Healthy Acai Overnight Oats

Ok I'll be honest, I've never actually had an acai bowl before!

In my opinion, they are extremely overpriced and too heavy in carbs and sugar for me.

Yes, I know it's mostly fruit, but still. Too much sugar without a balance of protein or fat!

I also prefer smoothies over smoothie bowls, but that's just me.

I recently started experimenting with overnight oats recipes and I wondered if I could mimic an acai bowl as an overnight oats recipe.

Turns out they make freeze dried acai powder! I was so excited.

I bought a bag right away and wrote a recipe for it.

And let me tell you, this recipe for Acai Overnight Oats is everything you love about an acai bowl but easier to make and macro friendly!

‍

‍

Why you'll love this recipe

It's easy to make: literally shake everything together in a mason jar or tupperware and let it sit overnight in the fridge. That's it!‍

It's packed with protein: each serving has 27g of protein to keep you fuller longer and reduce a blood sugar spike.

It's filled with fiber: thanks to the oats, chia seeds, and any fruit you add on top. Fiber is important for your gut and your digestive system!

It's rich with antioxidants: both the cinnamon and the acai powder are a great source of antioxidants, which help your cells live longer, and acai berries have 3 times the amount of antioxidants that blueberries do!

It's easily customizable: I listed many options below of how you could make these acai oats your own, including making them completely plant based, nut free, or vegan.

It's perfect for meal prep: you could make up to 4 servings of this recipe at once and enjoy a healthy breakfast for an entire week with only doing the work once.

READ MORE: 5 Minute Oatmeal Recipe (with 5 flavors)

READ MORE: Double Chocolate Baked Oatmeal (no banana)

‍

More breakfast recipes with berries

• 5 Minute Healthy Breakfast Banana Split
• Healthy Apple Pecan French Toast Casserole
• Healthy Strawberry Cheesecake Crepes
• Heart Healthy Blueberry Lemon Bread
• Healthy Blueberry Crisp Smoothie

‍

‍

Ingredients you'll need

• Quick oats: notice I said quick oats and not rolled oats. I've discovered that quick oats are a much better option for overnight oats because they soften and absorb the liquids better than rolled oats. It's also better on your tummy because it's not as difficult to digest!
• Chia seeds: a classic acai bowl ingredient. Chia seeds are packed with omega-3 fats, plant-based protein, and fiber.
• Protein powder: I opted for protein powder instead of greek yogurt because it thickens the oats without adding extra liquid but it still contributes the protein. This will also keep you fuller longer!
• Acai powder: the secret to these acai oats! I got mine here on Amazon. The benefit of using freeze dried acai powder instead of a frozen acai packet is that it's much more versatile!
• Cinnamon: for a boost of antioxidants and good flavor.
• Egg whites: for another boost of protein. If you want these to be vegan acai oats, just substitute for more non dairy milk.
• Almond milk: my choice of liquid for all my oats because it's creamy and packed with vitamins but low calorie! You can use any milk you like, including regular dairy milk.
• Cashew butter: a neutral nut butter that won't overpower the acai flavor of the oats.
• Blueberries: my choice of fruit to serve on top of my oats. I thought they went well with the "acai" theme! You can use any fruit you like, like strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, bananas, or kiwi fruit. Just imagine what you'd top your acai bowl with, and use those toppings here!

‍

Substitutions

For chia seeds: you can also use 1 teaspoon flax or hemp seeds here, but I don't recommend omitting completely. The seeds are packed with vitamins, omega-3 fats, and fiber, and they also help thicken the oats.

For protein powder: I use this brand for all my recipes, but you can use any protein you like, including vegan protein.

For cashew butter: swap the cashew butter for peanut butter or almond butter. If you are nut free, try mixing tahini with cocoa powder and some maple syrup!

For vegan diets: use more almond milk instead of egg whites.

‍

‍

How to make acai overnight oats + expert tips

Step 1: dissolve the powders

Add the almond milk, egg whites, protein powder, acai powder, cinnamon, and chia seeds to your container.

Whisk in the powders as best you can, then close your container, whether it's a mason jar or a tupperware, and shake vigorously to combine.

This step is important because the protein powder and acai powder won't dissolve well if you try and do all the ingredients at the same time.

Note: some of the protein powder might not dissolve completely and that's ok. Mixing in the oats will help those last few clumps.

Step 2: stir in the oats

Once everything is dissolved, gently stir in the oats until well combined.

Seal your container and give one last really good shake to make sure everything is mixed well.

Step 3: walk away!

Set the oats in the fridge and walk away! Let them thicken overnight in the fridge, at least 4 hours up to 4 days.

Step 4: mix and enjoy

Once the oats are ready, open the container give the oats a quick stir.

Sometimes the top still has a bit of liquid that didn't quite incorporate, so dig your spoon into the bottom of the container and pull up the oats from the bottom and mix with the top.

This ensures everything is dispersed well.

Top with the cashew butter and fruit of choice!

‍

‍

Frequently asked questions

Where do I buy acai powder?

I found this acai powder on Amazon and I love it. It can get quite messy though, so make sure you seal the bag well and keep on a high shelf away from children.

How do I store overnight oats?

I prefer using small mason jars like these, but you can also use tupperware with a lid.

If you're using tupperware, choose glass before you choose plastic. Glass keeps the food fresh!

Can I double this overnight oats recipe?

Yes! You can make as many servings as you like. This recipe is perfect for meal prep. The best way to make multiple servings at once is in 8 ounce mason jars like these.

What's a good protein powder for overnight oats?

I use whey protein for all my recipes (this is my go-to brand!) but you can use any protein powder you like. The most important thing is using the same amount of protein.

(This is why my recipe says "1/4 cup" instead of "1 scoop." Since scoop sizes vary by brand, I actually measure my protein powder with a measuring cup!)

How long do overnight oats last?

I recommend making them up to 4 days in advance. After 4 days, they get more soggy, oversaturated, and the flavors begin to dull. If you want to meal prep your overnight oats, stick to 4 servings at a time.

‍

‍

I hope you love this acai overnight oats recipe as much as I do. It is so easy to make, so delicious, and it will keep you full all morning long!

Be sure to leave a star rating and review if you try the recipe so other readers know how you liked it!