nostalgi-ahhhh so good. ⁣Go back to the glory days on the blacktop just by adding a few simple ingredients to your classic overnight oats! If you ever had a classic PB&J sandwich packed in your lunchbox, you already know the magic of peanut butter and jelly together. Now, imagine that in creamy, hearty oats that require minutes of prep time and greet you in the next morning like an old friend.

We are obsessed with overnight oatmeal in our house — they take a whopping 3 minutes to put together and overnight become a creamy, decadent and nutritious breakfast treat, packed with healthy fats from peanut butter and chia seeds. We love mixing up our standard recipe with different mix-ins and thought, what mixes with peanut butter better than jelly!? Plus, it’s an easy way to meal prep for the week!

Why you’ll love this recipe

It’s packed with whole grains, fatty acids, and healthy fats.
It requires minutes of prep time—seriously, so quick.
It tastes just like a classic PB&J sandwich, but way more nutritious.
It’s naturally gluten-free, dairy-free, and totally customizable.

What are Overnight Oats?

If you’re asking yourself “okay wait, what are overnight oats?” I got you: overnight oats are uncooked rolled oats that soften overnight (or really, after a couple of hours) into a creamy texture in the refrigerator with milk and other mix-ins. Just mix everything together in a mason jar or an airtight container, let it sit in the fridge, and it’s ready to eat by morning. Once you have a basic recipe down, you can get experimental with your flavorings!

The Basic Overnight Oats Formula

So here’s the basic recipe for overnight oats, then we can get to the chocolate peanutiness of it all. For best results, every good overnight oats recipe starts with:

old-fashioned rolled oats. You can use gluten-free oats if they suite you.
milk. I’m a plant milk kind of girl but you do you (unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, + soy milk all work great!)
nut butter or yogurt. this will (along with chia seeds) help to create a thick, creamier texture, but you can skip if allergies are a prob (classic peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, and even Greek yogurt are great options).
chia seeds. might technically be optional but again, they make for a more pudding-like consistency
sweetener. use something pure if you can like honey or agave
flavoring. I use vanilla extract in my classic overnight oats recipe!

CAN YOU USE STEEL CUT OATS? I’ve gotten this question before on my Instagram page and the short answer is yes*. You can use steel cut oats but they will not soften anything like rolled oats will, regardless of their time in the fridge. So if that’s all you have that’s okay! Just know they’ll taste much chewier than rolled.

I made our overnight oats in my fave glass to-go jars from @amazon but use whatever Tupperware you have!

Ingredients you’ll need for Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats

⅔ cup gluten free rolled oats
⅔ cup plant milk I use vanilla almond
2 tbs. chia seeds
1 tsp. vanilla extract
2 tbs. unsweetened peanut butter
1 tbs. raspberry or strawberry preserves
1 tsp. honey or agave nectar optional

Instructions

Mix first five ingredients together, then add your natural peanut butter and raspberry preserves on top without mixing.
Let sit overnight or for at least 4 hours, then mix together to enjoy!

Meal prep + storage tips

This healthy breakfast recipe is perfect for meal prep! You can make a big batch for the week—just store it in individual airtight containers or mason jars for easy grab-and-go breakfasts. The oats will keep fresh in the fridge for up to five days.

FAQs

Oh, totally! Swap out peanut butter for almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or really any nut or seed butter you love. Just be sure it’s smooth and unsweetened for the creamiest, most delicious oats!

Absolutely! The world is your fruit preserve oyster—strawberry, blueberry, or mixed berry preserves are all fantastic choices. Mix it up and find your new favorite flavor combo!

I get this question a lot, and the short answer is: yes, but with a disclaimer. Steel-cut oats won’t soften as much as rolled oats, no matter how long you soak them. If you only have steel-cut oats on hand, just know they’ll be much chewier than quick oats or old-fashioned rolled oats.

While these oats are best enjoyed within 5 days for that fresh, creamy vibe, they’ll last up to 7 days in the fridge. Just know, the texture might start to shift after day 5, so aim for that sweet spot of 5 days for maximum flavor and creaminess.

Yep, go ahead and pump up the protein! Toss in a scoop of your favorite protein powder, mix it well, and you’ve got yourself a more filling, powerhouse breakfast.

For sure! This recipe is already vegan-friendly if you use plant-based milk and natural peanut butter with no dairy additives. Just double-check your preserves to make sure they’re fruit-based and gelatin-free!

Of course! While they’re typically served cold, feel free to warm them up in the microwave or on the stove if you prefer a cozy, warm breakfast.

So if you’re looking for the perfect way to bring some childhood favorite flavors into your morning routine, give these peanut butter overnight oats a try. Who knew oatmeal recipes could be this fun?

Let me know if you try it—leave a star rating and tell me your favorite mix-ins! 😊

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