Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Hands down, I have a favorite make-ahead breakfast. Overnight oatmeal is filling, easily customizable and comes together in minutes—no cooking required! By spending 10 minutes (if that!) combining rolled oats with milk, yogurt and a few fun mix-ins the night before, breakfast is done and waiting for you the next day.

Peanut butter overnight oats is just one of many fun flavor variations on classic overnight oats. Adding creamy peanut butter, brown sugar and cinnamon transforms plain oats into a breakfast that tastes like a peanut butter oatmeal cookie. It sounds decadent, but this overnight oats recipe with peanut butter is nutritious too. Each serving packs 18 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber for an energizing and satisfying start to your day.

Ingredients for Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

• Oats: Old-fashioned oats, which are the same as rolled oats, are ideal for overnight oatmeal recipes. They’re thick (but not too thick), which allows them to absorb liquid without losing their pleasant, chewy texture. Do not substitute instant or quick oats; doing so will result in watery, mushy oats. Steel-cut oats require more liquid than called for in this recipe.
• Brown sugar: This recipe is sweetened with 4 tablespoons brown sugar, which adds notes of caramel and molasses to make the oats taste dessert-like. If you prefer less sweetness or will be adding sweetened toppings like chocolate chips or granola, cut the brown sugar amount in half.
• Cinnamon: A pinch of ground cinnamon adds a hint of warming spice. If you love cinnamon, you can use more.
• Milk: Milk is the creamy base of our soaking liquid. The oats will absorb the milk, transforming into a creamy pudding-like consistency, as they sit in the fridge overnight. This recipe calls for 2% milk, but you can use 1%, whole or nondairy milk.
• Peanut butter: You can use any kind of creamy peanut butter to flavor the oats. However, natural peanut butter that is thinner and drippier will be easier to combine with the other ingredients. You can also warm the peanut butter in the microwave or put it in a small saucepan on the stovetop to soften it and make it easier to stir.
• Greek yogurt: Adding yogurt produces a thicker, creamier texture than soaking the oats in milk alone. We’re using Greek yogurt, which is thicker and has more protein than regular yogurt.
• Vanilla: Pure vanilla extract enhances the flavor, sweetness and aroma of the overnight oats recipe with peanut butter.
• Optional toppings: Customize your peanut butter overnight oats with fresh fruit, crunchy granola, extra peanut butter, or nuts and seeds. Create chocolate peanut butter overnight oats by adding chocolate chips. See below for more ideas to jazz up your oats.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the ingredients

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Whisk together the oats, brown sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.

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Add the milk, peanut butter, yogurt and vanilla, and stir to combine.

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Divide the oatmeal mixture into two containers.

Editor’s Tip: Mix the ingredients in the individual containers to dirty one less dish. Simply add half of each ingredient to each container and stir (or shake if you’re using a lidded jar) to combine. A Mason jar or small food storage container with a lid makes an excellent vessel for overnight oats.

Step 2: Refrigerate overnight, then serve

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Seal each container with a lid and refrigerate overnight. Add your favorite toppings before serving.

Editor’s Tip: Let the overnight oats sit at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes before serving to soften and make them easier to scoop. If your oats are too thick after soaking overnight, stir in a splash of milk.

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Recipe Variations

• Thicken with seeds: Stir 2 teaspoons of chia seeds or ground flax seeds into the oats for a nutrient boost and a thicker consistency.
• Prep dairy-free overnight oats: Prepare the recipe as directed, substituting nondairy alternatives for the 2% milk and Greek yogurt.
• Use a different sweetener: Sweeten the oats with 2 tablespoons of maple syrup or honey for a slightly less sweet version.
• Add crunch: Crunchy toppings, such as your favorite granola, chopped nuts or pumpkin seeds, contrast the creamy oats.
• Top with fruit: Any fruit you enjoy with peanut butter will taste good when added to these oats. Try apple or banana slices, chopped strawberries or a handful of blueberries. Dried fruits and fruit jams work too!
• Make ’em chocolaty: For chocolate peanut butter overnight oats, stir 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder into the oat mixture or sprinkle in a few chocolate chips.
• Bump up the protein: This peanut butter overnight oats recipe contains 18 grams of protein per serving, but you can add a scoop of your favorite protein powder or collagen peptides to help hit your breakfast protein goals.

How to Store Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Store peanut butter overnight oats in a sealed container or jar in the fridge until you’re ready to eat them. They should last three to four days in the refrigerator, but the oats’ texture will get softer and mushier the longer they sit.

Can you freeze peanut butter overnight oats?

Yes! Freezing is an excellent option if you want to scale this recipe and meal prep a large batch of oats to have on hand for busy mornings. Scale the recipe for the number of servings you’d like and mix the ingredients as directed. Then, divide the oats into portions in freezer-safe containers or storage bags. Freeze for up to three months. To thaw, pop a serving of oats into the fridge the night before you want to eat them.

Peanut Butter Overnight Oat Tips

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Are peanut butter overnight oats healthy?

Yes! Overnight oats with peanut butter are a healthy, balanced breakfast option. They contain several nutritious ingredients, including oats, dairy and peanut butter. Oats are a good source of good-for-your-gut fiber, and milk, yogurt and peanut butter contain protein. Both fiber and protein help you feel satisfied, provide sustained energy and support good health.

How can you make this recipe dairy-free?

You can easily make dairy-free overnight oats with peanut butter by replacing the dairy ingredients in this recipe with nondairy milk and yogurt, such as almond or oat milk and coconut or cashew yogurt.

Can you heat peanut butter overnight oats?

Sure! If you prefer a warm bowl of oatmeal, you can heat the oats after they’ve soaked overnight. Simply place the oats in a small saucepan and heat them on the stovetop, or place them in a microwave-safe dish and microwave them until warmed through.

What toppings can you add to peanut butter overnight oats?

There are lots of delicious toppings that will enhance the flavor and texture of peanut butter overnight oats. For fruity oats, try chopped apples, sliced bananas, strawberries, blueberries or raisins. You could even add a spoonful of fruit jam for PB&J oats. For more indulgent oats, top with chocolate chips, toasted coconut, chopped nuts or an extra peanut butter drizzle.