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    Home » Recipes » Breakfast

    Published: Jan 26, 2023 by bri · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Overnight Oats with Coconut Milk

    Overnight Oats with Coconut Milk is the perfect make ahead breakfast. This easy and healthy breakfast is creamy, delicious, and customizable. You can enjoy the oats cold or hot, but there's no cooking necessary! (Vegan & Gluten Free)
    Jump to Recipe
    Bowl of Overnight Oats with Coconut Milk, topped with raspberries and coconut.

    Overnight Oats with Coconut Milk is a nutritious breakfast that can be enjoyed hot or cold. Coconut milk, chia seeds, and vanilla makes a creamy and sublime oatmeal. It's silkier and keeps you full longer than regular oatmeal. And, you can meal prep them in jars for a quick grab-and-go breakfast.

    Jump to:
    • Why you'll love this recipe
    • Ingredients
    • How to make (step-by-step photos)
    • Recipe videos
    • Toppings ideas
    • Frequently asked questions
    • 📖 Recipe

    Why you'll love this recipe

    • Meal prep friendly: This recipe can be made in advance for healthy portable breakfasts throughout the week. You can easily make one or multiple servings.
    • No cooking required: This recipe comes together in minutes and it's assembled right in the jar. Then, you can enjoy it the next morning—straight from the fridge.
    • Doesn't bother with "Light" coconut milk: To make canned light coconut milk, manufacturers simply water down full-fat coconut milk...then turn around and sell it for the same price! So, we always recommend buying full-fat coconut milk, which has more flavor and is a better value for your money. You can always water it down yourself at home—for free.
    • Customizable: You can add as little or as many toppings as you'd like! Fresh fruit, nut butter, toasted coconut, extra milk or yogurt all taste great.

    Ingredients

    You just need a handful of pantry ingredients for this make-ahead breakfast:

    Ingredients to make vegan overnight oats with coconut milk.
    • Oats: Use whole rolled oats for this recipe (not quick oats or steel cut oats).
    • Chia Seeds: Chia seeds help overnight oats become thick and creamy. And, they're a healthy source of protein, fiber, and omega 3 fatty acids (source).
    • Coconut Milk: Use full-fat canned coconut milk. Make sure you've stirred the milk thoroughly, until smooth, before measuring it out for this recipe.
    • Cardamom: Ground cardamom makes these overnight oats extra special! It's delicious paired with vanilla and maple syrup. In a pinch, you could skip it, but we highly recommend using it!

    Looking for other oats recipes? Make Easy Nut Pulp Granola, Vegan Oat Chocolate Chip Cookies, or Chocolate Hazelnut Praline Bars.

    How to make (step-by-step photos)

    To make coconut overnight oats, all you need to do is mix everything together the night before. Then, let it thicken overnight. In the morning you can enjoy it cold (as is)—or warm it in the microwave or stove for an extra cozy hot breakfast.

    Mixing ingredients together for overnight oats in a glass bowl.
    1. Mix all the ingredients in a container.
    Vegan overnight oats with coconut milk thickened after sitting overnight in the fridge.
    2. Store in the fridge overnight to set.
    Warming up overnight oats with coconut milk in a saucepan.
    3. Optional step - If you want warm oats, heat on the stove or in a microwave.
    Garnishing overnight oats with coconut milk, berries, and coconut flakes.
    4. Optional step - You can top with fruit, coconut, or nut butter. See recipe card for ideas.

    Find the recipe card below for the complete recipe, including all ingredients and instructions.

    Looking for other make ahead breakfast recipes? Try Healthy Whole Wheat Waffles, Vegan French Toast Casserole, or Morning Glory Breakfast Muffins.

    Recipe videos

    See how this coconut milk overnight oats makes the perfect portable breakfast:

    Prefer to enjoy your oats hot instead? This recipe works for that too:

    Toppings ideas

    • Tropical: Raspberries, mango, and toasted coconut.
    • Blueberry Dream: Blueberries, almond butter, and sliced almonds.
    • Chunky Monkey: Bananas, peanut butter, and cacao nibs (or chopped chocolate).
    • Apple Crumble: Apple sauce, cinnamon, and Easy Nut Pulp Granola.
    • PB&J: Strawberries (or strawberry jam) and peanut butter.

