Cinnamon-Maple Overnight Oats

These are overnight oats flavored with cinnamon and maple syrup and topped with chopped roasted pecans. You stir everything together in a bowl, cover it and leave it in the refrigerator. By morning the rolled oats have soaked up the milk and turned creamy, with no cooking at all. The recipe makes 2 servings and takes 10 minutes of hands-on time, plus the overnight soak.

Save this recipe for later:

What Goes in the Bowl

The recipe uses six ingredients. The amounts are on the card.

• Rolled oats (1 cup): the base. They give the oats a hearty texture.
• Milk (2 cups): dairy or a dairy-free alternative. It makes the oats creamy and carries the flavors while they soak.
• Maple syrup (1 tablespoon): the sweetener, with a warm flavor that suits the cinnamon.
• Ground cinnamon (1 teaspoon) and salt (1/4 teaspoon): the cinnamon is the main flavor, and the salt balances the sweetness of the maple.
• Roasted pecans (1/2 cup, chopped): added in the morning for crunch and a nutty taste.

Making It

In a bowl, combine the oats, milk, maple syrup, cinnamon and salt. Stir well, cover and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, stir the oats again and top them with the pecans.

Mix the ingredients thoroughly before chilling so the oats absorb the milk and flavors evenly. A good stir helps prevent clumping.

Texture and Timing

• Thicker oats: use slightly less milk.
• Creamier oats: add an extra splash of milk in the morning before serving.
• More flavor: the oats can stay in the refrigerator longer than overnight, up to 24 hours, and will develop more flavor and creaminess.
• Meal prep: the recipe can be doubled easily.

Variations

• Fruit: chopped apples, bananas or berries, fresh or dried, stirred in before refrigerating.
• Other nuts or seeds: walnuts, almonds or sunflower seeds in place of pecans. Sunflower seeds make it nut-free.
• More spice: nutmeg or ginger alongside the cinnamon.
• Extra richness: a splash of vanilla extract or a spoonful of peanut butter.

Toppings and Serving

Sliced bananas, strawberries or blueberries add freshness. Almond or peanut butter drizzled on top adds creaminess that goes with the maple. A dollop of Greek yogurt makes the bowl creamier and adds protein. A little extra maple syrup works too.

Time and Nutrition

Preparation takes 10 minutes, and the oats then sit in the refrigerator for 8 hours, so the total time is 8 hours 10 minutes. One cup serving has approximately 320 calories, 12 grams of fat (2 grams saturated), 45 grams of carbohydrates, 6 grams of fiber, 8 grams of sugar, 10 grams of protein and 150 milligrams of sodium.

FAQ

What are overnight oats?

A no-cook way to make oatmeal. Rolled oats soak in milk or yogurt overnight in the refrigerator, which softens them and lets them take on flavor without cooking.

How long do they keep?

These oats last in the refrigerator for up to five days, so you can make several servings at once.

Can I customize the oats?

Yes. Try different toppings such as fruit, seeds or nut butters, other spices, or other sweeteners.

The Foodie Yummy Cookbook

12 reader-favorite recipes in one printable PDF. Enter your email and download it instantly.

Made it or loved it? Share this recipe

Written and edited by The Foodie Yummy Kitchen Team

The Foodie Yummy Kitchen Team writes and edits the recipes on Foodie Yummy: classic American potluck salads, holiday sides and easy comfort food, with a few low-carb options. Every recipe lists exact quantities, numbered steps and a printable recipe card, plus notes on swaps, storage and make-ahead timing. Spot a problem with a recipe? Tell us through the contact page and we will correct it. About us