This tiramisu overnight oats recipe turns your favorite Italian dessert into a dreamy, healthy breakfast you can make the night before. It has all the rich coffee flavor and creamy mascarpone goodness you love, but in a jar you can feel great about eating first thing in the morning.
If you have ever wished you could eat tiramisu for breakfast without the guilt, this recipe is your answer. It is simple, satisfying, and absolutely delicious.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Chill Time: 8 hours (overnight)
- Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
- Servings: 1
- Estimated Calories: 380 per serving
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons to add this recipe to your morning routine. Here are just a few:
- No cooking required. Just mix, refrigerate, and enjoy. It really is that easy.
- Tastes like dessert. You get all the bold espresso and creamy flavors of classic tiramisu in every bite.
- Meal prep friendly. Make several jars at once and have breakfast ready for the whole week.
- Packed with nutrition. Oats are loaded with fiber and complex carbs that keep you full for hours.
- Naturally customizable. You can swap ingredients to fit your diet, whether that is dairy-free, lower sugar, or higher protein.
- Kid-friendly and adult-approved. The coffee flavor is mild enough for older kids but bold enough for grown-ups who need a morning pick-me-up.
Ingredients
You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make this recipe. Most of them are pantry staples you probably already have at home.
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats – Do not use instant oats. They get too mushy overnight. Steel-cut oats work but need an extra hour of soaking time.
- 1/2 cup milk of choice – Whole milk gives the creamiest result. Oat milk or almond milk work great for a dairy-free version.
- 1/4 cup mascarpone cheese – This is the star ingredient that makes it taste like real tiramisu. You can substitute cream cheese or thick Greek yogurt in a pinch.
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt – Adds creaminess and a protein boost. Use full-fat for the richest texture.
- 2 tablespoons brewed espresso or strong coffee, cooled – Strong brewed coffee works just as well as espresso. Make sure it is fully cooled before adding it.
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup or honey – Adjust this to your taste. You can also use a sugar substitute like monk fruit sweetener.
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract – Pure vanilla extract adds the best flavor.
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder – For dusting on top, just like real tiramisu. Use Dutch-process cocoa for a deeper flavor.
- Optional: 1 tablespoon chia seeds – These add thickness, omega-3s, and extra fiber.
- Optional toppings: A small ladyfinger cookie crumbled on top, a sprinkle of cocoa, or a dollop of whipped cream.
How to Make Tiramisu Overnight Oats
This recipe comes together in just a few minutes. Follow these simple steps and you will have a gorgeous breakfast waiting for you in the morning.
- Brew and cool your coffee. Make a shot of espresso or a small cup of very strong coffee. Let it cool completely at room temperature or speed things up by popping it in the fridge for 10 minutes. Using hot coffee can affect the texture of the oats.
- Mix the creamy base. In a medium bowl or directly in your jar, whisk together the mascarpone cheese, Greek yogurt, cooled espresso, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Mix until it is smooth and well combined. This step is important because it prevents lumps in your final product.
- Add the oats. Stir in the rolled oats and chia seeds if you are using them. Make sure the oats are fully coated in the creamy mixture so they soften evenly overnight.
- Add the milk. Pour in your milk of choice and stir everything together one more time. The mixture will look a little thin, but that is totally normal. It will thicken up overnight as the oats absorb the liquid.
- Transfer to a jar. Spoon the mixture into a mason jar or an airtight container with a lid. A wide-mouth pint jar works perfectly for this recipe.
- Refrigerate overnight. Seal the jar and place it in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours. Overnight is ideal. The longer they sit, the creamier they get.
- Add your toppings. In the morning, give the oats a good stir. If they seem too thick, splash in a little extra milk. Dust the top generously with cocoa powder and add any optional toppings you like. Serve cold and enjoy!
Pro Tips for Perfect Tiramisu Overnight Oats
A few small tricks can take your overnight oats from good to absolutely incredible.
- Use room temperature mascarpone. Cold mascarpone can be lumpy and hard to mix. Let it sit on the counter for about 15 minutes before you start so it blends smoothly.
- Do not skip the espresso. The coffee flavor is what makes this recipe taste like real tiramisu. If you do not have espresso, brew a very strong pot of regular coffee. Weak coffee will make the oats taste flat.
- Taste before chilling. Give the mixture a quick taste before you seal the jar. Everyone likes different sweetness levels, so adjust the maple syrup now rather than later.
