Cookie Dough Overnight Oats

Breakfast at a Glance

• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Planning Ahead: Prep it at least the night before and up to 5 days ahead.
• Morning Effort: None- just grab and eat!
• Protein: 26g per serving
• Fiber: 7g per serving

Nessy's Note

I have shared several overnight oats recipe (like these berry chia overnight oats) and I'm constantly thinking of new variations.

And when I thought about a cookie dough variation, I was inspired to recreate the flavor from my favorite oat flour oatmeal chocolate chip cookies.

The almond butter, vanilla and hint of spice (the key ingredient) bring that classic oatmeal cookie dough flavor, while the chocolate chips add the perfect little bit of indulgence (just like in this cookie dough yogurt bowl).

It’s like sneaking a spoonful of cookie dough, but in a balanced, protein-packed breakfast! And if you liked breakfast tasting like dessert, these baked vanilla oats taste like cake.

• Rolled Oats- These can also be called old-fashioned oats or large flake oats. I prefer their texture when making overnight oats and peanut butter baked oatmeal.
  • Substitution: Instant or quick oats work but result in a "mushier" texture (but that almost makes it more cookie dough like!). Steel-cut oats will not work.
• Greek Yogurt- This is key to making this cookie dough overnight oatmeal high protein without needing protein powder.
  • Substitution: Use another type of plain yogurt but note that protein content will vary.
• Almond Butter- Adds toasted flavor which helps to mimic the base of cookie dough.
  • Substitution: Cashew butter, macadamia butter, pecan butter or peanut butter will all work instead (though each has a slightly different flavor). If you need this recipe to be nut free, you could use a seed butter but it doesn't have quite the same effect as the nut butter.
• Maple Syrup- Provides sweetness and an almost caramel-like flavor to the "cookie dough".
  • Substitution: Honey or your sweetener of choice can be used instead.
• Ground Flaxseed- These thicken the oats and add some fiber.
  • Substitution: Chia seeds can be used or they can be left out.
• Sea Salt- Balances the sweetness.
  • Substitution: Kosher or table salt will also work or it can be left out.
• Vanilla Extract– Adds key warm flavor that we know and love in cookie dough- I don't recommend skipping it!
• Cinnamon + Nutmeg- I channeled the cookie dough from my favorite oatmeal cookies for this recipe. While cinnamon is pretty common in oatmeal cookies, a pinch of nutmeg takes the flavor to the next level!
  • Substitution: The nutmeg can be omitted but I recommend keeping the cinnamon as it rounds out the flavor (just like in cinnamon overnight oats).
• Chocolate chips or Cacao nibs- I often like to choose cacao nibs for this breakfast recipe as they add some nice crunch and chocolate flavor along with fiber and antioxidants.
  • Substitution: Feel free to use any chocolate chips or raisins depending on what your favorite cookie add in is!

Key Tips for Cookie Dough Overnight Oats

• Meal prep for the week. This overnight oatmeal lasts up to 5 days in the fridge, so you can make a batch on Sunday and have breakfast ready all week.
• Adjust the consistency. If the oats thicken too much overnight, you can stir in a splash of milk (or water) before serving.
• For troubleshooting, more tips and flavor customizations check out my guide to Greek yogurt overnight oats!