12 Overnight Oat Recipes That Taste Like Dessert For Breakfast

a recipe photo of the Banana Cream Pie–Inspired Overnight Oats
Photo:

Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Make a batch of these overnight oat recipes at night so you always have breakfast ready to go in the morning. From tart and fruity to nutty and spicy, these overnight oats are inspired by the flavors of your favorite dessert recipes. Try dishes like our Carrot Cake Overnight Oats and Banana Cream Pie–Inspired Overnight Oats to bring a sweet and nutritious twist to the start of your day.

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Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

https://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/8075415/carrot-cake-overnight-oats/

Carrot cake for breakfast? We say yes! These carrot cake overnight oats taste just like the classic dessert—complete with a frosting-like layer—but with far less added sugar. We like layering some of the frosting in between layers of oats, but you can just dollop it all on top if you prefer.

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Lemon-Blueberry Overnight Oats

a recipe photo of the What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Blueberries Every Day

Photographer: Stacy K. Allen, Props: Julia Bayless, Food stylist: Ana Kelley

These lemon-blueberry overnight oats are layered with creamy oats and a sweet blueberry syrup, with a garnish of fresh blueberries and lemon zest to bring the flavors together. Frozen blueberries work well too, but to get the right texture for the syrup you will need to use 2¼ cups frozen blueberries, 3 tablespoons plus 2 teaspoons maple syrup and 1½ tablespoons lemon juice.

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Tres Leches-Inspired Overnight Oats

four small mason jars filled with oatmeal and topped with strawberry slices

Tres leches, which is Spanish for "three milks," gets its name from the three types of milk that are used to soak the classic cake: whole milk, evaporated milk and sweetened condensed milk. Here, we use those milks to hydrate oats, creating a creamy, satisfying breakfast. A sprinkle of cinnamon adds a nice touch of spice, while sliced strawberries provide a pop of color. Tres leches cake is usually topped with whipped cream—if you want to re-create that creaminess, try topping these oats with some plain yogurt for a breakfast-friendly twist.

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Apple Pie-Inspired Overnight Oats

a recipe photo of Apple Pie Inspired Overnight Oats
Photographer: Brie Goldman, Food Stylist: Skyler Myers, Prop Stylist: Gabriel Greco

There's no better way to usher in fall than apple pie-inspired overnight oats in the morning. Prep and store this easy breakfast ahead of time to have on hand for busy work and school mornings. You can substitute any nondairy milk for the reduced-fat milk, or try kefir if you want your oats extra tangy.

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Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup-Inspired Overnight Oats

a recipe photo of the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Overnight Oats

Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Melissa Gray, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

These overnight oats re-create the flavors of a popular candy. The chocolate is used in two ways—stirred into the oats, and melted on top to mimic the shell of the peanut butter cup. Flaky sea salt on top balances the sweetness. We use crunchy peanut butter, but creamy peanut butter, almond butter or sunflower butter would work just as well.

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Banana Cream Pie–Inspired Overnight Oats

a recipe photo of the Banana Cream Pie–Inspired Overnight Oats

Photographer: Jennifer Causey, Food Stylist: Julian Hensarling, Prop Stylist: Christina Daley

Start your day with a breakfast that feels like a treat—these layered overnight oats offer a delightful blend of banana, cinnamon and a touch of vanilla to elevate the taste. Right before enjoying, a finishing touch of crumbled graham crackers adds a pie-like charm to this easy breakfast. For the best results, use ripe bananas: their skin should be brown in spots and they should feel a little soft when you squeeze them.

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Tiramisu-Inspired Overnight Oats

a recipe photo of the Tiramisu-Inspired Overnight Oats

Photographer: Sara Baurley, Food Stylist: Julia Levy, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle

Tiramisu, a classic Italian dessert, serves as flavor inspiration for these overnight oats. Instant espresso powder adds a touch of bitterness to the dish, which gets balanced by the sweetness of the maple syrup. We top each serving with yogurt for some tanginess, but you could also try swapping in ricotta. A dusting of cocoa powder on top serves as a nod to the dessert's iconic look. These oats are meal-prep-friendly, but if you find your oats becoming too dry as they sit in the fridge, add more almond milk until they're loosened to your desired consistency.

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Apple Crumble Overnight Oats

a recipe photo of the Apple Crumble Overnight Oats

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Julia Bayless

Creamy oats combine with cinnamon-scented apples in this fall-inspired grab-and-go breakfast. Cashew butter adds a mild flavor and creamy texture. Try almond butter in its place to give this a nuttier twist. To make these overnight oats dairy-free, swap out the milk for unsweetened oat milk or almond milk.

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Cinnamon-Roll Overnight Oats

cinnamon roll overnight oats shot overhead in mason jars with raspberries and pecans on top

It takes just minutes to assemble this healthy no-cook breakfast, and you'll have meal-prepped grab-and-go breakfasts on hand for the rest of the week.

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Caramel Apple–Inspired Overnight Oats

a recipe photo of the Caramel Apple–Inspired Overnight Oats

Photographer: Morgan Hunt Glaze, Prop Stylist: Josh Hoggle, Food Stylist: Amanda Stanfield

This easy, meal-prep-friendly recipe takes all the flavors of a caramel apple and imparts them into breakfast. Applesauce ensures the texture is creamy yet light while also providing balance to the sweet-tart flavor of the oats. If you don’t have Granny Smith apples on hand, Fuji, Gala or Honeycrisp apples work as well. Crushed honey-roasted peanuts mimic the coating of a caramel apple, but any salty-sweet nut would be delicious.

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Key Lime Pie–Inspired Overnight Oats

a recipe photo of the Key Lime Pie–Inspired Overnight Oats

Photographer: Grant Webster, Food Stylist: Holly Dreesman, Prop Stylist: Lexi Juhl

Who doesn’t love Key lime pie for breakfast? These creamy overnight oats taste just like the iconic dessert, complete with a crumbled graham cracker topping. A tangy Key lime–flavored yogurt mixture sits on top of the oats. Be sure to stir it in just before adding the topping to best preserve the texture of the oats. If you can’t find fresh Key limes, you can use regular lime zest and bottled Key lime juice, or use a mix of 1 part lemon juice and 2 parts regular lime juice.

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Pumpkin Cheesecake Overnight Oats

pumpkin cheesecake overnight oats

With pumpkin, ricotta and a little maple, this easy overnight oats recipe tastes like dessert, but it's actually good for you! Plus, it's perfect for a quick, on-the-go healthy breakfast.

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