If you're craving cinnamon roll flavour but need something a bit healthier, these creamy oats are the answer. This great make-ahead breakfast brings all the cosy, spiced goodness of Overnight Cinnamon Oats to your bowl-perfect for busy weekday mornings. It's an easy, healthy breakfast recipe you can prep in minutes and wake up to, no fuss required!
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Overnight Oats: The Hype
Overnight oats have taken the breakfast scene by storm, and it's easy to see why. Somewhere along the way-perhaps in the thick of busy mornings and the rise of meal prep-people realised they needed an easier way to start the day.
Cue overnight oat recipes, which let you mix up a handful of ingredients the night before, pop it in the fridge, and wake up to a ready-made breakfast. It's the easiest way to skip the morning scramble without skimping on something healthy.
But the best part? The endless possibilities for flavours and toppings. From classic tiramisu overnight oats to more adventurous combos like overnight cherry almond oats or matcha overnight oats, you'll never get bored.
Plus, overnight oats can easily flex for different dietary needs-whether you're gluten-free, vegan, or looking to pack in extra protein. They're the perfect make-ahead option that you can customise to suit your tastes and nutritional goals.
Ingredients and Substitutes
You will only need a handful of simple ingredients to make these cinnamon overnight oats:
- rolled oats: a.k.a porridge oats or old fashioned oats. If you are using steel cut oats, make sure to to give them 3-4 hours more to soak.
- cinnamon.
- chia seeds: optional but recommended for the added nutrition and creaminess.
- milk: both dairy milk and dairy-free milk work in this recipe. We tried overnight cinnamon oats with almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, and cashew milk. Avoid coconut milk though and the coconut flavour doesn't go well with cinnamon.
- plain yogurt: we used Greek yogurt but vegan yogurt will work just as well.
- pure maple syrup: may be substituted with other sweeteners like honey, agave nectar or simply brown sugar or coconut sugar.
Find the ingredient quantities, detailed method and nutritional information in the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
Variations and Additions: Flavour the overnight oats further with a teaspoon of vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste. Flax seeds are another great addition!
Step-By-Step Method
1. The night before, place all the dry ingredients: oats, cinnamon and chia seeds in a bowl, and mix to combine.
2. Pour in the milk, add the yogurt and maple syrup and stir well.
3. Spoon/ ladle the mixture into the individual glasses or leave them in a bowl you used to mix. Cover with a plate or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight (or at least 6 hours).
4. The next morning, stir the oats again, add your favourite toppings and enjoy.
Topping Suggestions
A topping or two is a great way to make your oats truly your own. With the right extras, you can turn a basic bowl into a delicious breakfast recipe that's totally unique to you. Here are some favourite toppings that go perfectly with cinnamon overnight oats:
- A dash of maple syrup - Just a drizzle for sweetness that pairs beautifully with cinnamon.
- Cinnamon sugar - Double down on that cinnamon flavour with a light sprinkle of cinnamon mixed with sugar.
- Fresh fruit - Sliced banana, grated apple, or plum slices make for a vibrant, flavour-packed topping.
- Stewed fruit - Try overnight oats with stewed apples or stewed pears on top!
- Nut butter - A spoonful of almond or peanut butter adds a creamy texture and keeps you full for longer.
- Chopped toasted nuts - Walnuts, almonds, or pecans give a satisfying crunch.
Storage
To keep your oats fresh and tasty, make sure they're well covered. The best thing is to store a batch in an airtight container if you're making a few days' worth, or divide them into mason jars for easy, grab-and-go portions.
They'll keep in the fridge for 2-3 days, so whenever you're short on time in the morning, just reach in and you're sorted for breakfast!
Tips For Best Results
To make sure your overnight cinnamon oats turn out perfect every time, here are a few pointers to keep in mind:
- Adjust for dietary needs - Swap in gluten-free oats if needed, or try a different type of milk like almond, oat, or coconut for a vegan version. You can also experiment with your favourite sweetener.
- Add extra protein - For a protein boost, mix in a scoop of protein powder (about one per portion). Add an extra 50ml of milk per portion to keep the texture creamy.
- Choose the right oats - Avoid quick oats, which will turn mushy, or steel-cut oats, which won't soften enough overnight. Rolled oats are your best bet for the ideal texture.
- Stir before serving - Give your oats a quick stir in the morning to make sure everything is well mixed before adding toppings and enjoying!
More Autumnal Breakfast Recipes
If you're craving an easy breakfast recipe that's cosy and satisfying, you're in luck! We highly recommend trying our Cinnamon Apple Porridge next!
Here are a few more ideas for a hearty breakfast to keep you warm and fuelled through those chilly autumn mornings.
Overnight Cinnamon Oats
Ingredients
- 100 g (1¼ cups) rolled oats a.k.a porridge oats
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 230 ml (1 cup) milk
- 2 tablespoon plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions
- The night before, place the oats, cinnamon and chia seeds in a bowl, and mix to combine.
- Pour in the milk, add the yogurt and maple syrup and stir well.
- Spoon/ ladle the mixture into the individual glasses or leave them in a bowl you used to mix. Cover and refrigerate overnight (or at least 6 hours).
- In the morning, stir the oats again, add your favourite toppings and enjoy.
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Nutrition
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