Healthy Eating

Tiramisu Overnight Oats (Easy, Healthy, Dairy-Free!)

October 9, 2024

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My tiramisu overnight oats are perfect for busy mornings! With layers of creamy yogurt, rich chocolate oats, and a touch of coffee, this healthy breakfast recipe is a decadent way to kick off the day. My recipe is ideal for anyone who loves to meal prep a delicious breakfast that’s hearty, filling, and easy. This tastes just like a tiramisu dessert but in oat form! These oats are naturally gluten free, and can be easily made vegan too!

Tiramisu for breakfast?! That might sound crazy, but with this healthy tiramisu overnight oats recipe, I can actually enjoy my favorite dessert first thing in the morning.

When I make this recipe ahead of time, I’m excited to get the day started knowing I will be fueled and satisfied! The creamy tiramisu oats and yogurt layers make this a favorite in our home.

Overnight oats became an overnight sensation a few years ago and for good reason! They’re super convenient and the combinations are endless. And for more oatmeal inspiration, be sure to also check out my high protein overnight oats, baked oats, or matcha overnight oats.

When I’m needing an easy make-ahead breakfast, this recipe is perfect! It only takes a few minutes to put together, and I can store it in the fridge overnight to enjoy the next day.

I love that these oats are so customizable! I can get creative by adding different flavors, mix-ins, or healthy toppings. Whether I’m craving something fruity, nutty, or chocolatey, there’s always a way to make it my own.

With a blend of oats, chia seeds, almond milk, and Greek yogurt, I get a high-protein breakfast that keeps me full for hours without the added sugar. Each serving has 13 grams of protein, so I know I’m starting my day off right. I even find myself skipping the espresso shots, since I get my coffee fix and breakfast all in one with these.

These oats are like a healthier version of tiramisu, and they taste so similar to the real thing! It’s the perfect way to enjoy a dessert-like breakfast without feeling guilty. I get to indulge while still sticking to healthier options.

And for coffee lovers like me, the coffee flavor in these oats makes them even more fun! It’s a unique twist on regular oatmeal.

Latest Recipe Video!

🥘 Ingredients

My easy tiramisu overnight oats requires just a few simple ingredients! Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post for exact measurements.

Rolled Oats: I use rolled oats, also known as old-fashioned oats, for the best texture in my tiramisu oatmeal. Note: if I’m in a pinch, I use quick oats (instant oats), but they don’t give you the best texture in this recipe. I always avoid steel cut oats for overnight oats because they don’t absorb the liquid as well. For gluten-free tiramisu overnight oats, just use gluten-free certified oats.

Chia Seeds: Chia seeds are essential because they help thicken the oats while adding a boost of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, and healthy fats.

Cocoa Powder: I get that rich chocolate taste by using unsweetened cocoa powder. Cacao powder works just as well, and I like to dust a little extra on top of the oats once everything is layered, just like in traditional tiramisu!

Almond Milk: Unsweetened almond milk is my go-to for this recipe. It adds the perfect amount of moisture, creating an ultra-creamy consistency for my overnight tiramisu oats. I also use oat milk, soy milk, regular milk, or coconut milk.

Espresso Coffee: I prefer using espresso because it gives a bold coffee flavor without making the oats too thin or watery, keeping the texture just right. Instant coffee powder or espresso powder mixed in with the oats would work fine too.

Maple Syrup: A touch of pure maple syrup adds the right amount of sweetness, balancing out the bold flavors. Feel free to adjust the amount as needed, I’ll typically start with just 1-2 teaspoons and taste before deciding if I need more. For a sugar-free version, use monk fruit or stevia instead of maple syrup.

Vanilla Extract & Salt: I always add a dash of vanilla and a pinch of salt to enhance the natural flavors of chocolate and coffee in the oats.

Cream Cheese: Cream cheese is key for me, as it provides a subtle sweetness and richness to the creamy layers in my tiramisu oatmeal. Creamed cottage cheese is also a good substitute.

Greek Yogurt: Greek yogurt gives the recipe a creamy texture while adding a protein boost, thanks to its thick consistency. If I want a lighter version, I opt for fat-free yogurt. Coconut or almond yogurt will also work. I just recommend sticking with plain yogurt or vanilla yogurt to keep the flavor neutral.

Vanilla Extract & Maple Syrup: I make sure to use pure vanilla extract and maple syrup in the yogurt mixture to balance out the tanginess of the cream cheese and Greek yogurt, making it just the right amount of sweet. Maple syrup can be substituted with honey or any sweetener of choice.

🔪 How To Make Tiramisu Overnight Oats

Follow along with the easy steps detailed below to learn how to make tiramisu oatmeal that tastes like dessert!

Combine Chocolate Oat Ingredients & Chill: I start by combining all the ingredients for the chocolate oat layer in a mixing bowl. Once everything is well mixed, I cover it and let it chill in the fridge for 5 hours or overnight.

Cocoa powder and oats mixed in a mixing bowl.

Make Vanilla Mixture: To prepare the vanilla layer, I whisk the softened cream cheese until it’s smooth. Then, I mix in the yogurt, vanilla extract, and maple syrup.

Vanilla yogurt and cream cheese mixed in a mixing bowl.

Begin Assembling: I grab four serving glasses and place a layer of the oat mixture at the bottom of each one.

Chocolate oats mixture being added to glasses for tiramisu porridge.

