Spiced Chai Overnight Oats
Ultra creamy Chai Overnight Oats are made with almond milk, chia seeds, and plenty of warm chai spice flavor. This is an easy meal prep breakfast that’s both dairy-free and gluten-free!
For a non-morning person like me, a grab-and-go breakfast like overnights oats is perfect. I love waking up knowing that a filling breakfast is ready for me and all I have to do is make my coffee!
This easy recipe calls for simple ingredients like old-fashioned oats, milk (regular or non-dairy), and your sweetener of choice.
What makes this recipe stand out from the crowd is the use of chia seeds for added creaminess, and my favorite homemade chai spice mix for layers of warm spiced flavor.
The chai spice flavor will give you a nice, cozy feeling that you need on a cold winter morning — even though the oats are typically served cold! You can definitely warm them if you prefer.
This is a breakfast that I always look forward to. 🙂
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Overnight oats are so creamy and satisfying, and the warm chai spice flavor makes this recipe extra special.
- The addition of chia seeds helps thicken the oats and boosts nutrition.
- It includes just 5 ingredients and prep time is 5 minutes.
- This recipe is vegan and gluten-free, and can be easily customized with ingredients you have on hand.
Recipe ingredients
You’ll need just (6) simple ingredients to make the chai spiced ovenight oats with chia seeds.
- Oats. Use old-fashioned rolled oats for the best texture. If you’d like to sub with steel cut oats, see my post on overnight steel cut oats.
- Chia seeds. Adds extra fiber and also thickens the oat mixture just as it does my chia seed pudding.
- Chai spice mix. Note that the chai spice mix is a blend of spices, NOT actual chai tea. I love prepping a batch to have on hand for chai pumpkin pie and so much more.
- Maple syrup. May be replaced with your favorite sweetener.
- Unsweetened almond milk. Sub with your favorite dairy or non-dairy milk.
- Vanilla. Optional, but adds another delicious layer of flavor.
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.
How to make this recipe
There’s minimal prep required when making overnight oats infused with chai spices. Prep time takes 5 minutes, and the oats take a minimum of 3 hours to absorb the liquid and soften.
Pro tip: Do not substitute the rolled oats with quick oats as they will become mushy. If you’d like to sub with steel cut oats, see my post on overnight steel cut oats.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- In a medium mixing bowl, combine the oats, chia seeds and chai spice.
- Add the almond milk and maple syrup.
- Stir well to combine, then cover the oats with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.
- Once softened, stir the oats and add 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup additional milk if they are overly thick.
Recipe FAQs
If stored in an airtight container, the oats will last up to 5 days in the fridge. I do not recommend freezing them.
Of course! Your favorite dairy or non-dairy milk may be used.
If you’ve run out of chia seeds, you may omit them and reduce the total amount of milk to 2 cups.
However, I highly recommend adding the chia seeds if at all possible! They bloom in the milk and help to create a thick, creamy consistency that overnight oats are known for.
Serving suggestions
Aside from eating them completely as-is, these chai overnight oats can be enjoyed a number of different ways.
- Serve with an additional sprinkle of chai spice for extra flavor! You can also change things up with ground cinnamon or my homemade pumpkin pie spice.
- Top with sliced banana, berries or your favorite dried fruit. The oats are also wonderful with crunchy toppings such as coconut flakes, pepitas or your favorite chopped nuts.
- Add a few tablespoons of cocoa powder and top with mini dark chocolate chips!
- Make this breakfast even more satisfying by stirring in your favorite nut butter.
Recipe notes
- Pro tip: Do not substitute the rolled oats with quick oats as they will become mushy. If you’d like to sub with steel cut oats, see my post on overnight steel cut oats.
- I highly recommend chia seeds as they help thicken the oats and they provide a boost of fiber and nutrition. If you don’t have any on hand, decrease the amount of milk to 2 cups.
- The oats will be quite thick once they’ve absorbed the liquid. Add 1/4-1/2 cup more liquid to loosen them up before serving as desired.
