The ultimate healthy make-ahead breakfast, these matcha overnight oats combine the goodness of rolled oats, chia seeds, yogurt, almond milk, and maple syrup, this breakfast option promises the ideal kickstart to your day. Brimming with nutrients, fibre, and antioxidants, these vegan-friendly and gluten-free oats offer a nutritious and indulgent beginning to your morning routine.

It’s no secret that I’m a huge fan of overnight oats. They’re creamy and tasty, super filling and perfect for experimenting with different flavours and add-ins. Not to mention that they’re the ultimate make-ahead breakfast that will wait for you in the fridge for the whole week.

This overnight oats recipe, however, is a tad different from what you might be used to. It used all your traditional suspects - rolled oats, milk and yogurt, plus some chia seeds for extra texture and a teaspoon of maple syrup for sweetness. On top of that, it calls for one teaspoon of matcha powder, turning a regular overnight oatmeal into a dream-come-true for any matcha lover out there.

What Is Matcha?

Translated, matcha literally means powdered tea, with Ma meaning powder and Cha meaning tea in English. Matcha tea, black tea and green tea all come from the same plant, the Camelia Sinensis. The difference between them is in the preparation. With regular green tea, the leaves are infused in water and then removed, while matcha tea leaves are ground and consumed whole.

Matcha, like other green teas, is a great source of antioxidants, including the powerful EGCg, and has a range of positive effects on the body. It provides vitamin C, selenium, chromium, zinc and magnesium, as well as fibre and chlorophyll. Matcha is known to detoxify the body naturally, boost metabolism and help burn calories.

If you’re interested in learning more about matcha, check out my comprehensive guide on what is matcha and how to use it.

If you love overnight oats but would prefer to pass on matcha, there are endless possibilities when it comes to overnight oatmeal. I’d suggest starting out with something simple, like these classic peanut butter overnight oats, or these healthy yogurt overnight oats. If you know you love them and want to experiment with a few extra flavours, try this traditional Bircher muesli recipe or these strawberry overnight oats right here.

Click here for a complete listing of overnight oats recipes.

Are Matcha Overnight Oats a Healthy Breakfast?

Matcha oats are homemade, which means you can easily control what ingredients you’re using, and always opt for real food. In my book, this makes overnight oatmeal a healthier breakfast than most. These matcha overnight oats are:

High in fibre
Low in fat
Low in calories
Gluten free
Easily made vegan

How Many Calories Are in a Serving of Matcha Overnight Oats?

One jar of matcha overnight oats (half of the recipe) has approximately 200 calories.

Ingredients You’ll Need to Make Green Tea Overnight Oats

These matcha overnight oats call for only a handful of ingredients:

Old-fashioned rolled oats - don’t substitute these for quick oats. The texture just won’t be the same.

Matcha powder - use cafe-grade or kitchen-grade matcha for cooking.

Milk - use whichever milk you prefer. I used unsweetened almond milk.

Chia seeds - they thicken the oats and give them a perfectly creamy texture. Plus, they’re packed with fibre and healthy omega-3 fats.

Sweetener - use any sweetener you like, such as agave, maple syrup or a low-carb liquid sweetener like stevia. Leave it out completely to make these overnight oats sugar free.

Yogurt - I used Greek soy yogurt, which makes the texture so much creamier. Use your favourite yogurt, either dairy or non-dairy.

How to Make Matcha Overnight Oats

Mix - whisk together all 6 ingredients.
Refrigerate - spoon into a jar with a tight-fitting lid and refrigerate for at least 5 hours.
Stir & top - stir well and top with granola, peanut butter, sliced banana, fresh berries or maple syrup.

Which Oats Should I Use?

While overnight oats can technically be made with rolled, quick or even steel cut oats, I would always recommend using rolled oats, which is also what this recipe calls for. I answer this question and more in greater detail in this guide on how to make overnight oats.

Are These Overnight Oats Vegan?

Use non-dairy Greek yogurt and non-dairy milk to make these overnight oats vegan. I used soy yogurt and unsweetened almond milk.

Are These Overnight Oats Gluten Free?

Yes, as long as you use certified gluten-free oats.

Can I Make These Sugar Free?

Yes, simply omit the sweetener.

Are You a Fan of Matcha?

If you love the taste of matcha, make sure to check my no-bake matcha cheesecake or these vegan matcha muffins.