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If you like Nutella, you’ll love these creamy overnight oats made with milk! It’s the perfect blend of nutritious ingredients and decadent flavor, so it can double as breakfast or dessert. Take a few minutes to prep it for the week to take the stress out of busy mornings.
If you enjoy a sweet breakfast but don’t have a lot of time in the morning to make it, Nutella overnight oats is the answer! Lusciously creamy oats and nutrient-rich chia seeds soaked overnight in milk and laced with rich chocolate-hazelnut flavor. It’s breakfast bliss.
For those of you who haven’t tried overnight oats, prepare to have your mind (and taste buds) blown. This breakfast makes itself while you sleep. With minimal effort the night before, in the morning it delivers a satisfying, delicious meal, not to mention the benefit of a stress-free morning!
If you’re looking for overnight oats without yogurt, this is the recipe you want. Instead of yogurt, we use milk to hydrate the oats, along with a splash of apple cider vinegar and chia seeds. The apple cider vinegar adds a subtle tanginess to create a balanced flavor profile. Vinegar also helps break down the phytic acid present in oats, which makes the nutrients in oats more easily digested. Chia seeds help to thicken the mixture, and bump up the protein, fiber, and healthy fats.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It gives serious dessert for breakfast vibes, but is actually packed with nutrition.
- For grab and go breakfasts on busy mornings, make a few jars at once and breakfast is handled for the better part of a week.
- You can easily customize it to suite your tastes and health goals. To add more vitamins, minerals, and fiber, serve it with your favorite fresh berries or sliced bananas on top. Or if you want to increase the protein, add a scoop of your favorite protein powder and an extra splash of milk. To lower the sugar and carbs, omit the brown sugar or use keto brown sugar.
- Not only is there no cooking required, but it takes just 5 minutes to mix up!
Ingredients
Breaking It Down
Ingredients Explained
In this section I explain the ingredients and give substitution ideas where applicable. For the full recipe (including the ingredient amounts), see the recipe card below.
- Nutella – Or go with your favorite brand of chocolate hazelnut spread. And if Nutella isn’t your thing, you can use any kind of seed or nut butter instead.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats – This kind of oats will give you the best results.
- Chia seeds – Helps thicken the oats and adds protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Chia seeds make overnight oats way more satiating!
- Light brown sugar – Or pure maple syrup or honey. The sweetener is optional; feel free to omit it, or add it to taste.
- Vanilla extract – For depth of flavor.
- Apple cider vinegar – We only use a tiny amount of apple cider vinegar; you won’t be able to taste it, but it helps create a balanced flavor profile. Additionally, soaking oats in vinegar makes them easier to digest. Instead of apple cider vinegar, you can use the same amount of fresh lemon juice.
- Salt – So the oats aren’t bland.
- Milk – Any kind of milk will work here.
- Chopped hazelnuts – Optional; for topping. Or you can garnish with any kind of nuts you like.
Step-by-Step Instructions: How to Make Overnight Oats
- Add 1 tablespoon of Nutella, oats, chia seeds, brown sugar, vanilla, vinegar, salt, and milk to a medium bowl and stir well to combine.
- It’ll look liquidy like this (it thickens as it sits!).
- Smear 1/2 tablespoon of Nutella on the inside of a glass jar so it looks streaky. (I use an empty Bonne Maman jam jar, which holds 13 ounces or about 385 mL or 1.65 cups.)
- Transfer the oat mixture to the prepared jar.
- Cover the jar and refrigerate at least 6 hours (8 is better if you have the time) or up to 5 days.
- This is how it looks after letting it sit overnight. Before serving, top with the hazelnuts and remaining 1/2 tablespoon Nutella. (You can briefly warm the Nutella in the microwave if you want it to be a drizzle-able consistency.)
Storage
Store in a covered glass jar in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Tips For Overnight Oats Success
- Get creative with toppings. Don’t be afraid to experiment! Fresh berries, shredded coconut, a dollop of whipped cream, or a sprinkle of cinnamon can all elevate your overnight oats.
- Ratios are key. This recipe provides a great starting point, but feel free to adjust the liquid-to-oat ratio to achieve your preferred consistency. And don’t forget, the longer these jars sit in the fridge, the more the oats thicken up.
- Mix well. If you want the pretty Nutella smear on the inside of the jars, thoroughly mix the oat mixture separately and then add it to the smeared jars. If you don’t care about the pretty smear, add everything to a jar, cover it, and give the mix a good shake to prevent clumping.
- Plan ahead. This is a good grab-and-go meal prep breakfast because it lasts up to 5 days in the fridge. Mix up a few extra portions and set yourself up for breakfast success on busy weekday mornings!
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! This recipe is specifically designed as overnight oats without yogurt. It relies on milk and chia seeds for creamy texture, and a splash of vinegar for balanced flavor.
Any milk works! Dairy milk (skim, 2%, or whole) will give a creamy result. Non-dairy options like almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk are also excellent and offer different flavor profiles.
Yes! Use a dairy-free Nutella alternative and plant-based milk like almond, oat, or coconut milk.
It’s totally up to you! They’re delicious cold straight from the fridge, but you can also warm them in the microwave for about 30 to 60 seconds if you prefer.
More Decadent But Healthy Breakfast Ideas to Try
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Nutella Overnight Oats Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons Nutella divided into 1 tablespoon + 1/2 tablespoon + 1/2 tablespoon
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1/2 tablespoon light brown sugar or pure maple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup milk any kind you like
- 1 tablespoon hazelnuts chopped (for topping)
Instructions
- Smear Nutella in the glass. Smear 1/2 tablespoon of Nutella on the inside of a glass jar so it looks streaky. (I use an empty Bonne Maman jam jar, which holds 13 ounces or about 385 mL or 1.65 cups.)
- Mix. Add 1 tablespoon of Nutella, oats, chia seeds, brown sugar, vanilla, vinegar, salt, and milk to a medium bowl and stir well to combine.
- Chill. Transfer the oat mixture to the prepared jar. Cover the jar and refrigerate at least 6 hours (8 is better if you have the time) or up to 5 days.
- Serve. Before serving, top with the hazelnuts and remaining 1/2 tablespoon Nutella. (You can briefly warm the Nutella in the microwave if you want it to be a drizzle-able consistency.)
Notes
- Storage: Store in a covered glass jar in the fridge for up to 5 days.
- Make This Recipe Your Own: You can easily customize it to suite your tastes and health goals. To add more vitamins, minerals, and fiber, serve it with your favorite fresh berries or sliced bananas on top. Or if you want to increase the protein, add a scoop of your favorite protein powder and an extra splash of milk. To lower the sugar and carbs, omit the brown sugar or use keto brown sugar.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximate.
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I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.
Free Bonus
Can you use steel cut oatmeal instead? Thanks!
Ani, Yes, steel cut oats work well here! The final texture will be a bit chewier, but it’ll soften as it sits (it keeps well in the fridge for up to 5 days). If you use steel cut oats, add an additional 2 tablespoons of milk and increase the chill time to at least 12 hours (instead of 6-8). I hope you enjoy it! :)