High-Protein Strawberry & Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

High-protein overnight oats are one of the easiest, most satisfying breakfast recipes you can make! Whether you are a fan of meal prep or not, we love that you can make several jars of these oats the night before and have them ready to go in the morning. Even better, this recipe is high in protein, a key macronutrient that supports healthy muscles, bones and more. Creamy peanut butter and chopped strawberries give these high-protein overnight oats PB&J vibes, but you can pair your favorite nut or seed butter and fruit for a fun twist. We know you’ll turn to these oats again and again—just like we do!

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!

• We prefer to use natural peanut butter, which doesn’t typically have any added sugar. It also doesn’t contain hydrogenated oil, which is often used to prevent nut butter from separating. If your jar of natural peanut butter has separated, give it a good stir before making this recipe. Creamy or crunchy peanut butter will work—use your favorite!
• Old-fashioned rolled oats are the best oats to use when making overnight oats. They retain their texture as they soak, whereas quick-cooking oats will turn to mush.
• Use your favorite berry in place of the strawberries—or whatever you have on hand. Raspberries, blackberries and/or blueberries would all be delicious. If you want, skip the berries when you make the oat mixture, then add when you go to eat—this way, you can change up the fruit each day.

Nutrition Notes

• Oats are packed with protein and fiber. When these essential nutrients are paired together, they help you feel full for longer periods of time, which can be useful for weight management. Eating oats regularly may also support your gut health and heart health, thanks to the soluble fiber.
• Soymilk is one of the healthiest milks to drink because it’s high in protein and nutrients like calcium and vitamin B12. It’s a great plant-based alternative to cow’s milk. The type of protein found in soy may lower blood cholesterol, while the fiber may prevent high blood sugar.
• Not only does strained (Greek-style) yogurt lend creaminess to the oat mixture, but it’s one of our dietitian-approved protein sources to eat every week. Strained yogurt is also a good source of calcium, which supports healthy bones. Opt for plain over flavored yogurt to avoid added sugar.
• The final ingredient piece of the protein puzzle is peanut butter, which has 7 grams of protein per 2-tablespoon serving. We prefer natural peanut butter, which doesn’t contain additional sugars which can contribute to inflammation. Double-check the ingredient list of your peanut butter to make sure it includes only two ingredients: peanuts and salt. 
• Pivoting away from the protein angle, we love how strawberries add a pop of color plus additional nutrition benefits. The fruit is rich in antioxidants like flavonoids and phenolic acids, which may reduce chronic inflammation and help support cognitive function as you age.