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This high Protein Overnight Oats recipe is an easy way to get a hearty breakfast to keep you going all morning! Only 5 minutes to prep and ready when you wake up! Oats with protein powder, chia seeds, peanut butter and maple syrup all come together to give you a great protein boost!
This recipe was originally published January 2017 and updated July 2021.
Starting your day with an overnight oatmeal recipe already sets you up for success. Starting your day with protein packed overnight oats is gonna get you even more ready to go get ’em!
Easy and ready when you wake up, what is not to love? Overnight oats are a fan favorite around here. We love so many flavors including banana bread overnight oats, triple chocolate overnight oatmeal, and coconut cream pie oats. And of course this classic protein packed version!
Why You Will Love These Protein Overnight Oats
- These protein overnight oats pack in 22 grams, AND they taste amazing. Fuel yourself for the day ahead. Plenty of protein, a great source of fiber and all of the good stuff! Try these Cottage Cheese Waffles or Greek Yogurt Bagels for more protein breakfast recipes!
- You are able to prep breakfast ahead of time and have it ready for you in the morning. Overnight oatmeal is the best because it literally takes a few minutes to meal prep a week’s worth of healthy breakfast. No hassle on those busy mornings–it is ready to go!
- They are so simple to vary! Toss in some fruit, chocolate chips, coconut or other fun add ins. Use your favorite milk, regular or dairy free. You can use any protein powder–just go with the one you love. The flavor of your protein powder can allow you to change up these oats easily as well. This is a great base recipe that easily can be made to your taste!
Protein sources in this recipe
Half a cup of oats already has about 5 grams of protein. Toss in a half tablepspoon of chia seeds and some sort of nut or seed butter and you are kicking up the protein well before you even add any protein powder!
Depending on the type of milk you use, you may add all the more. With these Peanut Butter Banana Protein Overnight Oats, you are gonna be fueled and ready for whatever comes your way! Even on a Monday!!
This protein overnight oats recipe has over 20 grams of protein. That’s a win for sure! Want even more protein? You can add a big dollop of Greek yogurt too.
Ingredient notes
See full list of ingredients with measurements below in recipe card.
- rolled oats: I prefer rolled oats, also called old-fashioned oats, in this protein overnight oats recipe. Some people like steel cut oats but they are way too chewy for my liking. If you only have quick oats, that is fine, but you may need to adjust the milk. For gluten-free, make sure the package says “certified gluten free.”
- peanut butter: peanut butter or another nut butter like almond butter or seed butter will work if there are any allergies.
- milk: you can use a non-dairy milk or regular milk. I use whole milk or vanilla almond milk–depends on what we have around. Oat milk, coconut milk, unsweetened almond milk, or soy would all be other great options!
- protein powder: make sure you enjoy the flavor of the protein powder. No one wants overnight oats with an awful aftertaste! I like vanilla protein powder but sometimes add chocolate protein powder for a fun twist.
- sweetener: I opt for maple syrup. You can sweeten with anything you would like: honey, brown sugar, agave, sugar, etc. You may want to wait to sweeten until serving as everyone has differing preferences.
- chia seeds: these add a touch more protein. If you don’t have them, that is ok!
Flavor Variations
- add a half teaspoon of cinnamon and use almond butter instead of the peanut butter for a banana bread like flavor
- use chocolate milk and chocolate chips for extra chocolatey oats
- for a blueberry muffin flavor, add almond or cashew butter in place of the peanut butter and add half teaspoon cinnamon and a handful of blueberries
- add cottage cheese! use some whipped cottage cheese for extra protein and a cheesecake like flavor
- make a peanut butter cup flavor! use chocolate protein powder and chocolate almond milk or regular milk
Step-By-Step-Instructions
The best part about this protein packed oatmeal? It’s easy as one, two three–seriously!
- Combine all the ingredients except the bananas if using in a mason jar or airtight container.
- Chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours.
- Add sliced bananas, fresh berries or enjoy with any of your favorite toppings! (warm or cool, your choice.) Adjust the sweetness to taste.
New to Overnight Oatmeal? Check these FAQs on Overnight Oats.
Recipe Tips
- If your protein powder tastes awful, it’s not going to taste great in these oats. There are some really foul protein powders out there. Find one that you love. Don’t think that the flavor will be masked by adding it to this recipe. I already made that mistake! Need help picking one out? Check out all of these protein powders!
