Mornings feel a lot calmer when breakfast is already waiting in the fridge. Crack open a chilled jar of these creamy vanilla berry protein overnight oats and you’re greeted with the smell of sweet vanilla and tangy yogurt, plus a pop of fresh berries on top. The oats are thick and velvety from the chia seeds and yogurt, with just enough chew to feel satisfying instead of mushy.

As you stir your spoon down to the bottom, you see layers: soft oats speckled with chia, swirls of almond butter, and streaks of deep purple juice from berries that bled into the mixture overnight. It tastes like lightly sweet cheesecake meets oatmeal—cool, refreshing, and surprisingly filling.

This version was inspired by simple high-protein overnight oats recipes, but it’s been completely reworked with Greek yogurt for extra protein, a touch of almond butter for richness, and built-in berries, so every bite has flavor before you even think about toppings. Make a few jars on Sunday night and you’ll have a grab-and-go breakfast that actually keeps you full until lunch.

Instructions

Prep the berry layer (optional but delicious)
- If using frozen berries, add them to a small bowl with 2 tablespoons water. Microwave for 20–30 seconds or until just soft and juicy. Lightly mash with a fork to create a chunky berry sauce.
- If using fresh berries, simply chop or lightly mash them so they release some juice.
Combine dry ingredients
- In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the rolled oats, chia seeds, and vanilla protein powder until no clumps of powder remain. This helps distribute the protein evenly so each bite has a similar texture.
Whisk the wet mixture
- In another bowl or large measuring cup, whisk the Greek yogurt, milk, almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and creamy. The mixture should smell sweet and nutty, with a subtle vanilla aroma.
Bring the oat mixture together
- Pour the wet mixture over the dry oat mixture. Stir slowly, scraping the bottom and sides, until every oat and chia seed is coated and the mixture looks like loose, pourable batter. If it looks overly thick at this stage, add 1–2 extra tablespoons of milk.
Layer into jars
- Divide half of the oat mixture between two 10–12 oz (300–350 ml) jars.
- Spoon the berry mixture evenly over each jar, letting a little of the juice drip down the sides.
- Top with the remaining oat mixture, gently smoothing the surface. You should see streaks of berry peeking through the sides of the jars.
Chill overnight
- Cover each jar with a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. During this time, the oats absorb the liquid and the chia seeds swell, creating a thick, creamy texture.
Serve
- In the morning, give the oats a good stir to marble the berry layer throughout.
- Add your favorite toppings—extra berries, a drizzle of nut butter, crunchy nuts, or a sprinkle of cinnamon. Serve chilled straight from the jar.
Store
- Keep the jars tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, making them ideal for meal prep.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Estimated for 2 servings, including berries but no extra toppings; values will vary by brand.

Calories: ~430 kcal
Protein: ~27 g
Carbohydrates: ~45 g
Total Fat: ~14 g
Fiber: ~9 g
Sugar: ~15 g (mostly from oats, yogurt, and berries)
Sodium: ~160 mg

creamy vanilla berry protein overnight oats

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Jemero Carter

Creamy Vanilla Berry Protein Oats

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Prep Time 10

Chilling time 4

Total Time 4 10

Servings: 2 Jars

Course: Appetizer, Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Calories: 430

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

For the Protein Overnight Oats

1 cup (90 g) rolled oats (old-fashioned, not quick or steel-cut)
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 scoop (30 g) vanilla protein powder (whey or plant-based)
½ cup (120 g) plain Greek yogurt (or thick dairy-free yogurt)
¾ cup (180 ml) unsweetened milk of choice (almond, soy, oat, or dairy)
2 tablespoons almond butter (or peanut butter/sunflower butter)
1–2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey, to taste
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch of fine sea salt

Berry Layer & Toppings

½ cup (75 g) fresh or frozen mixed berries, roughly chopped if large
2 tablespoons water (only if using frozen berries to make them saucy)

Optional toppings:

