Vanilla Overnight Oats - First Time Vegan (2024)

Overnight oats are one of the best and quickest ways to eat a nutritious breakfast. It’s simple, and all you have to do is combine oats, milk, fruit, and spices in a jar or container. In the morning, you’ll have a delicious and healthy vanilla overnight oats breakfast!

There are many ways to make overnight oats, and the possibilities are endless. You can make them sweet or savory, depending on your preference and what you have on hand. They’re easily customizable to fit your needs and dietary restrictions.

If you’ve never tried overnight oats before, now is the time! They’re an incredibly filling and versatile breakfast option. It’s best to start your day with at least 15 grams of plant-based protein.

Ingredients Used

The base of this vanilla overnight oats recipe calls for only a few simple ingredients that are staples on a vegan grocery list. Here’s what you need;

Rolled Oats: This varitey of oats works best to soften with the milk. If you simply hate the texture of overnight oats you could try steel cut oats for a chewier texture.

Soy Milk: this is a high protein option but any non-dairy milk will work in this recipe

Soy Yogurt: pick an unsweetened soy variety. Yogurts can be a place for hidden added sugar so double check the nutrition facts. If you don’t like soy you can use any non-sweetened non-dairy yogrut.

Vanilla Extract: of course we need vanilla extract to make these vanilla overnight oats! I like using pure vanilla extract instead of immitation.

Fruit: Fresh or frozen fruit is a great way to add sweetness and flavor to your oats. Diced apples, bananas, berries, cherries, and mango are all delicious options.

Nuts and seeds: For an extra boost of “keep you full” fats nuts and seeds can be a great option. Opt for an option like hemp seeds, sliced almonds, or walnuts.

Benefits of Eating Overnight Oats

There are endless benefits to incorporating overnight oats into your diet. Because this dish is so customizable you can add ingredients based on your nutriton needs. Oats as the base provide heart health benefits by lowering cholesterol and managing type 2 diabetes.

Adding a protein, like protein powder also helps to regulate blood sugar levels and keeps you feeling fuller longer. Proteins are made up of amino acids that our bodies need to function properly. As a vegan, you can get plenty of plant-based protein and this recipe is a great way to start the day.

Overnight Oat FAQs

Here are some anaswers to your common overnight oats questions. This recipe is great for begginners and will easily become a staple in your house like it is in mine.

Q: Do I have to refrigerate overnight oats?

A: Yes, you need to refrigerate them for at least 4 hours or overnight so the oats can soften and absorb the liquid. You don’t have to keep them overnight but in most cases that is how people prefer them.

Q: Can I make overnight oats ahead of time?

A: Yes, you can make them up to 5 days in advance. Simply store them in an airtight container in the fridge until you’re ready to eat them.

Q: What kind of milk should I use?

A: Any type of non-dairy milk will work! almond milk, cashew milk, coconut milk, soy milk, etc. You can even use water if you like but the oats will be less flavorful and less creamy.

Q: Can you heat up overnight oats?

A: Yes! If you don’t like the idea of cold oats you can heat up the overnight oats in the microwave for 30-45 seconds or until the desired temperatue is reached. To adjust the thickness you can add additional non-dairy milk or water.

Variations on the recipe

If you like the base but want to add more variety to keep things funky and fresh or want to try something a little different, here are some ideas;

• Change the flavor or protein powder: This will change the flavor and keep protien content high.
• Swap out the milk: Instead of using non-dairy milk, you can use juice or even strong coffee. This will change the flavor of the oats so experiment until you find a combination that you like.
• Add spices: Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and gingerbread spice can all be added to the oats for extra flavor. Start with a little bit and then add more to taste.
• Make it sweetener: If you find that the oats aren’t sweet enough try using a sweetener like maple syrup or chopped dates.