Maple Brown Sugar Overnight Oats with Creamy Yogurt

Maple Brown Sugar Overnight Oats

These no-cook oats soften in the refrigerator into a thick, creamy base with visible chia seeds and a little chew. Maple syrup and brown sugar flavor the oats, while a second spoonful of each becomes a glossy amber topping.

Make two jars in about 10 minutes, then chill them for at least 4 hours or overnight. Add the topping after any final stirring so it stays on the surface rather than disappearing into the oats.

Ingredients for Maple Brown Sugar Overnight Oats

Oat base

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (80g)
• 1 1/4 cups milk, dairy or unsweetened nondairy
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (120g)
• 2 tablespoons chia seeds (25g)
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons packed brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Maple-brown-sugar topping

• 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 2 teaspoons packed brown sugar

How to Make Maple Brown Sugar Overnight Oats

1. Mix the base: Stir the oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, 2 teaspoons brown sugar, and vanilla together in a bowl. Scrape the bottom as you stir until all the oats are moistened and no dry chia pockets remain.
2. Portion and chill: Divide between two sealable, wide-mouth clear glass jars, about 12 to 16 ounces each. Leave room for stirring and the topping. Cover tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
3. Check the texture: The oats should be tender with a little chew, and the mixture should be creamy and spoonable. If it is too stiff, stir a small splash of milk into each jar before adding the topping.
4. Top the jars: Stir the remaining 2 tablespoons maple syrup and 2 teaspoons brown sugar together. Spoon half onto each jar and leave the topping on the surface.

Which Oats Work Best?

Old-fashioned rolled oats soften during the cold soak without losing all their texture. Quick oats soften faster and may turn mushy after several days in the refrigerator. Uncooked steel-cut oats stay too chewy for this method.

How to Keep the Maple Layer Distinct

Sweetening the oat base lightly gives it maple-brown-sugar flavor without turning it uniformly brown. Stir the topping thoroughly before spooning it over the chilled oats; a few brown sugar granules may remain. Once it is on, leave it unstirred to keep the amber layer visible.

Make-Ahead, Storage, and Serving

Keep the oat base sealed in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For jars made several days ahead, store the topping separately and add it just before serving. Oats and chia continue to absorb liquid, so loosen a thickened base with a splash of milk before topping.

Serve cold from the jar. For warm oats, heat the base in a microwave-safe container in short intervals until warmed through, stir, then add the topping. To make the jars dairy-free, use nondairy milk and plain plant-based yogurt; adjust with a splash of milk if the chilled oats are too thick.

For another sweet breakfast jar, try Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats. For a fruit-forward version, see Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats.

Nutrition

Approximate nutrition per jar: 430 calories, 18g protein, 10g fat, and 70g carbohydrates. Per 100g: approximately 140 calories, 6g protein, 3g fat, and 23g carbohydrates. Estimates use 2% dairy milk and plain nonfat Greek yogurt; values vary by milk, yogurt, and brand.