Overnight Oats & Chia Pudding Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 cup Rolled Oats (Divided equally among the three flavor batches (≈⅓ cup each))
• 1.5 cup Milk (Can be dairy or plant‑based (soy, oat, almond, coconut). Adjust for desired thickness.)
• ¾ cup Plain Yogurt (Greek or regular; for vegan version use coconut yogurt.)
• 3 tablespoon Chia Seeds (Divided equally among the three batches (1 tbsp each).)
• 3 tablespoon Honey (Or maple syrup for vegan version. Adjust sweetness to taste.)
• 1 tablespoon Cocoa Powder (Unsweetened, for chocolate batch.)
• ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract (Adds depth to chocolate pudding.)
• 1 medium Ripe Banana (Mashed; used in banana‑cinnamon and peanut‑butter batches.)
• ½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (For banana‑cinnamon batch.)
• 1 tablespoon Peanut Butter (Smooth or crunchy, for peanut‑butter batch.)
• 1 cup Fresh Fruit Topping Mix (Combination of sliced bananas, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, blueberries – adjust per flavor.)
• ½ cup Dry Fruit & Nut Mix (Homemade mix of almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pecans, goji berries, flax seeds, cacao nibs, coconut flakes.)

Instructions

1. Gather and Measure Ingredients

   Measure out oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, honey and the flavor‑specific ingredients (cocoa, vanilla, banana, cinnamon, peanut butter).

   Time: PT5M

2. Mix Chocolate Flavor Base

   In the large mixing bowl combine ⅓ cup rolled oats, ½ cup milk, ¼ cup yogurt, 1 tbsp chia seeds, 1 tbsp honey, 1 tbsp cocoa powder, and ½ tsp vanilla extract. Stir until evenly mixed; the mixture will look slightly runny.

   Time: PT5M

3. Mix Banana‑Cinnamon Flavor Base

   In a clean portion of the bowl add ⅓ cup oats, ½ cup milk, ¼ cup yogurt, 1 tbsp chia seeds, 1 tbsp honey, ½ mashed banana, and ½ tsp ground cinnamon. Mix well.

   Time: PT5M

4. Mix Peanut‑Butter Flavor Base

   Combine the remaining ⅓ cup oats, ½ cup milk, ¼ cup yogurt, 1 tbsp chia seeds, 1 tbsp honey, ½ mashed banana, and 1 tbsp peanut butter in the bowl. Stir until the peanut butter is fully blended.

   Time: PT5M

5. Portion and Refrigerate Overnight

   Divide each flavored mixture into separate mason jars or containers (about ½ cup per jar). Cover tightly and place in the refrigerator for at least 6‑8 hours or overnight. The oats and chia will absorb the liquid and thicken.

   Time: PT0M

6. Add Toppings and Serve

   When ready to eat, give the pudding a quick stir, then top with fresh fruit (banana slices, raspberries, strawberries, cherries, blueberries) and a generous sprinkle of the dry fruit & nut mix. Enjoy cold or let sit at room temperature for 5 minutes if you prefer a softer texture.

   Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

260

Protein

8 g

Carbohydrates

35 g

Fat

9 g

Fiber

7 g

Ingredient Substitutions

• Instead of Rolled Oats: Quick‑cooking oats, Gluten‑free rolled oats
• Instead of Milk: Almond milk, Soy milk, Oat milk, Coconut milk
• Instead of Plain Yogurt: Coconut yogurt, Soy yogurt, Almond yogurt
• Instead of Chia Seeds: Flax seeds (will absorb less liquid)
• Instead of Honey: Maple syrup, Agave nectar, Date syrup
• Instead of Cocoa Powder: Raw cacao powder
• Instead of Vanilla Extract: Vanilla bean paste
• Instead of Ripe Banana: Mashed ripe plantain
• Instead of Ground Cinnamon: Cinnamon sugar
• Instead of Peanut Butter: Almond butter, Cashew butter
• Instead of Fresh Fruit Topping Mix: Frozen mixed berries (thawed)
• Instead of Dry Fruit & Nut Mix: Store‑bought trail mix

Equipment Needed

• Large Mixing Bowl
• Measuring Cups and Spoons
• Whisk or Spoon
• Mason Jars or Small Containers
• Refrigerator

Critical Steps — Do Not Skip

• Mix each flavor base thoroughly to ensure chia seeds are evenly distributed.
• Cover jars tightly and refrigerate for the full overnight period.
• Adjust liquid ratio before chilling if you prefer a thicker or runnier texture.

Chef Tips from the Video

• Toast the dry fruit & nut mix lightly in a dry pan for extra aroma.
• Use a small amount of vanilla extract in all three flavors for a cohesive flavor base.
• For extra protein, add a scoop of vanilla whey or plant‑based protein powder to the milk before mixing.

Troubleshooting

Storage

Refrigerator: Up to 3 days in sealed containers.

Freezer: Not recommended; texture changes when thawed.

Room temperature: Do not leave out longer than 2 hours.

Make-Ahead Tips

• Prepare a full week’s worth of jars on Sunday; they keep well for 3 days, so make fresh batches twice a week.
• Store toppings separately to keep them crunchy.

Frequently Asked Questions