Get rid of breakfast stress by making a batch of Vanilla Overnight Oats with Yogurt for grab-and-go ease all week. Add a bit of espresso powder for a kick of caffeine!

A bowl of overnight oats with yogurt, topped with bananas, blueberries and sliced banana, on a rustic teal tray.

What are Overnight Oats?

Overnight oats are a no-cook method of preparing oatmeal. You soak oats in liquid overnight, allowing them to absorb flavors and soften. You end up with a ready-to-eat breakfast in the morning.

Overnight Oats Benefits

The biggest benefit of overnight oats is that they are so time-saving! Prep a batch (or a double or triple batch) on Sunday, and you have a quick grab-and-go breakfast for the weekdays. No more morning cooking stress!

Why you’ll love these Easy Overnight Oats

  • Nutrient packed. Old fashioned oats provide a hefty dose of fiber, and you get probiotics from the yogurt.
  • Morning boost. The optional espresso powder not only adds rich coffee flavor, but gives you that extra morning kick!
  • Perfect for meal prep. Make a double or triple batch, and eat all week for breakfast!

“I made a double batch of this to bring to our family vacation – everyone just loved it! We paired it with some fresh blueberries and it was amazing. Satisfies the sweet craving without the guilt.”

—Angela
Ingredients on a rustic teal tray, including yogurt, almond milk, oats, espresso powder, salt and vanilla extract.

Vanilla Overnight Oats ingredients

  • old-fashioned oats – the star ingredient, this fiber-rich ingredient makes this breakfast satisfying and substantial.
  • vanilla yogurt – adds a rich and creamy texture to these overnight oats. Plain yogurt or yogurt in another flavor also works, if you want to change it up.
  • vanilla almond milk – infuses the oats with a subtle nutty flavor. I use unsweetened so there’s not added sugar, but you can use sweetened vanilla almond milk, unsweetened or sweetened regular almond milk, or even another flavor.
  • instant espresso powder – this is an optional ingredient to give your breakfast a delightful kick of coffee flavor. If you’re not a coffee lover, just leave it out.
  • vanilla extract – intensifies the vanilla notes in this recipe.
  • kosher salt – just a pinch will act as a subtle flavor enhancer.

Best Oats for Overnight Oats

Old-fashioned rolled oats are ideal for overnight oats. Their texture softens perfectly during the soaking process, but they don’t get so mushy to where they disintegrate, even if you let them sit a couple of days.

How to make Overnight Oats with Yogurt

A large bowl filled with yogurt, almond milk, oatmeal, espresso powder, salt and vanilla extract, on a rustic teal tray.

1. ADD. Add yogurt, oats, almond milk, espresso powder (if using), vanilla extract and salt to large bowl.

A large bowl filled with a mixture of yogurt, almond milk, oatmeal, espresso powder, salt and vanilla extract, on a rustic teal tray.

2. STIR. Stir until well combined. Divide into single-portion covered containers and refrigerate overnight.

Overnight Oats Recipe with Yogurt Home Chef Tips

  • If you prefer a sweeter breakfast, add a drizzle of maple syrup, honey or agave nectar.
  • Double or triple the batch to portion it into containers for breakfast all week! It keeps up to 5 days in the fridge.
  • Customize the amount of instant espresso powder based on your caffeine preference. You can reduce the amount for a milder coffee flavor, or omit it altogether.

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A bowl of easy overnight oats, topped with bananas, blueberries, sliced banana and chocolate chunks, on a rustic teal tray.

Serving this Vanilla Overnight Oats Recipe

Serve overnight oats chilled, straight from the refrigerator. Top with fresh fruit like sliced bananas, chopped strawberries and bananas. You can also add a sprinkle of chocolate chips or chocolate chunks.

Chopped nuts or toasted coconut flakes are also great toppings.

Storing Vanilla Overnight Oats

Store in an airtight container (or multiple single-serve containers) in the fridge for up to 5 days.

FAQs for Overnight Oats (Vanilla)

How long do overnight oats take to absorb?

Overnight oats typically take about 6 to 8 hours to fully absorb their liquid.

Do you stir overnight oats before putting in fridge?

Yes, stirring before refrigeration ensures an even distribution of ingredients and flavors.

What happens if you leave overnight oats for 2 nights?

They’ll be just fine! This recipe stays good in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Do overnight oats need to be in glass?

No, any airtight container works!

Vanilla Overnight Oats

Get rid of breakfast stress by making a batch of Vanilla Overnight Oats with Yogurt for grab-and-go ease all week. Add a bit of espresso powder for a kick of caffeine!
5 from 5 ratings

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup vanilla yogurt
  • 1 cup old-fashioned oats
  • 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
  • 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder optional
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste
  • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

  • Add yogurt, oats, almond milk, espresso powder (if using), vanilla and salt to large bowl.
  • Stir until well combined. If desired, divide into two individual portion-sized containers. Cover and refrigerate overnight or up to 5 days.
  • Serve topped with fresh fruit and/or chocolate chunks, if desired.

Notes

  • If you prefer a sweeter breakfast, add a drizzle of maple syrup, honey or agave nectar.
  • Double or triple the batch to portion it into containers for breakfast all week! It keeps up to 5 days in the fridge.
  • Customize the amount of instant espresso powder based on your caffeine preference. You can reduce the amount for a milder coffee flavor, or omit it altogether.
Calories: 264kcal, Carbohydrates: 43g, Protein: 11g, Fat: 5g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 5mg, Sodium: 517mg, Potassium: 439mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 13g, Vitamin A: 40IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 332mg, Iron: 2mg
This website provides estimated nutrition information as a courtesy only. You should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients used in your recipe using your preferred nutrition calculator.
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