Peanut Butter Overnight Oatmeal

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Peanut butter overnight oats is an amazing grab-and-go, protein-packed breakfast filled with fiber. These overnight oats for kids or toddlers are easy for grab and go breakfasts or for busy morningings! Our Overnight Oatmeal combines peanut butter, flax seeds, milk and oats to create a breakfast meal that is nutritious and delicious. It will become a breakfast staple in your home!

Peanut butter overnight oats in mason jars topped with fresh blueberries and banana slices

Unlike other oatmeal recipes, this recipe will keep your whole family full and fueled until lunch. It is packed with protein and fiber. Plus, kids can create this jar of peanut butter overnight oatmeal all on their own!

It is the perfect breakfast for kids to make right before bed. Before school or extra-curricular activities, kids can simply grab their jar from the fridge and enjoy their creation. Craving other grab-n-go breakfast ideas? Check out Breakfast Burrito, Ham & Cheese Breakfast Bowl Foil Packs and Blueberry Spinach Smoothie.

Table of Contents

What are overnight oats?

Overnight oats are oats that have been soaked overnight in milk or water then served. No cooking required! Other ingredients such as fruit, seeds or nuts are added to the oats for extra flavor and nutrition. Overnight oatmeal is the secret to a quick yet tasty breakfast any morning of the week.

peanut butter powder, flaxseed meal and milk

Ingredients

1/2 cup certified gluten-free old fashioned oats
1/2 cup milk skim, soy, almond etc.
1 tablespoon ground flax seed
1 tablespoon peanut butter powder
1 tablespoon peanut butter

How To Make

We share our favorite ingredient swaps throughout to help you and your kiddos customize your overnight oatmeal based on what you have at home or prefer.

Combine the milk, flax seeds, and peanut butter powder. In a liquid measuring cup measure the milk. Choose between skim, 2% of whole milk. You could also make dairy-free overnight oats by picking between soy, oat, coconut or almond milk.

Then, add the flax seeds. 1 tablespoon of chia seeds could also be used in place of the flax seed, which is a great alternative for anyone that loves a thick bowl of oatmeal. The chia seeds expand as they soak up the liquid to turn the oats into pudding-like consistency.

Lastly, add the peanut butter powder and stir all the ingredients together until mixed.

MIX IT UP: Make chocolate peanut butter overnight oatmeal by swapping in chocolate peanut butter powder.

milk poured into a mason jar with peanut butter

Combine oats and peanut butter. In a small mason jar with a lid (or another container with a lid), add the peanut butter then the oats. Pour the milk mixture on top of the oats.

If you’d like the swirl the peanut butter throughout, use the butter knife to do so otherwise leave as is. Cover with the lid.

MIX IT UP: Use almond butter, sun butter or cashew butter in place of the peanut butter.

Let Sit. Refrigerate the oats overnight or for at least 3 hours before serving. The minimum three hour time frame is to let the oats soak up the milk to prevent chewy oatmeal.

Garnish. To serve, add sliced bananas and blueberries or toss your favorite oatmeal toppings on the top of peanut butter overnight oatmeal.

Oatmeal Toppings

There are so many tasty toppings to add to your oatmeal that you are definitely going to need to make this recipe more to try them all. From fresh fruit to chopped nuts and everything in between, we encourage you to get creative. Here are a few ideas for inspiration!

Berries – strawberries, raspberries, blackberries
Apples
Peaches
Coconut
Nuts – almonds, peanuts, pecans, walnuts
Pumpkin puree
Dollop of yogurt
Granola
Spices – cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg

Peanut butter overnight oats in a mason jar with fresh fruit

FAQ

Are overnight oats eaten hot or cold?

Overnight oats can be eaten either way – hot or cold. Typically, they are enjoyed cold, which makes for an easy breakfast that you can grab right from the fridge as you head out the door. You can also heat in the microwave for 1 minute and enjoy hot.

How do you make this oatmeal recipe thinner?

This overnight oats recipe will turn out pretty thick – especially if chia seeds are substituted for the flax seed. If you or your kids prefer thinner oatmeal, add 2-3 tablespoons of milk to the oatmeal before eating.

How many days in advance can you prep overnight oats?

Overnight oats can be kept in the fridge in an air-tight container for up to 5 days. Prep ahead depending how you like the texture of oatmeal. The longer the oats sit in the fridge, the softer and creamier they will be. Add any oatmeal toppings right before serving to prevent soggy toppings.

What oats do you use for overnight oats?

Old fashioned rolled oats are the top pick for overnight oats. You will want to look for the label “Old Fashioned Oats” or “Rolled Oats” when selecting oats at the store. Quick oats or instant oats will become too mushy after soaking in the liquid while steel cut oats will be tough to chew.

peanut butter overnight oatmeal in mason jars topped fresh fruit

More Easy Oat Recipes For Kids

CKC Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.

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Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Peanut butter overnight oats are a deliciously amazing grab-and-go, protein-packed breakfast filled with fiber. A must-try recipe overnight oats for kids!

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5 from 1 vote

Prep Time 5

Total Time 5

Servings 1 person

Equipment

small mason jar or jar with lid
measuring cups and spoons
liquid measuring cup
spoon
butter knife

Ingredients

1/2 cup certified gluten-free old fashioned oats
1/2 cup milk skim, soy, almond etc.
1 tablespoon ground flax seed ✅
1 tablespoon peanut butter powder ✅
1 tablespoon peanut butter

Instructions

Combine the milk, flax seeds, and peanut butter powder. In a liquid measuring cup measure the milk. Add the flax seeds and peanut butter powder. Stir well.
Combine oats and peanut butter. In a small mason jar with a lid (or another container with a lid), add the peanut butter then the oats. Pour the milk mixture on top. If you'd like the swirl the peanut butter throughout, use the butter knife to do so otherwise leave as is. Cover.
Let Sit. Refrigerate overnight (or at least 3 hours).
Garnish. To serve, add fresh fruit such as sliced bananas and blueberries if desired.

Notes

This overnight oatmeal is pretty thick. For thinner oatmeal, add more milk when making the oatmeal or in the morning.

Topping Ideas:

Berries – Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries
Apples
Peaches
Coconut
Nuts – almonds, peanuts, pecans, walnuts
Pumpkin puree
A dollop of yogurt
Granola
Spices – cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg

CCK Features both Gluten-Free Guidance and Kids Cooking Instructions: If you’re new to eating gluten-free we understand it’s overwhelming trying to figure out which foods may contain gluten and which ones don’t. All of our gluten-free recipes marked with this symbol ✅ represent foods that need to be checked for gluten or cross-contamination.

The ⭐️ symbol in the recipe below denotes the steps in which kid cooks may need a helper (depending on age). If there is no ⭐️ symbol, that step (or recipe) doesn’t require a helper.