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Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are an art form.
There are a bajillion and one ways to make them, and each variation is just as delicious as the next.
When it comes to PB & Js, there are several types of people in this world:
First you have the concord grape fanatics who like tradition and who don’t like to stray away from the norm. Then there are the strawberry jam lovers who squeal with delight when they’re lucky enough to find a whole piece of fruit in their preserves.
Next up are the crunchy peanut butter enthusiasts who love the party the little pieces of peanuts throw in their mouths, and then there are the creamy peanut butter lovers who are perfectly content with the classics.
Lastly there are the crust less kiddos who like their sandwiches to be cut into perfect little squares just like their mommy’s used to make them, and finally there are the folks like me who are just too dang lazy to trim the crusts off of a couple of pieces of bread.
I’m the crunchy peanut butter and strawberry preserves slathered on two thickly cut wedges of chewy multi-grain bread kind of gal. I’m also the just take a spoon and scoop up a giant glob and speckle it with chocolate chips before stuffing it in my face and hiding in the shadows of the kitchen to savor the flavors before my husband can see what I’m up to type of person as well.
I’m a spazazoid when it comes to peanut butter.
At this very moment, there are no less than three jars of all natural peanut butter chilling in my pantry. Surprisingly, only one of them is open. I eat so much peanut butter, my husband wrote a giant 2 next to the “Amber’s Crunchy Crack” on the grocery list just so he could ensure that he may actually get to enjoy some every now and then too.
I’m also a sucker for some overnight oats.
In fact, I have a fear that the breakfast category of this blog is going to blow up with different flavor combinations of this incredibly easy and nutritious morning meal. I seriously dream of different flavors of overnight oats because I eat a jar of them every morning.
It was only a matter of time before a recipe for peanut butter and jelly overnight oats made its way to these parts.
But who’s gonna complain about that, right?
The term “jelly” is being used loosely here though because there are several ways you can make these.
I have made this particular recipe no less than five times now, and I have never once actually used jelly in the dish. It would remind me too much of those weird oatmeal swirlers I used to love and adore. Memba those?!?
The coolest part about these overnight oats is that you can adjust this recipe to your liking and incorporate the “jelly” portion of the recipe whichever way you like: Leave fresh strawberries whole and layer them with the overnight oat mixture, or slice the fruits and layer them that way instead.
You could also use frozen strawberries so their delectable juice will swirl around with the peanut butter as they defrost in the fridge, or you could mash frozen or fresh strawberries with a sprinkling of sugar and chia seeds and pop them in the microwave for a few seconds until a thin gel forms, then layer. It really is up to you.
No matter which way you choose the flavors will be the same, and you’ll end up wanting to eat these every morning for the rest of your life.
Or at least that’s what I plan to do.
Getting to know you…
Grape or strawberry?
Crunchy or creamy?
Crusts or crust less?
Peanut Butter & Jelly Overnight Oats
Serves | 4 |
Prep time | 5 minutes |
Allergy | Peanuts |
Dietary | Vegetarian |
Meal type | Breakfast, Dessert, Snack |
Misc | Pre-preparable, Serve Cold |
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh or frozen strawberries
- 2 tsp chia seeds
- 2 cups old fashioned or quick whole grain oats (try them gluten free!)
- 2 1/2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 heaping cup all natural peanut butter (or nut butter of choice)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 2-3 Nunaturals stevia packets (to taste)
Directions
Step 1 | |
Add strawberries and 2 tsp chia seeds to a small microwavable bowl. Microwave for 1 minute. Mash with a fork then set aside. Mix all remaining ingredients in a large bowl until well combined. | |
Step 2 | |
Add strawberry chia sauce and oatmeal mixture in alternate layers in four glasses, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight. | |
Step 3 | |
Remove plastic wrap and serve immediately. | |
Step 4 | |
Enjoy! |
Mia
February 15, 2014Hi friend! You know where I stand on nuts – so I just wanted to say a friendly electronic “hello” and I hope you and the fam are staying bundled up!
amber
February 26, 2014Thanks, girl. Things have been insane around here lately. I have a teething baby who has started waking up several times a night again, doesn’t want anyone other than mommy, is refusing to nap unless it is in my arms, and when I do occasionally get to put him down, his naps last for maybe 30 mins. It’s making it very hard to get in the kitchen and recipe test! How’s wedding planning going?
