The Best Overnight Oats With Coconut Milk

Name: The Best Overnight Oats With Coconut Milk
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 4 h
Total time: 4 h 5 min
Cuisine: Australian
Ingredients: ½ cup oats; ½ cup coconut milk from the carton; ½ cup yoghurt (plain, unsweetened recommended or coconut yogurt to make it vegan); 1 Tablespoon sweetener of choice; 1 pinch salt

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Overnight oats with coconut milk are the perfect easy, healthy, vegan-friendly and dairy-free breakfast. Just add your favourite toppings!

Creamy overnight oats with coconut milk topped with peanut butter and chopped almonds, served in glass jars with fresh almonds on a white marble slab. Perfect for healthy meal prep or breakfast ideas.

Looking for a rich and creamy, satisfying, and nourishing breakfast that's ready to go when you wake up in the morning? These Overnight Oats with Coconut Milk are packed with plant-based goodness, lightly sweetened, and filled with healthy ingredients.

Whether you're prepping ahead for a busy weekday morning, or just craving a delicious tropical breakfast, this recipe delivers on flavor and convenience.

Ingredients and Substitutions

Overhead view of overnight oats ingredients including old-fashioned rolled oats in a large bowl, coconut milk, yoghurt, salt and maple syrup.

Oatmeal: Old-fashioned rolled oats are your best bet in these overnight oats. They're sturdy enough to avoid getting mushy, but not so hard they'll stay crunchy! Old-fashioned rolled Oats will soak up all of the liquid and soften into a nice, creamy finished product. You could also use quick oats in a pinch (especially if you only have an hour or two to let the oats soak). Steel cut oatmeal will not work for this recipe.
Coconut milk: The star of this recipe! We like to use the refrigerated coconut milk (which comes in a carton and is found with other plant-based milks at the grocery store), and not canned coconut milk, for this recipe. It is slightly thinner than the canned coconut milk, which is necessary for the oats to have enough liquid to soak up! If you only have canned coconut milk, you can use ¼ cup canned coconut milk and ¼ cup water as a substitute.
Yoghurt: For extra creaminess and gut-friendly probiotics, yoghurt adds a lovely tang and texture. You can use any unsweetened yoghurt you have on hand, but we love using coconut milk yoghurt to keep it plant-based and double down on the tropical coconut flavour. Flavoured yoghurts like lime or lemon work great too.
Sweetener: Use whatever sweetener you have in your pantry for this recipe! Maple syrup, honey, or agave nectar work well. You could also use granulated sugar or brown sugar if that is all you have available.
Salt: A little pinch of salt goes a long way in bringing out the flavors and sweetness in these overnight oats. Any salt will work - flaky, sea salt, or regular table salt.

Why We Love It

So creamy! The combination of oats, coconut milk, and yoghurt creates an indulgent smooth, thick, and creamy texture.
Super easy meal prep. You can make a batch in under 5 minutes and have breakfast ready for days.
Customisable & nutritious. Add your favourite toppings or mix-ins like blueberries, nut butter, or chia seeds for a nutrient-dense start to your day.

Fresh produce and healthy recipes on Simply Fresh Foodie website, promoting nutritious eating and culinary inspiration for food lovers.

Note from SFF

'We believe healthy eating should be fun, and these overnight oats epitomise it! Swapping regular milk for coconut milk turns your standard meal-prep breakfast into a tropical delight!'

Flavour Profile

🍦 Cold and creamy
🍯 Slightly sweet
🥥 Tropical coconut

Tips & Tricks

Overhead view of overnight oats oats with coconut milk topped with sliced bananas, shredded coconut, and almonds on a white marble cutting board with spoons, nuts, and a light green cloth for a delicious breakfast presentation.

Make this recipe in batches: These overnight oats will last for 4-5 days in the fridge in an airtight container, so feel free to make multiple portions at once for grab-and-go breakfasts and snacks.
Add toppings just before eating: Fresh fruit like blueberries, sliced banana, strawberries, or diced mango would be delicious additions to this recipe. You could also add coconut flakes, chopped nuts, granola, or a spoonful of nut butter for extra flavour, nutrients, and texture. Wait until morning to add your toppings so the fruit doesn't get too soft and mushy.
Adjust consistency: If the overnight oats are too thick in the morning, stir in a splash of extra coconut milk or water to loosen it up.
Chill for at least 45 minutes: If you're short on time, these oats can be ready in under an hour - but soaking overnight will result in the best texture.

FAQs

Can you use canned coconut milk?

We recommend the coconut milk that comes in a carton (found near the soy milk or almond milk in the refrigerated section of the grocery store), as it's slightly less thick than canned coconut milk. If you do use canned coconut milk, we recommend using half coconut milk, half water in the recipe.

Is coconut milk good for overnight oats?

Yes! Coconut milk is a delicious option for overnight oats. It imparts a coconut flavour to the oats and provides a more interesting taste than cow's milk or other plant-based milk options.

Are these overnight oats vegan?

Yes - if you use non-dairy coconut milk and non-dairy yoghurt (like coconut yoghurt), these overnight oats are vegan!

How long do these oats need to soak?

How long do these oats need to soak?
These overnight oats need to soak for a minimum of 45 minutes to soften and absorb some of the liquid in the coconut milk and yoghurt. If you can, letting the oats soak overnight (8 hours) will result in the creamiest, most delicious oats!

Is coconut milk healthy?

Yes, coconut milk is healthy in moderation. While it is high in calories and saturated fat, it is a good source of vitamins and minerals like iron and manganese, and is rich in medium chain triglycerides (or MCTs), which may curb your appetite and boost your metabolism.

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