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Dreamy Cinnamon Roll Oats

Category: Start Your Day Right

These cinnamon roll oats get super cozy by soaking up almond milk with plenty of old-fashioned oats. Greek yogurt makes them rich and satisfying. You’ll find that swirl of cinnamon, sweet maple syrup, and brown sugar dotted with coconut oil for those cinnamon bun pockets. Toss everything together in a bowl or split into a few jars before bed, stash in the fridge, and wake up to a chilled treat. Dust on more cinnamon, add whatever toppings you’re into, and mix things up however you want. These make-ahead oats are a breeze and totally customizable.

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Dana
Updated on Thu, 03 Jul 2025 19:34:14 GMT
A creamy treat in a glass jar, ready to grab and eat. Pin
A creamy treat in a glass jar, ready to grab and eat. | chefsnaps.com

Overnight oats with cinnamon roll vibes make mornings easy and delicious. You get that sweet, spiced taste with creamy oats, no oven involved. It’s a cozy, hassle-free breakfast that’s totally satisfying and super flexible for anyone in a rush.

The first batch I tried totally surprised me—overnight the whole fridge smelled like warm cinnamon. Now, I always prep these on Sundays, so Mondays start off feeling a little special.

Inviting Ingredients

  • Coconut oil: Gives the swirl a rich, luscious texture. Melted butter swaps in easily for a bakery style vibe
  • Cinnamon (for swirl): This adds extra heat and that sweet spice kick throughout your oats
  • Brown sugar: For real depth in the swirl—go for soft sugar that blends easily
  • Vanilla extract: Adds that warm, bakery scent. Helps round out the flavors
  • Maple syrup: Keeps things naturally sweet and a little fancy
  • Ground cinnamon: The main flavor hero. Fresh cinnamon packs the biggest punch
  • Chia seeds: Thickens the oats up perfectly, plus brings fiber and keeps you full. Totally optional
  • Greek yogurt: Creamy tang with protein—plain or vanilla yogurt keeps the sweetness in check
  • Almond milk: Unsweetened almond milk makes these oats smooth and lets other flavors shine
  • Rolled oats: Old-fashioned oats do best soaking up all the creamy cinnamon goodness

Detailed Steps

Finish with Toppings:
Right before you dig in, stir up your oats in the container. Add extra cinnamon, fresh fruit, or a little yogurt if you want. Eat straight out of the fridge or warm it a bit—it’s up to you.
Pack & Chill:
Portion everything into jars or airtight containers, fill halfway, add more of the swirl, and finish with the rest of the mix. Pop the lids on and let them sit in the fridge for at least eight hours to get fluffy.
Add the Swirl:
Spoon the cinnamon swirl onto the oat mixture. Gently drag a spoon through so cinnamon streaks show, but don’t mix it too much.
Make the Swirl Mix:
In a smaller bowl, mash together brown sugar, cinnamon, and coconut oil until it looks like chunky, moist sand—no dry bits left.
Build the Oat Mix:
In a mixing bowl, toss together oats, almond milk, yogurt, chia seeds, ground cinnamon, maple syrup, and vanilla. Mix well until smooth and everything’s spread out evenly. If it’s crazy thick, add more milk.
A jar of cinnamon rolls with a cinnamon stick in it. Pin
A jar of cinnamon rolls with a cinnamon stick in it. | chefsnaps.com

The best part’s the gooey cinnamon sugar swirl. It takes me back to making cinnamon toast in my grandma’s house, everyone piling into the kitchen for that comforting sweetness. Now, these oats bring that same feeling to my grown-up mornings.

Simple Storage

Store your cinnamon oats chilled—airtight containers keep them good for up to five days. They actually get thicker and creamier by day two. If they get too thick, just stir in a splash of milk to loosen them back up.

Swap Ideas

No dairy? That’s fine—just use coconut or almond yogurt instead. Any plant milk works, so pick your favorite unsweetened option. Out of brown sugar? Use coconut sugar or a little date syrup. If you only have quick oats, they’ll work too—they just make a softer breakfast.

