These Peanut Butter Overnight Oats are easy to make with hearty old-fashioned rolled oats, peanut butter and strawberry jam. They are a healthy, breakfast twist on the classic peanut butter and jelly childhood flavor combination and perfect for PB&J lovers. Gluten free, dairy-free, refined-sugar free, vegan & requires only 5 minutes of prep time!
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Update February 2021
Healthy Peanut Butter Overnight Oats Recipe
Missing those classic favorite childhood favorite PB & J sandwiches from when you were younger? These Peanut Butter Overnight Oats are a healthy breakfast twist with the same peanut butter and jelly combo we all grew up making.
They are easy to make with hearty oats, creamy peanut butter and strawberry jam and are a healthier no cook twist on the PB&J sandwich.
My kids absolutely love the anything with PB & J and this no cook peanut butter oatmeal recipe is perfect for those busy back-to-school mornings or when you don’t feel like turning on the oven when it’s too hot outside. We especially love making overnight oats during the hot summer months of July and August when we don’t want to heat up the kitchen.
They take less than 5 minutes of prep time and are super simple to customize! Other healthy breakfast recipes and oatmeal recipes we love are our Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats, Keto Overnight Oats, and Pumpkin Overnight Oats.
So what are overnight oats?
Overnight oats are just uncooked old fashioned oats that you soak with liquid overnight. They require less than 5 minutes of prep time and are super easy to customize and I love that you can make a batch on meal prep Sunday with your favorite flavors.
What oats to use in overnight oats?
Overnight oats are typically made with old-fashioned rolled oats and sometimes quick oats. Be sure to use certified gluten free oats as needed. Just be sure not to use instant oats as they will turn out mushy.
Head on over to our master blog post of Overnight Oats for more tips and differences between the type of oats and the healthy benefits.
Ingredients you need
All you need to make our easy peanut butter overnight oats are just a few simple pantry ingredients:
- Oats: we use gluten free old fashioned rolled oats – we do not recommend using Instant Oats or Quick Oats. For a grain-free option, use an equal mix of roughly chopped sliced almonds and coconut flakes.
- Chia seeds: Chia seeds give overnight oats that thick pudding-like texture and add extra fiber but feel free to leave them out if you aren’t a fan.
- Milk: Use your favorite dairy or dairy-free milk you like or have on hand. We usually like to use unsweetened almond milk but coconut milk, cashew milk all work great for a vegan option.
- Optional sweetener: Use your favorite: maple syrup, coconut sugar, monkfruit sweetener or honey (if not vegan)
- Smooth or crunchy peanut butter: We like to use an all natural creamy peanut butter but you can use your favorite. Almond butter, cashew butter, pumpkin butter, sunflower seed butter also work as well.
- Strawberry Jam: You can also use raspberry chia jam, blueberry jam or any other jam you like.
- Freeze-dried strawberries: for topping. You can also use fresh strawberries
- Chopped peanuts: For that added crunch. Chopped almonds, cashews or pecans would be delicious too.
Other Optional add-ins
- Yogurt – You can add a combination of milk and yogurt to make your oats extra creamy .
- Spices: we love adding a touch of ground cinnamon
- Fruit: Have fun with your toppings. Add fruit that won’t get mushy directly into the mason jar or toss them on directly on top of the oats when you’re ready to eat.
Overnight Oats Ratio
- 1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 3/4 cup liquid (water or your favorite milk)
How to make Peanut Butter Overnight Oats with Jam:
Our peanut butter overnight oats are one of the easiest breakfasts that even your kids can help you assemble the night before. Be sure to follow the step-by-step instructions or watch the video below.
- ADD OATS TO CONTAINER: Start by combining the rolled oats / old fashioned oats with milk and chia seeds to a 8 oz. mason jar, resealable container or a bowl. These 7 oz jars are the ones you actually see in the photos and are currently my favorite ones. Add peanut butter, jam, vanilla and sweetener if using. Alternatively, you can layer the peanut butter and jam separately in the middle like the photos.
- FLAVOR WITH SWEETENER OR SPICES: Overnight oats are super versatile so feel free to add any sweetener or spices you like.
- MIX: Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. (If you like your oatmeal more creamier, you can add more milk and less if you like them on the chunkier side – you can also add an extra 2 tablespoons yogurt (dairy free if needed) to make them creamier).
