You know how orange juice just feels like breakfast? These orange overnight oats make it feel like a weekend (even when I'm dragging my feet on the way to work). They're packed with 27g of protein (more if you use more milk instead of orange juice), and make two breakfasts but can easily be scaled up for your weekly prep!
I think you guys know by now that I love love love my overnight oats - I have them practically every day. In the months when oranges are at their best, it's great to use them to mix up the flavours a little bit.
And I know a lot of people think you're just limited to milk in their oats, but trust me and try it with a bit of orange juice. Orange juice in oats might sound a little strange at first, but it works particularly well with Greek yogurt and vanilla because the acidity cuts through the creamy base. Make sure you come back to me and let me know what you think!!
TL;DR
- Servings: 2
- Prep time: 5 minutes Chill time: 4 hours
- Meal prep: perfect for an easy breakfast meal prep that takes minimal effort!
- Fridge storage: 5 days in airtight containers
- Reheating: Completely optional but if you want more of a stove-top vibe, add extra liquid and reheat on 1 minute intervals until warm
- Customise: Swap the orange juice out for milk, swap the yogurt for dairy-free.
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Why you'll love this recipe
5-min prep. Stir everything together, refrigerate and breakfast is sorted without cooking.
Easy to adjust. Add more milk for softer oats, more yogurt for a thicker texture or change the protein powder depending on what you already use.
Citrusy. The fresh orange juice and zest bring that bright, refreshing flavor that's perfect for mornings like a lemon blueberry overnight oats or orange poppyseed baked oats.
Ingredients and substitutions
Rolled oats. Rolled oats give overnight oats the best balance of softness and texture after soaking. Quick oats can be used for a softer result (I personally don't like it), but steel-cut oats are not a direct substitute because they require significantly more soaking time and a different liquid ratio.
Chia seeds. Don't skip the chia seeds as this is what improves the overall texture.
Protein powder. I prefer vanilla plant-based protein powder because it complements the orange flavour and thickens overnight oats well. Protein powders absorb liquid differently, so you may need to adjust the milk after the oats have rested.
Greek yogurt. Because there's no milk in these overnight oats, the yogurt adds creaminess. Swap for dairy-free if required.
Orange juice. Freshly squeezed from a couple of oranges is going to give you the best flavour, but you can substitute for store-bought if you choose.
Orange zest. The juice gives the oats moisture and acidity, while the zest provides a much stronger orange flavour without making the mixture thinner. Zest the orange before juicing or chopping it.
Vanilla. Vanilla softens the sharper citrus flavour and gives it more of a creamiscle vibe. But this is totally optional.
Please check the recipe card for full list of ingredients and quantity.
Fresh or bottled orange juice?
Fresh orange juice gives the oats the strongest fresh citrus flavour, particularly when you also use the zest. Bottled 100% orange juice still works well for convenience; choose one without added sugar if you want more control over the sweetness.
The flavour and acidity vary between oranges and juice brands, so taste the mixture before adding extra sweetener. If your oranges are particularly sweet, you may not need any at all.
Substitutions and variations
Orange juice. Milk can be partly replaced with additional orange juice for a stronger citrus flavour, although using all orange juice will create a sharper, less creamy result.
Dairy-free. Use soy, oat or coconut yogurt and your preferred plant milk. Protein content will change depending on products used and you may notice a difference in texture if you're using a thinner yogurt.
Chia seeds. I do recommend some form of thickening ingredient. Chia seeds is my choice, but you could use ground flaxseed if you prefer.
Chocolate orange. Use chocolate protein powder and/or a small amount of cacao powder, with fresh orange zest.
How to make orange overnight oats
Step 1: Add all ingredients to a bowl (or you can do this in 2 separate containers ready for grab-and-go in the morning)
Step 2: Cover with the milk and orange juice. Mix well.
Step 3: Let thicken for at least 4 hours. Adjust with a tablespoon of milk/juice if too thick
Step 2: Top with oranges
Lauren's Top Tips
Use fresh juice. It really makes the citrus pop and keeps flavors bright.
Don't skip the zest. It's the flavour bomb, but try to only the orange and not the white (it's bitter).
Adjust sweetness. Taste after mixing; oranges vary in sweetness - especially in different seasons. Add a hint of sugar, maple syrup or honey if needed.
Customise. Add different toppings like some nuts or a drizzle of honey or nut butter for something a bit different.
Meal prepping orange overnight oats
Meal prepping orange overnight oats is a weekday lifesaver. Just make a few jars at once and stash them in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. Just know that the oats increase in size by about 15% so you want to leave a bit of room at the top.
Storing
Store orange overnight oats in airtight jars or containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. The oats continue softening the longer they sit, so I prefer the texture during the first 2-3 days.
If making several portions at once, consider adding the diced fresh orange closer to serving rather than mixing all of it into the jars on day one. This keeps the fruit fresher and gives you a cleaner texture later in the week.
Give the oats a thorough stir before eating and add a splash of milk or orange juice if they have become thicker than you prefer.
Can you reheat overnight oats?
Overnight oats are designed to be eaten straight from the fridge. If you do want to microwave them for more of a stove-top texture, do it on 1 minute intervals until warmed through, stirring each time.
If you want more meal prep information, check out my Meal Prep for Beginners post and my Meal Prep Basics E-Book.
FAQs
Yep! Fresh juice tastes better, but store-bought works in a pinch. Check the label and try to get 100% orange juice (I prefer the ones with the pulp for texture, but it's up to you.
Orange juice is acidic, so the yogurt and milk may look slightly separated when first mixed. Stir everything thoroughly and it generally becomes much more uniform as the oats and chia seeds absorb the liquid during refrigeration.
The oats and chia seeds need several hours to absorb the liquid, so the mixture will look loose when first prepared. If it is still too thin after chilling, add a little extra chia or Greek yogurt and refrigerate again.
Other overnight oats recipes
Or, you can have a browse through my overnight protein oats recipes for more delicious eats.
Recipe
Orange Overnight Oats
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Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats, see note 1
- 2 tablespoon chia seeds
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt, see note 2
- ¼ cup protein, vanilla recommended, see note 4
- ½ cup orange juice, see note 3, approx.1 fresh orange
- 1 ¼ cup milk, see note 4
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
- ½ orange, including zest
Instructions
- Zest ½ orange then remove the skin and slice into bite-sized cubes.
- Mix together the zest with 1 cup rolled oats, 2 tbsp chia seeds, ¼ cup Greek yogurt, ¼ cup protein, ½ cup orange juice, 1 ¼ cup milk½ tsp vanilla extract in a container or 2 airtight jars. Note - The mixture should look looser than you want to eat it. The oats, chia seeds and protein powder will continue absorbing liquid as they sit.
- Top with diced ½ orange and store for at least 4 hours before eating.
- If it becomes too thick, stir through milk or orange juice one tablespoon at a time.
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