Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Overnight Oats

These easy Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Overnight Oats are the perfect way to start your morning! They contain simple ingredients like fresh juicy strawberries, gluten free graham crackers, and cream cheese to make this a healthy breakfast option.

Overnight oats are seriously my all time favourite breakfast! They only take 5 minutes to throw together, and are such an affordable delicious breakfast option!

If you keep a stocked pantry and refrigerator, you most likely have everything to make a bowl right now. The best part is once you get tired of one flavor, you can swap out a few ingredients to make a different flavor!

They are a great option for make ahead meal prep. Busy mornings are that much easier with make-ahead breakfast, am I right?

If you’re like me and you love easy healthy recipes, then these strawberry cheesecake protein overnight oats might be just what you need. Instant oats just aren’t cutting it anymore, we’re officially onto healthy overnight oats recipes.

Let me tell you the type of protein powder does matter here! I have had some nasty protein powders in my life that are gritty and do not mix very well with other dry ingredients.

I have linked my favourite type of protein below. It’s such a great way to get extra protein in the morning to start your day off on the right foot!

If you love easy breakfast recipes and want to make sure you’re getting a high enough protein intake, you should also try out my Blueberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats and my Cinnamon Overnight Oats.

WHAT ARE PROTEIN OVERNIGHT OATS?

Overnight oats are oatmeal that you whip together the night before, and let them chill in the refrigerator overnight. In the morning you can add a few more toppings and grab them and go, or you can heat them up over the stove if you prefer.

I love adding whey protein powder to mine as it adds so much flavour, and it keeps me feeling full longer. My favourite protein powder for this strawberry cheesecake healthy recipe is PEScience Strawberry Cheesecake flavour. 

Adding protein powder is such an easy way to increase the grams of protein in your oats without any added sugar. One scoop of protein powder will add sweetness to your dish, while keeping your weight loss goals in check.

INGREDIENTS YOU WILL NEED FOR THESE CREAMY OVERNIGHT OATS

You will need the following ingredients listed below to make these protein oats (the exact measurements, nutrition information, and full recipe are in the printable recipe card below):

• Quick oats or old-fashioned oats – Quick oats or rolled oats work best in this recipe. I would stay away from steel cut oats and they don’t tend to break down enough and will stay hard and chewy.
• Almond milk – or any type of non-dairy milk. Coconut milk, oat milk, soy milk or hemp milk all work as well!
• Chia seeds – these are full of healthy fats which keep you feeling fuller for longer. They also help keep this recipe thick and binded together! 
• Protein powder – my favourite is PEScience and is linked above! I used the Strawberry Cheesecake flavour but they also have amazing vanilla protein powder and chocolate protein powder.
• Strawberries – if you want to switch up the flavour of this recipe, different types of fresh berries work well.
• Graham wafers – gluten free if desired
• Greek yogurt – you can also substitute for thick coconut yogurt if you are vegan. Non-fat greek yogurt can be used as well if you’re looking to cut down on some fat and calories.
• White chocolate chips – same thing, can substitute for dairy free if you wanted this recipe vegan. Some chocolate chips/bars are more difficult to melt than others. 
• Cream cheese – can also use vegan cream cheese.
• Optional add ins – cottage cheese for another great source of protein, or other fresh fruit to top the oats with. Pure maple syrup is also another optional add in if you want it sweeter, it all comes down to personal preference.

HOW TO MAKE THIS OVERNIGHT OATMEAL RECIPE

1. Add all oat ingredients to a bowl or mason jar. Stir well and refrigerate while you get the cream cheese ganache ready.
2. Chop up strawberries, and break apart a graham wafer.
3. Microwave white chocolate in intervals of 30 seconds. This should only take 2 rounds. Add in room temperature cream cheese and greek yogurt. I like using a whisk to get rid of lumps and get it nice and creamy.
4. Remove oats from refrigerator, layer the oats with chopped strawberries and graham wafer crumbs. Then pour ganache overtop and put back in fridge to set. For best results leave them overnight.
5. In the morning top with more strawberries and graham wafers and grab and go!

CAN YOU MAKE SUBSTITUTIONS FOR THESE STRAWBERRY OVERNIGHT OATS?

Gluten Free – you do not need to use gluten free oats in this recipe if you are not celiac or gluten intolerant! Using regular quick oats or rolled oats will work perfectly fine!

Vegan – to make these vegan you will have to choose a vegan protein powder, or omit it all together. You will also have to substitute the greek yogurt with thick coconut yogurt, and the white chocolate for vegan white chocolate.

The cream cheese will also have to be substituted for a vegan cream cheese. Everything else will be perfectly fine to keep using in the recipe!

With these small adjustments, they will be one of the best vegan overnight oats recipes you will ever try!

CAN YOU MAKE OTHER FLAVOURS OTHER THAN THE OVERNIGHT OATS STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE?

Yes, there are tons of flavours you can try! Banana peanut butter overnight oats, chocolate chip overnight oats, strawberries and cream overnight oats, or even my lemon cheesecake overnight oats.

There are so many delicious flavours to choose from, it just takes small adjustments to achieve them! 

ARE OVERNIGHT OATS HEALTHY?

Yes, protein oats offer a wide variety of health benefits. They are rich in fibre and have a high protein content, especially with the added protein powder that is also added.

They also contain a number of vitamins and minerals, some of which include manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. This makes overnight oats healthy for your gut, as well as for overall health and well-being.

The way I see it, overnight oats are a great addition to your breakfast recipe repertoire. Rather than going through a drive-thru for fast food, you have a simple recipe that’s packed with wholesome ingredients to keep you fuelled through the entire day.

CAN YOU WARM UP OVERNIGHT OATS

Overnight oats are typically served chilled, however if you prefer your protein oatmeal warm, then you can warm them up.

Either remove the greek yogurt ganache the next morning and heat the oats up in the microwave, or you can warm them over the stove.

CAN YOU MAKE OVERNIGHT OATS WITH WATER?

Yes, you can absolutely substitute water for almond milk or plant milks! This breakfast recipe may not end up being as creamy, but it will still work just fine.

BENEFITS OF OVERNIGHT OATS VS COOKED

The benefits of overnight oats are different when they are cooked vs when they are soaked. When you soak oats overnight, the process is much slower and longer than actually cooking them.

Soaking them helps the starches break down and will end up reducing the natural phytic acid. This may help your body utilize the oats nutrients more efficiently than if they were cooked.

CAN YOU USE QUICK OATS FOR OVERNIGHT OATS?

Yes, I actually recommend using quick oats instead of rolled oats! Sometimes I don’t want to wait for them to set overnight, which is when quick oats come in handy!

Other Gluten Free Recipes With Oats You May Like To Try

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
• Lemon Poppyseed Baked Oats
• Gluten Free High Protein Carrot Cake Baked Oats
• Superfood Protein Breakfast Cookies (Gluten Free & Dairy Free)
• Vegan & Gluten Free Salted Dark Chocolate Granola

IF YOU TRIED THESE STRAWBERRY CHEESECAKE PROTEIN OVERNIGHT OATS PLEASE LEAVE THEM A COMMENT AND STAR RATING. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN PIN THIS RECIPE ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM BY TAGGING @basicswithbails and #basicswithbails