These cinnamon roll overnight oats are the perfect mix of creamy oats, sweet maple syrup and a hint of spice. Made without yoghurt, these healthy cinnamon oats are a fun vegan and gluten free (using suitable oats) breakfast for all the family.
Easy breakfasts are just the thing for a busy weekday morning. When time is tight, I know that anything complicated or that takes too long is not on the menu! If quick breakfast ideas using oats are something you need in your life too, then perhaps you may like to see my mango blueberry smoothie, my apple pie porridge and my berry porridge. All super healthy and easy to make!
These cinnamon roll overnight oats can be made the night before as a meal prep breakfast, for those that this method of 'cooking' is appropriate (no actual cook time!). Or you can make and leave in the fridge for a couple of hours.
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⭐ Why this recipe is so good
Full of flavour. The combination of cinnamon and ginger gives the best hint of spice, and goes so well with the creamy oats.
Meal prep idea. If making your breakfast or snack ahead of time works for you, then this is a tasty and convenient way to start the day.
So easy to make. Just combine ingredients in a mason jar or bowl and give them a stir!
🌰 Ingredients
All the ingredients and their quantities are set out in the recipe card below.
Some notes on a couple of the ingredients:
- Oats - use old fashioned rolled oats rather than quick-cook powder oats, and gluten free if required.
- Non-dairy milk - choose the type that works best for you, whether coconut, hemp, almond or other.
- Chia seeds - these are optional, but help thicken and are a good source of plant-based protein.
📖 Swaps and variations
There is both cinnamon and a touch of ginger in this recipe, but you can leave out the ginger if you prefer or add a touch of cardamom instead.
Add a few drops of vanilla extract. If it works for you, then ¼ teaspoon will make very delicious cinnamon vanilla overnight oats.
The chia seeds are optional. You could also add a small pinch of milled flaxseeds.
🔪 Step by step instructions
With its combination of flavours, these tasty overnight oats with cinnamon are perfectly sweet and super easy to make. Just a few steps:
Step 1
Add all the ingredients (other than any toppings) to a mason jar or bowl that can be sealed. A simple tupperware works well!
Step 2
Stir to combine, and then place in the fridge for at least two hours so the oats soak up the milk and spices.
💭 Recipe tips and notes
- Stir the overnight oats really well so the oats, cinnamon, chia and maple syrup combines with the milk and so the oats can soak up the liquids.
- If you can, stirring the oats after about an hour really helps to evenly distribute the oats in the milk and so thicken your breakfast!
- Adjust the amount of spice to preference, and a drizzle of maple syrup to serve if you have a sweet tooth.
- Add toppings of you choice. Fruit, nuts and seeds are all good!
- While you can leave the overnight oats, well, overnight(!), they can also just be put in the fridge for a couple of hours to thicken.
📋 Frequently asked questions
Traditional oatmeal is cooked, often on the stove top, whereas overnight oats are soaked in milk and flavourings for several hours or overnight.
Old fashioned rolled oats work best for overnight oats. Finer oats go too mushy and steel cut oats don't tend to soak up the milk as well.
Fruit, nuts and seeds all work well as toppings for overnight oats.
🥣 More breakfast recipes
From chia pudding to smoothies to oatmeal, there are lots of tasty ways to start the day on my breakfast recipes page, including my easy to make creamy cherry overnight oats and flax seed pudding. Some recent recipes to try out:
I’m always in the kitchen, so come join me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to be the first to hear of new recipes. And please do leave a star rating ⭐⭐⭐ if you tried the recipe!
📖 Recipe
Cinnamon Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1 cup oats
- 1 cup non-dairy milk
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- pinch salt optional
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract optional
Instructions
- Add all the ingredients of oats, non-dairy milk, spices, vanilla extract (if using) chia seeds and salt to a mason jar or a dish that can be sealed.
- Stir very thoroughly so the oats are evenly distributed in the milk. Set aside in the fridge for at least two hours. Stir after an hour, adding more milk if it seems too dry.
- Top with fresh fruit and enjoy!
Notes
- Stir the oats very thoroughly so they combine evenly with the milk and cinnamon.
- If you can, stir again after an hour in the fridge. Add more milk if it seems too dry.
- Adjust the amount of spice to taste preference.
- Use certified gluten free oats if required.
- Have a sweet tooth? Add a dash of maple syrup to serve.
- Please note that nutritional information is offered as a courtesy. It is auto-generated and should be understood to be an estimate.
- cinnamon scores 0 on the SIGHI list, but is debated. Other lists rate it as higher.
- Ginger and vanilla extract score 1, and vanilla extract has a ? as a liberator.
- Non-dairy milk will have variable scores.
Joanna says
hiya! would this work with water instead of milk? Currently super restricted on food and trying to find plane safe food 🫠😅
Claire says
Yes, you could use water, it just won't have the same creamy flavor. I would check that cinnamon is suitable for you, and also try not to prep it too far in advance also.