Save Pin One Thursday morning, I stood in my kitchen watching the sunrise paint everything golden, and I realized I'd been eating the same boring oatmeal for months. That's when a friend texted me a photo of her matcha latte and something clicked—why not bring that earthy, slightly sweet flavor into breakfast itself? I started experimenting that weekend, whisking matcha powder into yogurt at midnight like I was mixing some kind of magic potion, and by morning, I had this vibrant green breakfast waiting for me. It felt like cheating, honestly, how easy it was to throw together the night before.
I made this for my sister during a weekend visit when she complained about always skipping breakfast, and watching her eyes light up when she tasted the creamy, slightly sweet earthiness was worth every midnight jar I'd prepped. She's never been a morning person, but now she texts me asking for "the green oats" before she comes over. That's when I knew this wasn't just a breakfast hack—it had somehow become something people actually looked forward to eating.
Ingredients
- Rolled oats: Use the old-fashioned kind, not instant—they actually absorb the liquid properly and stay tender instead of turning to mush, which I learned the hard way.
- Unsweetened almond milk: The blank canvas that lets the matcha flavor shine without competing sweetness, though oat milk adds a creamier note if you prefer that.
- Greek yogurt: This is your secret weapon for creaminess and protein—it turns overnight oats from grainy to silky in a way regular milk never could.
- Matcha powder: Get culinary grade, not ceremonial, since you're mixing it and not whisking it traditional style, and buy from somewhere with good turnover so it's still vibrant and fresh.
- Honey or maple syrup: Just enough to balance the earthy matcha without making it dessert for breakfast.
- Chia seeds: They plump up overnight and add texture, but honestly they're optional if you have them on hand already.
- Vanilla extract: A half teaspoon rounds out all the flavors so nothing feels flat or one-dimensional.
Instructions
- Whisk the wet ingredients together:
- Pour your almond milk into a bowl or jar and add the Greek yogurt, honey, matcha powder, and vanilla extract. Whisk or stir until everything turns a gorgeous pale green with no matcha clumps hiding in corners—this takes about a minute of focused attention and honestly feels a bit meditative.
- Add the oats and chia:
- Stir in your rolled oats and chia seeds until everything is evenly coated and combined. You'll notice the mixture starts looking thicker almost immediately as the oats begin absorbing liquid, which is exactly what you want to see.
- Cover and chill overnight:
- Put a lid on your jar or cover your bowl with plastic wrap and slide it into the fridge for at least eight hours, though you can honestly leave it for up to two days. The magic happens while you sleep—the oats soften, the flavors meld, and you wake up to ready-made breakfast.
- Stir and adjust in the morning:
- Give everything a good stir because the oats settle and the consistency changes overnight. If it looks too thick, splash in a little more milk until it feels right to you—creamier is always better than gluey.
- Top and serve:
- Divide between bowls and pile on whatever toppings appeal to you that morning. I usually go for fresh berries and sliced banana, but toasted coconut and chopped pistachios make it feel fancier on days when I need that.
Save Pin I think the moment this became more than just breakfast was when my partner woke up before me one morning, saw the jar in the fridge, and made it for me without being asked. Sometimes the smallest things—like someone remembering how you like your breakfast—remind you that you're being paid attention to.
The Right Matcha Matters
Matcha powder is temperamental and you can absolutely tell the difference between the good stuff and the dusty green powder that tastes like grass clippings. I've bought matcha from every source imaginable and kept going back to the one that came in a small tin from a place that actually seemed to care about what they were selling. The color should be a bright, almost neon green, not dull or brownish, and when it dissolves it should taste slightly sweet and earthy, like standing in a forest after rain. If yours tastes bitter or harsh, your oats will taste bitter and harsh no matter what else you do, so this is one place where splurging a tiny bit actually pays off.
Making It Your Own
The beautiful thing about overnight oats is how endlessly customizable they are without losing what makes them special. I've made versions with cardamom and rose water, with cinnamon and dates, with coconut milk and lime—and every single version was delicious because the base method is so forgiving. The only rule I'd give you is don't skimp on the matcha or the yogurt, because those are doing the actual work of making this taste like something you looked forward to eating. Everything else is just you figuring out what morning breakfast tastes like to you.
Storage and Make-Ahead
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how it begs to be made in batches. You can prepare three or four jars on Sunday evening and have ready-to-eat breakfasts for half your week, which sounds boring until you're rushing out the door at 7 a.m. and you just grab a jar instead of stopping for coffee. They keep beautifully for up to four days in the fridge, though I find the texture is silkiest somewhere between day two and day three. If you're prepping ahead, leave the toppings off until you're actually eating—they get soggy and sad if they sit in the oats overnight, which I discovered the hard way by spending an entire morning eating wet granola.
- Prep jars on Sunday and grab one each weekday morning with no scrambling required.
- Store in glass jars with tight lids so they don't pick up fridge smells or dry out at the edges.
- Keep toppings separate in a small container and add them right before eating for maximum crunch.
Save Pin There's something deeply satisfying about eating something this nourishing and delicious that you made for yourself before you even woke up. It's like your past self was looking out for your future self, and that small act of care somehow makes the whole morning feel gentler.
Recipe FAQs
- → Can I use dairy-free alternatives for the yogurt and milk?
Yes, plant-based yogurts and milks like coconut or almond work well to keep the creamy texture while fitting vegan diets.
- → How strong should the matcha flavor be?
Adjust matcha powder between 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons based on your desired earthiness and intensity.
- → Is soaking the oats overnight necessary?
Soaking allows the oats and chia seeds to absorb liquid, resulting in a creamy and soft texture without cooking.
- → What toppings complement the matcha oats best?
Fresh berries, sliced banana, toasted coconut flakes, and chopped nuts add texture and natural sweetness that enhance the green tea notes.
- → Can I prepare this in advance for multiple days?
Yes, it keeps well refrigerated for up to two days, retaining its creamy texture and freshness.