- Layer for a prettier presentation. Instead of mixing everything together, try layering the oat mixture with a thin layer of mascarpone cream in the middle of the jar. It looks beautiful and tastes even more like the real dessert.
- Dust the cocoa right before serving. If you add cocoa the night before, it can get absorbed and lose its visual appeal. Add it fresh in the morning for the best look and flavor.
Flavor Variations
Once you master the base recipe, try one of these fun twists to keep breakfast exciting all week long.
- Chocolate Tiramisu Oats. Add 1 tablespoon of dark chocolate chips or a drizzle of chocolate syrup on top. The extra chocolate richness takes this over the top.
- Protein-Packed Tiramisu Oats. Stir in a scoop of vanilla or chocolate protein powder along with the oats. This bumps up the protein to over 25 grams per serving and keeps you full even longer.
- Mocha Tiramisu Oats. Double the espresso and add 1 teaspoon of unsweetened cocoa powder directly into the oat mixture instead of just on top. This gives you an intense mocha flavor.
- Dairy-Free Tiramisu Oats. Swap the mascarpone for dairy-free cream cheese and use coconut yogurt in place of Greek yogurt. Use oat milk or coconut milk for a fully plant-based version that still tastes amazing.
- Hazelnut Tiramisu Oats. Stir in 1 tablespoon of hazelnut butter or a small drizzle of chocolate hazelnut spread. Top with chopped toasted hazelnuts for crunch. This is a Nutella lover’s dream breakfast.
Storage Tips
One of the best things about overnight oats is how well they keep. Here is how to store them properly.
Refrigerator: Store your tiramisu overnight oats in a sealed jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. The texture is best on days 1 and 2, but they are still delicious on day 4. Stir well and add a splash of milk each morning to freshen them up.
Meal Prep: You can easily make 4 to 5 jars at the start of the week. Keep all the ingredients except the cocoa powder topping pre-mixed in jars, then just dust with cocoa each morning before eating.
Freezer: Technically, you can freeze overnight oats for up to 3 months. However, mascarpone and yogurt can change texture after freezing and thawing. If you plan to freeze them, skip the mascarpone and add it fresh after thawing. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
Do not leave them at room temperature for more than 2 hours since the dairy ingredients can spoil quickly.
Nutrition Information
Here is the estimated nutrition for one serving of this tiramisu overnight oats recipe made with whole milk and full-fat mascarpone and Greek yogurt.
| Nutrient | Amount Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 380 kcal |
| Protein | 14g |
| Total Carbohydrates | 42g |
| Dietary Fiber | 5g |
| Total Fat | 17g |
| Saturated Fat | 10g |
| Sugar | 14g |
| Sodium | 95mg |
| Calcium | 18% DV |
| Iron | 10% DV |
Nutrition values are estimates based on standard ingredients. They will vary depending on the specific brands and substitutions you use.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make tiramisu overnight oats without espresso?
Yes! If you do not have espresso, you can use very strong brewed coffee instead. For the best flavor, brew it at double strength or use 2 tablespoons of instant coffee dissolved in a small amount of hot water. Just make sure it is fully cooled before mixing it in.
Can I use instant oats instead of rolled oats?
You can, but the texture will be much softer and mushier. Rolled oats hold up better overnight and give you a heartier, chewier bite. Steel-cut oats are another great option if you prefer a firmer texture, but they need to soak for at least 10 to 12 hours.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
Oats are naturally gluten-free, but they are often processed in facilities that also handle wheat. If you need this recipe to be certified gluten-free, look for oats that are labeled as certified gluten-free at your grocery store. All the other ingredients in this recipe are naturally gluten-free.
My oats turned out too thick. What do I do?
This is a very easy fix! Just stir in a splash of milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your preferred consistency. Every brand of oats absorbs liquid a little differently, so you may need to adjust each time you make this recipe.
Can kids eat this recipe?
Most kids love the creamy, slightly sweet flavor of these oats. The espresso content is quite small per serving, roughly the same as what you would find in a small piece of chocolate. If you prefer to make a completely caffeine-free version for younger children, just swap the espresso for decaf coffee or leave it out entirely and add a little extra vanilla extract instead.
Ready to Make Your New Favorite Breakfast?
This tiramisu overnight oats recipe proves that healthy eating does not have to be boring or bland. With just 10 minutes of prep the night before, you can wake up to a breakfast that tastes like a real treat.
Give this recipe a try tonight and let us know how it goes in the comments below. We love hearing which variations you tried and what toppings you added. And if you made this recipe, do not forget to share a photo on social media and tag us. Happy eating!
