Vanilla Overnight Oats

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Last Updated on May 14, 2025 by Toya

This delicious homemade vanilla overnight oats only needs a handful of easy-to-find ingredients and tastes amazing. It’s also versatile and makes the perfect meal prep breakfast recipe for busy mornings!

This vanilla overnight oats recipe has a subtly sweet, rich flavor. The combination of rolled oats, milk (or a milk alternative), and vanilla extract creates a creamy and slightly chewy texture that you will love if you enjoy overnight oats.

Vanilla-flavored Overnight Oats

If you can’t tell by now, I love making overnight oats! They’re so delicious and versatile, and a very handy and nutritious breakfast recipe. As such, I’ve shared so many overnight oat recipes here.

Some of my favorites are cinnamon overnight oats, lemon poppy seed overnight oats, and this blueberry overnight oats recipe.

I make these whenever I’m trying to slim down or when I have a really busy week ahead. It is a way to ensure that I eat right and save myself time and money.

Today, I’m sharing a simple, customizable vanilla overnight oats recipe that is so good, you’ll want to make it over and over again!

And the best part is that this recipe is made with ingredients you likely have at home including:

1. Rolled oats: The main ingredient, used to provides a hearty and nutritious base with a satisfying texture when soaked overnight.
2. Milk (dairy or plant-based): adds creaminess and moisture to the oats. It facilitates the soaking process while contributing to their overall richness.
3. Greek yogurt: adds a creamy and tangy element to the overnight oats while also providing additional protein and probiotics for added nutritional value.
4. Chia seeds (optional, for added thickness): These act as a natural thickening agent when soaked. This creates a pudding-like consistency, adding an extra layer of texture to the oats.
5. Maple syrup (adjust to taste): adds natural sweetness to the oats, balances the flavors of the overnight oats without the need for refined sugars.
6. Pure vanilla extract: it infuses an aromatic vanilla flavor, which elevates the overall taste of the oats.
7. A pinch of salt: enhances the flavors in the oats, and balances the sweetness for a well-rounded taste profile.
8. Toppings (e.g., fresh berries, sliced banana, nuts, or seeds)

Tools You Need

Mason Jars with Lids – To make this recipe. Any mason jar works, but, if you want some large wide mouth 16 oz mason jars, these are my favorite mason jars from Amazon!
Measuring Cups and Spoons – For any recipe, good measuring cups and spoons (or a food scale) are a must for accuracy. I’ve been using these stainless steel cups and spoons for a while and I love them!
Spoon –  I also used a basic spoon for mixing everything together.

How to Make Vanilla Overnight Oats

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup rolled oats (I like these organic rolled oats for the best texture)
• 1/2 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional, for added thickness) (these chia seeds work perfectly for overnight oats)
• 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (I always use this organic vanilla extract)
• Pinch of salt
• Toppings (e.g., fresh berries, sliced banana, nuts, or seeds)

Instructions:

In a mason jar (I love using these 16 oz wide-mouth jars — perfect for overnight oats and lots of toppings) or any airtight container, add the rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds (if using), maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Give everything a good stir using a mini whisk or spoon.

Once the mixture looks smooth and well combined, cover the jar with its lid and refrigerate overnight — or at least 4–8 hours.

The next day, give your oats a quick stir and top with your favorite toppings. I love using fresh berries, banana slices, or a sprinkle of nuts and seeds.

Then just grab a spoon and enjoy!

Continue to Content

Vanilla Overnight Oats

Yield: 1

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

This delicious homemade vanilla overnight oats only needs a handful of easy-to-find ingredients and tastes amazing. It’s also versatile and makes the perfect meal prep breakfast recipe for busy mornings!

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Ingredients

• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
• 1/2 cup Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional, for added thickness)
• 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup (adjust to taste)
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Instructions

1. In a mason jar (I love using these 16 oz wide-mouth jars — perfect for overnight oats and lots of toppings) or any airtight container, add the rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds (if using), maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Give everything a good stir using a mini whisk or spoon.
   
2. Once the mixture looks smooth and well combined, cover the jar with its lid and refrigerate overnight — or at least 4–8 hours.
   
3. The next day, give your oats a quick stir and top with your favorite toppings. I love using fresh berries, banana slices, or a sprinkle of nuts and seeds.
4. Then just grab a spoon and enjoy!

Notes

• Use old-fashioned rolled oats – Avoid using quick oats or steel-cut oats. Rolled oats (like these gluten free rolled oats) give the best texture. That is, they're soft, but still a little chewy after soaking overnight.
  
• Adjust the sweetness to your liking – Start with 1 tablespoon of maple syrup, then taste and adjust. You can also use honey, agave, or a sugar-free sweetener if preferred.
  
• Get the Perfect Consistency – If you like your oats thicker, use less milk or add more chia seeds. For thinner oats, add a splash more milk in the morning before eating.
  
• Chia seeds help thicken the oats – Optional but recommended! Chia seeds (like this organic brand) soak up liquid and make your oats extra creamy.
  
• Use a good mason jar or airtight container – Mason jars (like these wide mouth 16 oz jars) make your oats easy to prep, store, and grab on the go.
  
• Great for meal prep – You can prep 3–4 jars ahead of time and keep them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Just give each jar a good stir before eating.
  

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 456Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 240mgCarbohydrates: 70gFiber: 8gSugar: 35gProtein: 23g