Cranberry Orange Overnight Oats

Recently, I extolled the virtues of high protein overnight oats as the perfect make-ahead breakfast.

I shared my basic recipe for High Protein Overnight Oats Recipe, which is a fantastic meal prep option for busy mornings.

Basically, every few days I’ll measure all the main ingredients into their own mason jar, using my favorite flavors of protein powder to make several different flavor variations for a whole week of breakfasts, very easily.

The next morning, I pick one, give it a quick stir, and eat it right out of its storage container. No extra dishes to wash or anything - it’s been an absolute game changer for increasing my protein intake!

Anyway, over the recent holiday season, I got WAY into making a festive version of that high protein overnight oat recipe.

Cranberries and orange - sometimes with nuts - has long been my favourite holiday flavor combo. I figured. .. why not use it in a healthy breakfast?

I’ve made a ton of different versions of overnight oats, but I’ve got to say... this one is probably still my absolute favourite.

The cranberry and orange adds some great flavour to the oats, and the nuts add some great texture and crunch.

Between the oats, fruit, nuts, and milk... it feels both like a festive indulgence AND a balanced breakfast.

Gotta love it! Anyway, let’s look at what you’ll need for this recipe...

Ingredients

You’ll only need a few simple ingredients to make my cranberry orange high protein overnight oats.

As always, I have a few ingredient notes for you:

Rolled Oats

This recipe uses Rolled Oats, which can also be labeled as old fashioned rolled oats, or even just old-fashioned oats

Two things to note here:

1. Be sure to use certified gluten-free oats if you are avoiding gluten for any reason.

Oats themselves are gluten free, but they’re also HIGHLY likely to be cross-contaminated with wheat, if it’s not certified that they’re NOT.

2. Steel-cut oats, and any form of quick oats - AKA or instant oats - aren’t going to work the same way in this recipe, as they all behave differently.

Because they’re processed and cut differently, they’ll take up liquid differently, for the same measure of oats. Steel cut oats will have a more tough texture, and quick cooking oats will make a mushy overnight oats.

For best results, stick to Free Rolled Oats. It really is the best type of oats for this making overnight oatmeal!

Unsweetened Almond Milk

Unsweetened Almond Milk has been my milk of choice for years now. It was a great dairy-free option when I could no longer handle cow’s milk, and it’s a great option when trying to keep low carb.

When it comes down to it, though... depending on your macros, you can use pretty much any kind of milk in this recipe.

As far as dairy-free milk goes, Oat milk, Cashew Milk, Flax Milk, Macadamia Milk and Coconut Milk are all good options.

Sometimes you can even find a soy milk with added protein!

Almond is the most neutral tasting option, though - so just know that the other plant milk varieties may change the overall flavour of your overnight oats a bit.

Anyway, beyond the non-dairy milk options, regular milk works, too - just a bit higher carb.

You can use whatever you like, but I’d recommend at least 2% fat, for texture reasons. Whole milk is great... I find 1% / skim milk to be too watery, IMHO.

Vanilla Flavored Protein Powder

This recipe uses Vanilla Flavored Whey Protein Powder.

Personally, I keep a big canister of Revolution Nutrition's High Whey in Vanilla Cake on hand at all times, and use it in a TON of my recipes - baked goods, beverages, etc.

Use whatever vanilla protein powder that you like to drink, and fits your macros.

True Orange Crystals

It may be a bit of an unusual ingredient, but I use a packet of True Orange crystals to bring the orange flavour to this recipe.

We had these on hand to flavour water - as they’re intended - but I’ve used them a bunch to bring a pop of flavour to foods as well.

IMHO, it tastes much more clean and real than orange extract does, and it’s way more convenient than grating part of an orange when making these.

They’re even perfectly portioned for this use - one pack gives you just the right amount of orange flavour in this recipe!

If you don’t want to buy a pack just for making overnight oatmeal, a small splash (⅛ tsp-¼ tsp, to taste) of orange extract could work, or you could grate maybe ½ an orange rind into it.

Chia Seeds

Each serving of this high protein overnight oats uses a tablespoon of chia seeds, which serves a few purposes.

First of all, it absorbs some of the milk and gives the overnight oats a nicer texture, IMHO. More creamy than if you don’t use them.

They also add a little more protein, some heart-healthy fatty acids, and fiber, well as some minerals and antioxidants. A great ingredient, overall!

Collagen Peptides

This one is optional, but I like to add a scoop of Unflavored Collagen Peptides Powder , as an easy way to give my overnight oats a boost of extra protein.

If you’re not particularly concerned about adding additional protein and don’t have any collagen on hand, you can feel free to skip it.

Everything Else

Rounding out this recipe, you will need:

Sweetened Dried Cranberries
Chopped Nuts of Choice (I recommend pecans or walnuts)
Salt

... I just don’t have anything to add, as far as these last few ingredients go. Pretty basic ones!

How to Make Orange Cranberry Overnight Oats

The full recipe is in the printable recipe card at the end of this post, here is a pictorial walk through with step-by-step instructions:

For each mason jar (or other airtight container):

Measure everything except the milk into the jar. Stir with a fork until well mixed.

More Protein Powder Breakfast Recipes!

Looking for more protein packed breakfast recipes? I’ve got you covered! (And hey, many are low carb, also!)

Apple Cinnamon Protein Pancakes
Camping Pancake Mix
Blueberry Protein Pancakes
High Protein Overnight Oats
Pumpkin Protein Pancakes
Raspberry Protein Pancakes
Strawberry Protein Pancakes