Extra berries
Sliced almonds or chopped nuts
A drizzle of nut butter
A sprinkle of cinnamon or shredded coconut

Method

Prep the berry layer (optional but delicious)
If using frozen berries, add them to a small bowl with 2 tablespoons water. Microwave for 20–30 seconds or until just soft and juicy. Lightly mash with a fork to create a chunky berry sauce.
If using fresh berries, simply chop or lightly mash them so they release some juice.
Combine dry ingredients
In a medium mixing bowl, stir together the rolled oats, chia seeds, and vanilla protein powder until no clumps of powder remain. This helps distribute the protein evenly so each bite has a similar texture.
Whisk the wet mixture
In another bowl or large measuring cup, whisk the Greek yogurt, milk, almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and creamy. The mixture should smell sweet and nutty, with a subtle vanilla aroma.
Bring the oat mixture together
Pour the wet mixture over the dry oat mixture. Stir slowly, scraping the bottom and sides, until every oat and chia seed is coated and the mixture looks like loose, pourable batter. If it looks overly thick at this stage, add 1–2 extra tablespoons of milk.
Layer into jars
Divide half of the oat mixture between two 10–12 oz (300–350 ml) jars.
Spoon the berry mixture evenly over each jar, letting a little of the juice drip down the sides.
Top with the remaining oat mixture, gently smoothing the surface. You should see streaks of berry peeking through the sides of the jars.
Chill overnight
Cover each jar with a lid and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. During this time, the oats absorb the liquid and the chia seeds swell, creating a thick, creamy texture.
Serve
In the morning, give the oats a good stir to marble the berry layer throughout.
Add your favorite toppings—extra berries, a drizzle of nut butter, crunchy nuts, or a sprinkle of cinnamon. Serve chilled straight from the jar.
Store
Keep the jars tightly covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, making them ideal for meal prep.

Notes

Make it dairy-free
- Use a dairy-free vanilla protein powder, plant-based yogurt (like coconut or almond), and non-dairy milk. The oats will still be creamy and high in protein.
Change the flavor profile
- Mocha oats: Use chocolate protein powder, add 1 teaspoon instant espresso powder, and top with cacao nibs.
- Cinnamon apple oats: Swap berries for ½ cup finely chopped apple, add ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg.
- Peanut butter & jam style: Use peanut butter and swirl in 1 tablespoon of your favorite fruit jam instead of berries.
Adjust the thickness
- For thicker oats, reduce the milk by 2 tablespoons or add an extra teaspoon of chia seeds.
- For looser, “pudding-like” oats, add 2–3 extra tablespoons of milk just before serving and stir.
Boost the protein even more
- Add an extra 2 tablespoons Greek yogurt or a second half-scoop of protein powder, then thin with a splash of milk if needed to maintain a creamy texture.

FAQs

1. Can I make these protein overnight oats ahead of time?
Yes. These oats are ideal for meal prep. Make a batch of jars and store them in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The texture actually improves by day two as the oats and chia fully hydrate.

2. How should I store leftover overnight oats?
Store the oats in tightly sealed jars or containers in the fridge. If they thicken too much over time, stir in a splash of milk just before serving.

3. Can I make this recipe vegan or dairy-free?
Absolutely. Use plant-based yogurt, dairy-free milk, and a vegan protein powder. Maple syrup works perfectly as a vegan sweetener. The texture and protein content will still be excellent.

4. Can I use steel-cut or quick oats instead of rolled oats?
Quick oats can become too mushy and steel-cut oats won’t soften enough with this amount of liquid. For best results, stick with old-fashioned rolled oats. If you experiment with other types, you may need to adjust the liquid and chill time.

5. How can I prevent my overnight oats from being bland?
Use a flavorful protein powder, add vanilla extract, a pinch of salt (which enhances sweetness), and don’t skip the berries or toppings. A swirl of nut butter or a sprinkle of cinnamon can make a big difference in flavor.