Kefir Overnight Oats
These kefir overnight oats are packed with fiber, protein, and gut-friendly probiotics for a nutritious, dietitian-designed, make-ahead breakfast idea. Kefir is the perfect consistency and thickness to replace milk and yogurt in overnight oats!
It’s no secret that overnight oats have been one of my go-to breakfasts for YEARS (these lemon blueberry overnight oats, or these overnight oats made with frozen berries are some of my favourite combinations).
While typically overnight oats are made with a combination of milk and yogurt, this recipe soaks the oats in only kefir!
Kefir is a fermented dairy product that is slightly thicker than milk, but not quite as thick as yogurt. This makes it the perfect consistency for stirring into overnight oats and results in the perfect texture and thickness.
Want more kefir breakfast recipes? You may love my mango kefir smoothie or this maple kefir chia pudding, too!
What makes this a nutritious breakfast?
Using kefir to make overnight oats not only provides the perfect consistency of liquid ingredients, it packs in extra nutrition benefits, too.
Rich in beneficial probiotic bacteria, kefir (along with the fiber from oats and chia seeds), work together to support the diversity of bacteria in your gut. A diverse gut microbiome is often thought of as beneficial for gut health overall.
Kefir is also a good source of complete protein, providing about 11 grams in a 1-cup serving (although this will vary slightly by brand). This protein content helps to keep you feeling full and satisfied, which is absolutely key for me in a breakfast recipe!
Here’s a look at the ingredients:
A note on purchasing kefir:
- This yogurt-like drink can be found near the refrigerated milk and/or yogurt section at your local grocery store. I personally use a plain, unsweetened kefir.
- If you follow a dairy-free or vegan diet, you can also find kefir made from non-dairy milks, like coconut or cashew! The only type I would personally avoid is goat’s milk kefir – I made this mistake once, and it was very “goat-y.”
Full ingredient measurements and detailed recipe instructions are found in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Visual step-by-step: how to make kefir overnight oats
Start by mixing together all the dry ingredients: rolled oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, and cardamom (optional).
Then, stir in the wet ingredients: kefir, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Make sure everything is combined well.
Cover the oat mixture with a lid, and place in the fridge overnight (or for a minimum of 2 hours)
In the morning, the oats will have thickened in the kefir and be ready to eat! Add toppings as desired + dig in.
Did you give these Kefir Overnight Oats a try? Let me know by leaving a comment and recipe rating below!
If you do make this recipe, don’t forget to tag me on Instagram or Pinterest – seeing your creations always makes my day. You can also subscribe to my email list to never miss a new recipe or nutrition education post!
Get the Recipe: Kefir Overnight Oats (Healthy Breakfast!)
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats (choose certified GF if needed)
- 2 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp cardamom (optional)
- 1 + 1/4 cup plain kefir (use a dairy-free kefir if needed)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp maple syrup (or honey)
- Toppings: fresh fruit, nut butter, seeds, nuts, etc. (see notes for ideas!)
Instructions
- TIP: This recipe as written is for 2 servings. You may prepare the oats directly in 2 jars or in 2 containers with lids (dividing the ingredients evenly). Alternatively, you can prepare the whole thing in one large bowl, then transfer the servings to jars/containers before placing in the fridge OR when ready to eat. Having the oats already in jars is best if you want a portable, grab-and-go breakfast the next morning 😉
- Mix dry ingredients (oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, and optional cardamom) together.
- Then, add kefir, vanilla, and maple syrup to the dry ingredients. Stir everything together until well-combined – the oats should be fully mixed into the wet ingredients.
- Cover the oats and refrigerate for a minimum of 2 hours or overnight. If making the oats in 2 jars, you can already add toppings now if you'd like!
- Remove oats from the fridge when ready to eat. Add toppings if you haven't already. Stir everything together + enjoy cold!
Notes
- Overnight oats will keep for 4-5 days in an airtight container in the fridge.
- This makes them a perfect breakfast meal prep option – just make a large batch, and you have a healthy breakfast ready for the week!
- While oats are naturally gluten-free, if you’re on a strict gluten-free diet you will need to ensure that you use certified gluten-free oats for this recipe.
- For a vegan option, you can also find kefirs made from non-dairy milks, like coconut or cashew!
- Fresh fruit, like banana slices, strawberries, raspberries, or blueberries
- Nut or seed butters, like peanut butter, almond butter, tahini, cashew butter, or or sunflower seed butter
- Nuts or seeds, like raw pecans, walnuts, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds
- Raw cacao nibs, for a bit of a chocolatey taste
- Coconut flakes
Nutrition
As a dietitian, I create recipes with whole food ingredients that provide the nutrients needed for optimal health. My nutrition philosophy does not focus on numbers; however, I understand that this information can be helpful.
