This Date Overnight Oats recipe is the perfect wholesome breakfast! It’s made with simple, nourishing ingredients like oats, milk, and sweet dates.
It’s not only easy to prep ahead, it’s also a great way to start your day feeling energized and satisfied. Whether you’re heading out the door or staying in, this make-ahead breakfast makes mornings a whole lot easier.
Try my Maple Brown Sugar Overnight Oats for a simple, cozy breakfast made with just a few wholesome ingredients. If you’re into easy make-ahead options, you’ll also love my Almond Joy Overnight Oats (hello, dessert for breakfast!) and my light and fruity WW Berry Overnight Oats with Greek yogurt.
Why You’ll Love This Overnight Oat Recipe
- It’s made ahead, so it’s perfect for busy mornings when you need something quick and nourishing.
- Naturally sweetened with dates and no added sugar, it fits into a heart-healthy diet and is a great start to your day.
- Oats are a good source of fiber, which helps keep you full and satisfied until lunchtime—no mid-morning crash!
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Ingredient Photo
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
- Dates: We use Medjool dates because they’re large, soft, and have a rich, caramel-like flavor. While all dates are a great natural sweetener, Medjools can be a bit pricey and may not be available at every grocery store. Regular dates (like Deglet Noor) work too, just use two regular dates for every one Medjool date.
- Oats: I like using quick oats for overnight oats because they create a creamier finished dish, but old-fashioned oats will work if that’s what you have on hand.
- Milk: We prefer whole milk for richness, but feel free to use your favorite dairy-free version. Almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk all work well.
- Peanut Butter: I love adding a little nut butter for a protein boost. You can use peanut, cashew, or almond butter, whatever you like most.
- Chia Seeds: These tiny seeds help give our oats the creamy texture we love. If you don’t have any, you can skip them and your oats will still be delicious.
- Maple Syrup: We use this natural sweetener to enhance the flavor of the dates. You can easily swap in honey if you prefer.
Step-By-Step Photos
See recipe card below for full list of ingredients and detailed instructions.
Step 1: Combine oats, chopped date, peanut butter, chia seeds, and maple syrup to a small jar.
Step 2: Slowly add the milk to the jar.
Step 3: Stir to combine then refrigerate overnight, or at least 6-8 hours.
Additional Add-Ins
- Add a pinch of salt to enhance the overall flavor.
- Toss in a dash of cinnamon to add warmth.
- A splash of vanilla extract brings a lovely depth of flavor.
Feel free to mix and match based on what you like—these small touches can really elevate your oats!
Frequently Asked Questions
Oats are naturally gluten-free, but they can be contaminated with gluten during processing. To ensure your overnight oats are truly gf, be sure to use certified gluten-free oats.
While I haven’t tried it myself, there are plenty of overnight oats recipes that use steel-cut oats, so it should work. Just keep in mind that they will have a chewy texture, and you may need to increase the liquid and soaking time for best results.
Nope! If stored properly in a glass canning jar with a lid, overnight oats will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. We often make 10 jars on Sunday so we have breakfast ready for the entire week, and they’ve always held up great. If you’re using fresh fruit, it’s best to add it right before serving to keep it fresh and flavorful.
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Date Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons quick oats
- 1 Medjool date
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon nut butter
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
- ½ cup milk
Instructions
- Chop the date.
- Combine oats, chopped date, nut butter, chia seeds, and maple syrup to a small jar.¼ cup + 2 tablespoons quick oats, 1 Medjool date, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1 tablespoon nut butter, 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
- Slowly add the milk.½ cup milk
- Stir to combine then refrigerate overnight, or at least 6-8 hours.
About Mindy
Mindy has been cooking for over 30 years, starting as a young mother who learned how to create delicious meals on a budget. Today, she shares approachable recipes made with everyday ingredients that are easy, affordable, and family-friendly. Her goal is to show that great food doesn’t need to be complicated or expensive.