I like making Oats and Chia Pudding in batches, as they are easy to make and last well for 3-4 days in the fridge this way. With this chia oatmeal pudding recipe, you have your breakfast secured for a couple of days; they also make a good dessert or snack for a home office day.

This Oats and Chia Pudding is a smaller and slimmer version of a breakfast fruit bowl, but we make them a little more decadent to make up for the reduced quantity of fruit.
We think overnight oats are one of the best breakfast meal prep options you can find. They make the perfect grab-and-go healthy breakfast.
Overnight oats have a creamy texture and can be eaten cold out of the fridge and still have a delicious breakfast.
You can easily fix them in ten minutes before going to bed and waking up to your nutritious breakfast!
If you want a blueberry-packed breakfast, check out our lemon blueberry overnight oats; it also features healthy chia seeds.
Another great fall recipe overnight oats option is our pumpkin overnight oats. All yummy and nutritious treats!
Making the classic rice pudding or a cardamom rice pudding is another great meal prep option if you want to try something a little different and equally easy!

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🧾 Ingredients
- Old-fashioned Rolled Oats or steel-cut oats (gluten-free)
- Chia seeds
- Your favorite nut butter (Peanut butter or almond butter)
- Fresh fruit (blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries)
- Almond milk (coconut milk or oat milk)
- Cocoa powder or dark chocolate
- Coconut flakes
Optional: chopped nuts, maple syrup, vanilla extract, sliced almonds, or chopped walnuts.
You can see that I am intentionally marking several items as optional. This way, you can always find a way to customize your overnight oats recipe, even if you miss two or three ingredients.
🔪 Instructions
To make these overnight chia oats, follow these quick and simple steps:
Measure
Get your measuring spoons and cups ready, as well as your fresh fruit.

Assemble

In a glass, set (in this order) jam, followed by half of the rolled oats, then chia seeds, half of the water or vegetable milk, the nut butter (optional), the next half of the oats, and finish with water or almond milk.
Refrigerate overnight
Let the chia seed pudding soak overnight.

In the morning, add toppings. May it be dried fruits or seasonal ingredients. We like using fresh banana slices and berries. Add maple syrup, cocoa or dark chocolate, and coconut flakes to finish.
You can also top it with chunky unsweetened applesauce.
You can make it less sweet and caloric, removing the marmalade, nuts, peanut butter, and coconut flakes.
Also, you can use dry berries if you don't have fresh berries. They will hydrate well overnight.
Here are the quantities for a single serving, but I suggest you make at least four at once, one effort: 4 breakfasts.
Storing

If you want to save time in the morning and have a quick breakfast, add your favorite topping and fresh fruit before bed. Use individual jars and close them with a lid on the overnight oats.
This way, the fresh fruit will not oxidate much in the fridge and can keep its color.
This is the perfect breakfast for busy mornings, so we recommend making a big batch on Sunday, and you will have your overnight oats ready for the week.
📖 Chia oatmeal pudding variations
Here are a few ideas to make your chia puddings different.
Oats
You can use any kind of oats, like quick-cooking oats, rolled oats, and steel-cut oats, just like you would on your usual brown sugar cinnamon oatmeal.
Dairy-free milk
Instead of using the usual dairy skim milk, go for a healthier option. I find the most flavorful options are almond milk (find a homemade recipe), oat milk, and coconut milk.
Cashew milk helps a lot to make your cold oats ultra-creamy, and soy milk helps to add extra protein.
Nuts
Almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts, and even pecans can be used.
Nut butter
I am slightly biased toward peanut butter, almond butter, and hazelnut butter, but you can also use cashew butter. We love using pistachio cream as we do in our chocolate chia pudding recipe.
Chia seeds
Chia seeds are great for making cold overnight oats because they absorb very well the plant milk. If you decide to try other seeds like flax seeds, I recommend using ground flax meals so that you can make the best out of their nutritional value.
Hemp seeds also make a great option, as they are packed with protein, making these healthy overnight oats extra creamy.
Maple syrup
Instead of maple syrup, feel free to replace it with your favorite natural sweeteners like stevia leaves, agave nectar, or even coconut nectar.
Flavor
Add vanilla extract to your grab-and-go healthy breakfast. I also love overnight oats with almond and orange extract.
You can simply add the zest of a lemon or the one from your breakfast orange juice for a citrusy touch.
🥇 Adding Oats and Chia to your morning
Chia seeds are full of antioxidants, fiber, and protein, and they have varied and healthy calorie and carb counts.
Also, this is a powerful ingredient, and Science Says These Are 3 of the Healthiest Foods You Can Eat.
Oats are not behind; they provide an immense amount of nutrients and tons of benefits.
They can Lower Cholesterol Levels, Protect LDL Cholesterol From Damage, and Improve Blood Sugar Control.
So these two together are a blast!
Remember to shop for Gluten-Free Oats if you are on a Gluten-Free diet, as Oats naturally do not contain gluten. Still, they are usually processed in places where there is gluten, and usually, they don't guarantee they are gluten-free.
💡 Activate your oatmeal, seeds and nuts
When activated in water, our bodies better digest the nuts, seeds, and oats. Nuts are plant seeds; soaking them for 12 hours can start the germination process, causing changes in the seed.
When oats soak, as well as nuts and seeds, you minimize their nutritional inhibitors and toxic substances as they are absorbed into the water, making it easier for your body to absorb the great stuff. More about why it is essential to activate seeds, nuts, grains, and beans. WebMd

