Cookie Dough Overnight Oats
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Cookie dough overnight oats are vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and a healthy dessert alternative! The quick and easy recipe requires just 5 minutes of prep time. It’s made with pantry staples like rolled oats, chia seeds, yogurt, and cashew butter. This dessert oatmeal is a nutritious way to satisfy chocolate chip cookie dough cravings at any time of day!
Say hello to dessert for breakfast! If you’ve ever dreamt of eating chocolate chip cookie dough first thing in the morning, this recipe is for you. As someone who believes cookie dough should be its own (& most important) food group, I am thrilled about this creation.
There’s no denying I’m a proud lover of all things involving cookie dough. I’ve shared Edible Vegan Cookie Dough, Caramel Cookie Dough Cups, No-Bake Cookie Dough Brownies, and lots more. This recipe mimics my usual cookie dough desserts, but it’s made with healthier, wholesome ingredients.
With just 5 minutes of prep time the night before, this make-ahead breakfast is instantly ready for you in the morning. It’s packed with rolled oats, chia seeds, non-dairy yogurt, and cashew butter. Each serving contains 11 grams of protein and 12 grams of fiber. They are sweet, creamy, delicious, and secretly good for you.
Although overnight oats are meant for breakfast time, this can be a healthy dessert alternative at any time of day. It will give you the satisfaction of edible chocolate chip cookie dough, but provide essential vitamins and minerals in every spoonful. There are limitless options for mix-ins and toppings, too!
These cookie dough overnight oats are:
- Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and soy-free
- Sweet, creamy, decadent, and satisfying
- Kid-friendly and non-vegan approved
- Quick and easy // only 5 minutes of prep time
- A healthy dessert option for weight loss
- Hearty, high fiber, and high protein
- A nutritious alternative to edible chocolate chip cookie dough!
Ingredients in cookie dough overnight oats
- Oats: In particular, rolled oats are used for overnight oatmeal. They have gone through a steaming and flattening process, which makes them great for soaking. Don’t use steel cut or instant oats.
- Milk: Use any type of non-dairy milk or regular milk. I highly recommend vanilla almond milk, oat milk, or cashew milk.
- Yogurt: Yogurt is optional, but it makes the oatmeal thicker and creamier. You can use non-dairy yogurt or regular yogurt.
- Cashew butter: This is the best nut butter for this recipe because it’s naturally sweeter than others. If you don’t have cashew butter, you can use another type of nut butter.
- Chocolate chips: Cookie dough isn’t complete without chocolate chips! Use your favorite kind, whether they are dark, milk, or semisweet. I personally use sugar-free chocolate chips for a healthy option.
- Brown sugar: Brown sugar helps these overnight oats taste like real chocolate chip cookie dough.
- Chia seeds: Since chia seeds expand in liquid, they give the oatmeal a creamier and softer consistency. Also, they’re a great source of omega-3 fatty acids and fiber.
- Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract helps create an authentic cookie dough flavor.
- Cinnamon: This healthy anti-inflammatory spice adds warm flavor.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances the flavor of the sweet ingredients.
How to make cookie dough overnight oatmeal
For the full ingredient measurements and step-by-step instructions, scroll down to view the recipe card at the bottom of the page.
First, add rolled oats, milk, yogurt (optional), cashew butter, chocolate chips, brown sugar, chia seeds, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt to a jar. Mix the ingredients together, then seal with a lid.
Next, store the oats in the refrigerator overnight or at least 4 hours.
The next morning (or whenever you are ready to eat), remove the lid and stir the oats. If desired, add a splash of milk to thin the consistency.
Enjoy the oats directly out of the jar or transfer them to a bowl. Add any toppings of your choosing, like chocolate chips, cacao nibs, and nut butter. Enjoy!
Recipe variations
Although I recommend making this recipe exactly as it is written, there are a few ingredients that can be substituted.
- Cashew butter: Cashew butter is best because it is naturally sweeter than other nut butters. However, almond butter or peanut butter would also work well for this recipe. For a nut-free option, use sunflower seed butter.
- Brown sugar: I recommend brown sugar because it will taste the most like real cookie dough. Alternatives include coconut sugar, maple syrup, and honey.
- Yogurt: If you don’t have yogurt or non-dairy yogurt, you can leave it out of the recipe. However, I suggest trying mashed banana instead! The oats will taste like chocolate chip banana bread batter.
What do you put on overnight oats?
