All you do is stir everything together, pop it in the fridge, and wake up to a ready-made breakfast. It is honestly one of the easiest things you can make for a busy morning.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No cooking required. Just mix and refrigerate. That is it.
- Tastes like dessert for breakfast. The cinnamon and plump raisins make every bite feel like a treat.
- Keeps you full for hours. Oats and fiber from the raisins give you long-lasting energy.
- Meal prep friendly. You can make up to five jars on Sunday for the whole week.
- Easy to customize. Swap ingredients based on what you have in your pantry.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (do not use instant oats, they get too mushy)
- 1/2 cup milk of your choice (dairy milk, almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk all work great)
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (substitute with dairy-free yogurt or skip it and use an extra 1/4 cup milk)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds (you can leave these out, but they make the oats extra thick and creamy)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (use agave for a vegan option)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (add more if you love a bold cinnamon flavor)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons raisins (golden raisins are amazing here too, or try dried cranberries for a twist)
- Pinch of salt (this really brings out all the flavors)
How to Make Cinnamon Raisin Overnight Oats
- Grab a jar or container. A mason jar works perfectly, but any container with a lid will do.
- Add the oats. Pour in your 1/2 cup of rolled oats as the base layer.
- Mix in the wet ingredients. Add the milk, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to the jar.
- Add the spices and chia seeds. Sprinkle in the cinnamon, chia seeds, and pinch of salt.
- Stir everything together. Give it a good stir so all the ingredients are fully combined. Make sure no dry oats are stuck to the bottom.
- Fold in the raisins. Stir in the raisins last so they stay plump and do not break apart.
- Seal and refrigerate. Put the lid on and place the jar in the fridge for at least 6 hours, but overnight is best.
- Stir and enjoy. In the morning, give the oats a stir. Add a splash of milk if you like a thinner consistency. Top with extra raisins or a sprinkle of cinnamon if you want.
Pro Tips for Perfect Cinnamon Raisin Overnight Oats
- Use old-fashioned rolled oats. Quick oats turn to mush and steel-cut oats stay too chewy. Rolled oats hit the perfect texture sweet spot.
- Do not skip the salt. Just a small pinch balances the sweetness and makes the cinnamon pop.
- Soak for at least 6 hours. The longer they soak, the creamier and more flavorful they get. Overnight is truly ideal.
- Add raisins before soaking. Letting the raisins soak overnight makes them plump, soft, and juicy. It is so much better than adding them fresh in the morning.
- Adjust the thickness in the morning. If the oats are too thick, just stir in a tablespoon or two of milk until you reach your perfect consistency.
- Double up the recipe. Making a big batch? Just double or triple all the ingredients. The recipe scales up easily.
Flavor Variations
- Apple Cinnamon Raisin Oats. Stir in 1/4 cup of diced apple along with the raisins. It tastes just like apple pie in a jar.
- Nutty Cinnamon Raisin Oats. Add 1 tablespoon of almond butter or peanut butter to the mix. Top with chopped walnuts or pecans for extra crunch.
- Spiced Chai Raisin Oats. Add a pinch of ground ginger, cardamom, and cloves along with the cinnamon for a warm, spiced chai flavor.
- Cinnamon Raisin Banana Oats. Mash half a ripe banana into the mixture before refrigerating. It adds natural sweetness and a super creamy texture. You can even reduce or skip the maple syrup.
Storage Tips
Store your overnight oats in a sealed container or mason jar in the refrigerator. They stay fresh for up to 5 days, which makes them perfect for weekly meal prep.
Do not freeze overnight oats. The texture gets watery and grainy when thawed, so it is best to keep them in the fridge only.
If you make a big batch, keep the toppings separate and add them right before eating. This keeps everything fresh and prevents anything from getting soggy.
Nutrition Information
Per serving (1 jar, made with 2% dairy milk and Greek yogurt):
- Calories: 380
- Protein: 15g
- Carbohydrates: 62g
- Fat: 7g
- Fiber: 7g
- Sugar: 24g (mostly from raisins and maple syrup)
Nutrition values are estimates and will vary based on the specific ingredients and brands you use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I eat cinnamon raisin overnight oats warm?
Yes, you absolutely can! Just transfer the oats to a microwave-safe bowl and heat them for 60 to 90 seconds, stirring halfway through. Add a splash of milk before heating to keep them from drying out. They taste great warm or cold.
How long do overnight oats last in the fridge?
Overnight oats last up to 5 days in the fridge when stored in a sealed container. This makes them one of the best options for weekly breakfast meal prep. Just make a batch on Sunday and you are set through Thursday.
Do I have to use chia seeds in this recipe?
No, chia seeds are optional. They help thicken the oats and add a boost of fiber and omega-3s, but the recipe works fine without them. If you skip the chia seeds, you may want to reduce the milk slightly so the oats do not end up too thin.
Can I make cinnamon raisin overnight oats dairy-free?
Absolutely! Just swap the dairy milk for almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk. Replace the Greek yogurt with a dairy-free yogurt alternative or just use extra non-dairy milk instead. The oats turn out just as creamy and delicious.
Why are my overnight oats too thick?
This is super common, especially if you used chia seeds. Just add a splash of milk in the morning and stir well until you reach your preferred consistency. Start with one tablespoon at a time so you do not add too much at once.
If you are looking for a breakfast that is quick, delicious, and almost zero effort, these cinnamon raisin overnight oats are the answer. They taste like a cozy, comforting bowl of oatmeal but require only 5 minutes of work the night before. Give this recipe a try tonight and you will wake up to a breakfast worth getting out of bed for!
