Easy Coconut Overnight Oats (Healthy Protein Recipe)

These coconut overnight oats are a healthy and protein packed breakfast recipe with simple ingredients. They are such an easy breakfast made with full fat coconut milk, old fashioned oats and pure maple syrup.

When I’m creating new flavours for high protein overnight oats, sometimes I get inspiration from pies. This time around I was dreaming about a delicious coconut cream pie and thought, I better make coconut cream pie overnight oats.

Some other flavours I have created that have also been inspired by pies are my Key Lime Pie Overnight Oats and my Banana Cream Pie Overnight Oats.

As you may be able to tell, I’m a huge fan of overnight oats and the other inspiration I typically pull from is cheesecake. Some of these flavours include Strawberries and Cream Overnight Oats, Blueberry Cheesecake Protein Overnight Oats, Pumpkin Cheesecake Overnight Oats, and Lemon Cheesecake Overnight Oats.

There is just something magical about overnight oats with coconut milk. Not that there is anything wrong with unsweetened almond milk, but coconut is just that much more rich and thick and delicious. 

Not to mention, you’ll find busy mornings so much easier when you have this delicious, healthy, ready-to-go breakfast already made. You will never have to skip breakfast again with these coconut milk overnight oats.

Get wild and add some delicious toppings on top like some toasted coconut chips, or mini white chocolate chips. Another way to switch things up is blend your oats to create blended overnight oats.

INGREDIENTS FOR THESE OVERNIGHT COCONUT OATS

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

• Gluten-free rolled oats or quick oats – It’s not required to use gluten free for the recipe to work. Stay away from using steel cut oats, they are not the best type of oats to use in overnight oat recipes as they get very chewy.
• Full-fat coconut milk– Unsweetened coconut milk works best here, and you can also use light coconut milk for a less indulgent version. Oats with coconut milk are so delicious because of the thick rich consistency that coconut milk has. If you do not like coconut milk you could also use soy milk, cashew milk, or regular milk.
• Chia Seeds –  They help thicken the overnight oats by absorbing some of the liquid that might be seeping from the almond milk. They add some healthy fats to the recipe too!
• Protein powder – one of the benefits of overnight oats is you can turn them into a protein-packed meal by simply adding in some protein power. My favourite protein powder is PEScience and you can use code BAILEY at checkout for a special deal on all their products! 
• Unsweetened coconut flakes – or toasted coconut if you choose. This will really make the coconut flavours shine through.
• Maple syrup – optional for the coconut cream pie oats if you want your recipe a little bit sweeter. Alternatively you can also use honey or agave syrup.
• Coconut yogurt – unsweetened greek yogurt would be a high protein substitution here. I recommend adding more coconut to the oats if you choose greek yogurt instead.
• Optional – fresh fruit, vanilla extract, cottage cheese, pinch of salt, hemp seeds, graham cracker crumbs, cacao nibs, almond butter, etc.

HOW TO MAKE THESE HOMEMADE OVERNIGHT OATS

1. Add all oat ingredients to a bowl or jar. Stir well and refrigerate for 4 hours minimum, or overnight to set.
2. Once the oats are set, add unsweetened greek yogurt to oats.
3. In a small frying pan, toast your coconut shreds over medium heat until they are browned.
4. Add toasted coconut over the greek yogurt. Grab and go!

ARE OVERNIGHT OATS HEALTHY?

Are overnight oats good for you? 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.

They are also great if you’re following a low calorie diet, and are a very convenient and healthy make-ahead breakfast.

CAN I USE QUICK OATS FOR OVERNIGHT OATS

Yes, quick oats are rolled oats are best for protein powder overnight oats. Do not use steel cut oats for any high protein overnight oats recipe. 

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.

WHAT IS THE BEST CONTAINER TO USE?

There are lots of different options for protein overnight oats. 

1. Wide mouth mason jar – this option is very handy when prepping the overnight protein oats. 
2. Tupperware or meal prep containers – this option is great when you are prepping a bunch of protein powder overnight oats ahead of time. During the busy mornings you can just grab and go!
3. A bowl – this is more so for the stay at home mom who may want to reheat your high protein overnight oats recipe in the morning!

CALORIES

The calories in overnight oats recipes depends on many factors. If it’s a basic overnight oats flavour, something like a Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats it may be less calories than a recipe with a cream cheese greek yogurt ganache.

Something like an almond milk overnight oats will be less calories than an oat milk high protein oatmeal recipe. 

An overnight oats recipe with protein powder will be more calories than a recipe without, however it will contain a lot more protein to keep you satiated throughout the day.

CAN YOU FREEZE THIS RECIPE?

Yes, you absolutely can freeze these coconut overnight oats in an airtight container. It’s a great way to increase the shelf life on them.

Typically they can last up to 6 months in the freezer, however the creamy texture and taste will change the longer they are frozen.

CAN YOU WARM UP OVERNIGHT OATS?

Overnight oats are typically served chilled as cold oatmeal, however if you prefer your protein oatmeal warm, then you can warm them up. Either remove the greek yogurt and heat the oats up in the microwave, or you can warm them over the stove. 

SOME OF MY BEST EASY OVERNIGHT OATS RECIPES

• Cinnamon Overnight Oats
• Birthday Cake Overnight Oats
• Peaches & Cream Overnight Oats
• Tiramisu Overnight Oats
• Biscoff Overnight Oats

IF YOU TRIED THESE VEGAN OVERNIGHT OATS PLEASE LEAVE IT 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