    Frequently asked questions

    Can I substitute with light coconut milk?

    This recipe was developed for full-fat coconut milk and water. We don't typically recommend buying light coconut milk, because it's more expensive and less flavorful.
    But, if you need to use light coconut milk instead, use it to replace both the full-fat coconut milk (⅓ cup) and water (½ cup)—otherwise your oats won't have much coconut flavor.

    Can I add the toppings right away?

    You could, but it's less ideal because the toppings will likely sink into the oat mixture before it sets. For best results, let the overnight oats set (about 6 hours)—then add the toppings. For example, if meal prepping multiple jars, you could add all the toppings after the first night.

    How long are overnight oats good for?

    Food safety best practice is to keep leftovers for 3 to 4 days. So, plan to enjoy your overnight oats within 4 days if possible.

    Overnight Oats with coconut milk in a glass jar topped with fruit.
    Vegan overnight oats with coconut milk in a bowl topped with raspberries and toasted coconut flakes.

    Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 review below!

    📖 Recipe

    Overnight Oats with Coconut Milk

    Overnight Oats with Coconut Milk is the perfect make ahead breakfast. This easy and healthy breakfast is creamy, delicious, and customizable. You can enjoy the oats cold or hot, but there's no cooking necessary! (Vegan & Gluten Free)
    Prep Time 3 minutes
    Total Time 3 minutes
    Servings 1
    Author: Bri
    Pin Recipe
    Bowl of Overnight Oats with Coconut Milk, topped with raspberries and coconut.
    Print

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup rolled oats (see note 1)
    • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
    • ½ cup water
    • ⅓ cup full-fat coconut milk (from a can, stirred well, see note 2)
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon ground cardamom (optional)

    Instructions

    • Combine: In a lidded jar or container, combine oats, chia seeds, water, coconut milk, maple syrup, vanilla, and cardamom (if using). Stir until well mixed. Cover and place in the fridge overnight (minimum 6 hours recommended).
    • Enjoy: Enjoy cold straight from the jar. Or, warm gently over the stove or in a microwave (see note 3). Overnight oats can be topped with garnishes of your choice (see note 4).

    Notes

    1. Oats: Use whole rolled oats for this recipe, not quick oats or steel cut oats.
    2. Coconut milk: Make sure to stir the full-fat coconut milk until smooth, before measuring it out. If your canned coconut milk has separated into a thick cream and a watery layer, whisk it thoroughly with a fork until no clumps remain. Sometimes it helps to warm it gently. "Light" coconut milk is simply watered down full-fat coconut milk (for the same price!). For this reason, we recommend starting with full-fat coconut milk and adding water yourself (as this recipe calls for).
    3. Warm variation: These overnight oats can be enjoyed cold, but if you'd like, you can warm them over the stove or microwave. We usually like to add an extra splash of coconut milk (or milk of your choice) to thin the oatmeal a bit more when heated. 
    4. Toppings ideas: Fresh fruit (berries, mango, banana), nut butters (peanut, almond), toasted coconut flakes, chopped nuts, dried fruit, extra coconut milk, etc. See recipe post for suggested pairings.
    5. Storage tips: Keep refrigerated for up to 3 to 4 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 397kcal | Carbohydrates: 48g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 13g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Sodium: 24mg | Potassium: 255mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 14g | Vitamin A: 6IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 126mg | Iron: 3mg
    Did you make this recipe?Let us know by leaving a rating below and tag us @evergreenkitchen on instagram!

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Margaret says

      January 30, 2023 at 8:15 pm

      5 stars
      Cardamom was a great addition! I topped mine with cashew butter and cinnamon stewed apples.

      Reply
      • bri says

        February 06, 2023 at 4:18 am

        Hi Margaret! Glad to hear you enjoyed the overnight oats. Cashew butter and apples sounds like a delicious combo!

        Reply

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