Cinnamon Raisin Overnight Oats With Chia Seeds

Looking for an easy snack or breakfast recipe that tastes super yummy? Try these cinnamon raisin overnight oats with chia seeds! Creamy oats are topped with apple and walnuts for some crunch, making it such a satisfying bite. Not only easy and delicious, overnight oats are a great meal prep recipe!

Aside from veggie and egg quesadillas, this easy overnight oats recipe is on high rotation in our home.

I pretty much make these cinnamon raisin overnight oats every week (usually on Sundays) because they’re so darn handy to have in the fridge. Plus, they’re super easy to prep and taste amazing!

When I have a recipe or two prepped on Sunday for the week ahead, it just makes things that much easier, ya know? And I know for sure (at least for me) that it makes Monday a little less Monday-y, LOL.

I’ve made all sorts of flavour combinations for overnights oats with chia seeds, but these cinnamon raisin overnight oats are a definite go-to. Once you give them a try, you’ll know why!

Ingredients

• Banana: In addition to the maple syrup that is used, banana adds a natural sweetness to the overnight oats without making it taste banana-y.
• Greek yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt adds richness and creaminess to the oats. I like to use one that’s at least 2% milk fat.
• Maple syrup: Adds sweetness, but it can be substituted with honey.
• Ground cinnamon
• Rolled oats: Large flake rolled oats are used.
• Chia seeds: Chia seeds helps to thicken the oats by plumping up as they sit in the milk.
• Raisins: Pairs wonderfully with cinnamon. Like the chia seeds, the raisins plump up nicely.
• Milk: I’ve made these overnight oats with dairy and nondairy milk, usually with whatever I have on hand at the moment.

How To Make Overnight Oats With Chia Seeds

Here is an overview of how to make chia seed overnight oats (full details are in the recipe card below):

1. Mash a banana quite well in a bowl.
2. Stir in Greek yogurt, maple syrup and ground cinnamon.
3. Add oats, chia seeds and raisins.
4. Pour over the milk.
5. Give the ingredients a good stir to combine.
6. Cover the bowl with plastic food wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

What Type of Oats Are Best To Use?

For overnight oats, I prefer to use large flake rolled oats. They’re nice and hearty but soften nicely in the milk without losing too much texture.

How Long Do Overnight Oats Last?

Once made, I like to store the oats in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or, preferably, overnight. That gives it time to thicken and become nice and creamy.

If you want to make a batch as part of meal prep (like I do), after the oats have thickened, portion them into storage jars, cover and store in the refrigerator to enjoy within 3 to 5 days.

Oftentimes, I like to make a double batch because we love them so much!

Are Overnight Oats Breakfast or a Snack?

They can be both! Most days, I usually enjoy overnight oats for breakfast, either on their own or with a portion of cheddar or boiled egg (depending on how hungry I am). But they can be fantastic for a quick and satisfying snack, especially if you have some prepped and ready to go.

Tips

• Oats: As mentioned, use large flake rolled oats (old-fashioned oats) for this overnight oats recipe. They’re hearty but still soften up nicely without getting mushy.
• Sweetness: I typically like to use 3 tablespoons of maple syrup, but you can add less (or more) if you like. If you’re unsure of how much to use, you can also add it after the oats have thickened overnight. Once they’ve thickened, have a taste and add as much maple syrup as you like. Instead of maple syrup, feel free to use honey.
• Swap the banana: Mashed banana adds a natural sweetness without adding much banana flavour. If desired, you can substitute with unsweetened apple sauce (about 5 to 6 tablespoons).
• Milk: I’ve made this recipe with dairy and nondairy milk. You can even try a flavoured nondairy variety, like vanilla.
• Thickness: Once initially made, the oats look very liquidy, but will thicken as they sit. I like the oats creamy and loose, so I like to use 1 ¾ cups of milk. If you want a thicker or denser consistency, use a little less milk, about 1 ½ cups. Not sure of how much to add? Use the lesser amount of milk and once the mixture has thickened, add a little more milk until you reach the consistency you like best.
• Extra flavour: Infuse the oats with a little more flavour by adding vanilla extract, about 1 teaspoon. A pinch of ground nutmeg is also another yummy addition.
• Double the recipe: This recipe can easily be doubled if you need more servings.

More Easy Breakfast Ideas

• Scrambled Egg Sandwich With Cheese
• Cheesy Egg Toast
• Bacon and Hash Brown Breakfast Sandwich

If you make this recipe for cinnamon raisin overnight oats with chia seeds, be sure to leave a comment below!