Jumpstart your day with a breakfast that’s festive, flavorful, and will keep you feeling full ’til lunch!
If my kids could choose what to eat for breakfast every day, no doubt they’d opt for sugary breakfast cereals. And while the sweet, dessert-like taste is probably a big reason why they love them, I’d venture to guess that an even bigger draw is the fact that these cereals tend to be highly colorful. That’s why, whenever I’m met with resistance trying to serve my kiddos something a bit more nutritious, one of my mom hacks is to just add some sprinkles. I’ve put them in everything from pancakes to muffins to oatmeal.
Even though this overnight oats recipe looks and tastes like a colorful funfetti cake, I love that it’s both nourishing and filling. The layer of Greek yogurt in the center gives it a tangy yet creamy taste, and a swirl of frosting made from vanilla protein powder makes it feel more like a decadent treat than breakfast.
I love that you can find all-natural or dye-free versions of sprinkles at most stores these days, in case you prefer to avoid artificial food dyes. Either way, this funfetti-inspired overnight oats dish is definitely worth adding into your breakfast rotation, whether it’s for kids or adults. It’s a surefire way to start your day with a smile.
What are the best oats for overnight oats?
This recipe calls for old-fashioned rolled oats, which are the best type to use when making overnight oats. Rolled oats are steamed and flattened, which allows them to become creamy while still mostly retaining their shape. Quick-cooking oats, on the other hand, are cut thinner than rolled oats, and would become too mushy if left to soak overnight. Meanwhile, steel-cut oats are thicker and would require a much longer soaking time to soften than rolled oats.
How do I store leftovers?
If you don’t finish all of your overnight oats in one sitting, you can seal the jar tightly or transfer the oats to an airtight container. You can store them in the fridge for up to 5 days. Give them a good stir before enjoying them again. If you want to meal prep a double or triple batch of oats, you can freeze them in freezer-safe containers for up to 3 months (without the frosting). Place them in the fridge overnight to thaw, and top with freshly-made frosting when ready to serve.
Serving suggestions
These overnight oats are perfectly enjoyable on their own, but you could also serve them with a Fresh Fruit Bowl for some extra color and sweetness. Or, consider pairing them with a Fruit Smoothie or Green Smoothie. If you’d like to serve these oats as part of a heartier breakfast or brunch, they’d pair well with Eggs In A Basket and this Sausage Hash Brown Casserole.
Ingredients
For The Oatmeal:
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons sprinkles
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk or milk of choice
- 2 teaspoons butter extract
- 1/2 cup nonfat vanilla Greek yogurt
For The Frosting:
- 1/4 cup vanilla protein powder
- 5 teaspoons unsweetened vanilla almond milk
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, stir together the oats and sprinkles.
- Add in the almond milk and butter extract, and stir well.
- Place 1/4 cup of the oat mixture in the bottom of two glasses, jars, or small bowls. Then, gently spread 1/4 cup of Greek yogurt on top of the oatmeal in each container.
- Divide the remaining oat mixture evenly, and spread it on top of the yogurt layer. Cover the containers with plastic wrap or lids, and let the oats sit in the fridge overnight.
- In the morning, stir together the protein powder with just enough almond milk to turn it into a thick, frosting-like consistency (about 5 teaspoons).
- Divide the frosting evenly on the top of each oatmeal cup.
Nutrition Info:
Nutrition information are estimates only and may vary based on the specific brands, ingredients, and portion sizes you use. This data is provided for informational purposes only.
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