Cinnamon French Toast Overnight Oats

I’ve always been torn between two breakfast favorites: french toast and overnight oats. French toast feels like a weekend treat, but who has time to stand at the stove flipping bread on a busy Tuesday morning? And while overnight oats are perfect for grab-and-go mornings, sometimes I crave something that feels more special.

That’s how I stumbled onto this recipe that combines both. French toast overnight oats give you all the cinnamon-sugar goodness of classic french toast, but in a jar you can prep the night before. I make a batch on Sunday and have breakfast ready for the whole week. No standing over a hot pan, no sticky fingers from dipping bread.

The best part? My kids think they’re getting dessert for breakfast, and I know they’re actually eating something with protein and fiber. It’s one of those recipes that makes everyone happy, including the person who doesn’t want to cook at 7 AM.

What Kind of Oats Should I Use?

For overnight oats, you’ll want to stick with old-fashioned rolled oats rather than quick oats or steel-cut oats. Rolled oats have the perfect texture that softens nicely overnight without turning mushy, giving you that creamy but still slightly chewy consistency we’re after. Quick oats will break down too much and become soggy, while steel-cut oats won’t soften enough in the fridge overnight. You can find rolled oats in any grocery store – they’re usually labeled as “old-fashioned oats” and come in a cylindrical container or bag.

Options for Substitutions

This overnight oats recipe is super forgiving and easy to customize based on what you have in your pantry:

• Rolled oats: Stick with rolled oats for the best texture – quick oats will get too mushy, and steel-cut oats won’t soften properly overnight. Old-fashioned oats are your best bet here.
• Coconut milk: Any milk works great! Try almond milk, oat milk, regular dairy milk, or even Greek yogurt mixed with a splash of milk for extra protein. Just keep the same amount.
• Banana: No banana? Try 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or 2 tablespoons of pumpkin puree. Both add natural sweetness and that creamy texture.
• Maple syrup: Honey, agave nectar, or even a couple of pitted dates (chopped fine) work well as sweeteners. Start with less and add more to taste.
• Chia seeds: Ground flaxseed or hemp hearts make good swaps, or you can skip them entirely if you don’t have any on hand.
• Raisins: Any dried fruit works – try chopped dates, cranberries, or dried blueberries. Fresh berries added in the morning are nice too.

Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

The biggest mistake with overnight oats is not using enough liquid, which leaves you with a thick, paste-like texture instead of creamy oats – make sure your oats are completely covered with coconut milk and add a splash more if needed.

Another common error is forgetting to mash your banana well enough, as large chunks won’t distribute evenly and can make some bites overly sweet while others taste bland.

Don’t skip the overnight resting time in the fridge, as this allows the chia seeds to expand and the oats to soften properly – at least 4 hours is the minimum, but 8-12 hours gives you the best results.

For extra flavor, try toasting your oats in a dry pan for 2-3 minutes before mixing, and remember that you can always adjust the sweetness with more maple syrup in the morning if needed.

What to Serve With French Toast Overnight Oats?

These overnight oats are pretty filling on their own, but I love adding some fresh fruit on top like sliced strawberries, blueberries, or even more banana slices to make it feel like a complete breakfast. A handful of chopped walnuts or pecans gives it a nice crunch that pairs perfectly with the soft, creamy texture of the oats. If you want to make it feel more indulgent, a small drizzle of extra maple syrup or a dollop of Greek yogurt works great too. For busy mornings, I sometimes prep a few jars at once and serve them alongside some scrambled eggs or turkey sausage when I need extra protein to keep me full until lunch.

Storage Instructions

Refrigerate: These overnight oats are meant to be made ahead! Store them in mason jars or airtight containers in the fridge for up to 4 days. I love making several jars at once for easy grab-and-go breakfasts throughout the week.

Make Ahead: The beauty of overnight oats is that they actually get better after sitting overnight. The oats absorb all those delicious flavors and the chia seeds help create that perfect creamy texture. Make them before bed and wake up to breakfast ready to go!

Serve: You can enjoy these straight from the fridge cold, or let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes to take the chill off. Give them a good stir before eating and add any fresh toppings like sliced banana, chopped nuts, or a drizzle of extra maple syrup.

Estimated Nutrition

Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):

• Calories: 350-400
• Protein: 6-8 g
• Fat: 8-12 g
• Carbohydrates: 65-75 g

Ingredients

• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 ripe banana, mashed
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• 3/4 cup coconut milk
• 2 tbsp raisins or other dried fruit pieces

Step 1: Mix the Overnight Oats Base

• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 ripe banana, mashed
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• 3/4 cup coconut milk

In a mixing bowl, combine the old-fashioned oats, mashed banana, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, maple syrup, chia seeds, and coconut milk.

Stir everything together thoroughly to ensure that the ingredients are evenly distributed and the banana is well incorporated.

Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow the oats to soak and flavors to meld.

Step 2: Assemble and Serve

• 2 tbsp raisins or other dried fruit pieces

Remove the soaked oats from the refrigerator and uncover.

Give everything a gentle stir if needed, then divide the mixture between serving bowls.

Sprinkle the raisins or other dried fruit pieces on top before serving.

I like to add a few extra slices of banana for garnish—it adds fresh sweetness and looks beautiful too!

Cinnamon French Toast Overnight Oats

Delicious Cinnamon French Toast Overnight Oats recipe with step-by-step instructions.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 4 minutes mins

Cook Time 8 minutes mins

Total Time 12 minutes mins

Servings 4

Calories 375 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup old-fashioned oats
• 1/2 ripe banana, mashed
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp pure maple syrup
• 1 tsp chia seeds
• 3/4 cup coconut milk
• 2 tbsp raisins or other dried fruit pieces

Instructions

 

• In a mixing bowl, combine the old-fashioned oats, mashed banana, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract, maple syrup, chia seeds, and coconut milk. Stir everything together thoroughly to ensure that the ingredients are evenly distributed and the banana is well incorporated. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight to allow the oats to soak and flavors to meld.
• Remove the soaked oats from the refrigerator and uncover. Give everything a gentle stir if needed, then divide the mixture between serving bowls. Sprinkle the raisins or other dried fruit pieces on top before serving. I like to add a few extra slices of banana for garnish—it adds fresh sweetness and looks beautiful too!