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I am not a morning person. Never have been. So anything that lets me walk into the kitchen, open the fridge, and have breakfast already waiting is a very good thing in my book.
These Trail Mix Overnight Oats have been one of my favorite no-cook breakfast solutions for years. Rolled oats soaked overnight in almond milk with a little vanilla, cinnamon, dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and a few mini chocolate chips—it sounds almost too simple, but the result is creamy, satisfying, and just sweet enough to feel like a treat. The chocolate chips are not optional, as far as I am concerned.
The best part is that you can make several jars at once on Sunday and have a grab-and-go breakfast ready all week. Five minutes of effort, five mornings of not having to think about it. That’s my kind of math.
Why I Love This Recipe
- No cooking required—just stir, cover, and refrigerate
- Ready to grab straight from the fridge on busy mornings
- Easily customized with whatever mix-ins you have on hand
- Make a batch of jars on Sunday and breakfast is done for the week
- Satisfying enough to keep you going until lunch
How Many Calories and WW Points?
According to my calculations, each serving has:
- Calories: 284
- WW Points: 4
To see your WW Points for this recipe, track it in the WW App!
(You must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) - Old WW Points: 7 PointsPlus
Ingredient and Substitutions
- Old-fashioned rolled oats — The best choice for overnight oats. They soften beautifully overnight with just the right amount of creaminess and chew. Quick oats work in a pinch but will be softer; steel cut oats will stay quite chewy.
- Unsweetened vanilla almond milk — My preference, but use whatever milk or milk alternative you like. A combination of plain milk and a spoonful of Greek yogurt makes the oats especially thick and creamy.
- No-calorie sweetener — I use Truvia (affiliate link). You can substitute honey or maple syrup if you prefer a natural sweetener, just track the additional points.
- Vanilla extract and cinnamon — A small amount of each makes a big difference in flavor.
- Raisins or dried cranberries — Either works. I usually reach for dried cranberries. Any chopped dried fruit—apricots, dates, cherries—works beautifully here.
- Sliced almonds — For that trail mix crunch. Swap in walnuts, pecans, or peanuts depending on what you have.
- Mini semi-sweet chocolate chips — Non-negotiable in my version. A small amount goes a long way.
How to Make Trail Mix Overnight Oats
Step 1: In a jar or bowl, combine the almond milk, oats, sweetener, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Stir well.
Step 2: Stir in the dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and chocolate chips.
Step 3: Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, or overnight. In the morning, give it a stir. If the oats seem too thick, add a splash more milk and stir again.
That’s it. Breakfast is ready.
Tips for Success
- Get the liquid ratio right. The sweet spot for most people is somewhere between 1:1 and 1.5:1 liquid to oats. I prefer about 3/4 cup milk for every 1/2 cup oats. Too little liquid and the oats will be stiff and dry; too much and they’ll be runny. You may need to experiment once or twice to find what you like.
- Use the right jar. I like half-pint (8-ounce) mason jars (affiliate link) — they are the perfect size for one serving and easy to take with you. If you want a heartier portion or plan to make a double batch, pint-size (16-ounce) jars work great.
- Make a batch on Sunday. These keep well in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, so making 4 or 5 jars at once is a great way to set yourself up for the week.
- Stir before eating. The ingredients can settle overnight. A quick stir before you dig in makes a difference.
Substitutions and Variations
The base recipe is really a template—once you have the oats-to-liquid ratio down, the mix-ins are completely up to you. A few ideas:
- Swap the dried cranberries for any chopped dried fruit: raisins, apricots, dates, or cherries all work well
- Use any nut you like in place of the almonds—walnuts, pecans, and peanuts are all great
- Replace the raisins, almonds, and chocolate chips with 2 tablespoons of your favorite granola or trail mix
- Stir in chia seeds, shredded coconut, peanut butter powder (affiliate link), or a spoonful of nut butter
- Add a scoop of protein powder to boost the protein content
Storing
These overnight oats keep well covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They are meant to be eaten cold, straight from the jar—no reheating needed, though you can warm them in the microwave (affiliate link) if you prefer.
If you’ve made this WW Trail Mix Overnight Oats Recipe, please give the recipe a star rating below and leave a comment letting me know how you liked it. And stay in touch on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for the latest updates.
Trail Mix Overnight Oats (Easy, WW Friendly)
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice)
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 packet non-calorie sweetener (I used Truvia (affiliate link))
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- pinch salt
- 1 tablespoon raisins, chopped (I used craisins)
- 1 tablespoon sliced almonds
- 1-1/2 teaspoons mini semi sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a medium bowl or jar, combine almond milk, oats, sweetener, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and salt. Mix well.
- Stir in raisins, almonds and chocolate chips.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours, until oats are soft and have absorbed most of the liquid. Stir and add more milk if they are too stiff for your liking.
Notes
(Must be logged into WW on a smartphone or tablet.) 7 PointsPlus (Old plan) Make a few jars at once and you’ll have a quick and easy grab and go breakfast ready and waiting all week.
Substitutions and Variations
No unsweetened almond milk? Use whatever milk or milk alternative you prefer. A combination of yogurt and milk works too. No raisins? Use whatever chopped dried fruit you prefer in place of the raisins: dried cranberries, apricots, dates, cherries, etc. No sliced almonds? Use whatever sliced and/or chopped nuts you like: walnuts, pecans, peanuts, etc. Other? Substitute 2 tablespoons granola or trail mix for the raisins, almonds and chocolate chips. Additions? shredded coconut, chia seeds, protein powder, cocoa powder, peanut butter powder, mashed banana, etc.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe source: Winter 2020 Hungry Girl Magazine (affiliate link)
FAQs
What kind of oats are best for overnight oats?
Old-fashioned rolled oats are the gold standard—they give you a creamy texture with a little chew. Quick oats work but get softer. Steel cut oats stay quite firm and chewy even after soaking, so they’re an acquired taste for overnight oats.
Do I need to cook the oats first?
No. That’s the whole point. The oats soak in the liquid overnight and soften on their own without any heat.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Oats are naturally gluten-free, but they’re often processed in facilities that also handle wheat. If gluten is a concern for you, look for oats that are specifically labeled certified gluten-free.
Can I eat these warm?
Overnight oats are designed to be eaten cold, but if you prefer them warm, just remove the lid and microwave (affiliate link) for 60 to 90 seconds, stirring once halfway through.
How long do overnight oats keep in the fridge?
Up to 5 days, covered. They are actually a great meal prep option—make a few jars at the start of the week and breakfast is handled.
More WW Friendly Breakfast Ideas
- Raspberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
- Easy Healthy Summer Overnight Oats
- 35+ Oatmeal Recipes for Breakfast and Beyond
- Easy Healthy Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal Muffin Cups
- Slow Cooker Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal
- Healthy Breakfast Yogurt
- Easy Apple Pie Yogurt Parfait
- Creamy Chia Orange Overnight Oats
