Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Peanut Butter Overnight Oats are the perfect make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings! Prepare a ton in advance, get them ready the night before and enjoy a nutritious breakfast on the go. A dozen jars of almost-ready-to-eat meals make great gifts, too. 

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Food is 100% my love language. I love love love sharing it with the people close to me.

I think that when someone cooks for you, it is usually a labor of love, and it’s such a special thing to share, no matter the occasion.

Growing up, my mom always had a bunch of ready-to-go chicken pot pies in the freezer. We ate them from time to time, but mostly she saved them to share with friends who might need them.

I remember going with her many times, picnic basket in tow, to the doors of friends who had lost loved ones, undergone surgeries, moved across town or just had a baby.

We’d drop off some hugs and stick that chicken pot pie in their freezer, ready for them whenever they wanted a home-cooked meal with little to no effort, but a lot of love.

I always thought it was the sweetest gesture, and it’s something I aim to carry on now as an adult.

Now, whenever a friend has a baby or has a death or illness in their family, I try to help out any way I can.

I haven’t quite perfected my mom’s chicken pot pies (I should really learn that one), there are other ways I can help.

Whether that is by bringing them food, helping them run an errand or sending a text to say hello, a little act of kindness can go a long way.

Breakfast is hard for me (I’m not — and never will be — a morning person) and I imagine it’s not easy for everyone else either, especially if they’re going through a hard time or navigating a big shift in their routine.

One of my favorite foods to make for myself for breakfast is overnight oats, but they can be such a thoughtful gift too.

It is so easy to spoon a bunch of ingredients into jars, then set them aside for later use!

When you give overnight oats as gifts, all your friend has to do is add milk, their sweetener of choice and maybe some toppings, then place them in the fridge for up to four days.

When they’re ready to eat them, a little shake or stir is all they need! They can be eaten straight from the fridge!

Peanut butter for breakfast is my favorite (as if this Peanut Butter Banana Bacon Elvis Smoothie isn’t proof enough) and I just love making these Peanut Butter Overnight Oats for myself.

I am such a peanut butter fiend, and so is my friend Madison. (Just look at these cereal bars! All the heart eyes.)

If she lived closer, I’d totally have made her a batch of these oats when she had her baby boy last month.

How to make peanut butter overnight oats

The mixture for these overnight oats is easy:

• old-fashioned oats – I like to use these ones from Bob’s Red Mill
• chia seeds — These are what makes these overnight oats nice and thick.
• peanut butter powder — This is what gives these oats their peanut butter flavor.
• a pinch of salt — Don’t skimp. A big pinch gives these saltiness to pair with the sweetness.
• cacao nibs — I always add these for a little crunch. You could do chocolate chips instead or skip this.

How to get overnight oats ready for the next day

The night before you want to eat overnight oats for breakfast, you’ll want to do a few quick things before you hop into bed.

1. Add your milk of choice. (I use almond milk.)
2. Add a sweetener.
3. Shake, shake, shake!
4. Put it in the fridge.

Sweeteners for overnight oats

You have some choices when it comes to sweetness. You can skip it, or you can add a teaspoon of brown sugar or something like Splenda.

I prefer to add honey. You could also use maple syrup or agave.

Make sure that when you add a stickier sweetener, that you add your milk at the same time. And then shake it — really, really well. Otherwise, the flavor won’t be distributed properly.

I usually make a bunch, then prepare a few for the week and keep them in the fridge. They’ll keep for four days, so you can plan ahead!

In the morning, you just grab one and go at it with a spoon. The perfect on-the-go breakfast!

If you do it that way, you’ll need a bunch of jars — then you can really make as many as you want in advance! “Stocking up” so to speak.

More make-ahead breakfast recipes

So next time you have a friend in need (especially if they love peanut butter as much as me), give them the gift of easy, make-ahead breakfasts in the form of these Peanut Butter Overnight Oats, or one of these other make-ahead breakfasts.

• Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats
• Baked Apple Oatmeal
• Orange Poppy Seed Muffins
• Yogurt Parfait Breakfast Popsicles