These overnight oats with coconut milk are a healthy make-ahead breakfast, perfect for busy mornings! They're rich, creamy, and chewy, with a subtle sweetness. Just 5 minutes of prep needed.
I love making overnight oats for breakfast because they're super easy to prepare, plus nutritious and delicious. They're also easy to customize for your dietary needs and preferences. When I want something sweet, I go for my Snickers Overnight Oats, for something filling and packed with protein for workouts I make Protein Overnight Oats. And for something creamy and satisfying I make these overnight oats with coconut milk!
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Why you'll love this recipe
- Perfect for meal prep! The best thing about this overnight oats recipe is that you can make a big batch on the weekend and have breakfast ready for the rest of the week.
- Made with 7 simple pantry-friendly ingredients.
- Customizable. You can put any of your favorite add-ins, or serve with your toppings of choice.
- A nutritious breakfast you can take on the go. These overnight oats with coconut milk are high in fiber and healthy fats. They're great for when you don't have time to eat a full breakfast, but you still want something healthy and filling.
Ingredient notes
- Rolled oats: These are the best type of oats to use for overnight oats. They give a chewy texture and don't become mushy when they're soaked.
- Coconut milk: I use full-fat coconut milk from a can because it gives the oats a creamy texture and a rich mouthfeel. Alternatively, you can use any dairy-free milk of your choice such as almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk.
- Chia seeds: They thicken the overnight oats and provide healthy fats and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Maple syrup: Adds a little bit of sweetness, without making these overnight oats with coconut milk overly sweet. You can use any sweetener of your choice like brown sugar or agave syrup.
- Shredded coconut: I love adding shredded coconut for more coconut flavor and chewy texture.
- Vanilla extract: A little vanilla goes a long way here. It gives a great aroma.
- Salt: Just a tiny pinch to enhance the flavors of the rest of the ingredients.
Scroll to the recipe card below for full measurements.
How to make overnight oats with coconut milk
To a large bowl or a sealable container, add coconut milk, oats, maple syrup, chia seeds, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
Give everything a good stir, then cover and let the mixture rest in the fridge for at least 3-4 hours, or overnight.
When ready, take the overnight oats with coconut milk out of the fridge and stir. Give them a taste test and add more maple syrup if needed.
The next morning, divide the mixture into small serving bowls.
Add your favorite toppings like fresh mango and toasted coconut flakes and enjoy!
Frequently asked questions
The ratio between oats and liquid is probably the most important thing. As a rule of thumb, for every ½ cup of rolled oats, use ¾-1 cup of non-dairy milk. This makes for a thick oatmeal with a chewy texture.
If you like your oats on the thinner side, feel free to add up to 1½ cups of milk.
Yes, you can warm these overnight oats with coconut milk on the stovetop for a few minutes, or in the microwave until warmed through.
Yes! While chia seeds help thicken the overnight oats, you can easily skip them. Just make sure to use no more than ¾ cup of milk to avoid thinning out the consistency.
Top Tips
- Use rolled oats. They produce overnight oats with a chewy, thick. and creamy texture. I don't recommend using steel-cut oats, instant oats, or quick oats in this recipe.
- Give the oats enough time to soak in the liquid. You want to let them rest for at least 3 hours, preferably overnight for the best results.
- Meal-prep a big batch! These overnight oats with coconut milk are an amazing recipe for meal prep. They taste great even after sitting in the fridge for a few days. For an easy grab-and-go breakfast, prepare each portion in a mason jar.
- Add your favorite toppings. You can add more flavor and boost the nutritional value of this recipe by adding fresh fruit, chopped nuts or seeds, or nut butter before serving.
- To reduce fat, use half coconut milk and half water, or choose light coconut milk instead.
Topping Ideas
Now, this is the fun part! The variety of toppings you can add is endless, and you can always mix and match different ingredients to find your favorite combo.
Here are some ideas:
- Any of your favorite fruits such as fresh blueberries, sliced bananas, mango, etc.
- A drizzle of nut butter such as peanut butter or almond butter.
- A handful of chopped nuts and/or seeds like hemp seeds or pumpkin seeds.
- A handful of chocolate chips or dried fruits to add more sweetness.
- A spoonful of vegan-style Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt.
- Serve papaya boat style and top with tropical fruit of choice like kiwi, mango, and fresh berries.
Variations
Want to switch things up? I got you! Here are some of my favorite ways you can add more flavor to this recipe.
- Protein powder: Add 1 scoop of your favorite vegan vanilla protein powder.
- Spices: Ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and ground cloves are all tasty spices to add to for some cozy flavors.
- Chocolate-flavored: Add 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder to add a delicious chocolaty flavor. Top with chocolate chips if desired.
- Apple pie overnight oats: Add 2 tablespoons of unsweetened applesauce and a dash of apple pie seasoning. Top with chopped apples and crushed walnuts.
- Pumpkin pie: Add ¼ cup of pumpkin pie puree, alongside a dash of pumpkin pie spice.
- Carrot cake overnight oats: Add ½ cup of shredded carrots and a dash of pumpkin pie spice.
- Pb&J: Add 2 tablespoons of your favorite fruit jam, alongside 1 tablespoon of all-natural peanut butter.
Storage
Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 3-4 days. Make sure to add any fresh fruit right before serving for the best texture.
More Overnight Oat Recipes
- Overnight Oats with Water are incredibly easy to make and the perfect base recipe to customize to your liking!
- Peanut Butter Overnight Oats are reminiscent of the popular Reese's Pieces candy thanks to a secret healthy ingredient!
- Overnight Oats made with Frozen Fruit are easy to prepare and incredibly affordable. No need for fresh fruit, frozen is easy to use and even infuses more flavor into the final meal!
- Vegan Almond Joy Overnight Oats combines coconut, almonds and chocolate into a delicious healthy breakfast that makes you feel like you're eating an Almond Joy!
📖 Recipe
Overnight Oats with Coconut Milk (Extra Creamy!)
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats, use gluten-free if needed
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- ¾ cup full-fat canned coconut milk
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup, or another liquid sweetener of choice
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon shredded coconut, optional
- tiny pinch of salt
Instructions
- To a large bowl or a sealable container, add coconut milk, oats, maple syrup, chia seeds, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.
- Give everything a good stir, then cover and let the mixture rest in the fridge for at least 3-4 hours, or overnight.
- When ready, remove the coconut milk overnight oats from the fridge and stir. Give them a taste test and add more maple syrup if needed.
- Transfer to a serving bowl or mason jar for an on-the-go option. Add your favorite toppings like fresh mango and toasted coconut flakes and enjoy!
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