Easy Cinnamon Overnight Oats

Ingredient notes and substitutions

The cinnamon overnight oatmeal recipe uses simple ingredients, but please see the recipe card below for exact measurements.

Old-fashioned oats - Old-fashioned rolled oats work best for overnight oats because they soften but still maintain a little texture. If needed, use certified gluten-free oats. Quick oats can become mushy, and steel-cut oats are not a good substitute in this recipe.

Non-dairy milk - Any dairy-free milk will work.  Try it with almond, oat, soy, or cashew milk.  Oat milk and soy milk usually make creamier oats, while almond milk keeps them a little lighter. I prefer a 1:1 ratio of milk to oats, but if you like your oats a bit thinner, add a splash more.

Ground flaxseed - Ground flaxseed helps thicken the oatmeal, but whole chia seeds can be used instead.  For more oatmeal ideas without chia seeds, try no chia seed overnight oats.

Raisins - Raisins soften overnight and add sweetness throughout the oats.  Instead of raisins, try diced dates.  If you skip the raisins altogether, you may want to add more maple syrup.

Pure maple syrup - Any sweetener will work for the oats.  Try agave syrup, date syrup, or brown sugar.  Always adjust the amount to fit your own unique sweetness preference.

Ground cinnamon - Start with ½ teaspoon, then add more if you prefer a stronger cinnamon flavor.  For more cinnamon-inspired oatmeal, try banana and cinnamon overnight oats with peanut butter.

Vanilla extract - To make these into vanilla cinnamon overnight oats, add about ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract for more flavor.

How to make cinnamon overnight oatmeal

1. Add all of the ingredients to a sealable jar or container with a lid.  Stir everything together until combined.

2. Refrigerate the oats for at least 3 hours to soften, or for the best results, let them soak overnight.  The oats will thicken as they chill.

3. Taste and adjust: add more maple syrup if you prefer it sweeter, add more milk if you prefer a thinner consistency, and add more cinnamon if you prefer a stronger flavor.  Stir the oats before serving and top with toppings.  

4. The recipe is for one serving, but multiple servings can be prepped at one time for meal prep. For meal prep, make several jars at once and keep crunchy toppings like granola or nuts separate until serving.

Toppings

Toppings are an easy way to add texture and make each jar feel a little different.

Fresh toppings: Sliced bananas, chopped apples, or berries (add just before serving)

Crunchy toppings: Chopped walnuts, pecans, or oil-free granola (add just before serving to maintain texture)

Creamy toppings: Almond butter, peanut butter, or dairy-free yogurt (add either when making the oats or just before serving)

Sweeter toppings: Extra raisins, chocolate chips, maple drizzle, or a sprinkle of brown sugar (add either when making the oats or just before serving)

Variations

• Apple cinnamon overnight oats - Add diced crisp apples or cooked apples and use apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon.
• Banana cinnamon overnight oats - Stir in mashed ripe banana for a naturally sweeter, creamier version.
• Cinnamon peanut butter overnight oats - Skip the raisins and add 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter.
• No-raisin cinnamon oats - Leave out the raisins or substitute them with diced dates.
• Cinnamon roll overnight oats - Mix ½ tablespoon of unsweetened dairy-free yogurt with ¼ teaspoon maple syrup.  Then drizzle on top before serving with a sprinkle of brown sugar or coconut sugar.

Tips

• Too thick? Stir in a splash of milk before serving.
• Too thin? Add a little more oats or flax/chia, and let the oats chill longer.
• Not sweet enough? Add more maple syrup to taste.
• Want more cinnamon flavor? Add a pinch more cinnamon.
• Meal prep tip: Add crunchy toppings just before serving so they stay crisp.
• Best texture tip: Use rolled oats for a chewy, creamy texture.

Storage

Refrigerator - Store the oats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They will thicken as they sit, so stir in a splash of milk before serving if needed. For the best texture, add crunchy toppings or sliced banana just before eating.

Meal prep - If you are meal prepping multiple servings, I don't recommend mixing a big batch and immediately dividing it into jars. Before the oats have time to soak, the liquid may not be evenly distributed, which can affect the texture.

Method 1: Mix multiple servings in one large container. Let the oats soak until they've absorbed most of the liquid, then stir and portion into individual jars. Or keep the oats in the larger container and scoop out servings as needed.

Method 2: Use the assembly-line method. Line up your jars, then add one ingredient to each jar before moving on to the next. Repeat until all of the ingredients have been divided evenly.

Overnight cinnamon oats FAQs

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I hope you enjoy the recipe! If you did, feel free to rate it and leave a comment.