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Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

By Martis Guleryan Updated

In short: Stir old-fashioned oats, milk, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, chia seeds and maple syrup together in jars and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight. It takes 5 minutes of prep and makes 2 servings.

  • 6 hr 5 min
  • 2 servings
  • Easy
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Two jars of peanut butter overnight oats topped with banana slices and a peanut butter drizzle
Illustrative AI-generated photo.

Why you’ll love this recipe

Overnight oats take five minutes the night before and zero minutes in the morning. Peanut butter and Greek yogurt make them rich and filling, and chia seeds give a thick, creamy texture.

  • No cooking — just stir, seal and refrigerate.
  • Protein from three sources — Greek yogurt, peanut butter and milk.
  • Meal-prep friendly — make up to four days of breakfasts at once.

How overnight oats work

Rolled oats are steamed and flattened before they are sold, so they do not need heat to become tender. Given several hours in liquid, they absorb it and soften into a texture similar to cooked oatmeal, just chewier. Chia seeds absorb liquid as well and form a gel, which is what turns the mixture thick and creamy. That is why the ratio matters: roughly equal parts oats and liquid, plus a little extra for the chia and yogurt.

Ingredient substitutions

Instead ofYou can use
Peanut butterAlmond butter, or sunflower seed butter for a peanut-free version.
Greek yogurtMore milk (about ⅓ cup) for a dairy-light version; the oats will be less thick and lower in protein.
Maple syrupHoney, or 1 mashed ripe banana stirred into the oats.
A spoon lifting creamy peanut butter overnight oats from a glass jar

Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Prep
5 min
Cook
0 min
Chill overnight
6 hrs
Total
6 hr 5 min

Ingredients

Servings
2 servings

Oats

Toppings

Metric weights use ingredient-specific densities from King Arthur Baking — Ingredient Weight Chart. For baking, weighing is more accurate than cups.

Instructions

Tap a step number to mark it done.

  1. Step 1: Loosen the peanut butter

    In a medium bowl, whisk the peanut butter with the maple syrup, vanilla, salt and a splash of the milk until smooth.

    Tip: Thinning the peanut butter first keeps it from staying in stiff clumps in the cold oats.

  2. Step 2: Mix

    Whisk in the remaining milk and the Greek yogurt, then stir in the oats and chia seeds until everything is evenly coated.

  3. Step 3: Divide and chill

    Divide between two jars, seal and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight, up to 4 days.

  4. Step 4: Top and serve

    In the morning, stir the oats and add a splash of milk if they are thicker than you like. Top with sliced banana, a drizzle of warm peanut butter and chopped peanuts. Eat cold, or microwave 1–2 minutes, stirring halfway.

Equipment

Tips for the best results

  • Use old-fashioned rolled oats. Quick oats turn mushy and steel-cut oats stay too chewy without cooking.
  • Add the banana in the morning so it does not brown in the jar.
  • Adjust thickness to taste. Use a little more milk for a looser, pudding-like texture.

Storage, reheating and freezing

Refrigerator
Keep sealed in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Add fresh toppings when serving.
Reheating
Delicious cold. To warm, microwave 1–2 minutes, stirring halfway, adding a splash of milk.
Freezing
Not recommended. The yogurt and oats turn watery and grainy after thawing.

Frequently asked questions

Do overnight oats need to soak overnight?

They need at least 6 hours in the fridge so the oats and chia fully soften. After about 2 hours they are edible but still chewy.

Can I eat overnight oats warm?

Yes. Microwave them in a microwave-safe jar for 1–2 minutes, stirring halfway, and add milk if they thicken.

How long do overnight oats last?

Up to 4 days in a sealed container in the refrigerator, which makes them easy to prep on Sunday for the week.

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Written by Martis Guleryan

Martis Guleryan is the founder of Joyful Home Cooking and writes and edits the recipes and cooking guides on the site, with a focus on easy weeknight dinners, family-friendly baking and clear, practical steps.

Published , last updated . Read our editorial policy.

Sources and food safety references