These easy maple chia overnight oats are a simple make-ahead breakfast made with oats, milk, chia seeds, ground flaxseed, and maple syrup. Mix everything together the night before, stick it in the fridge, and breakfast is ready when you wake up. We love to use these cute cups to serve the overnight oats in!
I like using a little more milk than a lot of overnight oats recipes call for. The chia seeds and flaxseed soak up quite a bit overnight, so the extra milk keeps the oats creamy without making them watery.
Why You’ll Love These Overnight Oats
- Five simple ingredients. Nothing complicated or hard to find.
- Prep them the night before. Breakfast is already waiting in the fridge.
- Easy to customize. Add fruit, nut or seed butter, cinnamon, yogurt, or whatever you have.
- Naturally sweetened. Maple syrup adds just enough sweetness.
- A filling breakfast. Oats, chia seeds, and flaxseed make this simple breakfast surprisingly satisfying.
Ingredients
Rolled oats
Old-fashioned rolled oats work best for overnight oats. They soften overnight but still keep some texture.
Tip: If you prefer a smoother, softer texture, pulse the oats a few times in a blender before mixing everything together. Don’t blend them all the way into oat flour—you just want to break them down slightly.
Milk
Use ¾ cup of your favorite milk. Both work well here. The higher amount of milk keeps the oats from becoming overly thick once the chia and flax have had time to absorb the liquid.
Chia seeds
Chia seeds thicken the mixture overnight and add fiber and healthy fats.
Ground flaxseed
Ground flaxseed adds a slightly nutty flavor and another easy nutritional boost.
Maple syrup
Start with 1-2 teaspoons, you can always top with extra to taste when serving.
Overnight Oat Topping Ideas
The base recipe is intentionally simple, which makes it easy to change up throughout the week. Try adding:
- Sliced banana + peanut butter + cinnamon
- Strawberries + Blueberries + extra maple syrup
- Apples + pecans + cinnamon
- Greek yogurt
- Mini chocolate chips for a fun version
How to Make Overnight Oats Less Chewy
If you’ve tried overnight oats before and weren’t sold on the texture, try lightly blending the oats first.
Pulse the dry rolled oats in a blender a few times before adding the other ingredients. Breaking the oats into smaller pieces creates a softer, more cohesive texture after they sit overnight.
You can also add another small splash of milk in the morning if they’ve thickened more than you’d like.
Can I Make These Ahead?
Yes! That’s the whole point.
Mix up a few individual jars and store them covered in the refrigerator. For the best texture, I like to add fresh fruit and crunchy toppings right before eating rather than mixing them in several days ahead.
Easy Overnight Oats for Busy Mornings
This is one of those breakfasts that’s almost too simple to call meal prep. It takes a couple of minutes at night and means there’s one less thing to figure out in the morning. We love to store in these cute cups!
Keep the maple chia base the same, switch up the toppings, and everyone can make theirs a little different.
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Easy Maple Chia Overnight Oats
- Total Time: 5 minutes (plus set overnight)
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
Description
These easy maple chia overnight oats are a simple make-ahead breakfast made with oats, milk, chia seeds, ground flaxseed, and maple syrup. Mix everything together the night before, stick it in the fridge, and breakfast is ready when you wake up!
Ingredients
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ¾ cup whole milk or oat milk
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1–2 teaspoons pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Add the oats, milk, chia seeds, ground flaxseed, and maple syrup to a jar or container.
- Stir everything together until well combined.
- Let the mixture sit for about 5 minutes, then stir it again. This helps prevent the chia seeds from clumping together.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4 hours.
- In the morning, stir the oats and enjoy cold. Add an extra splash of milk if you’d like a thinner consistency.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 12 hours