Been wondering how to make overnight oats? Get the step-by-step plus a delicious recipe for vegan and gluten-free Vanilla Blueberry Overnight Oats with this easy-to-follow guide.
This post is sponsored by NOW Foods.
Back in my Brooklyn days, I lived in an apartment without the amazing amenity that is central air. I was constantly on the hunt for no-bake treats to make so that I wouldn’t have to turn the oven or stove on. Now, I’m in Texas, and while I have central air (thank goodness!) somedays it still seems too hot to deal with cooking. Microwavable creations or raw dishes have been my savior on those days.
When it comes to breakfast, I usually want something quick right after my workout. On the not-so-crazy-hot days, I’ll opt for scrambled eggs or some egg muffins. Some days I’ll whip up a batch of oatmeal in my pretty bowl from Anthropologie. Sometimes I’ll throw in some protein powder. MWAH. Delish.
That said, after getting back to my house after a run in 98% humidity (because it’s ALWAYS 98% humidity in the mornings here for some reason), the last thing I want after finally snagging shelter in an air conditioned oasis is a hot bowl of anything. Instead, I’ve been enjoying fruit and nuts for breakfast.
But somedays, I think ahead. The night before a run, I’ll make a batch of overnight oats, so that when I get home, I can grab them out of the fridge and just chow down! The other day, I did just that.
I hadn’t made overnight oats in a while, but I was instantly reminded why I love them so much. They’re a piece of cake to make, they’re easily transported and they’re incredibly delicious. Plus, it’s beyond easy to switch up the recipe to create different flavors (check out my cherry pie overnight oats and chai spiced overnight oats). Soooo I decided to create this little step-by-step guide/recipe to teach you all how to make them. Here we go!
Like I said, easy peasy.
The jar of overnight oats featured in this post happens to be one of my favorite combos: Vanilla Blueberry (full recipe below). I used 1/2 a scoop of this vanilla protein powder as my sweetener and blueberries as my extra fruit layer. After it sat overnight, I topped it off with fresh bluebs, almond butter, and NOW Foods Crunchy Clusters.
I first had these Cran-Blueberry Crunchy Clusters when I went to the NOW Foods Immersion event a few years ago and was instantly hooked.
They’re made from the finest dry-roasted cashews, almonds and pistachios, dried cranberries and blueberries, sesame seeds and a touch of rice malt, cane syrup and sea salt for the perfect balance of salty, sweet, crunchy goodness. They really bring an little extra somethin’ somethin’ to an already awesomely tastetacular (totally making that a word) breakfast.
Moral of this post is two-fold. One, you need to jump on the overnight oats bandwagon if you’re not on it already. Two, you need these Crunchy Clusters in your life.
Yes? Yes!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup gluten free oats
- 1/2 scoop vanilla protein powder (I used Plant Fusion)
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1/2 banana, sliced
- small handful fresh blueberries
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
- 1/2 Tbsp almond butter
- small handful fresh blueberries
- small handful Cran-Blueberry Crunchy Clusters
Instructions
- Layer oats, protein powder, chia seeds, banana slices and blueberries in a jar/container.
- Add almond milk.
- Seal with a lid and shake until thoroughly combined.
- Refrigerate overnight.
- Just before eating, top with almond butter, additional blueberries and Crunchy Clusters.
- Dig in!
Let’s Chat:
What’s your favorite overnight oats flavor?
Have you ever had Crunchy Clusters?
This post is linked up with Meatless Mondays.
I’ve been loving the oats lately! This is such a great how-to and you know I’m loving that vanilla blueberry flavor!
Annmarie recently posted…7 Healthy Berry Recipes to Fuel Your Morning {Gluten Free}
I think the two of us could eat all the blueberries in the land.
I’m just curious do you eat over night oats cold or do you warm them up and then enjoy? ?
I usually eat them cold, but you can heat them up!
I grated half an apple into the mixture, some vanilla essence and cinnamon.
That sounds like a delicious combo! How’d it turn out?
Can you believe I”ve never tried overnight oats? I don’t know how I feel about cold oatmeal…but everyone just raves about it, so I’ll have to try them!
