Overnight Oats with Protein Powder

Ingredients

• 50 g (½ cup)old-fashioned or rolled oats
• 6 g (2 tsp)chia seeds
• 20 g (2 tbsp)brown sugar or honey
• about 30 g (1 scoop)vanilla protein powder of your choice
• 125 g (1 cup)fresh or frozen berries
• 16 g (1 tbsp)peanut butter or nut butter
• 180 ml (¾ cup)milk of your choice or water
• to tastefresh berries, for topping
• to tastechopped nuts, for topping
• to tastepeanut butter or nut butter, for topping

Instructions

1. 1

   Combine ingredients

   Put the oats, chia seeds, brown sugar, protein powder, berries, peanut butter and milk in a jar or bowl.

2. 2

   Chill the oats

   Stir thoroughly to combine, then cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.

3. 3

   Adjust consistency

   When ready to eat, take the oats out of the fridge and stir. If they have thickened more than you like, mix in a little extra milk or water.

4. 4

   Add toppings

   Serve cold, topped with fresh berries, chopped nuts and/or a spoonful of peanut butter, if desired.

5. 5

   Keep leftovers

   Store the overnight oats in the fridge for up to 4 days.

What are overnight oats?

Overnight oats are a no-cook way to prepare oats: they soften in liquid while resting in the fridge. This American-style breakfast brings together oats, chia, berries and protein powder in a single portion.

The method is simple, and the ingredients each add something useful: oats and chia thicken the mixture, while berries bring fruitiness and nut butter adds richness.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 487 calories, 30g protein, 73g carbs, 11g fat.

The oats, sugar or honey, berries and milk provide much of the carbohydrate; peanut butter contributes fat, while the protein powder and milk contribute protein. To make the plate more balanced to your preference, add extra berries and choose a milk that suits your needs.

Choosing the ingredients

Rolled oats: use old-fashioned or rolled oats for a soft, substantial texture after chilling. Quick oats may become softer and thicker.

Protein powder: vanilla is the flavour specified here. Different powders can absorb liquid differently, so check the texture before serving.

Berries: fresh or frozen berries both work in the mixture. Frozen berries can release extra liquid as they thaw.

Getting the texture right

Chia seeds: they absorb liquid as the oats chill, helping the mixture set. Stir well at the start so they do not gather in clumps.

Liquid: the recipe starts with 180 ml of milk or water. If the chilled oats are too thick, stir in a little more just before eating.

Allow time to chill

The oats need at least 3 hours in the fridge, though leaving them overnight makes them easy to prepare ahead. Keep the jar or bowl covered while chilling.

Give the mixture a final stir before serving, especially if it has been sitting overnight and the liquid has settled.

Serving and toppings

Serve the oats cold, straight from the fridge, with fresh berries, chopped nuts or an extra spoonful of nut butter. Add only the toppings you want, since they are optional.

For a less thick bowl, loosen it with milk or water before adding the toppings.

Make-ahead storage

This is a convenient breakfast to prepare ahead: mix it in a lidded jar or covered bowl and refrigerate. The recipe says it keeps for up to 4 days in the fridge.

Recipe notes & tips

• Stir the chia seeds thoroughly into the mixture so they hydrate evenly.
• Use a jar or bowl with enough room to stir the oats comfortably.
• If using frozen berries, expect them to soften and release some juice as they thaw.
• Check the thickness after chilling and add milk or water a little at a time.
• Add crunchy nuts just before eating to keep their texture.

Variations

• Use honey: swap it for the brown sugar as the sweetener.
• Choose another nut butter: use a nut butter you enjoy in place of peanut butter.
• Change the berries: use a different mix of fresh or frozen berries.
• Use water: replace the milk with water for the soaking liquid.
• Add extra crunch: scatter chopped nuts over the oats just before serving.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Clumpy chia: stir the mixture thoroughly at the start so the seeds are spread through the liquid.
• Oats too thick: loosen them with a little extra milk or water before eating.
• Not enough chilling: leave the covered mixture in the fridge for at least 3 hours.
• Expecting frozen berries to stay firm: use fresh berries for the topping if you want a firmer, fresher finish.
• Adding nuts too early: add them just before serving if you want them to stay crunchy.

How to store

Keep the oats covered in a jar or bowl in the fridge for up to 4 days. Serve cold; stir in a little milk or water if they have thickened in storage.

Frequently asked questions