Overnight Chia Oatmeal is a healthy breakfast that's easy to meal prep for the week with just a few simple ingredients. Add your favorite toppings or layer or mix with yogurt for rich, creamy texture -- there are about a million different ways to customize!
For more easy chia recipes, try Banana Chia Overnight Oats and Yogurt Chia Pudding next!
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What Are Overnight Oats?
Overnight oats are a no-cook method for preparing oatmeal that’s as simple as soaking oats in liquid overnight. I typically use a basic overnight oats recipe with equal parts oats and almond milk, letting them soften in the fridge. By morning, they’re ready to eat—soft and creamy, just like cooked oats, but without the need for heating. I often top them with Greek yogurt and fresh fruit for an easy, delicious breakfast or light lunch.
What Is Chia Pudding?
Chia pudding is made with just two main ingredients: chia seeds and liquid. Using a ratio of 1 tablespoon of chia seeds to ¼ cup of liquid, the seeds absorb the liquid as they soak—up to 10 times their weight—forming a gel-like texture similar to tapioca pudding. While the pudding thickens in about 15-20 minutes, letting it soak overnight creates an even creamier texture, which often improves further by the second day.
So ... What Is Chia Oatmeal Pudding?
Chia Oatmeal Pudding combines the best of both worlds: the creamy texture of overnight oats and the nutrient-packed, gel-like consistency of chia pudding. This overnight oat chia pudding recipe is a versatile base you can customize with your preferred milk, mix-ins, and toppings. Whether you like it thick or slightly thinner, it’s easy to adjust the consistency by adding more milk or stirring in thick ingredients like Greek yogurt. Once you nail your base recipe, the possibilities for quick, flavorful breakfasts are endless—you’ll never run out of ideas!
🌾Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full list of ingredients and exact amounts.
- Chia Seeds: Black and white chia seeds are interchangeable, so feel free to use whichever you have on hand.
- Milk of choice: Unsweetened vanilla almond milk is my go-to, but any dairy or plant-based milk works well—think oat, soy, or coconut milk. Water can even be used in a pinch.
- Old fashioned rolled oats. Rolled oats provide the best chewy texture for overnight chia oats. Quick oats are not recommended.
- Natural sweetener: Pure maple syrup or honey can be added to taste, though you might not need any if you plan to add sweet fruit or toppings.
- Cinnamon: Adds warm, cozy flavor. Feel free to experiment with other warm spices like nutmeg or cardamom.
- Salt: Just a small pinch brings out the other flavors.
🫐Variations or Substitutions
- Fruit. Mix one mashed ripe banana or ½ cup frozen or fresh berries into each serving. We love these Banana Chia Overnight Oats.
- Stir-ins. Cocoa powder, instant espresso powder, peanut butter, almond butter, strawberry jam
- Toppings. Some of our favorite ways to top an oatmeal chia breakfast bowl:
- Fresh strawberries, fresh raspberries or frozen berries (slightly thawed)
- Mango, pineapple, fresh banana slices
- Dried cranberries, blueberries, or raisins
- Toasted almonds, walnuts, or pistachios
- Pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds
- Toasted coconut flakes or chips
- Chocolate chips or cocoa nibs
- Granola
- Fruit purees or compote
- Peanut butter, honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar
Choosing the Best Oats for Overnight Oats
My favorite type of oats for overnight oats are old-fashioned oats and quick-cooking steel-cut oats. Quick-cooking oats tend to get too soft and mushy, so I usually avoid them. If you're using quick steel-cut oats, keep in mind you might need to stir in a bit more liquid before serving. For more details on selecting the right oats for overnight oats, check out this complete guide.
🥣How to Make Chia Oatmeal Pudding
Step 1: Combine all ingredients in a bowl or resealable container. Stir well. Stir again in 5-10 minutes to keep the chia seeds from clumping.
Step 2: Cover and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight, or until the oats and chia seeds have soaked up the milk.
Step 3: Serve with fresh berries, nuts, a drizzle of honey, and a spinkle of cinnamon. Add another splash of milk, if needed.
Step 4: As another option, stir or layer chia oats with your favorite flavor of yogurt and top with fresh berries.
👉Helpful Hint: Give the mixture a good stir after 5-10 minutes to keep the chia seeds from clumping or settling on the bottom.
✅Top Tips
- Sweeten, as needed. Add sweetener to taste. If you plan to add sweet yogurt or toppings, you might not want any.
- Soak. For best results, give the chia seeds plenty of time to soak. I prefer overnight, at minimum, and often like them best the second day.
- Find the right ratio. Experiement with the right ratio of chia seeds to liquid and oats that you prefer. If the mixture is too thick, add a little more milk. If it's too thin, stir in some yogurt or stir in more chia seeds and allow a few hours to thicken.
- Mix in or layer with yogurt. For extra creaminess, stir yogurt into the oats. Or layer it like a parfait.
🎁Storage
- Chia Oats. Store Overnight Oatmeal Chia Pudding in an airtight container or small mason jars in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
- Toppings. To keep the toppings fresh, store them in a separate container and add right before eating.
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📖 Recipe
Chia Oatmeal Pudding
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup, optional, to taste
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon, optional
- pinch of salt, optional
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a resealable container or individual mason jars. Stir well. Wait 5-10 minutes and stir again to keep the chia seeds from clumping. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Enjoy cold or warm. If desired, layer with yogurt or top with fruit, nuts, honey, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Notes
- Stir. Give the mixture a good stir after 5-10 minutes to keep the chia seeds from clumping or settling on the bottom.
- Sweeten, as needed. Add sweetener to taste. If you plan to add sweet yogurt or toppings, you might not want any.
- Soak. For best results, give the chia seeds plenty of time to soak. I prefer overnight, at minimum, and often like them best the second day.
- Find the right ratio. Experiement with the right ratio of chia seeds to liquid and oats that you prefer. If the mixture is too thick, add a little more milk. If it's too thin, stir in some yogurt or stir in more chia seeds and allow a few hours to thicken.
- Mix in or layer with yogurt. For extra creaminess, stir yogurt into the oats. Or layer it like a parfait.
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