There are all sorts of toppings you can put on overnight oatmeal. Read a list of ideas in my Basic Overnight Oats post. For these particular cookie dough overnight oats though, I think the best toppings include:
- Chocolate chips
- Peanut butter, cookie butter, or chocolate hazelnut butter
- Granola or crushed nuts
- Coconut flakes or shredded coconut
- Rainbow sprinkles (to make it funfetti cookie dough)
Cookie dough overnight oats FAQ
Are overnight oats as healthy as oatmeal?
Some argue that overnight oats may actually be healthier than cooked oatmeal because the oats are soaked and eaten raw. This process helps keep the nutritional content fully intact (whereas microwaving may denature some of it).
Also, they are often made with the lesser processed form of oats (rolled) instead of more processed forms (instant or quick oats). Nonetheless, the overall nutritional value will mainly depending on the other ingredients added.
Can I add protein powder?
Yes! Feel free to add a scoop of vanilla protein powder to make high protein overnight oats that still taste like cookie dough.
Are overnight oats good for weight loss?
This breakfast can promote weight loss because it’s low calorie and high fiber. Since oats are a slow-digesting carbohydrate, they help you feel full and satisfied longer than fast-digesting alternatives (like cereal, toast, and bagels).
Also, this cookie dough oatmeal isn’t just reserved for breakfast! You can enjoy it as a healthier dessert option to satisfy cookie cravings at any time of day.
Can I heat up overnight oatmeal?
This recipe is meant to be eaten cold and straight from the refrigerator. If you’d rather eat them hot, you can microwave the oats for 1-2 minutes. Keep in mind the chocolate chips will melt in the microwave though.
How to store chocolate chip overnight oats
These chocolate chip cookie dough overnight oats are best enjoyed within 24 hours. However, you can keep them stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Be sure they are in a tightly sealed jar with a lid.
More dessert overnight oats recipes
- Birthday Cake Overnight Oats
- Chocolate Overnight Oats
- Strawberries and Cream Overnight Oats
- Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
- Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
- Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
If you try these Cookie Dough Overnight Oats, please let me know your thoughts by leaving a rating and comment below! Ready for more? Subscribe to my newsletter or follow along on Instagram and YouTube!
PrintCookie Dough Overnight Oats
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Mix
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Cookie dough overnight oats are healthy, vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free! This dessert oatmeal recipe is easy to make and requires just 5 minutes. They’re made in a jar with chia seeds, yogurt, and cashew butter. It’s a healthy dessert alternative for weight loss, meal prep, and busy families. It’s a quick make ahead breakfast idea for kids too! #overnightoats #overnightoatmeal #oatmealrecipes #veganoatmeal #veganbreakfast #glutenfreebreakfast #healthydesserts #healthytreats
Ingredients
Overnight Oats
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 cup non-dairy milk or regular milk
- 1/4 cup non-dairy yogurt or regular yogurt (optional)
- 1–2 tbsp cashew butter
- 1–2 tbsp chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp brown sugar
- 1/2 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp salt
Optional Toppings
- Chocolate chips
- Cacao nibs
- Nut butter
Instructions
- Add rolled oats, milk, yogurt (optional), cashew butter, chocolate chips, brown sugar, chia seeds, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt to a jar. Mix ingredients together, then seal with a lid.
- Store oats in the refrigerator overnight (or at least 4 hours).
- The next morning (or whenever you are ready to eat), remove the lid and stir the oats. If desired, add a splash of milk to thin the consistency.
- Enjoy the oats directly out of the jar or transfer them to a bowl. Add any toppings of your choosing, like chocolate chips, cacao nibs, and nut butter. Enjoy!
Notes
- How to store: Overnight oats are best enjoyed within 24 hours. However, you can keep them stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. Be sure they are tightly sealed with a lid.
- Chocolate chips: For a healthy option, I recommend using stevia-sweetened chocolate chips which are lower in calories and sugar-free.
- Toppings: Serve with any of your favorite toppings. Read the blog post for the best topping recommendations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 395
- Sugar: 11g
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 57g
- Fiber: 12g
- Protein: 11g
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Can I use a brown sugar alternative? Trying to watch my sugar
Hi Jessica! Yes, absolutely. You could use coconut sugar, maple syrup, or honey which are all refined sugar-free. Alternatively, you could use a sugar-free sweetener replacement like Purecane granulated sugar. Enjoy! ๐
These cookie dough overnight oats are SO yummy!! It tastes like Iโm eating dessert for breakfast ๐ Thanks!!
Thanks so much, Madeline! Glad you enjoyed this dessert oatmeal recipe ๐