- Store chai spiced overnight oats in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
More overnight oat flavors you’ll love
- Blueberry overnight oats
- Coconut overnight oats
- Pina colada overnight oats
- Pumpkin overnight oats
- Peanut butter overnight oats
- Matcha overnight oats
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
Spiced Chai Overnight Oats
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats see note 1
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds see note 2
- 3 teaspoons homemade chai spice mix
- 2 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk
- 1/3 cup maple syrup
Instructions
- Place the oats, chia seeds a chai spice in a medium bowl and stir to combine.2 cups old fashioned rolled oats, 2 tablespoons chia seeds, 3 teaspoons homemade chai spice mix
- Add the almond milk and maple syrup and stir once more. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for 3 hours or overnight.2 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk, 1/3 cup maple syrup
- Once softened, stir the oats and serve cold or warm with additional chai spice and your favorite toppings. Enjoy!
Notes
- Pro tip: Do not substitute the rolled oats with quick oats as they will become mushy. If you’d like to sub with steel cut oats, see my post on overnight steel cut oats.
- I highly recommend chia seeds as they help thicken the oats and they provide a boost of fiber and nutrition. If you don’t have any on hand, decrease the amount of milk to 2 cups.
- The oats will be quite thick once they’ve absorbed the liquid. Add 1/4-1/2 cup more liquid to loosen them up before serving as desired.
- Store chai spiced overnight oats in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
83 Comments on “Spiced Chai Overnight Oats”
I’m so glad to hear that you loved the overnight oats, and Jamaican allspice sounds like it would be a great substitution! Thank you so much for the feedback, Trish! 🙂
I’ve never made overnight oatmeal before. Is it silly to ask if this needs heated up the next morning, or is it eaten cold?
It’s not a silly question at all, Terria! Overnight oats are eaten cold, which did sound strange to me before I’d tried them. I have heated them up briefly to see if I liked it, but I actually prefer them cold. ?
I am sad the holidays are over, but I have enjoyed eating healthier :). This looks so creamy and yummy!
Thank you, Laura!
I was shocked I didn’t go crazy on cookies this year, but I just rolled with it! haha Thanks, Lindsey!
Great recipe combination of flavors. The process couldn’t be more simple but one major element is not addressed in the recipe or within any comments listed. What about heating this dish up? Cold oatmeal doesn’t sound like something I would be interested in on an already cold morning. Is everyone eating cold oatmeal or is this elephant in the room addressed somewhere I’m not seeing?
Hi Josh! Overnight oats are typically eaten cold. You can microwave them for a bit to take the edge off, or you might just be like me and actually like them cold! This is coming from someone that loves a warm bowl of oatmeal, too. ?
I’m happy the holidays are over, too…..so much less stress! I’m loving these oats, Marcie. The flavors sound phenomenal!
Thank you, Cathy!
This does look real creamy! I need to try some overnight oatmeal – Happy New Year!
Thanks, Deb, and Happy New Year to you, too!
My hubby has been asking for overnight oats! I need to give this a try!
I hope you do, Nancy! 🙂
One of my goals this year is to eat a real breakfast … not just coffee and toast! This just might be the motivation I need to eat oatmeal for breakfast! The chai spice sounds delish!
Thanks, Jamie! I can’t get enough of these. 🙂
I am getting up right now off the couch and making this!! I HAVE to make overnight oats happen this year. Off I go!
Yes, do it! I know you’ll love them! 🙂
I just wanted to come back and say I LOVED this Marcie! I made it last week and enjoyed it for breakfast for two days. I did add some coconut milk (I have a problem) and it was delicious.
You’re so sweet — thank you for letting me know! I’m so glad you liked it and I don’t blame you for using coconut milk one bit! Haha. I so appreciate the feedback, friend. ?
I actually have yet to try an overnight oats recipe! I am going through a big baked oatmeal phase right now though, so maybe overnight oats are next! Lol. These look so creamy!
I totally fluctuate between baked oatmeal and overnight oats, but these are definitely easier! Thanks, Ashley!
Yes — so simple and so good! Thanks, Dannii!
Thank you, Bethany! It really is delicious!
I’m glad you’re on board, Summer — thanks!
Yay for overnight oats!! I will admit that I am so happy to be back in a normal routine again too!
I am obsessed with chai everything still – this flavor sounds awesome!
I’m pretty late getting on the chai bandwagon — I had a chai tea latte years ago and did not like it, so it took me a while to revisit chai. 🙂 I’m glad I finally did — chai spice flavor is delicious!