Do note that the nutrition info provided is an estimate and I cannot guarantee correctness of the displayed values. These numbers will differ depending on brands used, recipe modifications, and amount eaten. If you require specific nutrition information due to medical reasons, please consult with your dietitian or physician.
Did you make this recipe?
Let me know by leaving a recipe rating below, or by tagging @walderwellness on Instagram. I love seeing your beautiful creations!
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24 Comments on “Kefir Overnight Oats”
Awesome! Easy to put together and tastes great. Nice filling and healthy breakfast.
Hi Tia!! Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review. It’s so appreciated and I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed this easy breakfast recipe 🙂
Good altho I had to add some stevia too.
I wish there was nutritional info.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Patricia! You are welcome to add as much sweetener as you like – I like to err on the side of caution and not add too much, as everyone has different preferences for sweet :)!
Overall, great recipe altho I really wish there was nutritional info especially since it is nutrition based recipe. I do a mix of kefir and nonfat greek yogurt. I also add protein powder for an extra protein boost.
I’m so happy you enjoyed this one, Patricia! Thanks for sharing your additions and modifications! I have been adding nutrition info to my newer recipes, but haven’t had a chance to add it to all my older ones yet!
Patricia – How much protein powder do you add? And does that change what else you add to it for flavor? Thanks!
These kefir overnight oats turned out great! So easy to put together and it’s very filling. I will keep this in my breakfast rotation!
Thank you so much for sharing your experience, Kay! I’m so happy to hear that you enjoyed this breakfast idea 🙂
I keep seeing the kefir recipes and everyone says use honey as sweetener but…. Honey causes the kefirs quality to drop and it isn’t effective or as effective as it usually is. Use natural berries and etc just steer clear of honey.
This was delicious. I’ve tried a few variations of overnight oats and this is best yet. I’m going to use as basis for a Bircher Muesli with grated apple for sweetness. Thank you
Thanks so much for the kind words, Lorraine!! So happy to hear that you enjoyed this one 🙂
If this mixture is too thick, can I add semi skimmed milk in the morning?
Hi Lo! My apologies for the delayed response as I’ve been on maternity leave in 2025 and am just catching up on comments!! Yes you can always add extra milk if you find it too thick in the morning!
This was straightforward and easy! I actually left out the chia seeds, but it was still delicious 😊 Thank you!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it, Julie!! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Can I stir in canned pure pumpkin, pumpkin pie spice and a little honey to the oats, chia seed and kefir?
Hi Joy! I haven’t tried this, but it sounds delicious! I think it would work – you may just have to play around with the ratios of ingredients to get the consistency just right 🙂
Hi,
I’ve been making a very similar oats, chia, cinnamon mix with keffir, frozen organic blueberries & honey, but it was reassuring to read your recipe & notes to confirm that I had the right balance of ingredients. Thanks so much. 😊
Aw I’m so happy to hear that, Jenny!! Your version sounds absolutely delicious 🙂
I made this for the first time. It was delicious. I am not a breakfast person but this changed my mind. They were a little thick. Can I add a 1 1/2 of kefir instead of 1 1/4. Thank you Tammie Green
Thanks so much for the kind words, Tammie! I’m so happy you enjoyed this!
Yes of course! If you prefer this a little thinner, feel free to stir in more kefir until it reaches your desired consistency 🙂
I’m so happy I found your recipe; I had a few other overnight oat recipes that just did NOT do it, plus I do much better with Kefir than Greek Yogurt.
Your recipe is simple, delicious!
Also, I love unsweetened goat Kefir (it’s NOT too ‘goat-y’ as you said in your humorous comment) b/c I enjoy goat cheeses; and why there’s so many variations/options in life to satisfy everyone.
When I’m ready to eat, that’s when I add 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder, along with a few fresh organic blueberries or a perfectly ripe organic nectarine; combo may sound odd, though very delicious and crazy long staying power!
Again, Carrie your recipe is a keeper and my main go-to!
Thank you so much for the kind words, Chris! So happy this overnight oat recipe hits the spot for you. Ooh that combo of chocolate with the fruits sounds delicious. And I’m glad you like goat kefir haha!! I LOVE goats cheese, but for some reason the kefir was so not for me, but like you said – we all have our individual tastes and preferences 🙂