Easy Overnight Oats without Yogurt (4 Ingredients!)

Name: Overnight Oats without Yogurt
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 125 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats ((use gluten-free if needed)); 3/4 cup milk of choice ((non-dairy or regular milk)); 1-2 tbsp sweetener of choice ((maple syrup, honey, etc.)); 1 tbsp chia seeds; Small pinch of salt (optional); 1/4 tsp vanilla extract (optional); 1/3 cup apple sauce or mashed banana; 1 scoop protein powder of choice; 1 tbsp tahini or nut butter of choice

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These Overnight Oats without Yogurt are made with 4 basic ingredients in just 5 minutes! They're chewy, creamy, and delicious, and they are naturally vegan and dairy-free!

Overnight oats without yogurt served in a white bowl and topped with halved raspberries, blueberries, crushed pecans, and honey.

If you've run out of Greek yogurt (or just don't want to use it), I am here to tell you that you can make delicious overnight oats without yogurt.

This healthy breakfast comes together in a matter of minutes and is packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats.

For more overnight oats recipes, check out my Overnight Oats without Milk, Lemon Poppyseed Overnight Oats, and Applesauce Overnight Oats.

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Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients
How to Make Overnight Oats without Yogurt
Expert Tips
FAQ
Flavor Variations
Toppings
Storage
Similar Recipes
📖 Recipe
Food safety

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Made with simple ingredients that you probably have in your pantry right now.
It's a great make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings. You can prepare it the night before and take it with you on the go the next morning.
Versatile and customizable. This basic overnight oats recipe leaves room for any toppings and mix-ins you like!
It's naturally vegan and dairy-free and can be made gluten-free by using gluten-free oats.

Ingredients

Oats: Make sure to use old-fashioned rolled oats for the best results. They have a great texture and work better than steel-cut oats or instant oats.
Chia seeds: They help thicken the overnight oats, and also add healthy fats and fiber. If you don't have them on hand you can use ground flax seeds instead. Just keep in mind that they will change the flavor slightly, as they have an earthy taste.
Milk of choice: You can use any milk you like here, inducing whole milk or non-dairy milk such as almond milk, oat milk, coconut milk, etc. I personally like to use soy milk, because it has a rich texture, and is high in protein.
Sweetener: You can use any sweetener of your choice. Pure maple syrup, honey, agave nectar, and brown sugar are all great options.
Vanilla extract: A touch of pure vanilla extract goes a long way, but it's completely optional.
Sea salt: A tiny pinch of salt helps enhance the flavors of this recipe.

See the recipe card below for exact measurements.

How to Make Overnight Oats without Yogurt

To a medium bowl or an air-tight container, add milk, rolled oats, chia seeds, sweetener of choice, salt, and vanilla extract (optional). You can also add the ingredients in a mason jar if you need to grab it for an on-the-go breakfast in the morning.
Using a spoon or a spatula, give everything a good stir. Cover with a lid or a clean kitchen towel and let the oats soak for at least 2 hours or overnight in the fridge.

Oats, chia seeds, maple syrup, and soy milk in a white bowl.

Overnight oats mixture before soaking in a white bowl with a silver spoon in it.

Your overnight oats without yogurt are ready when the oats and chia seeds have softened and absorbed the liquid. At this point, you can adjust the consistency if needed, adding a tablespoon of milk if you need to thin it out.

Hint: Overnight oats can be bland, so don't be afraid to add a few more tablespoons of sweetener to taste.

It's essential to add your favorite toppings for the best results. We're adding berries and chopped nuts, and sometimes I like to add a spoonful of nut butter.

Overnight oats after soaking for 2 hours, served in a white bowl with a silver spoon in it.

Overnight oats served in a white bowl and topped with berries and crushed pecans.

Expert Tips

Make sure to use rolled oats. I always recommend using old-fashioned rolled oats when making overnight oats with water. Quick oats will get too soft and won't provide the same chewy texture, and steel-cut oats won't soften at all. This recipe has the perfect ratio between oats and water so that you're left with soft, chewy, and thick overnight oats.
Add your favorite toppings. Overnight oats without yogurt are neutral in taste, that's why it's essential to add delicious toppings. Not only do you add more flavor, but you can make your breakfast more nutritious by adding nuts, seeds, and fresh fruit.
Prepare it in jars for a quick breakfast on the go. If you're a busy person and don't have the time to make breakfast in the morning, this is the perfect recipe for you! You can make the oats in a mason jar and take them on the go with you.
Make a big batch. The best part of this recipe is that it's great for meal prep and lasts for 4-5 days in the fridge. This means that you can make a big batch on Sunday that will last you for the whole week.
Serve it warm if desired. Some people are not a fan of cold oatmeal, and I get it! You can warm your overnight oats in the microwave for 1-2 minutes, or on the stovetop until warmed through.

FAQ

Why do people put yogurt in overnight oats?

Yogurt makes overnight oats thick and creamy, and it also adds protein and makes them more filling. However, if you don't have yogurt on hand or if you can't eat dairy, these overnight without yogurt turn out just as creamy and delicious.

What can I use instead of yogurt in overnight oats?

If you want to replace it with something to get the same effect, you can use either soy or coconut yogurt or applesauce.

However, you can also just omit the yogurt as I did in this base recipe, and add a little bit less milk to compensate.

Can I make this recipe without chia seeds?

Yes and no. Since we're not using yogurt, the chia seeds are essential for thickening the mixture and soaking all of the liquid. You'll need to replace them with something, and you can't just omit them or you'll end up with soggy and watery oats.

You can either replace them with an equal amount of ground flaxseeds or add ¼ cup of soy or coconut yogurt.

Why are my overnight oats not creamy?

It's important to use the right ratio of oats to milk and to give the oats enough time to soak in the liquid and become soft and creamy.

A close-up photo of overnight oats in a white bowl topped with strawberries, blueberries, pecans, and a drizzle of honey.

Flavor Variations

Vanilla protein powder: Add a scoop of your favorite protein powder to make this recipe more satisfying and add flavor.
Cacao powder: If you want to add a chocolaty flavor, you can add 1-2 teaspoons of cacao powder. I recommend using Dutch-processed.
Apple sauce: If you don't want to use added sugar, I suggest adding a few tablespoons of apple sauce to naturally sweeten your oatmeal.
Mashed banana: Use a ripe banana and mash it with a fork, then add to your oatmeal and stir. Again, it will add natural sweetness, as well as flavor.
Coffee shot: If you love coffee, you have to try adding it to your oatmeal. It adds depth of flavor and a great kick.
Pumpkin puree: You can make pumpkin pie oatmeal by adding a few tablespoons of pumpkin puree and some pumpkin spice.

Toppings

Fruit: You can use any fresh fruit you like such as bananas, fresh berries, chopped apples, etc. You can even use frozen fruit as I did in my frozen fruit overnight oats.
Dried fruit: To add more natural sweetness, you can add raisins or dried cranberries.
Nut butter: I love adding a tablespoon of peanut butter or almond butter to my overnight oats. It adds healthy fat, protein, and fiber, and keeps me full for longer.
Chocolate chips: If you want to have some fun with your breakfast, I highly recommend topping your bowl of oats with a handful of chocolate chips or some chopped dark chocolate.
Nuts and seeds: I sometimes like to add a mix of hemp seeds, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds for crunch and healthy fats.
Coconut flakes: If you're allergic to nuts (or even if you're not), try adding toasted coconut flakes. They're so delicious!