These Birthday Cake Chia Overnight Oats are loaded with fiber and protein, but taste like dessert for breakfast! They take no time to assemble and the recipe can easily be doubled or tripled for make-ahead breakfasts for the week! They can be made gluten-free, vegan, and are low in sugar!

Chia overnight oats

If you wake up with a sweet tooth, this is the perfect recipe for you! Combining two of the best things – vanilla cake and oatmeal – this healthy breakfast is a fun and nutritious way to have you feeling like you’re enjoying dessert for breakfast. They’re packed with protein, fiber, and healthy fats, making it a great option for kids and adults alike!

If you find getting in a healthy breakfast difficult, try these overnight oats! They are the perfect meal prep or make-ahead breakfast. They only take a few minutes to throw together, set up in the fridge overnight, and are ready to grab-and-go in the morning, making choosing healthier options so much easier!

Love oatmeal for breakfast? Try my cinnamon roll overnight oats, Cinnamon roll baked oatmeal, oatmeal cookie overnight oats, or Strawberries & Cream chia overnight oats!

Why you’ll love this recipe

Let me tell you why you NEED these birthday cake overnight oats!

Nutrient-Dense: Full of fiber, protein, and omega-3s from chia seeds!
Naturally Sweetened: No refined sugar, just natural sweetness from maple syrup or honey.
Meal-Prep Friendly: Make a batch in advance for a grab-and-go breakfast.
Tastes Like Dessert: A fun way to enjoy a cake-like flavor in a healthy ;). The flavor is SO yummy!
Toddler/kid approved! Looking for a fun, kid-friendly breakfast? They’ll have so much fun eating these overnight oats with sprinkles!

Watch me make birthday cake overnight oats with chia seeds!

So.. What are chia seeds?

Chia seeds come from the desert plant Salvia hispanica. They are an excellent source of dietary fiber at 10 grams per 2 tablespoons, pack in some protein, as well as minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc. They’re little nutritional powerhouses and can benefit everything from digestion to weight managements to heart health!

are chia seed overnight oats a healthy breakfast option?

Chia seeds are packed full of nutritional benefits! They provide omega-3 fatty acids, in the form of alpha linolenic acid, or ALA and are an excellent source of fiber, which can improve heart health, reduce cholesterol levels and promote intestinal health. Along side oats and protein, this breakfast is packed with fiber, energizing card, satiating healthy fats, and protein to keep you fueled all morning long!

How to make overnight oats with chia seeds

Ingredients

Chia seeds
Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt
Plant-based milk or milk of choice – highly recommend using a super creamy milk!
Cashew butter – almond butter will also work! I don’t recommend using peanut butter as it’ll take away from the birthday cake flavor.
Quick oats or old-fashioned rolled oats
Protein powder – I have only made these with plant-based protein. I’m not sure how whey protein would affect the texture. Use a protein you really like the flavor of as it’ll add to the over all flavor of the oats. I used Macro Mike Birthday cake protein (so yummy!). You can use my code “amb-dani” for a discount!
Honey, maple syrup, or monk fruit – we use just a tad to sweeten it up! Depending on how flavorful/sweet your protein is, you can use more/less.
Vanilla extract & almond extract – these give the chia oats that delicious birthday cake flavor! I strongly recommend not skipping the almond extract – It may seem like a tiny amount, but it’s key to achieve that “birthday cake” flavor!
Natural sprinkles

Steps to make birthday cake chia overnight oats

Blend the base – Add the milk, cashew butter, extracts, protein, and yogurt to a blender and blend until smooth. You can also do this in a bowl, however I find blending it to be best to eliminate any clumps!
Stir in the oats and chia seeds. Mix them in well until there’s no clumps.
Divide the mixture amongst the jars. I like to top mine with a little yogurt topping or coconut whip and a dash of sprinkles.
Place in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight to allow it to thicken up!

FAQ’s & tips for making the best overnight oats

Getting the liquid to chia seed ratio is crucial for a nice and thick pudding! If in the morning you find your oats to be too thick, add a little extra milk before eating!
How long should chia overnight oats soak/set? For the thickest, creamiest chia overnight oats, be sure to allow ample time for the mixture to “set up” – at least 2 hours-overnight. As it sits in the fridge, the oats and chia seeds will absorb the milk and create that thick, pudding-like texture!
What sweeteners can I use? Honey and maple syrup are great options. You can also use stevia, monk fruit for a sugar-free option, or any other granulated sweetener (like coconut sugar).
What liquid/milk can I use? I love using canned coconut milk to make the chia seed pudding extra creamy! However you can use oat milk, cashew milk, hemp seed milk, etc., for dairy-free/vegan options or regular cow’s milk!
To make nut-free: If you are sensitive to almond extract, you can simply omit it. It won’t have as strong of a “birthday cake” flavor, but will still be delicious. You can also sub sunflower seed butter for the cashew/almond butter!
To make dairy-free: Use dairy-free vanilla yogurt and a dairy-free milk option.
Gluten-free overnight oats: Be sure to use certified gluten-free oats! I like the brand One Degree Organics!

Can you meal prep overnight oats?

YES! This makes a wonderful, easy meal prep. You can make the chia overnight oats the night before and leave it in the fridge for a quick breakfast option! I like to use individual jars to make it even more convenient.

Storage

Birthday cake overnight oats can be stored in an airtight container or jar for up to 5 days in the fridge. The longer they sit in the fridge, the thicker they get, so feel free to add extra milk and give it a stir until they reach your desired consistency before enjoying!

More healthy breakfast recipes to try