Creamy and nutty peanut butter overnight oats are a quick and healthy breakfast dream. This easy recipe is ready in four steps, uses entirely clean ingredients, and is totally delicious!
This post was originally published on January 12, 2021. It was updated with new information on March 22, 2024.
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Add a new star to your breakfast lineup with this recipe for peanut butter overnight oats! It’s a great meal prep recipe to have breakfast set for the whole week. Just pull out a portion of overnight oatmeal, top with your favorite toppings, and enjoy this nutritious and tasty meal!
Most overnight oats recipes are pretty basic and don’t have a lot of flavor. But not this pb overnight oats! My version is packed with flavor, has great texture, and is easy to switch up each morning with different mix-ins to keep things fresh. It is also super filling and easy to make vegan or gluten-free.
If you like oatmeal recipes, try my Raspberry Overnight Oats, Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats, Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats, Peach Overnight Oats, or Peanut Butter Protein Baked Oatmeal.
Why You'll Love Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
- Naturally Sweet. Pure maple syrup is the perfect addition to these oats! And you don't need much to make a difference in the flavor profile of this recipe. A splash of vanilla extract brings out the sweetness even more.
- Rich In Fiber And Whole Grains. This is a breakfast that will keep you full until lunch! The oats are packed with fiber and whole grains, and the natural peanut butter adds protein, fiber, healthy fats, and a tasty, nutty flavor to keep you full and satisfied.
- Easy To Customize. Simple overnight oats are one of my favorite meals because you can customize them in many different ways! Feel free to top these oats with just about anything—and see our mix-ins section below for all kinds of fun flavor combinations. They’re easy to make gluten-free and vegan, too!
- Great For Meal Prep. Made without any heating or cooking, this oatmeal recipe is one that you can make once and enjoy all week long.
If you're looking for new nutritious and delicious breakfast recipes, this overnight oatmeal is for you!
Ingredients
- Old-fashioned oats: These are the star of this recipe! Make sure to use old-fashioned or rolled oats - steel-cut oats are too tough for this recipe, and quick oats will become mushy. You can use gluten-free certified oats to make this recipe gluten-free friendly!
- Almond milk: Unsweetened is best; use vanilla if you prefer, but original (or unflavored) almond milk is fine, too. Opt for unsweetened almond milk to limit added sugar if desired.
- Greek yogurt: I like making overnight oats with yogurt for added creaminess and protein. 0%, 2%, or 4% Greek yogurt works, so use whatever you have on hand and prefer. Plain yogurt is my go-to, but other flavors such as vanilla or honey can also work. If using sweetened yogurt, reduce the amount of added syrup to taste.
- Maple syrup: Make sure to use pure maple syrup with just one ingredient (maple syrup), not pancake syrup or other “syrups” you may find at the grocery store. You only need 2 teaspoons per serving to make this oatmeal taste amazing!
- Pure vanilla extract: For nutty-sweet notes and added depth of flavor. Imitation vanilla extract can also work in a pinch.
- Natural peanut butter: Salted or unsalted peanut butter both work!
Substitutions
- Milk: Any type of milk (oat milk, nut milk, dairy milk, pea milk, etc.) can be used in this recipe, so use whatever you have on hand and prefer - they all work just fine!
- Liquid sweetener: Agave syrup or honey works as a replacement for maple syrup.
- Yogurt: I use dairy Greek yogurt for this recipe, but you can substitute any nut or vegan yogurt without a problem. If you're using a sweetened yogurt, make sure to reduce the amount of liquid sweetener in this recipe so that your oats aren’t overly sweet.
- Nut butter: Almond butter, sunflower seed butter, or any other nut or seed butter are all great peanut butter substitutes.
How to Make Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Step 1: Combine all of the ingredients except the peanut butter in a small mixing bowl, airtight container, or mason jar.
Step 2: Stir the ingredients together until combined.
Step 3: Cover the oats with either plastic wrap or an airtight lid and refrigerate them overnight (12 hours+).
Step 4: In the morning, drizzle your overnight oats with peanut butter and top with your favorite toppings. Serve!
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Make sure only to use rolled oats. The type of oats matters for this pb overnight oats recipe. While you can technically use quick-cooking oats, it will affect the end result - it will have the texture of baby food. Steel-cut oats are too tough and may be harder to digest raw.
- Feel free to double or triple this recipe. You can multiply this recipe by whatever multiple you desire! Use a large enough mixing bowl to accommodate the amount of oats you will make, whisk them up to combine, and store the oats covered in an airtight container until you serve out individual portions. I like to add all the ingredients to a large plastic storage container. Then, I cover the container and shake vigorously until the oats are mixed up before chilling in the refrigerator.
