Overnight Oats without Chia Seeds

Looking for Overnight Oats without Chia Seeds? This version uses ground flax and simple ingredients to keep the oats thick, creamy, and satisfying!

Chia seeds are commonly used in overnight oats because they absorb liquid and help thicken the mixture as it chills.

Whether you dislike chia seeds or simply ran out, you can achieve the same creamy texture by using rolled oats, ground flaxseed, and the right liquid ratio.

These ingredients thicken naturally as they soak, creating creamy oats without the need for any chia seeds!

Love this recipe? Try these too: Applesauce Overnight Oats, Cookie Dough Overnight Oats, and Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats.

Ingredients

Overnight oats are the no-cook method of making oatmeal.

The oats soak in milk overnight, becoming soft and creamy without any cooking. It's a simple, make-ahead breakfast that's perfect for busy mornings.

Old-Fashioned Oats (Rolled Oats): These are best for overnight oats because they absorb liquid slowly and create a creamy texture. Avoid quick oats, which tend to become thin and mushy.

Plant-Based Milk: Use any dairy-free milk you like. Creamier options like oat or soy work really well.

Vegan Yogurt: Adds extra creaminess. If you prefer not to use yogurt, you can skip it and add more milk in replace of it or follow my overnight oats without yogurt recipe instead.

Ground Flaxseed: Used in place of chia seeds to help thicken the oats as they sit. Ground flax blends smoothly and avoids the gel-like texture chia can create.

Maple Syrup: Adds just enough sweetness!

Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon!

Helpful Equipment

Overnight oats don't require any fancy equipment!

But I recommend buying a few jars with lids so you can prep your overnight oats in advance to have them on hand for a few days.

I recommend either 8-ounce jars or 16-ounce jars.

Here are a few small jars that I recommend: 16oz Weck Jars with Glass Lids, 8oz Jars with Latch, and 16oz Mason Jars.

How to Make This Recipe

This easy overnight oats recipe is simple, filling, and completely customizable.

It's designed as a base recipe so you can change up the flavors and toppings each morning.

The full recipe is detailed in the recipe card below.

Step 1: Add the old-fashioned oats, plant-based milk, vegan yogurt, ground flaxseed, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt into a jar or container that has a lid.

Step 2: Stir well to combine and seal the lid tight. Place in the fridge overnight.

Step 3: Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Topping Ideas

This easy breakfast is a great way to try different flavor variations daily!

Fresh Fruit: Mango, bananas, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, or even chopped apples or pears are great toppings. Frozen fruit works well too and thaws overnight for extra flavor!

Jam: Store-bought or homemade. My favorite strawberry jam but raspberry, blueberry, or apricot jams are all delicious!

Chocolate: Mix in chocolate chips or cacao nibs. A drizzle of chocolate almond butter is another fun option!

Nut Butter: Drizzle creamy peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter.

Crunchy Toppings: Add texture with your favorite vegan blueberry granola or chopped nuts like pecans, walnuts, or almonds. Seeds like pumpkin or sunflower seeds are also great.

Protein Boost: Stir in a scoop of vegan protein powder or sprinkle hemp seeds on top for a protein-packed breakfast.

Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, and pumpkin spice are always a delicious addition.

Tip: Soft fruit and mix-ins can go in before soaking the oats, while crunchy toppings should be added in the morning to keep them crisp.

Substitutions

Oats: Use rolled oats (old-fashioned) for the best texture, but quick oats can be used in a pinch. They'll be softer and less chewy and don't hold up in the fridge so I'd recommend eating them quicker.

Plant-Based Milk: Oat milk, soy, almond, cashew, or coconut milk will all work!

Vegan Yogurt: Use any non-dairy yogurt (coconut, soy, almond) or skip it entirely and slightly increase the liquid.

Ground Flaxseed: Reduce the milk by 2 tablespoons when skipping seeds. If the oats are too thick after soaking, simply stir in a little more milk in the morning.

Sweeteners: Maple syrup can be replaced with agave, date syrup, brown rice syrup, or a touch of mashed banana for natural sweetness.

Substitutions may slightly change texture, so check the oats in the morning and adjust with a splash of plant-based milk if needed.

Tips & Tricks

If your oats seem too thick in the morning, stir in a splash of plant-based milk to reach your desired consistency.

Overnight is best, but 4-6 hours works in a pinch. The longer they sit, the thicker and creamier they become.

Add toppings like berries, banana slices, or granola in the morning to keep them fresh and crunchy.

Salt your oats. It will help balance and bring out the flavors and won't make your oatmeal salty.

Storage

Store your overnight oats in an airtight jar or container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

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