Easy Overnight Oats without Oats

Overnight oats without oats is a perfect make ahead breakfast. If you want the ease and convenience of a meal-prepped brekkie but want to focus on nuts and seeds over an oat-forward jar, I gotchu!

Oatmeal feels like the easiest of easy breakfasts. I make it for my kids almost every morning because they looove oatmeal. It’s a couple minutes to throw together and then done. Everyone’s happy.

So as much as I was eyeballing creamy oats on Instagram. Loving the flavors combos and toppings and thinking to myself it would never b e a reality. Oats weren’t in my future.

And, I was right. Oats weren’t in my future. No-oats were in my future. So let me tell you what to expect. Hearty, seedy, satisfying breakfast loaded with nutrients and ingredients you can feel good about. Totally customizable. Totally delicious.

I made three different versions. The trifecta of my favorite flavors: vanilla, peanut butter, chocolate. They are delicious and they are so easy to make on a Sunday night for the week’s breakfasts.

If you love oat-y options, try these recipes for Carrot Cake Overnight Oats, 4-Ingredient Creamy Chocolate Overnight Oats, and Easy Banana Overnight Oats!

Why You’ll Love These Overnight Oats without Oats

Great if you have dietary restrictions! If you have dietary restrictions or preferences that limit or exclude certain foods, such as oats, this is a great option! This oat-free recipe that use nuts and seeds to provide a delicious and satisfying alternative for a breakfast dish.

It’s nutrient dense! Nuts and seeds are rich in healthy fats, protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Tons of texture and flavor! Nuts and seeds can add such a great crunch, creaminess, and richness.

Oh so convenient! Set it and forget it breakfasts are known for their convenience, as they can be prepared the night before and left to soak in the refrigerator overnight, requiring minimal effort in the morning.

So Many Flavor Options!

Once you learn the base of this recipe, you’ll have so much fun customizing it with different flavors! Below you’ll find recipes for vanilla, peanut butter, and chocolate. Here are some more flavor ideas:

Fruit-infused: Add fresh or frozen fruits for a burst of natural sweetness and fruity flavors. Try berries, bananas, apples, peaches, mangoes, and pineapple. You can either mix them in with the oats or layer them on top for a colorful and flavorful breakfast.

Hazelnut: Add a scoop of Nutella and some chopped hazelnuts for our favorite chocolate hazelnut combo.

Spiced: Add warm spices to your overnight oats for a cozy and aromatic twist. Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom, and cloves are popular options that can lend warmth and depth of flavor to your oats.

Coffee or tea-infused: For coffee or tea lovers, you can infuse your overnight oats with your favorite brew. Simply steep coffee or tea in milk or water, and use it as the liquid for soaking your oats overnight. This can add a subtle coffee or tea flavor to your oats.

Almond: Add a splash of almond extract to your overnight oats for a hint of sweetness and aroma.

How to Make Overnight Oats without Oats

Step 1: Gather your ingredients. The ingredients are pretty flexible and customizable! In the recipe card I give you some ideas and alternatives 🙂

Step 2: Choose a large jar with a lid that is big enough to hold all the ingredients. This will be your container for making the overnight oats. Mason jars or any other glass or plastic container with a tight-fitting lid are great options.

Step 3: Add the ingredients to the jar.

Step 4: Place the lid on the jar and shake everything together. Make sure the lid is tightly secured, and give the jar a good shake to mix all the ingredients together. This will ensure that the liquid, nuts, seeds, and sweeteners are well combined.

Step 5: Place the jar in the refrigerator and let it sit overnight, or for at least 6-8 hours. The nuts and seeds will absorb the liquid and soften as they soak, creating a creamy and delicious texture.

Step 6: In the morning, or when you’re ready to enjoy, take the jar out of the refrigerator and give it a stir. The ingredients should have thickened and become creamy.

Step 7: Scoop the desired amount of overnight oats into a bowl. Use a spoon to transfer the oats from the jar to a bowl. This recipe should make 2 – 3 servings!

Step 8: Add your desired toppings. This can include fresh fruits like sliced bananas, berries, diced apples, or any other fruits of your choice. You can also add additional nuts, seeds, or nut butter for added crunch and flavor. Sweeteners like honey or maple syrup can be drizzled on top for extra sweetness.