- Adjust consistency in the morning. If your oats are too thick in the morning, stir in more milk until you reach your desired consistency.
- Let it sit. These peanut butter oats need time to soak properly. A minimum of six hours is good, but letting them sit for at least eight hours or overnight will ensure all the flavors meld together and the oats are perfectly soft.
Recipe Mix-Ins And Flavor Ideas
One of my favorite parts of making overnight oats is experimenting with different toppings! Here are a few of my favorite mix-ins:
- Fresh Fruit: Sliced banana, sliced strawberries, mixed berries, or even diced pears or apples.
- Dried Fruit: Try dates, raisins, currants, or diced and dried apricots.
- Sweeteners: An extra drizzle of maple syrup, Nutella, or even chocolate syrup would make for a more indulgent breakfast. You can even add in some mini chocolate chips, trail mix, or mini marshmallows!
- Nuts And Seeds: Hemp seeds, roasted peanuts, sliced almonds, chopped pecans, chopped walnuts, or chia seeds.
- Gluten-Free: Use gluten-free certified rolled oats.
- Vegan: To make a vegan overnight oats recipe, use dairy-free milk and dairy-free yogurt.
Are you looking to customize your oats even further? Try some of these favorite flavor combinations:
- Double Chocolate: Add 1-2 teaspoons of cocoa powder and one tablespoon of chocolate chips, and if you’re feeling extra indulgent, a drizzle of chocolate sauce over the top!
- Peaches and Cream: Omit the peanut butter, stir in stewed peaches, and top with whole milk, coconut cream, plain yogurt, or a little bit of homemade whipped cream.
- Apple Pie: Omit the peanut butter, add stewed diced apples, and top with cinnamon and graham cracker crumbles.
- PB&J: Add your favorite fruit preserves as a mix-in to these overnight oats with peanut butter!
Storage Directions
- Storing/Refrigeration: Leftovers can be stored in a covered container in the refrigerator for up to 4 or 5 days. Stir them well before serving if they’ve been in the fridge for longer than 1 day.
- Freezing: This easy overnight oats recipe does not freeze well.
- Reheating: You can eat these oats cold, straight out of the fridge! If you'd like to serve your oats warm, you can do so. To serve these oats warm or hot, just pop them in the microwave for 40-60 seconds before serving. Watch the oats as they cook so they don't overflow. Then add your toppings and serve.
FAQs
No, you do not need to cook overnight oats. These oats get tender simply by soaking in the milk (making them technically a raw recipe). Note: even though you don’t have to cook overnight oats, you can still eat them hot by warning them in the microwave after they have soaked but before serving.
Oats don't contain wheat ingredients, but many brands are processed on machinery that also processes wheat ingredients. If you don't eat gluten, double-check your oat container's labeling and ingredients!
Yes! Protein powder is a fantastic addition to overnight oats. Stir one scoop of powder into the oats and other ingredients before chilling and soaking the dish. For the best flavor, use unflavored, chocolate, or vanilla protein powder in this recipe. If your protein powder is sweetened, add maple syrup just to taste. You can also stir collagen into the oats for an added protein boost!
Save This Recipe for Later on Pinterest
More Oat Recipes
- Oat Protein Cookies
- Brownie-Baked Oatmeal
- Gluten-Free Banana Cake
- Pumpkin Oatmeal Cookies
- Banana Double Chocolate Chip Pancakes
- Gluten-Free Oat Pancakes
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- ⅓ cup old fashioned oats
- ½ cup milk dairy or unsweetened nut/vegan
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoon pure maple syrup
- 1 ½ tablespoon natural peanut butter
- Additional toppings optional: roasted peanuts, maple syrup, hemp seeds, sliced bananas, chocolate chips, berries, sliced dates, etc.
Instructions
- Combine all of the ingredients except for the peanut butter in a small mixing bowl.
- Gently stir the ingredients together until combined.
- Cover the bowl and refrigerate overnight (or 12+ hours).
- Remove the oats from the refrigerator. Stir. Drizzle with the oats with the peanut butter and top additional toppings, if desired. Serve!
Notes
- Storing: Leftovers keep well, covered in an airtight container for 4-5 days. Stir before serving.
- Freezing: This recipe does not freeze well.
- To make this recipe gluten-free, use gluten-free certified rolled oats.
- Vegan: Use plant-based milk and plant-based yogurt to make this recipe vegan or dairy-free.
- Make sure to let the oats sit for 6-12 hours for the best results.
- To make this recipe for meal prep, double, triple, or multiply this recipe by any multiple. Store covered in the refrigerator until serving.
- To serve these oats warm or hot, just pop them in the microwave for 40-60 seconds before serving. Watch the oats as they cook so they don't overflow.
