4.2 90 Published May 14, 2021, Updated Aug 22, 2024 I eat oatmeal for breakfast almost daily and love it, but on it’s own it’s not super protein-rich. So recently I took my regular overnight oats recipe and added protein powder to create this protein overnight oats recipe.
Why Add Protein?
I am a huge proponent of making protein oatmeal (aka proats)! If you have ever eaten oatmeal and been hungry an hour later, it’s likely because you didn’t add any protein to your oats! Adding protein to overnight oats ensures that breakfast will keep me full for hours and the vanilla protein powder I use adds extra flavor (and sweetness) as well.
Other Protein Options
If you don’t have protein powder on hand or simply don’t want to use it, here are some other ways to add protein to your overnight oats!
old fashioned oats – make sure you’re using old fashioned oats and not quick/instant oats. milk – you can use any type of milk, but I prefer almond milk because it’s low in sugar and calories. vanilla protein powder – you can use your favorite brand of protein powder. Just note that some protein powders soak up more liquid than others so you may need to adjust the amount of milk. chia seeds – for added fiber, protein and healthy fats. Chia seeds also absorb some liquid, making the end result a little thicker. vanilla extract – a staple ingredient for overnight oats! cinnamon – I love adding a hint of cinnamon to bring the flavors together. optional toppings – berries, sliced almonds and/or almond butter.
Greek yogurt: Add 1/4 cup of plain Greek yogurt to the overnight oats mixture. This will add about 4 grams of protein, depending on what brand you use. Try my overnight oats with yogurt.
Cottage cheese: Add 1/4 cup cottage cheese to the overnight oats mixture. This will about around 7 grams of protein. Try my cottage cheese overnight oats.
Nuts and nut butter: Chopped nuts and/or nut butter are a great way to add a little bit of extra protein to your overnight oats. They also add healthy fats, which will make the oats even more filling! Try my peanut butter overnight oats.
Do You Have to Soak the Oats Overnight?
You actually don’t! I know the name is “overnight oats” but you actually just need to soak oats for a few hours. When I am on top of my meal prep I prefer to soak the oats overnight. But if I forget to prep them, I just make the oats in the morning and let them soak for about 2-3 hours. The longer you soak the oats, the softer they will be. When I only soak for a few hours, the oats are a little chewier, but I don’t mind!
How to Eat Protein Overnight Oats
This is a great “base” recipe for protein overnight oats. It’s designed to eat cold, but if you would rather eat them warm you can heat in the microwave for 30-60 seconds after the oats soak. You can enjoy the overnight oats plain, but I recommend adding some toppings for extra flavor! I love adding fresh berries, sliced bananas, drizzled nut butter and/or sliced nuts.
How Long do Overnight Oats Last?
One of the best parts about overnight oats is that they can be prepped in advance! After prepping your oats, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. You can make a double or triple batch and enjoy for multiple days! The longer you store overnight oats, the more liquid they will absorb so you may need to add an extra splash of milk before serving.
More Overnight Oats Recipes
Blended Overnight Oats Strawberry Overnight Oats Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats Low Calorie Overnight Oats Overnight Oats with Yogurt Kefir Overnight Oats