- CHILL IN FRIDGE: Seal or cover with a lid and chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- EAT IN JAR OR BOWL: Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave or stove-top. Serve with more milk as desired and sprinkle with additional coconut, pecans and raisins before serving (optional) together in a mason jar, resealable container or a bowl.
Flavor Variations for Easy Overnight Oats
- Add some chocolate chips or stir in some cocao powder for Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
- Top with some sliced bananas for Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats
- Top with some fresh strawberries for Strawberry Oatmeal
Storage and make ahead tips
Double or triple the batch and divide into separate mason jars or resealable containers
Freezer and Reheating Instructions
How to Freeze: If you want to store your overnight oats in the freezer, be sure to store in a freezer-safe resealable container with a lid. Overnight oats will last up to 3 months in the freezer.
How to Reheat: To thaw out pumpkin overnight oats without yogurt, leave them in the fridge overnight or on the counter.
Reheat in the microwave at medium-high to high for 30 seconds to 1 minute, depending on how warm you want them. The texture may be a bit softer than when they are made fresh.
To reheat overnight oats over the stove, simply pour them into a small pot over medium heat and allow to come to a boil.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you eat Peanut Butter Oatmeal hot or cold?
You can eat overnight oats hot or cold straight from the fridge. Enjoy cold overnight oats with yogurt and berries plus toppings of your choice.
Can PB & Jam Overnight Oats be heated?
Yes, you can eat reheat overnight oatmeal either in the microwave in a heat-safe container or pour into a pot and heat on the stove.
Does this overnight oat recipe work with steel cut oats?
We specifically tested these instant oats recipes using old-fashioned rolled oats and not with steel cut oats.
Overnight Oats Variations
Apple cinnamon, banana, blueberries or for more Overnight Oatmeal options – Overnight Oat post with 9 fun flavors!
More easy oatmeal recipes:
More peanut butter recipes you’ll love:
Yummy Peanut Butter Protein Balls
Grain-Free Peanut Butter Cookies
These Peanut Butter Overnight Oats are a healthy, breakfast twist on the classic peanut butter and jelly childhood flavor combination. Made with Peanut butter and strawberry jan, and hearty old-fashioned rolled oats, it's such a delicious breakfast!
- 1/2 cup rolled oats gluten free as needed
- 2/3 - 3/4 cup almond milk or your favorite milk for a non-vegan version - you can add half milk and half Greek yogurt for creaminess as well
- 2 teaspoons chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon coconut sugar OR sweetener of choice (monkfruit sweetener, maple sugar etc.)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons seedless strawberry or raspberry jam plus more for layering
- 2-3 tablespoons smooth or crunchy peanut butter plus more for layering
- 1 teaspoon freeze-dried strawberries for topping optional
- 1/4 teaspoon chopped peanuts for topping optional
- Add oats, milk, chia seeds,(and sweetener if desired) together in a mason jar, resealable container or a bowl. (If you like your oatmeal more creamier, you can add more milk and less if you like them on the chunkier side - you can also add an extra 2 tablespoons yogurt (dairy free if needed) to make them creamier).
- Add sweetener (if using), peanut butter, jam and vanilla to the mason jar. (Alternatively, you can also layer the peanut butter and jam separately like I did in the photos).
- Shake jar or mix and combine with a spoon. Seal and chill in fridge for at least 4 hours or overnight. Enjoy cold or heat up in the microwave or stove-top.
- Serve with more milk as desired and top with another layer of peanut butter, jam, freeze-dried berries and chopped peanuts before serving, if desired.
Marko -
Fantastic recipe. Simply delicious and handy to put together.
avrey -
yum, made this with frozen raspberries and it was a hit. thanks!
Jaclyn -
I have made a few verSions of Overnight oats and this One is amazing. My 2 young kids both love it…one who is veRy picky. And i Couldnt stop sneaking bites as i was making it!
Wendy -
Yum! My husband loves this one and he isn’t usually a fan of oats. We think all of your overnight oat recipes are delicious!
Lee -
I enjoyed overnight oats from a deli in Portland while on a visit there and i wanted to replicate them at home. Thanks for the recipe so i can share them with my family!