A glass of cinnamon swirl ice cream. Pin
A glass of cinnamon swirl ice cream. | chefsnaps.com

Serving Tips

Mix in toasted nuts, diced apples, or raisins for extra crunch and sweetness. If you’re craving more protein, a scoop of vanilla protein powder stirs in easily. For fun, serve in little jars with more cinnamon swirl on top for a dessert-like breakfast treat.

How It Connects

Overnight oats riff on classic oat porridges that have filled people up for ages. Here, you get American-style cinnamon roll flavor with the easy soaking tricks from Nordic breakfasts—a true breakfast mashup, blending comfort food with a modern meal-prep twist.

Recipe FAQs

→ Is it okay to swap almond milk for another type?

Go ahead and use any milk you like! Dairy, oat, or soy milk all work just fine, so use what fits your needs best.

→ Do I really need Greek yogurt?

Greek yogurt does make it thick and creamy, but coconut yogurt’s a good choice too. Or just skip it for a lighter, dairy-free feel.

→ How much fridge time do the oats need?

Let them hang out in the fridge at least 8 hours. Overnight is perfect—the oats soften up and the flavors blend together nicely.

→ Can I change the sweetness level?

Of course! Adjust your maple syrup or brown sugar amounts or swap them for honey or another sweetener you love.

→ What can I put on top of these oats?

Diced apples, nuts, more cinnamon, or even a spoonful of nut butter make awesome toppings. Just go with what sounds good to you!

Cinnamon Oats

Treat yourself to soft cinnamon oats with creamy layers of yogurt and sweet maple, all prepped the night before for a fuss-free morning.

Preparation Time
5 min
Cooking Time
~
Total Time
5 min
By: Dana

Category: Breakfast

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 2 Servings (2 individual jars)

Dietary Preferences: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Base

01 1 teaspoon vanilla extract if you like
02 1.5 tablespoons maple syrup (or just enough for your taste buds)
03 1.5 teaspoons ground cinnamon, grab a bit extra for topping
04 1 tablespoon chia seeds (toss in if you want)
05 120 ml Greek yogurt or coconut yogurt (take your pick)
06 240 ml unsweetened almond milk, or use another kind you enjoy
07 240 ml rolled oats (old-fashioned ones work best)

→ Cinnamon Swirl

08 1 teaspoon coconut oil, or melted butter works too
09 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
10 2 tablespoons brown sugar

Steps

Step 01

Dig in cold straight from the fridge or nuke it for a bit if you want it warm. Sprinkle on some cinnamon at the end or pile on your favorite toppings before you eat.

Step 02

Scoop everything equally into two jars that close tight. Pop the lids on and let them hang out in the fridge at least 8 hours. This lets the oats soak up all the goodness and get thick.

Step 03

Take your cinnamon mixture and gently swirl it through your oats. Don't mix the whole thing together — you want those tasty streaks all over.

Step 04

In a small bowl, smash together your brown sugar, ground cinnamon, and your coconut oil (or butter) until you get a sweet paste that smells awesome.

Step 05

Toss your oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, all that cinnamon, maple syrup, and a bit of vanilla into a mixing bowl. Give it a strong stir until it all looks smooth. Add extra milk if it's too thick for you.

Notes

  1. Want extra creamy oats? Just drop in a bit more yogurt or splash in extra milk before eating.

Required Tools

  • 2 mason jars that close tight or any containers with lids
  • Spoon
  • Mixing bowl

Allergen Information

Check every ingredient for potential allergens, and consult a healthcare professional if uncertain.
  • Got dairy if you use regular Greek yogurt; swap for coconut yogurt to keep it dairy-free.
  • Grab gluten-free oats if you're avoiding gluten, since not all are safe.
  • Tree nuts inside if you go with almond milk.

Nutritional Details (Per Serving)

These details are for reference purposes and don't replace professional medical advice.
  • Calories: 310
  • Fats: 12 g
  • Carbohydrates: 39 g
  • Protein: 11 g