(Editor’s Note: this toddler overnight oats recipe–which our whole family loves, especially cardiologist Mom–was recently featured in Self Magazine!)
Creamy oatmeal! Using cottage cheese in novel ways! Sticking quinoa and chia seeds into more things! Bananas in so many forms! It’s all here in these toddler overnight oats, and in a package that could function just as well as a treat as breakfast–we often serve it as a snack, in fact. This one is pure dopamine dynamite, ticking off all the requisite first-meal-of-the-day boxes: creamy and unctuous, sweet and indulgent, wholesome and filling. Be sure and make enough for yourself and/or others, as you’ll be eating as much of it–if not more–than your child.
(Fair warning: this is an overnight oats dish, so you’ll need to do a few minutes of prep the night before–I recommend doing so while prepping dinner–so the grains can bathe in the mix while you and your family sleeps; you can make the rest of the dish in a mere five minutes, either right after or just before breakfast in the morning. We’ve organized the ingredients and instructions accordingly.)
Check out our other great breakfast recipes!
🥣 Nutritious & Delicious Toddler Overnight Oats
If you’re looking for a toddler overnight oats recipe that goes beyond the usual oats-and-yogurt combo, this one’s for you. Thoughtfully designed to offer more balanced nutrition and flavor, this recipe features a few extra steps—but the payoff is huge. With the added texture of cooked quinoa, the creamy richness of cottage cheese, and the natural sweetness of blended and caramelized bananas, these toddler overnight oats are anything but basic.
This isn’t just a throw-it-in-a-jar situation. It’s a layered, make-ahead breakfast that parents can feel confident about and kids actually enjoy eating. The oats soften overnight into a pudding-like consistency, and the cottage cheese melts in completely, leaving no lumps—just creamy, filling satisfaction in every bite.
🍌 What Makes These Toddler Overnight Oats Different?
Unlike the typical three-ingredient overnight oats, this version builds in more protein, fiber, and variety with:
- Cooked quinoa for texture, nutrition, and a gentle crunch
- Whole milk cottage cheese for extra protein and creaminess
- Rolled oats and whole milk yogurt as the familiar base
- Mashed banana for natural sweetness and toddler-friendly flavor
- Chia seeds for texture and even more protein
Optional add-ins like black sesame seeds and nut butter take it even further, depending on your child’s preferences and dietary needs.
⏱️ How to Prep
It’s as easy as cooking a quick batch of quinoa, letting it cool, and then mixing it with everything else. Once portioned and chilled overnight, the oats absorb the liquid and flavors beautifully, making breakfast a breeze the next morning. Make the cashew cream and/or caramelized bananas right before serving–or serve as is. Serve cold or warmed slightly for a cozy option.
These toddler overnight oats also keep well in the fridge for several days, making them perfect for meal prep or daycare lunchboxes.
🤔 FAQ: Toddler Overnight Oats
Do I need to rinse or cook the quinoa first?
Yes—cooked and cooled quinoa is essential here. It adds both texture and nutrition but needs to be fully prepared before mixing in.
Will my kid notice the cottage cheese?
Not at all. It melts into the oats completely and just makes the final dish more satisfying and creamy.
How long can I store these toddler overnight oats?
3–4 days in the fridge is ideal. Store in small, airtight containers for grab-and-go convenience.
Can I skip the banana or cottage cheese?
You can swap banana for applesauce or another mashed fruit. Cottage cheese can be replaced with Greek yogurt, though the texture will be a bit different.
Do I need to make all three components?
No–but it will take the recipe to another level. The overnight oats taste just fine on their own, albeit a bit muted (though your child may like that); the cashew cream really gives it richness and roundness. Caramelized bananas on top are merely gilding the lilly–but they do make the dish extra special.
Recipe Links
What to Serve With Toddler Overnight Oats
- The Green Smoothie for Toddlers
A veggie-forward smoothie that boosts nutrients and pairs cleanly with a carb-heavy breakfast. - Scrambled Eggs for Toddlers
Soft, protein-rich eggs that help round out the meal and keep toddlers fuller for longer.
More Toddler-Friendly Recipes Like This
- Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats — A fruity, lightly sweet overnight oats variation made with cottage cheese for extra protein.
- Carrot Cake Overnight Oats — A warmly spiced, veggie-boosted oats recipe that tastes like dessert but eats like breakfast.
- Blueberry Overnight Oats — A bright, blueberry-forward version that mixes real fruit with creamy oats for a toddler-friendly classic.
Easy Toddler Overnight Oats – No-Cook, Make-Ahead Breakfast Kids Love
Description
These overnight oats have all the creaminess and banana-ess toddlers love but with a bananas foster-level flavor adults can get behind, too. Comes together in mere minutes!
Ingredients
For the Overnight Oats
For the Cashew Cream (to make just before serving)
For the Caramelized Bananas
Instructions
Overnight Oats
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Prepare the quinoa per the directions on its packaging but allow to heat an additional two minutes past suggested cook time to ensure softness. Allow to cool.
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While quinoa cools, add the milk, cottage cheese, two bananas, a blip of vanilla extract, and a few dashes of cinnamon and cardamom to a blender jar and blend until smooth.
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Once quinoa has cooled, empty it, the oats, and the chia seeds into a large bowl; sift to mix. Pour blender contents over the oats-quinoa-chia mixture and stir until the grains and seeds are completely submerged and integrated.
Store for at least four hours, if not overnight.
Cashew Cream
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Place your cashews (or other chosen nut), milk, banana, a shot of vanilla extract, and a generous drizzle of honey or maple syrup into your blender and blend until smooth and creamy. If mix is still loose or liquidy, add more nuts–or, if lacking those, yogurts–and blend again until thick. Store in fridge until ready to serve.
Caramelized Bananas
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Cut thin vertical slices of the half banana. Heat a small pan on Medium; once hot, add in the pat of butter. Once the butter sizzles, add the banana slices and cook until a light golden brown, about 60-90 seconds on each side. Drizzle maple syrup over the banana slices, tossing them to ensure an even coat; cook until syrupy bananas are gooey and thick, about 60 sefconds. Remove from heat and serve immediately.
Serve
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Plate a few spoonfuls of the oats on your child’s plate/bowl; pour nut cream all over top. Feel free to add berries, banana slices, and/or any other fruit your child prefers.
Adapt
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Lacking quinoa, or the thought of cooking another pot of grains just a total drag? Drop it and double the oat quotient. Or, drop the oats altogether and just make an overnight pudding of equal parts quinoa and chia seeds in coconut and almond milk, subbing out the banana for soft fruits. Chia pudding is but a couple of subs away: cut the quinoa and oats, double the chia, and add a full cup of coconut milk and half a cup of yogurt. Pumpkin puree can be added to any of the above.
Nutrition Facts
Servings 8
Serving Size 1
- Amount Per Serving
- Calories 150kcal
- % Daily Value *
- Total Fat 4g7%
- Total Carbohydrate 18g6%
- Dietary Fiber 3g12%
- Sugars 3g
- Protein 8g16%
- Calcium 200 mg
- Iron 1.5 mg
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