Layer: Next, I add a layer of the vanilla yogurt mixture, followed by another layer of the oats, and finish with a final layer of yogurt.

Vanilla yogurt layer added to overnight oats in glass jars.

Garnish: To finish it off, I dust some cocoa powder on top of the oats.

Unsweetened cocoa powder being dusted on top of the overnight oats in glass jars.

Serve: Now it’s time for me to dig in and enjoy my delicious tiramisu oats!

Easy tiramisu overnight oats in a tall glass, resting on a baking sheet.

My #1 Secret Tip for making tiramisu overnight oats is to let the oats chill for a full 24 hours or overnight.

By giving the oats more time to soak, they absorb the coffee, almond milk, and flavors from the other ingredients even better, resulting in a richer, creamier texture. The extra time allows the flavors—like the bold espresso and sweet maple syrup—to really meld together, enhancing the overall taste.

Other Tips To Keep In Mind:

Avoid Clumpiness: I make sure to mix the ingredients thoroughly, as chia seeds tend to clump together. Sometimes, I give the mixture an extra stir about 30 minutes into its chilling time in the fridge to prevent clumps.
Adjust Thickness: When the oats come out of the fridge, they’re usually thick and creamy. For a thinner consistency, I simply add a splash of almond milk before serving to reach the texture I like.
Layer Before Serving: If I assemble too early, the layers can start to blend together, losing that distinct tiramisu effect. By assembling the layers right before serving, I keep the yogurt and oats fresh and retain the light, creamy texture that makes the dish so special.

📖 Variations

Here are a few different ways I like to dress up my tiramisu oatmeal.

High Protein Tiramisu Overnight Oats: I love that this recipe already packs a good amount of protein from the Greek yogurt, rolled oats, and chia seeds. If I want to boost the protein even more, I can add 1-2 scoops of my favorite vanilla protein powder directly into the chocolate oat mixture.

Other Fruits: If I’m in the mood for something fun and fruity, I like to add a banoffee twist by incorporating mashed bananas or mixing banana pieces into the yogurt layer. The blend of banana and coffee creates a unique and delicious flavor combo. Other fruit combinations that taste great are mixed berries (raspberries, blackberries, and strawberries), or dried fruit like raisins or dried apricot.

Make It Creamier: For an even creamier texture in the chocolate oat layer, I simply add ¼ cup of Greek yogurt when I’m mixing in the wet ingredients.

Make It Vegan: For a vegan friendly version, I substitute the yogurt and cream cheese for vegan friendly alternatives. Any plant-based yogurt and vegan cream cheese will do!

🍽 Serving Suggestions

My tiramisu inspired overnight oats are complete on their own for a nourishing, filling breakfast or snack! However, it can be fun to add in some extras and make them your own! Here are some of my favorite ways to serve these oats:

Drizzles: For an even more decadent treat, I like to serve this with a dollop of coconut whipped cream, vegan nutella, this vegan honey recipe, strawberry simple syrup, blackberry simple syrup, or my white chocolate hazelnut spread on top! I love adding a chocolate drizzle for dessert overnight oats.

Other Mix-Ins: Try a sprinkle of cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, cocoa powder, or dark chocolate chips. If I want a bit of crunch, I’ll add in high protein granola or low calorie granola. Other mix-ins I love are nuts and seeds like hemp seeds, flaxseeds, sliced almonds, pecans, or walnuts. You can also do a layer of nut butter, like almond butter or pumpkin seed butter.

With A Breakfast Drink: While these tiramisu breakfast oats already have a boost of coffee in them, I still like to pair them with a mocha latte, blue butterfly pea latte, ube latte, or this starbucks dragon drink recipe.

🫙 Storage Directions

Since my tiramisu protein overnight oats are great for meal prep, they last a few days in the fridge!

Fridge: Place oats in an airtight container or mason jar and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Freezer: I do not recommend freezing overnight oats, as it can make the oats too soggy upon thawing or heating.

Reheating: Enjoy these as cold oats, room temperature, or warm. To warm them, place the oats in a microwave safe container and heat for about 30 seconds – 1 minute. Sometimes, I’ll add a tbsp of water or milk.

❓Recipe FAQs

Can I make a larger batch?

Yes! I can easily double or triple the recipe if I want to meal prep for a few days. Overnight oats keep well in the fridge for up to 4-5 days, so making a big batch saves me time during the week.

How can I make the oats taste like tiramisu without using too much coffee or caffeine?

There are absolutely caffeine-free options for this recipe! If you don’t want to use espresso or instant coffee, you can use decaf coffee to get the tiramisu flavor without the caffeine. Alternatively, coffee-flavored syrup would work too. Lastly, chicory coffee is a coffee alternative that’s caffeine-free and has a similar taste to regular coffee.

What do I do if my oats turn out too soggy?

If your oats are too soggy, you can try a few things to adjust the texture:
1) Add more dry ingredients like ground flaxseeds or chia seeds. They’ll absorb the liquid and help thicken the oats more.
2) Let them sit longer – the longer the oats sit in the fridge, the more of the liquid they will absorb!
3) Add toppings – toppings like nuts, seeds, granola, or even some fruit like banana will help add texture and reduce the sogginess.
And for future batches, just reduce the amount of milk you use until you get the consistency you want!

Healthy tiramisu overnight oats in a glass, with a spoonful being taken out of the top.

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