These kefir overnight oats are made with kefir instead of milk for a creamy, protein-packed breakfast that’s loaded with gut-healthy probiotics! They’re easy to make and perfect for meal prep.
As I’m sure you all know by now, I love my overnight oats! Usually I make them with yogurt or milk as the liquid base, but today I’m switching things up and using kefir instead to make these kefir overnight oats.
Kefir not only adds creaminess, but it also adds protein and lots of probiotics, which are great for a healthy gut!
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Why You’ll Love These Overnight Oats
- Probiotic-Rich – The kefir adds beneficial probiotics that support gut health.
- Easy Prep – Mix everything the night before for a quick and easy breakfast.
- Customizable – Add your favorite fruits, nuts, and sweeteners to make it your own.
Ingredients Needed
- rolled oats – the base of the overnight oats, providing a hearty and chewy texture. Make sure to use certified gluten-free oats if needed.
- organic full-fat plain kefir – kefir adds a creamy texture and tangy flavor to the smoothie, while also providing probiotics and protein. My go-to kefir is the Lifeway Plain Organic Probiotic Whole Milk Kefir Drink.
- chia seeds – for added fiber and omega-3s.
- cinnamon – a warm spice that enhances flavor.
- fruit – I love using pineapple, blueberries and/or raspberries, but any fruit of choice will work!
- granola – adds crunch and texture. I love my homemade granola, but your favorite store-bought brand will work! Try this protein granola for an added protein boost.
- honey – for a touch of natural sweetness.
Optional Recipe Add-Ins
- Nut butter: This is an excellent way to add some more protein to your oats. I typically add peanut butter or almond butter, but if you have nut allergy, seed butter (like sunflower seed butter or tahini) is another great option.
- Protein powder: For more protein add 1 scoop of your favorite protein powder to the mixture before letting it set in the fridge. If you do add protein powder, you’ll probably need to add extra kefir.
- Chocolate: I’m all about sneaking a little chocolate into my breakfast, so if you’re craving a little more sweetness you can add chocolate chips or chopped chocolate to your oats. My favorite is Lily’s dark chocolate chips because they’re low in sugar, but any brand will work! Cacao nibs is also a great option.
- Spices: Want to amp up the flavor of your oats? Try adding different spices like cinnamon, cardamom, ground ginger and/or nutmeg to these overnight oats.
How to Make Kefir Overnight Oats
Step 1: Add oats, chia seed and cinnamon to a large bowl. Stir to combine.
Step 2: Add the kefir to the dry ingredients. Mix well to combine.
Step 3: Cover and set the bowl in the fridge to soak overnight.
Step 4: Take the bowl out of the fridge, stir to combine, add more kefir if needed, and enjoy!
Recipe Tip!
For the best texture, give your oats a good stir in the morning before adding toppings. This helps everything become nice and creamy. If you find the oats are too thick, add more kefir to reach your desired consistency.
How to Meal Prep & Store Leftovers
This recipe makes one serving, but you can easily triple or quadruple the recipe to make a bigger batch for meal prep!
When stored in a sealed container (I personally like using wide mouth 16 oz Mason jars) in the refrigerator overnight oats should last for up to 5 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can use any type of kefir, including flavored or plain. Just be aware that flavored kefir will add extra sweetness and may alter the taste of the oats.
it’s best to use old fashioned rolled oats for overnight oats as they hold up better and provide a chewier texture. instant oats can become too mushy when soaked overnight. Steel cut oats also don’t work well because they don’t absorb liquid the same way rolled oats do. If you’re looking for a recipe with steel cut oats try my overnight steel cut oats instead.
More Overnight Oats to Try
Check out all my full collection of oatmeal recipes!
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