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If you love the warm spiced flavor of gingerbread, then you’ll love these gingerbread overnight oats! These holiday flavored oats are sweetened with molasses and have over 20 grams of protein. They’re a delicious and easy make ahead breakfast or snack!
If you love gingerbread flavor, try my gingerbread muffins for Christmas morning breakfast or gingerbread cake for dessert!
Table of Contents
- Why You’ll Love Gingerbread Overnight Oats
- Ingredients
- How to Make Overnight Oats
- Substitutions
- Topping Ideas for Overnight Oats
- What to Serve with Overnight Oats
- How Long Will Overnight Oats Keep?
- Can Quick Oats Be Used to Make Overnight Oats?
- What Can I Use Instead of Molasses?
- More Overnight Oats Recipes
- Gingerbread Overnight Oats Recipe
Why You’ll Love Gingerbread Overnight Oats
Easy to make – Overnight oats are a breeze to make! You can have them made and in the fridge in less than 10 minutes.
Seasonal flavor – Gingerbread is a warm cozy flavor that’s perfect for winter and Christmas. The molasses, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves will remind you of your favorite gingerbread cookies!
Make ahead breakfast – The holiday season is often busy and breakfast or snacks might be the last thing on your mind. Overnights oats are a great option to make ahead of time. I like to make a double batch on a Sunday so they’re ready to eat throughout the week.
Ingredients
- Plain Greek yogurt – Greek yogurt gives the oats an extra creamy texture and more protein.
- Milk – Any kind of milk works. I like to use unsweetened vanilla almond milk.
- Vanilla protein powder – Protein powder gives the overnight oats a big boost of protein. It also sweetens the oats.
- Molasses – The sweetener for the overnight oats. Molasses is also the flavor commonly associated with gingerbread.
- Vanilla extract – If you have vanilla bean paste, I recommend that for an intense vanilla flavor.
- Oats – Rolled oats also called old fashioned oats are best for this recipe.
- Chia seeds – A great source of fiber!
- Cinnamon, ginger, cloves and nutmeg – Warm spices used in gingerbread.
- Salt – A pinch of salt enhances all the flavors.
How to Make Overnight Oats
This is an overview of the recipe with step-by-step photos. Full ingredients & instructions can be found in the recipe card below.
Whisk together the yogurt, milk, molasses, protein powder, and vanilla extract in a bowl.
Add in the spices and whisk them into the mixture. Stir in the chia seeds and oats.
Divide the mixture into two jars or bowls. 8 ounces jars work great. Cover with lids and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Substitutions
- If you don’t want to use protein powder I recommend adding an extra 1-2 tablespoons of chia seeds. They will absorb the liquid and give you the same thicker consistency that the protein powder does. You can also mix in 1-2 tablespoons of almond butter or cashew butter to boost the protein.
- If the oats aren’t sweet enough for you, add in a tablespoon of maple syrup or honey. This will likely be necessary if you aren’t using vanilla protein powder.
Topping Ideas for Overnight Oats
- For something sweet, a little whipped cream and a gingerbread cookies. These overnight oats are a great option for a healthy dessert too!
- Diced apples or pears if you like fruit with overnight oats.
- Chopped pecans or walnuts.
- Almond butter pairs wonderfully with the gingerbread flavor. It’s a nice way to add additional protein and healthy fat.
What to Serve with Overnight Oats
Personally, if I’m having overnight oats for breakfast I usually need something else to go with them. I like to pair them with a savory egg dish like this broccoli crustless quiche, sheet pan frittata, or this make ahead sausage potato kale breakfast casserole.
If you prefer something sweet, make this winter fruit salad or have a slice of this chai banana bread.
How Long Will Overnight Oats Keep?
These overnight oats will keep for up to 4 days. I prefer to eat them within the first 3 days, but they are still safe to eat on day 4.
Can Quick Oats Be Used to Make Overnight Oats?
I don’t recommend using quick oats because they break down faster than rolled. After a day in the fridge they will be completely broken down.
What Can I Use Instead of Molasses?
Molasses is a key ingredient and flavor used in gingerbread. The oats won’t have that classic gingerbread flavor if you use a different sweetener. However, if you do choose to substitute it, I recommend using maple syrup.
More Overnight Oats Recipes
Did you make these gingerbread overnight oats? I’d love if you’d leave a recipe rating and review below.
Gingerbread Overnight Oats
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup milk of choice, I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt, any fat content
- 1 tablespoon molasses
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
- pinch ground nutmeg
- pinch ground cloves
- pinch salt
- 2/3 cup rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
Instructions
- In a large bowl whisk together the milk, Greek yogurt, protein powder, molasses, and vanilla.
- Whisk in the ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and pinch of salt.
- Pour in the oats and chia seeds and stir together. Divide the oats into two bowls or jars and cover with lids or plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- Serve the oats as is or topped with whipped cream and a gingerbread cookie.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
So good! To turn up the flavor I boil water and seep spicy tea then use the tea water to make my overnight oats in the morning I scoop up some no sugar added jam into my oats and eat it. So good!
I’m so glad you liked the oats Cathy!