- Make this protein packed oatmeal vegan. Make sure you have a plant-based protein powder versus a whey protein powder and use a nut or seed milk. That should do the trick as all the other ingredients are plant based as well.
- Do I have to add protein powder to these overnight oats? Nope! Protein powder just isn’t for everyone and I get that. Plus, it can be pricy. So just skip it if you would like.
- Add the bananas right before serving. Cut them up just before serving and toss them in. I highly suggest doing this if you are making several servings at a time and know you will be eating them over several days.
Common Questions
Yes you can! You may need to adjust the amount of the instant oats though as they may not absorb as much of the milk. Also, if using instant oats, you can pop them right in the microwave and eat them, well, instantly!
As long as you use a dairy free milk and a plant based protein powder, your oats will be vegan.
You don’t have to use chia seeds, so if you don’t have any, don’t fret. The chia seeds absorb a bit of the milk, so if skipping them, a little less milk may be required. They will also slightly lessen the protein in this recipe, but it will be minimal.
Overnight oatmeal in general is a great option for a nutritious breakfast. They are a great source of protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Talk about a great way to start your day!
Other overnight oatmeal recipes:
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Protein Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1/2 c rolled oats, regular or gluten-free
- 1/2 small banana, sliced
- 2/3 c unsweetened almond milk, or milk of choice
- 1/2 T chia seeds
- 1 T protein powder
- 1/2 – 1 T natural creamy peanut butter, or any other nut or seed butter
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 – 3 tsp pure maple syrup
- dash of sea salt
Instructions
- Combine oats, chia seeds, maple, peanut butter, vanilla, protein powder, and salt and stir to combine.
- Add in milk and stir.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least for about 4 hours. Add sliced bananas just before serving.
Video
Notes
- If your protein powder tastes awful, it’s not going to taste great in these oats. There are some really foul protein powders out there. Find one that you love. Don’t think that the flavor will be masked by adding it to this recipe. I already made that mistake! Need help picking one out? Check out all of these protein powders!
- Make this protein packed oatmeal vegan. Make sure you have a plant based protein powder and use a nut or seed milk. That should do the trick as all the other ingredients are plant based as well.
- Do I have to add protein powder to these overnight oats? Nope! Protein powder just isn’t for everyone and I get that. Plus, it can be pricy. So just skip it if you would like.
- Add the bananas right before serving. Cut them up just before serving and toss them in. I highly suggest doing this if you are making several servings at a time and know you will be eating them over several days.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I accidentally put the bananas in before placing in fridge. I hope it’ll still taste good
Should still taste fine, just the bananas may be a bit brown, that’s all!
Would you recommend honey as a substitute for maple syrup?
Yes! Any sweetener you prefer is perfect in this recipe.
your image has rolled oats listed twice, reckoned I’d let you know. great recipe though! xx
It most certainly does–ha, thanks for catching that!
Silly question – but if you want to eat these warm, how do you heat them up. Do you just put them in the microwave? For how long?
Not a silly question! Yes you can pop them in the microwave. I do about a minute or so.
How many days can the oats last in the fridge? Mine made 4 servings so just wondering if I can still eat them on the 4th day.
Hi Hayley! I have kept them up to 5 days in the fridge before. You may have to add a splash of milk when serving on day 4 or 5 if they seem a touch dry. As long as you wait to add banana until before serving you should be good!
Have you tried making this with other grains? Barley? I’m not always a fan of the oat texture. Barley might be a little more chewy?
Hi! I haven’t tried barley but if you want more chew, steel cut oats are a great option.
you can try blending it in a blender before adding chia seeds. some people prefer a smoother texture
Loved these oats! So easy to make and they actually tasted really good. I used a vanilla flavored protein and might try chocolate next time for a “peanut butter cup” type oatmeal!
Yay! So glad they were a hit for you!
In the picture of the oats there’s a mistake! You added rolled oats twice instead of peanut butter tag!
Oh my gosh thank you so much for catching that!! Ha that has been there for a while and you are the first person to catch it! Thank you!
And just a small thing but you don’t mention the protein powder when adding the ingredients.
You are so right! How did no one else catch that–its a super popular recipe. Thanks Tammy!
Hi – starting this week! How many ounces does this recipe make?!
Hi! I am not 100% certain how many ounces it actually is–it is just one serving if that helps!
Arbonne protein is plant based and taste really good! This was a great idea. So yummy and easy if you are meal prepping.