/2 cup (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
- Banana: 1 medium, sliced
- Granola: 1/4 cup
- Shredded coconut: 2 tbsp
- Nut butter: 2 tbsp (peanut, almond, or sunflower seed)
- Chopped nuts: 2 tbsp (almonds, walnuts, pecans)
- Dark chocolate chips: 2 tbsp
- Dried fruit: 2 tbsp (raisins, cranberries, apricots)
Instructions
- Combine Base:
- In a large bowl, mix oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup or honey, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt until thoroughly combined.
- Jar Assembly:
- Divide oat mixture evenly among 4 clean jars (about 3/4 cup per jar).
- Add Toppings:
- Top each jar with chosen toppings. For example: mixed berries + granola, sliced banana + peanut butter + nuts, shredded coconut + dried cranberries + chocolate chips, or strawberries + almond butter.
- Refrigerate:
- Seal jars with lids and refrigerate overnight (at least 8 hours).
- Serve:
- In the morning, stir, add extra milk for creaminess if desired, and enjoy straight from the jar or transfer to a bowl.
Pin It Our family loves to personalize their jars & choosing different toppings often becomes a fun breakfast tradition. The kids especially enjoy picking their favorite combinations for each morning.
Required Tools
Mixing bowl, measuring cups and spoons, 4 glass jars or airtight containers, and a spoon for easy preparation.
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (yogurt, milk) and nuts if used in toppings. For nut-free jars, opt for seed butter and skip nuts. Gluten-free oats are recommended for sensitive diets.
Nutritional Information
Each jar of the base provides roughly 250 calories, 6 g total fat, 38 g carbohydrates, and 10 g protein. Topping choices will vary nutrition counts.
Pin It With minimal prep and easy customization, overnight oats in jars are the perfect nutritious start to any day. Enjoy experimenting with new flavor combos and make each morning delicious.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can plant-based milk be used?
Yes, plant-based milks like almond or oat milk work well and can be used to achieve a creamy texture.
- → How long should the oats chill?
Oats need to soak in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours to become soft and flavorful.
- → What toppings pair best with the oats?
Fresh berries, nuts, shredded coconut, nut butters, and dark chocolate chips provide texture and taste contrasts.
- → Is this suitable for a vegan diet?
Yes, using plant-based yogurt and milk along with maple syrup makes the dish vegan-friendly.
- → Can this be prepared in advance?
Absolutely. Preparing these jars ahead saves time and keeps well refrigerated for up to 5 days.