Mia
February 26, 2014Aww! Poor Owen! (And poor Amber) If you strap him into a Baby Bjorn so he’s close to you, are you able to get work done? Not necessarily cooking (I imagine grease popping on his poor little footsies…not that you really seem to do a lot of frying..that’s just how my imagination is), but laundry and stuff?
Wedding planning is crazy! Its fun, but really stressful. I much prefer planning other people’s weddings, lol. I can’t wait to be married, though!
amber
February 28, 2014I have an Ergo which I use to carry him around the house so I can get some chores done, but it doesn’t last long. It’s not because he doesn’t like it, but it’s because my stupid 80 year old back won’t hold up.
Garage Gyms
February 27, 2014Where did you get those spoons? I want them.
amber
February 28, 2014I got them as a wedding gift, but they are fiestaware. I’m almost certain they sell them at Belk & Kohl’s.
Garage Gyms
February 28, 2014Yes! Kohl’s still has them. Thank you =)
Liz in Brooklyn
October 7, 2015I tried this recipe last night and brought some to work today. I used 2% milk instead of almond milk and skipped the sweetener. This is also my first attempt at any overnight oats recipe as well as my first use of chia seeds in anything. Overall, I think it’s a great breakfast or lunch for me – I love that you can really smell the peanut butter even though there isn’t much in it. And it’s filling, I actually halved the recipe and then made that into 3 servings instead of 2; that put these at 6 WW PointsPlus, which is only slightly more than a good granola bar, but so much more substantial. I’ve been trying to rein in my sweettooth so I didn’t do the added sweetener, but may add a bit next time if I have some handy or if my boyfriend might be having some, however it was fine with just the natural sweetness of the fruit. Thanks for the recipe!
Amber
October 11, 2015Thanks so much for making the recipe and coming back and commenting! I love hearing from readers! So glad you love overnight oats now. They’re my fav!
Desiree Donnelly
July 9, 2018Do you cook the oats first??
Amber
July 16, 2018Desiree, nope! They “cook” overnight in the fridge by soaking up all the yummy goodness!
Courtney
December 2, 2015How long do these stay good in the fridge? Could I make a batch and eat it for breakfast four mornings?
Amber
December 31, 2015Hey, Courtney! I’m so sorry for the delayed response. These will stay good in the fridge for a few days. Making a batch for four mornings in a row shouldn’t be a problem.
Cheryl Arminio
January 7, 2016This was delicious! Very peanutty and creamy. I would use more strawberries next time I make it, I felt it could use more. A nice addition to my breakfast menu!! Will definitely make this again.
Amber
January 19, 2016Adding more strawberries can never hurt! So happy you enjoyed them!
Michelle
April 7, 2016I wonder if steel cut oats could be used in this?
Amber
April 7, 2016I’ve never made overnight oats w/ steel cut oatmeal so I can’t vouch for the results. I would think if you did make them w/ steel cut oats then prepare for them to be very, very, very chewy. Let me know how they turn out if you try them. Thanks!
Tom Kuhn
April 9, 2016Your recipe for peanut butter and jelly and cold oats his Chia seeds in the recipe twice is this correct?
Amber
April 12, 2016Yes, Tom, that is correct!
Alicia Clark
May 6, 2017I can’t wait to try this! I’ve tired other overnight oats recipes and they’ve been quite tasty but this looks a little different than anything I’ve done. Love your blog! I’m working on launching one about single life and cooking healthy. I’m quite the introvert so I keep putting it off:) It’s challenging to not give in to fast food, especially when you work on the road a lot and I don’t do well in the mornings so I’m going to get back to the overnight oats. Thanks for the post!
Becky
February 1, 2018I love the sound of this recipe. I wonder if I could use Peanut Butter Powder instead of actual Peanut Butter. What do you think?
Amber
February 4, 2018I think it would be fine although you’ll probably have to add just a little extra milk