Golden Milk Overnight Oats

If you’re looking for more recipes with golden milk, try my Golden Milk Baked Oats, this Golden Milk Granola, or Ninja Creami Golden Milk Ice Cream next!

About This Recipe

I am absolutely in LOVE with these Golden Milk Overnight Oats and they’ve been on repeat lately! This delicious and healthy breakfast is easy to make, ultra-thick and creamy, full of classic golden milk spices (with a few additions), and high in protein thanks to a boost from vanilla protein powder.

We have here a beautifully spiced overnight oats that is sweetened with maple syrup and infused with earthy turmeric, warming cinnamon, lovely cardamom, and the floral sweet aromas of saffron! I chose to not add black pepper but you can add a small pinch if you like.

I’ve topped off my bowl with some fresh raspberries and blueberries, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, pistachios for some crunch, and smooth and creamy pistachio butter. However, you can use any of your favorite overnight oats toppings to dress this nutritious feel-good breakfast!

If you love golden milk and overnight oats for breakfast, give these Golden Milk Overnight Oats a try. I think you’ll enjoy the flavors and texture and will be making it over and over again!

Ingredient Notes and Substitutes

• Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: I used Red Tractor Creamy Style Rolled Oats which makes the overnight oats extra thick and creamy! Jumbo oats and porridge oats will work. Instant oats can be used but they don’t need to be soaked as long. Avoid steel-cut oats (they won’t soften enough) and quick oats (they will turn into mush).
• Vanilla Protein Powder: I used PEScience Gourmet Vanilla protein powder, which is a whey-casein protein powder blend. Their Cake Pop flavor tastes delicious in this recipe too! Whey-casein results in the best thick and creamy overnight oats texture. That said, a pure whey, casein or vegan protein powder can be used. Note that vegan protein powders absorb more liquid than whey or a whey-casein protein powder blend so you will need to add additional milk.
• White Chia Seeds: Or black chia seeds. They help thicken the oats and also add healthy fats.
• Spices: We have classic golden milk warming spices like ground turmeric, cinnamon and ginger. I also love to add ground cardamom and saffron for floral sweet flavors. If you like, you can also add a dash of black pepper to activate the turmeric for better absorption but I prefer to leave it out.
• Fat Free Greek Style Yogurt: Or use regular or fat free Greek yogurt, thick plain yogurt, or dairy-free yogurt.
• Sugar-free Maple Syrup: Or use pure maple syrup or pancake syrup to add sweetness. I like Walden Farms Pancake Syrup best. Honey works great too.
• Unsweetened Almond Milk: I like unsweetened vanilla almond milk but you can use regular almond milk. Or use other non-dairy milk like unsweetened coconut milk, oat milk, soy milk, etc. Regular dairy milk (whole milk, skim milk, fat-free milk) would also work.
• Berries: Fresh or frozen. I used fresh raspberries and blueberries but strawberries would be a great as a topping too!
• Pistachios: They add crunch and taste wonderful with this warm spiced and saffron infused overnight oats! Any other nuts you have laying around the kitchen will work though.
• Other optional toppings: I like to add a sprinkling of sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and pistachio butter on top too. You can also use chia seeds, hemp seeds, dried fruit, other fresh fruit, unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted unsweetened coconut flakes, and any other nut butter you love.

Full ingredient list and amounts are in the recipe card below.

How to Make Golden Milk Overnight Oats

Below is a step-by-step overview on how to make this recipe. Keep scrolling down to get to the recipe card below with the full recipe and detailed instructions!

Storing

If meal prepping, these overnight oats without the berries and other toppings will keep for up to 4-5 days in the fridge if stored properly in sealed airtight containers. I personally feel they taste best when consumed within 3 days. After that, the texture starts to change too much and they don’t taste as fresh. The oats will increasingly thicken over time in the fridge so you may need to stir in more milk before eating.

Variations

Dietary Modifications

• Gluten-free. Use gluten-free certified oats if you have sensitivities.
• Dairy-free. Use a vegan protein powder (not whey or casein protein), nut milk, soy milk or oat milk and a dairy-free Greek or thick Greek style yogurt. Coconut yogurt by Cocobella, vanilla or plain yogurt by Kite Hill brand (which is made from almond milk and soy yogurt) are some good options.
• Nut-free. Don’t top with pistachios and nut butter. You can use a nut-free peanut butter, sunflower seed butter, pumpkin seed butter or even tahini (sesame seed butter) instead.

Flavor Variations/Customizations

• Omit the yogurt. If you want to make overnight oats without yogurt, simply leave out the yogurt! You can add some blended cottage cheese to add protein and volume instead. Check out my Cottage Cheese Overnight Oats.
• Add more protein. Use a full scoop of protein powder instead of two thirds (20 grams) of a scoop. You’ll need to add additional milk so that the overnight oats aren’t too thick and can be mixed easily. Using soy milk instead of almond milk would also boost the protein content.
• Omit the protein powder. Use 60 grams oats instead. You can stir in or top with any nut butter of your choice and/or use vanilla protein yogurt instead to add more protein if desired. Add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract and more sweetener to help flavor the overnight oats.
• Use an unflavored protein powder. Add ½ teaspoon vanilla extract or use vanilla yogurt, and use more sweetener to taste to yield a similar flavor.
• Use a different sweetener. Other sweetener options are honey, date syrup, agave nectar (agave syrup), coconut sugar, monk fruit sweetener, allulose, or stevia.
• Top with dried fruit. Golden raisins or dried apricots would be tasty in these turmeric overnight oats if you want to keep with the “golden theme”. Or use dried cranberries, dried cherries, green or regular raisins or any dried fruit you love!
• Top with other fresh fruit. Instead of berries, use diced mango, apricot, sliced kiwi, tangerine, pomegranate perils, banana slices, etc.
• Use different nuts. Chopped or slivered almonds, walnuts, pecans, cashews, etc.

FAQs

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