Last updated on July 5th, 2022 at 01:01 pm
If you’re looking for a super easy breakfast to take on the go, you need to try this simple healthy vegan overnight oats recipe made with oats, chia seeds, berries and nut butter! You can make the overnight oats with dairy-free milk or even water. It’s delicious either way and great for your gut, heart, skin and brain health.
You’ll Love Overnight Oats For Breakfast
That’s right, overnight oatmeal. Words can’t express how much I love, love this ready in the morning easy healthy breakfast. It saves me time, headaches and it also saves me from drinking coffee.
It also looks so pretty and it tastes really good. Like illegally good. But it’s definitely legal and it’s gluten and dairy-free! It’s:
- super quick and easy to make (5 minute prep!)
- absolutely delicious
- super versatile
- really healthy and nutritious
You can have this delicious meal for breakfast or even as a dessert later in the day if you’re not that hungry in the morning. I’ve found that overnight oats make a great post- or even pre-workout meal. So if you also do your workouts early in the day, now you know.
Healthy Vegan Overnight Oats Ingredients
I’ve been making overnight oats for over five years now and they never disappoint. I like to keep my recipe pretty simple:
- quick or fine oats (I don’t like regular in overnight oats, but some people do!)
- chia seeds
- water or nut milk
- berries
- almond or peanut butter on top
That’s all I use to make these refreshing breakfast “parfaits”!
How To Make Healthy Vegan Overnight Oats
To make overnight oats without dairy, you’ll need to combine dairy-free milk with regular or quick oats (1:1) and add a tbsp of chia seeds in a jar or a small airtight container. Additionally, you can mix in some maple syrup or another sweetener you like. Close the jar or container and put it in the fridge overnight or for at least 3 hours.
You can also use plain water to make overnight oats if you don’t have dairy-free milk. I’m doing this most of the time because I can’t tolerate store-bought dairy-free milk and I’m usually too lazy to make my own (plus I’m always freaking out about what to do with all that pulp).
Tip: Usually I make sure the overnight oats don’t get too runny by adding the water 1 “sip” at a time and pressing them down while mixing in the evening. This is when you’ll also notice the “oat milk” come out. After that stir well: the mixture shouldn’t be too thick and sticky, but also not too fluid. And there shouldn’t be too much liquid on top – just covering the oats.
Favorite Toppings
In the morning top with your favorite fruit, nuts and optionally nut butter. Here are some things you can add to your overnight oats:
- fruit: berries, banana, mango, peaches, apple pears
- flaxseed or other seeds
- nut butter: almond butter, peanut butter, sunflower butter
- nuts: almonds, peanuts, walnuts, pecans
- optionally you can also mix in some vanilla or cinnamon
My absolutely favorite way to enjoy overnight oats is with peanut or almond butter drizzled all over and then strawberries, raspberries or blueberries on top.
Sometimes I might even do all of the berries together, that’s if I get lost in a forest and start collecting the fruit myself…Or the more likely scenario is if I go to a store and forget that I’m not Rockefeller’s daughter and I don’t have my own money printer.
Health Benefits Of Overnight Oats
Due to their healthy ingredients, overnight oats have many benefits:
- oats and nuts are known to assist in weight loss and can lower cholesterol and blood pressure.
- they have anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties as well
- oats are also known to be prebiotic, thus they’re important for a good gut health
- berries are among the antioxidant-richest foods out there, they’re known to preserve your brain health and to prevent premature aging
- chia seeds are a great source of anti-inflammatory omega-3’s, protein and fiber
Meal Prep Vegan Overnight Oats
To make the overnight oats ahead you have two great options:
- Adjust servings for the week and make your own dried mix with oats and chia seeds. Simply add water or nut milk the night before and add toppings in the morning.
- Prepare the base for the overnight oats and store in an airtight container in the fridge for about 3 days. This actually works, I’ve tried it and they’re good after 3 days. Top with fruit and nut butter in the morning.
More Healthy Breakfast Recipes
I hope you enjoy this tasty and easy breakfast idea. For more healthy meals to make in the morning, check out these recipes:
Vegan Overnight oats for Healthy Heart, Skin and Brain

Simple healthy overnight oats recipe with oats, chia seeds, nut butter and berries! This easy vegan breakfast is filled with fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and is the perfect way to start your morning.
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup oats (use gluten-free oats, if you're on a gluten-free diet)
- 1/3 cup almond milk or water
- 1 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tsp honey /agave/maple syrup
Toppings
- 1/2 cup berries
- 2 Tbsp chopped almonds
- 1 Tbsp almond butter
Instructions
- Before you go to bed mix in a small tupperware/jar oats, chia seeds, almond milk or even plain water, sweetener (agave/maple syrup). Make sure that all parts are combined well, stirring around 1 min. Close lid and leave in the fridge over night or at least for 5 hours.
- In the morning: Top with berries of your choice, I used blueberries and raspberries, nuts (I usually like almonds and peanuts because they're very crunchy and make my heart melt) and nut butter - I love peanut butter, so that's what I used. Almond butter goes well with these too.
- Enjoy!
Notes
If you're using frozen berries and want to eat the overnight oats right away - add them to your oats the night before, so they can thaw. If you're taking them on the go, having the frozen berries will keep this breakfast cold for longer, which I love especially when it's hot outside.
MADE THE RECIPE? SHOW ME! TAG ME ON INSTAGRAM OR LEAVE A COMMENT ON PINTEREST - I'D LOVE TO SEE!
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 423Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 115mgCarbohydrates: 63gFiber: 11gSugar: 31gProtein: 11g
Update note: This recipe was originally published on July 25th 2016 and updated with new images and more tips on July 5th 2022.
So easy and sooo amazing. I left out the sweetener and added a half of a banana, and it was perfect.
Glad you liked it, Vanessa!
I like to heat it sometimes when it’s cold outside. I add hemp seeds, dried fruit, the freeze dried kind. I put them in at night. Raisins and cranberries are good too. I don’t use much so I think it’s still healthy. Peanut butter powder is quick and easy to add.
I’ve never added dark chocolate but it’s supposed to be healthy. Wonder if you can buy it without sugar in chip form. Love your blog.
You can! Look for what are called “Cacau nibs.” These are 100% chocolate flakes that have not been processed into “regular chocolate” yet.
One of my fave breakfasts! 🙂
How To Be More Mindful | Vegan Fashion + Lifestyle Blog
This looks delicious and I can’t wait to try this! What type of oats do you use? I have steel cut oats at home and didn’t know if those would work.
Thanks! 🙂
Hi Anna, here I used quick oats, because I find they become creamier as they soak, but rolled oats would also work. I haven’t tried it, but I don’t think steel cut oats will work for this recipe. Hope it helps!
She stated that she likes to use fine oats.
I’m not vegan or dairy free – can you use Greek yogurt, almond or nonfat milk with this? It looks yummy!
Hi Gigi! Yes you can definitely make it with yogurt too – it becomes even creamier! You can add 2 tbsp of yogurt, but 1/2 the milk or water to the mix. Then in the morning – check, if it’s too thick and sticky – you can always add some more water or milk of choice (like a tbsp or so) – this is better than having too much liquid.
About the clean eating binder – it’s a digital product, so it’s not actually out of stock – but I’m currently changing some things about the site and it will be back in the beginning of April. Hope it helps!