Coffee Overnight Oats: Easy Recipe and 6 Variations

Coffee overnight oats are rolled oats soaked overnight in a mix of cold coffee and milk, so breakfast and your morning coffee are ready in one jar when you wake up. The basic ratio is simple: 1/2 cup of rolled oats, 1/4 cup of strong coffee and 1/4 cup of milk, plus a little yogurt, sweetener and chia seeds. Stir, refrigerate for at least 6 hours, and eat cold or warmed.

They taste like a creamy iced latte you can eat with a spoon. This guide covers the base recipe, the best coffee to use, how long they keep, and six flavor variations.

Basic Coffee Overnight Oats Recipe

This makes one generous serving in a 12 to 16 oz (350 to 475 ml) jar. Double or triple it for meal prep.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (45 g) old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) strong brewed coffee, cold brew or 1 shot of espresso topped up with water, cooled
• 1/4 cup (60 ml) milk of your choice
• 1/4 cup (60 g) plain or vanilla Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp (10 g) chia seeds
• 1 to 2 tsp maple syrup or honey
• 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 small pinch of salt

Steps

1. Add the oats, chia seeds and salt to a jar or container with a lid.
2. Pour in the coffee, milk, yogurt, maple syrup and vanilla.
3. Stir well, making sure no dry oats are trapped at the bottom. Chia seeds love to clump, so give it a second stir after 5 minutes.
4. Seal and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, ideally overnight.
5. In the morning, stir again. Add a splash of milk if it is thicker than you like, then add toppings.

Prefer it warm? Microwave the oats in a microwave-safe bowl for 60 to 90 seconds, stirring halfway.

Which Coffee Is Best for Overnight Oats?

The oats absorb a lot of flavor, and milk and yogurt soften it further, so a weak brew disappears. Use coffee that is noticeably stronger than what you would drink black.

Cold brew shines here because it is already cold and naturally low in bitterness. Our step-by-step guide to making cold brew at home shows how to make a batch that will cover a week of breakfasts, and this coffee concentrate recipe gives you an extra-strong version that is perfect for oats.

Coffee Overnight Oats Variations

Mocha oats

Stir 1 tbsp (5 g) unsweetened cocoa powder into the base and top with a few dark chocolate shavings. Add an extra teaspoon of sweetener to balance the cocoa.

Tiramisu oats

Layer the soaked oats with a mix of 2 tbsp mascarpone and 1 tsp honey, then dust with cocoa. It is breakfast that tastes a lot like our classic tiramisu.

Banana espresso oats

Mash half a ripe banana into the jar before adding the liquid and reduce the sweetener. Top with sliced banana and a sprinkle of chopped walnuts.

Protein coffee oats

Add 1 scoop (about 30 g) of vanilla or chocolate protein powder and an extra 2 to 3 tbsp of milk, since the powder absorbs liquid. A good option before training or a long workday.

Salted caramel oats

Use caramel flavored coffee or stir 1 tsp caramel sauce into the base, then finish with a tiny pinch of flaky salt.

Pumpkin spice oats

Add 2 tbsp pumpkin puree and 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice. In fall, this tastes like a spoonable pumpkin spice latte.

Tips for Creamy, Never Mushy Oats

• Use old-fashioned rolled oats. Quick oats turn soft and pasty overnight, and steel-cut oats stay too firm unless soaked longer.
• Keep the liquid ratio near 1:1. Equal volumes of oats and total liquid (coffee plus milk) give a thick, spoonable texture. Yogurt adds creaminess on top of that.
• Always add salt. A small pinch makes coffee and sweet flavors taste rounder.
• Add crunchy toppings in the morning. Nuts, granola and cacao nibs go soggy if they sit overnight.
• Store up to 4 days. In a sealed jar in the fridge, coffee overnight oats keep well for meal prep. Add fresh fruit the day you eat them.

How Much Caffeine Is in Coffee Overnight Oats?

A serving made with 1/4 cup of brewed coffee contains roughly a third of the caffeine in an 8 oz cup, while a serving made with a full espresso shot or cold brew concentrate will be closer to a regular coffee. See how much caffeine is in a cup of coffee for typical amounts by brew method.

Remember to count your oats toward your daily total. The FDA cites up to 400 mg of caffeine a day as an amount not generally associated with negative effects for most healthy adults. If you are pregnant, have a medical condition or take medication, ask your doctor what is right for you. You can also make the recipe with decaf: the flavor stays and the buzz goes.

Coffee Overnight Oats FAQ

Can you put coffee in overnight oats?

Yes. Coffee simply replaces part of the milk or water. Use cooled coffee so the yogurt and milk stay fresh, and keep the jar in the fridge.

Do coffee overnight oats replace my morning coffee?

For some people, yes, especially if you use espresso or cold brew concentrate. Others enjoy the oats alongside a smaller cup. Count both toward your daily caffeine total.

Can I use hot coffee?

Let it cool to room temperature first. Hot coffee can curdle yogurt and starts softening the oats unevenly before they go in the fridge.

Are coffee overnight oats good cold or warm?

Both. Cold, they taste like an iced latte with texture. Warm, they are closer to a cozy bowl of latte-flavored porridge. Warm them gently and add a splash of milk.

Make Tomorrow's Breakfast Tonight

Coffee overnight oats take five minutes the night before and save you a rushed morning. The flavor depends on your coffee, so start with something strong and fresh. At Feel Espresso, our Cold Brew Coffee is blended specifically for cold brewing, and our flavored coffees, such as caramel or French vanilla, let you build a new jar of oats every day of the week.