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Protein Overnight Oats are an easy, high-protein breakfast with 27 grams of protein per serving. Stir them together, and they’re ready to eat the next day, without cooking. 

protein overnight oats in a glass jar with a lid nearby and berries.

If you’re into meal prepping but are not a fan of traditional protein powder, you will love this recipe. These high-protein overnight oats are easy to prep and don’t taste like protein powder.

Instead, this recipe tastes like lightly sweetened oatmeal, with 27 grams of protein per serving. (And 10 grams of fiber to help keep you feeling full!)

Ingredients You’ll Need

This recipe starts with old-fashioned rolled oats, chia seeds (for extra fiber and protein), and your favorite milk. For the highest protein content, use cow’s milk or soy milk for a dairy-free option.

Non-dairy milk options like oat milk, coconut milk, or unsweetened almond milk will also work, but provide less protein.

milk, oats, chia seeds, collagen, and peanut butter labeled on a white surface.

Not a fan of collagen?

For a similar protein boost, you can replace it with 1/3 cup of plain Greek yogurt. You can also experiment with other options, like whey protein powder or chocolate protein powder.

(Note: I do not recommend my usual protein powder for this. It’s not delicious.)

Instead of calling for vanilla protein powder, this recipe relies on unflavored collagen peptides for added protein.

This blends seamlessly into the oatmeal, especially when you pair it with peanut butter and a touch of maple syrup for sweetness.

My favorite jars

Glass Jars & Lids

Make Protein Overnight Oats

Start with a wide-mouth jar with a lid at least 12 ounces or larger. If you want to make multiple servings, use multiple jars (like a mason jar or working jar—see my favorite above).

Add the oats, chia seeds, collagen powder, peanut butter, maple syrup, and milk to each jar. Stir well until the peanut butter has dissolved in the milk and no clumps are visible.

milk and oats stirred together in a glass jar.

Secure the lid and store the jar(s) in the fridge to chill for at least 4 hours, or overnight. 

When you’re ready to eat the oats the next day, grab a jar from the fridge and remove the lid. Stir well and add any toppings you like, such as sliced bananas, almonds, or fresh berries. 

These jars can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days, so make as many as you’d like to eat in that time. 

Gluten Free Tip

While oats are naturally gluten-free, they can be contaminated during processing. If necessary, shop for certified gluten-free oats.

oats with a lid and thickened after chilling overnight.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make other flavors?

Yes, of course! Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder or a pinch of chocolate chips for a chocolate flavor, or cinnamon, vanilla extract, and apples for an apple pie flavor variation. You can also top these with strawberries, blueberries, or any other fruit you love. Each batch can be different!

How can I make this vegan?

Swap the collagen for your favorite protein powder or up to a half cup of vegan yogurt. (In that case, use only 1/2 cup of plant-based milk.) You can also add 4 grams of protein by adding an extra tablespoon of peanut butter. 

Can I omit the peanut butter?

Yes, but you’ll remove 4 grams of protein from the recipe. You can swap it for almond butter, if you like. 

Will different oats work?

Quick oats will work in this recipe, but will have a mushy texture when they soak overnight. I use them when I want to eat this recipe right away. If you prefer steel cut oats, check out my overnight steel cut oats recipe

Looking for more high protein recipes? Try Cottage Cheese Waffles, Protein Banana Muffins, or Protein Chia Pudding, which is made without protein powder.

protein overnight oats in a glass jar topped with berries.

Protein Overnight Oats Recipe

5 from 2 votes
Protein Overnight Oats are a high-protein breakfast idea that you can eat straight from the fridge for a fast morning. (With no protein powder flavor!)
prep5 mins cook0 mins Chill Time:4 hrs total4 hrs 5 mins
Servings:1

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup old-fashined rolled oats
  • 2 tablespoons collagen peptides
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 1 tablespoon peanut butter
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
  • ¾ cup milk (see notes)

Instructions

  • Add the rolled oats, collagen, chia seeds, peanut butter, maple syrup, and milk to a 12-ounce or larger jar with a lid. Stir well until everything is mixed, then secure the lid and transfer to the fridge to chill. (At least 4 hours, or overnight.)
  • When you're ready to eat, remove the lid and give the oats another stir. You'll notice that they have plumped up and absorbed the liquid. They are ready to eat with any toppings you like, such as fresh berries or a dollop of Greek yogurt.
  • These jars can be stored in the fridge for 3 to 4 days, so you can make as many servings as you'll eat in that time.

Notes

The nutrition information is for the whole batch, assuming you use unsweetened soy milk. This information is automatically calculated and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.
Milk Note: Soy and cow’s milk have roughly 8 grams of protein per cup. This batch might have less protein if you swap for a dairy-free milk, like almond or oat milk.
Gluten-Free Note: Oats are naturally gluten-free, but can be contaminated during processing. Shop for certified gluten-free oats, if needed.
Protein Powder Note: I use unflavored collagen peptides in this recipe because you can’t taste this amount at all. (At least, not with peanut butter and maple syrup added.) Feel free to experiment with using your favorite protein powder instead. I tried adding 1 tablespoon of my usual unsweetened plant protein powder, and I hated it. So, experiment at your own risk.

Nutrition

Calories: 465kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 27g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 178mg | Potassium: 550mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 384IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 352mg | Iron: 4mg
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: protein overnight oats

If you try this protein overnight oats recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it.

Megan Gilmore leaning on her white countertop.

Megan Gilmore

Hi, I’m Megan. A former fast food junkie turned best-selling cookbook author. As a Certified Nutritionist Consultant (CNC), I love to make healthier food using simple ingredients. I test these recipes multiple times in my kitchen to make sure they will turn out perfectly for you.

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Comments

  1. My husband and I both thoroughly enjoyed these overnight oats. The creamy texture and the combination of flavors were delightful. The recipe was not only simple to follow but also allowed for some creativity with toppings. I will definitely be making these again, perhaps experimenting with different fruits and nuts to keep things interesting. Overall, a delicious and nutritious breakfast option!