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Loving…and Not Loving
You can heat it up afterwards, but I love them cold!
What kind of oats are best for this ? Brand please? Thanks!!
There are plenty that will work. I wouldn’t use steel cut, though. I typically use Trader Joe’s Gluten Free Rolled Oats, Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats or Quaker Old Fashioned Oats.
I bought steel cut, will they still work?
Yes, those will work!
I use quick cook steel cut oats and it works great. I also add 1/2 tsp vanilla and a drop of almond extract.
glad to hear it!
I made them yesterday to enjoy this morning. Absolutely awful. Ended up throwing this concoction in the garbage.
I’m sorry you didn’t enjoy the recipe! May I ask what you didn’t like about it? Perhaps I can offer up a modification.
The oats were the same consistency as they were when I put them into the jar, they weren’t moist or softened and the chia seeds were clumped masses. I followed the recipe and the diagram that you had provided.
Oh, that’s so strange! You may simply need more milk and make sure to really shake it up. I understand if you don’t want to try the recipe again, but if you do, let me know if that works out!
I feel the same way about cold oatmeal . I have not tried them but I think will. but first I am going to eat it warm.
Confession: I’ve never had overnight oats before! I’ll have to give it a try 😀
Carmy recently posted…Road Trip Recap! Ottawa and Quebec
Say whaaa?! Yes you do have to give them a try!
I always feel like I’m so behind the trends because I have not made overnight oats. I needed a step by step tutorial for a little inspiration to try them. Thanks!
Debbie @ Coach Debbie Runs recently posted…Take Yoga Anywhere: How to Get the Most from Your Home Yoga Practice
I hope you’ll give them a shot!
Awesome post and tutorial. I have always wondered about this. Thanks for sharing
Ivanna recently posted…MOUS Health & Wellness Feature
I love overnight oats but I just don’t seem to make them anymore. I’m going to give this a try and hopefully get back to making them regularly.
I go in and out of making them, too – but now I’m on a kick!
This looks amazing! My overnight oats never look this good! I need to follow that awesome infographic of yours! 🙂
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Philly Marathon Pre-Training Week 7 Recap
This looks yummy! Do you deliver? 🙂
haha maybe I should start a business!
Can you eat them warmed up or do they have to be cold? Thanks for joining us for Meatless Monday today
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Wheat Berry, Arugula & White Bean Salad
You can heat them up if you’d like! Just add a little extra almond milk.
I love overnight oats! You have reminded me I need to make some with all this fabulous summer fruit!
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…ZOOMA Summer Challenge Week 4- Be Speedy!
Looks so good, and I love your diagram! I haven’t had overnight oats in a jar lately, only soaked muesli, because I kept having issues with my jars not being big enough, haha! I always want to add in oats, chia seeds, protein of course, sometimes also yogurt, and all the fruits. Oh not to mention toppings! Definitely inspired to make some overnight oats this week! Thank you for joining us for Meatless Monday!
haha I feel you on the jars not being big enough.
Never made this. Can I use regular quick oats?
Absolutely!
Loved those crunchy clusters 😀 I am not a fan of overnight oats, by and large. I just love my oats heated! Whenever I have overnight oats, I always wish they were hot… But I like your method all the same!
You can heat them up! Just add a little extra almond milk 🙂
I’ve never made overnight oats before but I have always wanted to. Your recipe looks great. Going to have to try it out!
Lindsay @ Fit & Awesome recently posted…My 5 Favorite Things About BlogFest 2016
They’re so easy. I hope you’ll give ’em a shot!
Let me know if you give them a shot!
PERFECT! Thank you for posting this because I’ve never made overnight oats and frankly didn’t know where to start. Hahaha.
Rachel recently posted…Meatless Monday: Citrus Mango Rehydrating Smoothie
Happy to help! Let me know if you give them a go!
Confession: I have never heard of overnight oats (late to the party…again!). Can you use instant oats or do they need or be steel-cut? (I have no clue LOL)
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Rest, Recovery, and Reflections aplenty
I’ve used instant and rolled – never tried steel cut.
