Overnight Oats with Water

Recipe features

• Made with water instead of milk - No dairy-free milk or yogurt is needed for this simple overnight oats recipe.
• Easy 1:1 ratio - Use equal amounts of rolled oats and water for a thick, spoonable consistency.
• Quick to prep - Stir everything together in about 5 minutes, then refrigerate overnight.
• Easy to customize - Add fruit, nut butter, cinnamon, cocoa powder, or your favorite toppings for extra flavor and creaminess.
• Great for meal prep - Make a few jars ahead of time for an easy grab-and-go breakfast.

Ingredient notes and substitutions

The ingredients for these overnight oats with water are simple, but please see the recipe card below for the full list and exact measurements.

Old-fashioned oats - Rolled oats give overnight oats the best soft, chewy texture as they absorb water. Use certified gluten-free oats if needed. I don't recommend steel-cut oats because they won't soften overnight, and quick-cooking oats break down faster and can become mushy.

Water - Plain water works for soaking the oats, but it won't add the same creaminess or flavor as milk. For a different flavor, replace half of the water with apple juice.

Ground flaxseed - Helps thicken the oats as they soak and gives the mixture a more substantial texture. Whole chia seeds can be used instead. For another way to use ground flaxseed, try this flax seed pudding.

Maple syrup - Adds sweetness.  Adjust the amount to taste, or substitute agave syrup or another sweetener you enjoy.

Ground cinnamon - Optional, but it adds a warm flavor to the water-based overnight oats.

How to make overnight oats with water

1. Mix the ingredients. Add the rolled oats, water, ground flaxseed, maple syrup, and ground cinnamon to a jar or container with a lid. Stir well to combine.

2. Add any mix-ins. Stir in any flavor additions you want to use before refrigerating.

3. Chill. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, although overnight gives the oats the best texture.

4. Check the consistency. After soaking, the oats should be soft and thick with most of the water absorbed. They won't be quite as creamy as overnight oats made with milk. If they're thicker than you prefer, stir in a little more water.

5. Stir, add toppings, and serve. Stir the oats, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy cold.

How to make overnight oats with water taste better

Try these add-ins for more flavor and creaminess in overnight oats made with water.

• Nut or seed butter - Stir in 1 tablespoon of peanut, almond, or cashew butter, or try this hazelnut puree. You can also use powdered peanut butter; use my recipe for overnight oats with PB2 as a guide. PB2 absorbs extra liquid, so add about 1 additional tablespoon of water for every tablespoon of PB2 you use.  
• Dairy-free yogurt or cream cheese - Add a spoonful of dairy-free yogurt or 1 to 2 tablespoons of dairy-free cream cheese. For ideas, try my blueberry cheesecake overnight oats or mixed berry cheesecake overnight oats.
• Mashed banana, pumpkin, or sweet potato - Mix in ½ mashed banana or about ⅓ cup mashed pumpkin or sweet potato.  I increase the maple syrup to 1 tablespoon for the pumpkin-flavored. For ideas, see my banana cinnamon overnight oats or pumpkin overnight oats.
• Blended fruit - Blend about ½ cup of fresh or frozen fruit with the water, then mix it with the remaining overnight oat ingredients. This works especially well with mango or berries, like in these strawberry overnight oats. If using frozen fruit, there is no need to thaw it first.
• Layered fruit - Start with about ½ cup of frozen berries, thaw them, then mash with a fork and spoon them into the bottom of a jar. In a separate container, mix the oatmeal ingredients and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes. Then spoon the oatmeal mixture over the mashed fruit.  For another layered version, try my blueberry cheesecake overnight oats, or stir the mashed berries directly into the oats like in my raspberry overnight oats.
• Applesauce - Stir in ⅓ cup of unsweetened applesauce, like in these applesauce overnight oats.  
• Fruit preserves or fruit spread - Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of fruit preserves (or spread) to the bottom of a jar. In a separate container, mix the oats, water, flaxseed, maple syrup, and cinnamon, and let the mixture sit for 10 minutes. Then spoon the oatmeal mixture over the fruit spread.
• Cocoa powder - Add 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder for chocolate oats.  The powder will make the oats thicker, so add more water if needed.  I add 1 additional tablespoon of water for every tablespoon of cocoa powder, and I increase the maple syrup to 1 tablespoon. For a chocolate-peanut butter combination, try my chocolate peanut butter overnight oats.
• Protein powder - Add a flavored protein powder; this soaks up a lot of water, so you will need to add more water to thin out the oats.  If your protein powder is sweet, leave out the maple syrup or adjust if needed.
• Spices and extracts - Substitute the cinnamon with pumpkin pie spice, or add ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract or ⅛ teaspoon almond extract.
• Dried fruit - Stir in about 2 tablespoons of raisins, dried cranberries, or chopped dates. They'll soften and plump as the oats soak.

Tips and troubleshooting for overnight oatmeal with water

• Too thick? Stir in a little more water before serving. PB2, cocoa powder, and protein powder also absorb extra liquid, so you may need additional water when using them.
• Too thin? Let the oats soak longer. If they are still too thin after chilling overnight, add more ground flaxseed or rolled oats and let it soak for 30 minutes to 1 hour.  Next time you make them, reduce the water slightly.
• Bland? Add cinnamon, vanilla, fruit, nut butter, cocoa powder, or another flavorful mix-in. Adjust the maple syrup to taste.
• Not soft enough? Let the oats soak for at least 2 hours. Overnight gives them the softest and most consistent texture.
• Meal prepping? The recipe makes one serving but can easily be doubled or tripled.

Serving suggestions

Enjoy these dairy-free overnight oats on their own or add your favorite toppings for extra flavor and texture.

For a more filling breakfast, pair them with a piece of fruit, vegan toast, avocado toast, or a dairy-free smoothie.

Storage

Store overnight oats without fruit in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If fruit is stirred into the oats, they're best enjoyed within 2 to 3 days. If you want the fruit to stay fresher, add it closer to serving instead. Frozen fruit can be added the night before so it has time to thaw in the refrigerator.

The oats will thicken as they sit, so stir in a little more water if needed. For meal prep, store individual servings in jars or keep a larger batch in one container and portion it out as needed.

Overnight oatmeal with water FAQs

Related recipes

• Mango overnight oats
• Chocolate raspberry overnight oats
• Vegan pumpkin overnight oats
• Easy cinnamon overnight oats
• Vegan strawberry overnight oats
• Overnight oats with PB2

I hope you enjoy these easy overnight oats without milk! If you try the recipe, feel free to leave a rating and comment below.