📚 More breakfast recipes
For more nutritious Vegan Breakfast recipes, check these out:
- Frozen Mixed Berry Smoothie
- Breakfast Fruit Bowl
- The Morning Celery Juice
- Carrot Apple and Celery Juice
- Simple Green Juice
- 3-ingredient Oat Milk Chia Pudding
If you like your oats packed in a yummy banana smoothie, you should have a check at ours!
⭐ If you try this recipe, let us know! 💬 Leave a comment, rate it, and don't forget to tag us @ourplantbasedworld on Instagram. Cheers!
📋 Recipe

Oats and Chia Pudding
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oats Organic Gluten-free Old-fashioned Rolled Oats
- 2 tablespoon chia seeds or flax, poppy or amaranth seeds
- 1 tablespoon red fruits jam
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 5 blueberries
- 3 raspberries
- 1 strawberry
- ⅓ cup almond milk homemade oatmilk, or water
Optional:
- ½ teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon coconut flakes
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 5 almonds raw (or walnuts)
Directions
- Layer Up: Grab a glass or mason jar and start by layering the bottom with jam. Next, sprinkle half of the oats, followed by the chia seeds.
- Pour It: Add half of the plant milk or water over the layered ingredients. Scoop in your peanut butter. Then add the remaining half of the oats.
- Seal, Top & Rest: Pour the remaining plant milk or water into the jar. Seal it up tight and let it rest in the fridge overnight or for a minimum of 10 minutes.
- The Finishing Touch: Top it off with berries, a drizzle of maple syrup, a sprinkle of cocoa, and some coconut flakes.
- Chill Time: Let the mixture sit in the refrigerator overnight to allow the oats and chia seeds to soak up all the goodness.
Notes
Nutrition Facts
🌡️ Food safety
- Cook to a minimum temperature of 165 °F (74 °C)
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking points to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice. See our full Nutritional Disclosure here.
Please note that some of the links here are affiliate links, and I will earn a commission if you purchase through those links. I recommend all of the products listed because they are companies I have found helpful and trustworthy.
Colleen says
These are not only healthy, but delicious and a great way to start the day. Thanks for sharing!
Gus says
I am glad you enjoyed it as much as we do Colleen!
Toni says
Everyone at my house enjoyed this pudding! I will definitely make it again!
Maricruz says
Me encanta la chia, cada que voy a México me traigo tipo 3 kilos y la pongo en el congelador para que me dure meses jaja, y bueno, siempre estoy buscando recetas, así que la de ustedes me cae perfecto. Gracias! 🙂
Gus says
qué buena onda! Cuál es la mayor diferencia que notas vs la de Italia?
Dannii says
I love chia pudding, and adding oats to it sounds like a great idea.
sonia says
Perfect recipe to start my day!
Taly says
Qué tentación! Y una buena idea para postre y para variar el desayuno también!!
Puede hacer y freezar? O es recomendable sólo mantenerlo en la heladera?
Gracias!! Saludos!!!
Gus says
Hola Taly. No hemos tratado congelarlo. En general solo manteniéndolo en la heladera es suficiente y dura por unos 2-3 días.
Saludos!
Jewel Santorelli says
thanks after sharing
Gus says
you are welcome, we hope you like it! And let us know if what toppings you used!