What a fun pin you made!!! I love this recipe. And wow– no central AC? I feel for you!!!
Julie @ Running in a Skirt recently posted…Fresh Mango Salsa & The Best Way to Peel a Mango Video
Thanks, girl! And yes, it’s been rough!
I’ve never tried overnight oats before, and didn’t realize how easy they were to make. Since I love to grab and go with my breakfast in the morning, this sounds perfect for me. Thanks!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Rock ‘n’ Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon Training Log – Week 4
You’d love them! So easy.
My kids would LOVE this!! Bonus points that it is so easy to make! Looks delicious!!
Let me know if you give it a try!
LOVE this!!! Sharing!
Woohoo! Thank you!
I’m teaching graduate school during the 12 pm to 3 pm hours. I’m giving this a try it looks so nutritious and healthy. Stage portability isperfect
Let me know what you think! They’re perfect for eating on the go 🙂
how many calories r in this jar??????
Hi Saira – It depends on the exact ingredients you use, but this one is about 350-400 calories. It’s a nice, solid breakfast.
Yikes! This is my first time making overnight oats and I put a full scoop of protein powder. How will it affect the flavor?
Do you know the sugar content?
Hi, Stephanie! If you make this recipe with 1/2 a scoop of PlantFusion Lean Vanilla protein powder, 1/4 cup blueberries and 1/2 a banana, it’s about 13g of sugar. If you leave out the banana, it cuts it down to 6g of sugar.
Omg, I’m eating these RIGHT NOW for the first time. Didn’t have a mason jar so popped them in a Tupperware. I added fruitein powder instead of vanilla, which I thought might be gross, but NO, extreme levels of life-changing deliciousness. Mr Quaker is gonna be devastated as I’ve been keeping him in business for YEARS. Thank you!
Love,
@dollsxx
haha I’m so glad you liked it!
Sooooo delicious! Made them Friday night, slept in Saturday and woke up to breakfast already made! My kids and hubs loved it also! We will be eating overnight oats again soon, thank you for this delicious recipe!
I’m so happy you all liked them!
I just made a batch of these for my husband and myself. I put cinnamon in mine and banana plus I’m gonna add walnuts in the morning. I’m so excited to try this.
That sounds like an amazing combo! I hope you love it.
Do you heat them up in the morning or eat it cold??
I eat them cold, but you can heat them up. You may want to add a splash more milk if you do!
Looks delicious! Question though: I dislike bananas, so is there a substitute for this?
You can sub in some other berries or leave the bananas out entirely if you like! The bananas just add a little sweetness. If you leave them out and find it isn’t sweet enough (which it probably still will be if you use protein powder), you can add in a little bit of your favorite sweetener.
THANK YOU so much for your help 🙂
This looks awesome! What size mason jars do you use?
I use 16 oz jars 🙂
I don’t see this anywhere, but what size is the jar? I don’t have one.
I use a 16oz jar, but tupperware will work just as well. As long as it has a good lid!
Hello!! Sorry if I missed this in your post, what is your go-to size container and portion for overnight oats?? I’m trying to focus on portion control 😆
I see it now, pint size mason jars!! Xo
You can use any size that fits the ingredients, even if it’s bigger :). Let me know what you think of them!
Sure has a high calorie count!
thankyou for sharing your wonderful thoughts it is very helpful.please do keep sharing
What size jar did you use?
16 oz!
This recipe is delicious! I’ve never had overnight oats before and can’t believe I’ve been missing out. Super easy to make, filling and healthy! 🙂 Thanks!!!
Thanks, Kate! I’m glad you liked them!
The problem is that the serving size is so small. I work out 3 hours each day and I would need to have more for breakfast. I would like to know the nutritional information for a big huge jar. Can you provide that?
If you double the recipe (1 cup of oats, 2 Tbsp chia seeds, 1 banana, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk) the macros come out to approximately 556 calories, 16g protein, 90g carbs and 14.5g fat. That is WITHOUT protein powder as protein powder macros vary. That is also without toppings (almond butter, fresh berries, etc). Hope that helps!