Creamy Overnight Oats Jars

Featured in: One-Pot Warm Meals

This dish features a creamy blend of rolled oats soaked overnight with milk and yogurt, enriched with chia seeds and natural sweeteners. Divided into jars, each portion is topped with a variety of fresh fruits, nuts, and flavorful accents like shredded coconut and dark chocolate chips. Easy to prepare and ideal for make-ahead breakfasts, these jars offer a versatile and nutritious start to your day with plant-based alternatives available for vegan options.

Updated on Wed, 19 Nov 2025 08:59:00 GMT
Jars layered with creamy overnight oats, topped with fresh berries and crunchy granola. Save to Pinterest
Jars layered with creamy overnight oats, topped with fresh berries and crunchy granola. | frostkettle.com

Creamy, customizable overnight oats layered in jars with delicious toppings ideal for meal prep and Instagram-worthy breakfasts.

I first made these overnight oats when I needed an easy breakfast I could grab and eat on the go. Seeing the jars lined up in my fridge always makes me look forward to mornings.

Ingredients

  • Old-fashioned rolled oats: 2 cups
  • Milk (dairy or plant-based): 2 cups
  • Plain Greek yogurt (or plant-based yogurt for vegan): 1 cup
  • Chia seeds: 2 tbsp
  • Maple syrup or honey: 2 tbsp
  • Vanilla extract: 1 tsp
  • Salt: Pinch
  • Fresh berries (strawberries blueberries raspberries): 1/2 cup
  • Banana sliced: 1 medium
  • Granola: 1/4 cup
  • Shredded coconut: 2 tbsp
  • Nut butter (peanut almond or sunflower seed): 2 tbsp
  • Chopped nuts (almonds walnuts pecans): 2 tbsp
  • Dark chocolate chips: 2 tbsp
  • Dried fruit (raisins cranberries apricots): 2 tbsp

Instructions

Mix the base:
In a large bowl combine oats milk yogurt chia seeds maple syrup or honey vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. Stir until well combined.
Divide among jars:
Divide the oat mixture evenly among 4 clean jars or containers (about 3/4 cup per jar).
Add toppings:
Add your choice of toppings to each jar. For example: Jar 1 mixed berries granola Jar 2 sliced banana peanut butter chopped nuts Jar 3 shredded coconut dried cranberries dark chocolate chips Jar 4 fresh strawberries almond butter.
Refrigerate overnight:
Seal the jars with lids and refrigerate overnight (at least 8 hours).
Serve:
In the morning stir the contents add extra milk if desired for creaminess and enjoy directly from the jar or transfer to a bowl.
A close-up of beautifully layered overnight oats in jars, ready for a delicious breakfast. Save to Pinterest
A close-up of beautifully layered overnight oats in jars, ready for a delicious breakfast. | frostkettle.com

Making these oats together with my kids was always fun they loved picking their favorite toppings for each jar.

Required Tools

Mixing bowl measuring cups and spoons 4 glass jars or airtight containers spoon

Allergen Information

Contains dairy and nuts if used in toppings for nut-free use seed alternatives and check for gluten-free oats.

Nutritional Information

Calories 250 Total Fat 6 g Carbohydrates 38 g Protein 10 g (toppings add extra)

Bright, colorful jars of overnight oats prepared for meal prep with various tasty toppings. Save to Pinterest
Bright, colorful jars of overnight oats prepared for meal prep with various tasty toppings. | frostkettle.com

Layering the oats and toppings is a simple way to start your day with something nourishing and colorful. Enjoy experimenting with flavors or making these ahead for a stress-free morning.

Recipe Questions & Answers

How long should the oats soak?

Allow the oats to soak for at least 8 hours, preferably overnight, to achieve a creamy and tender texture.

Can I use plant-based milk?

Yes, plant-based milks like almond or soy work well and maintain the creamy consistency.

What toppings pair best with the oats?

Fresh berries, sliced bananas, nuts, shredded coconut, and dark chocolate chips complement the oats beautifully.

Is it possible to prepare these jars in advance?

Absolutely, preparing the jars ahead saves time in the morning and keeps well refrigerated up to 5 days.

Can I customize sweetness levels?

Yes, adjust sweetness by varying maple syrup, honey, or omitting sweeteners based on preference.

Creamy Overnight Oats Jars

Creamy oats layered with nuts, berries, and seeds for a wholesome chilled breakfast jar.

Prep Duration
10 minutes
0
Overall Time
10 minutes
Created by Nora Whitman


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 4 Serving Size

Dietary Information Meatless

What You Need

Base

01 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 2 cups milk (dairy or plant-based)
03 1 cup plain Greek yogurt or plant-based yogurt
04 2 tablespoons chia seeds
05 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
06 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 Pinch of salt

Toppings (select as desired)

01 1/2 cup fresh berries (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries)
02 1 medium banana, sliced
03 1/4 cup granola
04 2 tablespoons shredded coconut
05 2 tablespoons nut butter (peanut, almond, or sunflower seed)
06 2 tablespoons chopped nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans)
07 2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips
08 2 tablespoons dried fruit (raisins, cranberries, apricots)

How-To Steps

Step 01

Combine base ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup or honey, vanilla extract, and salt until thoroughly mixed.

Step 02

Portion mixture into jars: Evenly distribute the oat mixture among four clean jars or containers, approximately 3/4 cup per jar.

Step 03

Add toppings: Top each jar with your preferred combination of toppings, such as berries with granola, sliced banana with peanut butter and nuts, shredded coconut with dried cranberries and chocolate chips, or fresh strawberries with almond butter.

Step 04

Refrigerate overnight: Seal jars with lids and chill in the refrigerator for at least eight hours to allow flavors to meld and oats to soften.

Step 05

Serve and enjoy: In the morning, stir the contents and add extra milk if a creamier texture is desired; consume directly from the jar or transfer to a bowl.

Tools You'll Need

  • Mixing bowl
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Four glass jars or airtight containers
  • Spoon

Allergy Info

Review every ingredient for allergens. Ask a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Contains dairy unless plant-based alternatives are used.
  • May contain nuts depending on toppings selected.
  • Contains gluten if regular oats are used; gluten-free oats recommended for sensitivity.

Nutrition Details (Each Serving)

Given for informational purposes, this isn't medical advice.
  • Energy Value: 250
  • Fats: 6 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Proteins: 10 g