Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats
Wake up to the delightful aroma of cinnamon swirl with this Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats recipe. Creamy oats are infused with flavors reminiscent of a comforting cinnamon roll creating an indulgent breakfast treat that offers the perfect blend of wholesome ingredients and sweet dessert-like taste to start your day on a cozy note.
Why you’ll love these oats
Little to nothing beats that center bite of a fluffy, freshly baked cinnamon roll. I have done my very best to recreate that experience, and although it is not exact, this Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats recipe is pretty dang close on the cinnamon roll flavor, but with healthier, satisfying ingredients that will fuel your morning.
Overnight Oats make for the perfect, easiest breakfasts on busy mornings when you don’t have time to cook breakfast, or as a post workout snack. They have a high protein content and are packed with fiber, which will beep you full for hours! I prep at least 1 variation a week and because I keep switching it up on flavors, I never get sick of them!
If you’re looking for other variations to try, also check out these Pear Overnight Oats, these Pecan Pie Overnight Oats, or these Birthday Cake Overnight Oats I’m sure you’ll enjoy, too!
Recipe Inspiration
Easy overnight oats are kinda of my thingggg. Well technically, they’re my sister’s “thing”. She turned me onto them. Once I perfected the base of the oats, the flavor options were endless…*ahem, see the 10+ Overnight Oat recipes on APOP*
Recipe Ingredients
- Old Fashioned Oats –
- Protein Powder
- Milk – I recommend using sweetened almond milk as it’s going to give the recipe the sweet bread/dough flavor. Soy milk, oat milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, dairy milk, or really any other type of milk will work, but I suggest adding a teaspoon of vanilla extract, too.
- Vanilla Greek Yogurt – I do not recommend plain. It’s far tangier and you won’t get that sweet bread/dough flavor.
- Maple Syrup – Gives the caramel, toffee-like sweetness we are looking for as opposed to honey or sugar alone.
- Ground Cinnamon – Use a little extra if you really enjoy cinnamon flavor.
- Sea Salt – Don’t skip a pinch of salt! It enhances the other flavors in this recipe
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
How to Make This Recipe
1. Place all of the ingredients for the overnight oats into a large mixing bowl. Stir until well combined.
2. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight so they’re ready for the next morning. (You can also scoop the oat mixture into individual mason jars and seal tightly).
3. Before ready to enjoy, make the cinnamon swirl. In a small bowl, melt the butter. Stir in brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Mix until a thick paste has formed. Add the water to thin it out a bit.
4. If the oats are thick after refrigeration, stir in another ½ cup of milk to thin it out a bit. Use a frosting piping bag to pipe swirls on top of the overnight oats. Enjoy!
PRO TIPS
Don’t guess the oat to liquid ratio! I encourage you to measure the milk because too little and your oats won’t soften, and too much you’ll end up with oat soup. The base of these oats have a thicker texture, and you can always add an extra splash of milk just before enjoying if you prefer a creamy consistency.
Recipe FAQs
How do we store it?
Store in the refrigerator in a mason jar or similar airtight container. The oats are best enjoyed within 3 days of assembling them, making these a great option for meal prep! Storing for much longer, however, they’ll become pretty mushy.
What are the best oats for overnight oats?
For best results, I highly recommend using rolled oats (check for certified gluten-free oats if necessary!). Instant oats/quick oats will become much too mushy as they sit in the liquid, and steel cut oats will be too tough to soak up the liquid at all and you’ll end up with chewy oatmeal.
What toppings go well with these oats?
I like serving these oats with a dollop of greek yogurt, extra chia seeds, hemp seeds or flax seeds (an easy way to get in extra fiber!), toasted coconut flakes, a little granola for some crunch or a smear of almond butter, cashew butter or peanut butter. Fresh fruit is always welcome, too! I think sliced banana, blueberries or strawberries would all be tasty. If you prefer your oats a little thinner and creamier, pour some extra milk on top before serving.
Serving suggestions
For the perfect breakfast on the go, enjoy these cinnamon roll oats with a smoothie! The flavors would go great with a Banana Bread Protein Smoothie or a Butternut Squash Smoothie which is cinnamon forward, too!
A healthy and delicious Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats recipe that mimics the flavor of a cinnamon roll with creamy oats infused with cinnamon, maple syrup, and a cinnamon swirl topping. Perfect for a quick, high-protein, fiber-rich breakfast or post-workout snack.
- Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes to overnight
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats (certified gluten-free if needed)
- 1 scoop protein powder
- 1 cup sweetened almond milk (or other milk of choice)
- 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (plus extra for swirl)
- Pinch of sea salt
- For cinnamon swirl:
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1–2 tsp water (to thin)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine old fashioned oats, protein powder, sweetened almond milk, vanilla Greek yogurt, maple syrup, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of sea salt. Stir until well combined.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the mixture into individual airtight containers or mason jars. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight to let oats soften and flavors meld.
- Before serving, prepare the cinnamon swirl by melting butter in a small bowl.
- Stir in brown sugar and ground cinnamon into the melted butter until a thick paste forms.
- Add water gradually to thin out the cinnamon swirl to your desired consistency.
- If the oats are too thick after refrigeration, stir in an additional 1/2 cup of milk to reach the preferred creaminess.
- Use a frosting piping bag or spoon to drizzle the cinnamon swirl on top of the overnight oats.
- Optional: add toppings such as extra Greek yogurt, chia seeds, hemp seeds, flax seeds, toasted coconut flakes, granola, nut butters, or fresh fruit such as banana slices, blueberries, or strawberries.
- Enjoy chilled or at room temperature.
Notes
Use rolled oats instead of instant or steel cut for the best texture., Sweetened almond milk enhances the sweet bread/dough flavor, but other milks can be used with a teaspoon of vanilla extract added., The cinnamon swirl adds a rich, sweet topping resembling cinnamon roll glaze., Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days., Adjust the thickness by adding more milk before serving if desired., This recipe is high in protein and fiber, providing a satisfying breakfast or snack., Serving with a cinnamon-flavored smoothie like Banana Bread Protein Smoothie or Butternut Squash Smoothie pairs well.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (refrigeration time 2 hours to overnight)
- Category: Breakfast
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (about 1 cup)
- Calories: Approximately 350-400 calories per serving (varies depending on protein powder and milk used)
- Fat: 8-10 g per serving
- Carbohydrates: 40-45 g per serving
- Protein: 20-25 g per serving (depending on protein powder)
