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Zucchini bread that you don't have to bake? Zucchini Oatmeal, or "zoats" is a one of a kind breakfast recipe that can be prepped in 5 minutes and ready when you wake up in the morning. These zucchini overnight oats are a delicious and healthy way to get in some extra veggies to your day!
This recipe was originally published June 2015 and updated June 2021.
Fresh zucchini from the garden, or even the farmer's market is unlike anything else. Sure you could make zucchini bread, but maybe save a little for zucchini oatmeal too?
It may sound crazy adding veggies to your oats, but I have done it in Carrot Cake Oats as well and trust me, it works!
Why this Zucchini Overnight Oatmeal is the best:
- Only 5 minutes to prep. This is why overnight oats are HANDS DOWN my favorite breakfast of all time. You whip them up in just a few minutes and then breakfast is ready for you the second you wake up.
- Prep for the whole week in minutes. You can make several servings at one time and then eat off of them for the week. These zucchini oats will stay fresh in the fridge for about 5-6 days. So you are good to go for the work week!
- Breakfast is ready when you wake up. Making breakfast on busy mornings can be a challenge. So if you do the work the night before, you will get to wake up to a hearty meal that can even be eaten on the go!
- A great way to add in extra veggies to your day. Looking for ways to sneak veggies into your meals? This is a simple and super delicious way to get some green in!
Ingredients and Substitutions:
- rolled oats: regular or gluten free will work fine
- zucchini: freshly grated
- raisins: we always had big juicy raisins in our zucchini bread. Not your thing? No big deal, just skip them!
- chopped pecans or walnuts: we actually never had nuts in our zucchini bread growing up but when I have gotten zucchini bread at a coffee shop or elsewhere, they tend to have them. I am good either way, but I love the crunch they add to my oats.
- cinnamon: don't make zucchini oatmeal, or zucchini bread for that matter without it!
- vanilla extract: what I said about the cinnamon!
- maple syrup: use whatever your favorite sweetener is--I love maple, like I could drink it. I am not kidding.
- milk: use the milk you love best! Regular or dairy free will work well.
- optional add ins: I often add in some cashew butter if I have some around. I also love to toss in some chia seeds or ground flax.
How to make this recipe:
It's about as easy as it gets--no joke!
- Shred the zucchini.
- Add everything into a jar or bowl that can be sealed and stir.
- Chill for at least 4 hours and then enjoy hot or cold!
Recipe Notes and Tips:
- Eat your overnight zucchini oatmeal hot or cold. Everyone has a preference. I like to warm mine up in the microwave for about 45 seconds to one minute before eating.
- If too much of the milk has been absorbed when you go to eat your oatmeal, just add an extra splash or two.
- Some people like steel cut oats in their overnight oatmeal. I am not a fan as they are still super chewy and have a crunch to them even after soaking overnight. But this zucchini bread oatmeal recipe can be made with steel cut oats if you prefer.
- For vegan overnight oats, use a dairy free milk. For gluten free, make sure your oats say "certified gluten free" on the package.
Other Overnight Oats recipes:
- Coconut Cream Pie Overnight Oats
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Overnight Oats
- Banana Bread Overnight Oats
- Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
- Peanut Butter Cheesecake Overnight Oats
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
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Zucchini Bread Overnight Oats
Zucchini bread that you don't have to bake? Zucchini Bread Oatmeal, or "oats" is a one of a kind breakfast recipe that can be prepped in minutes and ready when you wake up in the morning. These zucchini overnight oats are a delicious and healthy way to get in some extra veggies to your day!
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Servings: 1
Calories: 380kcal
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats regular or gluten free
- ¼ cup grated zucchini
- 1 T raisins
- 1 T chopped pecans or walnuts
- ½ - 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 teaspoon pure maple syrup
- ½ cup milk of choice
- Dash of sea salt
- optional add ins: ground flax, chia seeds, cashew butter
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a small jar or container that can be sealed.
- Stir well to combine.
- Let chill in the refrigerator overnight.
- Eat hot or cold.
Notes
- Eat your overnight zucchini oatmeal hot or cold. Everyone has a preference. I like to warm mine up in the microwave for about 45 seconds to one minute before eating.
- If too much of the milk has been absorbed when you go to eat your oatmeal, just add an extra splash or two.
- Some people like steel cut oats in their overnight oatmeal. I am not a fan as they are still super chewy and have a crunch to them even after soaking overnight. But this zucchini bread oatmeal recipe can be made with steel cut oats if you prefer.
- For vegan overnight oats, use a dairy free milk. For gluten free, make sure your oats say "certified gluten free" on the package.
Nutrition
Calories: 380kcal | Carbohydrates: 53g | Protein: 11g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 63mg | Potassium: 579mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 268IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 193mg | Iron: 3mg
Did you try this recipe? I would love to see it! Mention @LemonsAndZest or tag #LemonsAndZest!
Jennifer says
Yum! This was super tasty. I actually added a half of a mashed banana in place of the raisins, and it totally worked, especially with the walnuts. Thanks for the lovely recipe!
Lorie says
So happy to hear this!! One of my faves. Will be adding banana as well next time!
Lauri says
Your overnight oat recipes are the bomb! This does taste like zucchini bread. It would even make a great dessert at night. I have printed off all your overnight oats recipes and haven't found one yet that was a dud. Thanks for making breakfast fun.
Lorie says
Thanks so so much for making my day, Lauri!!! So glad you love them as much as I do!
Meredith Brown says
Wow! This is one of my favorite recipe discoveries in a long time -- the joy of eating zucchini bread batter, but without the guilt?! Genius! By chance do you have an approximate calorie count? Thanks!!
Lorie says
So glad you loved it!!! Due to my past history with dieting and an eating disorder I don’t focus on calories or breakdowns but you can plug the ingredients into a site that provides a breakdown abc should be good. Thanks!
MySeeds says
A great and unusual recipe!
Overnight oats tend toward 'fruits only', but making a zucchini bread version is a great idea that's just so fitting with oatmeal. Plus, talk about health-promoting...a vegetable at breakfast. A small suggestion might be adding chia seeds to the mix (Adds omega-3 oils, but doesn't alter flavor) or, a 'no-sugar-added' version via soaking dates in hot water, then blending dates to use instead of the syrup. (Makes a sweetening 'paste' with a lightly caramel flavor that gets along well with raisins/cinnamon/bread type flavors)
Lorie says
I love adding chia seeds to my oats!
Jordan says
Omg yum! Would these last several days in the fridge if I meal prep on Sunday?
Lorie says
Jordan, this is actually what I always do! I make several at a time and then eat off of them several days later. I think they are best eaten within 3-4 days of making but ultimately they could last about5 days. Enjoy!
Karen says
Ok..... not gonna lie. I pinned this because I was looking for a different overnight oat recipe to change things up.... but was nervous to make it because .... well....zucchini and oats?... hmmmmmm but OH EMMM GEEEEEEE made this last night and devoured it this morning. It was SO good!!!!!!! Thank you!
Lorie says
Karen! I'm so glad you love them. I'm a sucker for zucchini bread so this is a favorite of mine! Thanks for sharing 😉
Cathy says
This recipe is fantastic. I'm a huge fan of overnight oatmeal and this recipe is even better than I was expecting. My husband now wants me to try the carrot cake variety and asks if I will put cream cheese frosting on it!! This is a huge ?? thumbs up and a definite keeper.
Lorie says
Cathy! I am so glad you and the husband love it! Cream cheese frosting?! Now that sounds like quite a treat! The carrot cake is one of my favorites for sure! Thanks for sharing.