Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

A question I often get about breakfast recipes is, “How can I eat more protein in the morning without eating eggs?”

Overnight oats aren’t the first meal to come to mind if you’re thinking about high-protein breakfast recipes. However, you can create a jar that boasts about 15 grams of protein!

Not to mention it’s filled with whole grains too, and this means you’ll stay full all morning.

This peanut butter overnight oats recipe checks all those boxes.

Reasons you’ll love this recipe

• Healthy. This overnight oats with peanut butter recipe is the answer if you want a high-protein breakfast recipe that doesn’t include eggs, and it’s also vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free.
• Delicious. Dare I say this oatmeal tastes like a peanut butter cookie? Yep, it sure does.
• Easy to prepare. It takes less than 5 minutes to whip together a week’s worth of overnight oats recipes. And if you keep a healthy, stocked pantry, then you likely have everything in your kitchen to make this overnight peanut butter oats right now.
• Affordable. Each jar of oats is less than 50 cents! How’s that for cheap and healthy?

Ingredients

• Rolled oats, or old-fashioned oats, work best in overnight oats recipes. Do not grab quick-cooking oats because that will result in a jar of mushy oats, and steel-cut oats will end up too crunchy. 
• Chia seeds are my go-to superfood to stir into all of the overnight oats recipes I make. Chia seeds give the oats a pudding consistency and add extra protein, fiber, and omega’3 fatty acids.
• Organic natural peanut butter is the healthiest option when making peanut butter overnight oats. The only ingredient you want to see on the label is peanuts.
• Pure vanilla extract is optional, but it does give the oatmeal extra flavor.
• Unsweetened coconut milk, almond milk, or any milk will work with overnight oats.
• Pure maple syrup gives the overnight oats that perfect amount of sweetness and brings all of the other ingredients together.

Supplies

• 16- ounce mason jars with lids

How to Make Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

• Add the rolled oats and chia seeds to a 16-mason jar container. Of course, you can use any container with a lid (I recommend glass), but mason jars are my favorite.
• Add the peanut butter and milk to the oat mixture. You want to make sure to cover the oats in the milk completely. If you need to add a little more liquid, then do so.
• Mix everything. Again, make sure there is enough liquid.
• Place the lid on and stick the overnight oats in the refrigerator for 5 hours or overnight. Give it a couple of stirs in the morning and add the sweetener. If the oats seem thick, add a couple of milk splashes until it’s the consistency you want.
• You can also warm it up in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Storage tips

Overnight oats with peanut butter is supposed to be made ahead of time. If you want to make these for the week, prepare the jars on Sunday and refrigerate. Keep in mind the longer the oats sit in the fridge, the thicker they will be; stir in extra milk until you get the consistency you like.

You can also freeze overnight oats kits by placing all ingredients minus the milk into reusable storage bags or jars and placing them in the freezer. When you’re ready to eat, pour the oatmeal ingredients into a jar and add the milk. You can see my overnight oats freezer tips post for more information.

Oatmeal is one of my favorite recipes for meal prep. Check out my oatmeal meal prep tutorial for more tips and tons of recipes.

Substitutions

• Because of the peanut butter, this oatmeal recipe is higher in fat and calories than most overnight oats recipes I make. You can reduce the fat by removing one tablespoon of peanut butter, which also reduces the protein. My advice is to look at the rest of your meals and make sure everything balances each other out.
• You can also lower the saturated fat by using PB2 or any powder peanut butter instead of natural peanut butter. 
• You can swap in any nut butter, and Almond butter is delicious, or if you have a nut allergy, use any seed butter.
• Honey is tasty in place of maple syrup, but you can use any of your favorite sweeteners.
• Flaxseeds and hemp hearts are other superfoods that work well in this overnight oats recipe. For more protein, you can also stir in collagen powder.
• Stir in fruit. Banana slices, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, raisins, or even dried cranberries go great with peanut butter and oatmeal.
• If you want peanut butter overnight oats with yogurt, add a tablespoon or so of greek yogurt for flavor, texture, and extra protein.
• Sprinkle with chocolate chips if you’re craving chocolate and peanut butter. Or check out this chocolate peanut butter overnight oats recipe.
• If you want crunch then consider topping the oatmeal with a tablespoons of this almond butter granola.
• If you have a gluten allergy or sensitivity, make sure to purchase certified gluten-free oats and check the labels on the other ingredients.

Did you make this recipe?

Have you tried this Peanut Butter Overnight Oats Recipe? If so, I’d love for you to rate this recipe and leave a comment below. We all learn from each other’s experiences. Also, it would be awesome if you could share a picture on Instagram and tag it #organizeyourselfskinny. I can’t wait to see it!