Matcha Chia Overnight Oats

Try these creamy Matcha Chia Overnight Oats that will give you a great boost of energy for your busy mornings! It's a healthy breakfast (or snack), packed with probiotics, and requires zero prep time in the morning.

Love Matcha? Try my Easy Dalgona Matcha, Matcha Milkshake, or my addicting Mochi Match Donuts!

Jump to:

• What is Matcha?
• Substitutions
• Variations
• Storage
• Top Tips
• Ingredients
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Matcha Chia Overnight Oats

What is Matcha?

Matcha is a finely ground powder of specially grown and processed green tea leaves. It originated in China during the Tang Dynasty when steamed tea leaves were formed into bricks to make their tea harvests easier to transport and subsequently trade.

History of Matcha

The history of matcha in Japan started in the 12th century when the Japanese Zen monk Eisai brought some tea seeds that he had collected when he studied Buddhism in China. He planted these seeds on the temple grounds in Kyoto and applied the Zen Buddhist methods of preparing powdered green tea.

In the 1500s, a Zen student named Murata Juko brought together several fragmented pillars of the tea ceremony into a formalized ritual. Then Zen Master Sen-no-Rikyu popularized Juko’s tea ceremony ritual and has become the most well-known and revered historical figure of the Japanese tea ceremony called “Chado” or “Sado” which means “The Way of Tea.”

Nowadays, matcha is widely used not just for tea but also in desserts such as ice cream, smoothies, and oatmeal, like this delicious matcha oatmeal recipe!

Substitutions

• Oats: Substitute old-fashioned rolled oats for rolled oats or quick oats in a pinch. It might result in a creamier texture, but I prefer the less mushy texture of old-fashioned rolled oats. 
• Milk Options: You can use almond milk, soy milk, coconut milk, or any non-dairy milk of choice to make the oats. This keeps the recipe vegan and dairy-free.
• Yogurt Choices: If you don't have dairy-free yogurt, you can use Greek yogurt. It makes the oats even creamier and adds protein.

Variations

• Extra Protein: Add a scoop of protein powder to the mixture. This will give you extra protein and make the oats more filling.
• Fruit Toppings: Top your oats with bananas, strawberries, or blueberries. These fruits add fresh flavor and antioxidants.
• Nut Butters: Stir in some peanut butter for a rich, nutty taste. It also adds healthy fats and a creamy texture.

Storage

Store in an airtight container or mason jars. These can be kept up to 5 days in the fridge. To warm the overnight oats, heat them up in the microwave, stirring and checking every 10 seconds, or in a small saucepan on the stovetop. 

Top Tips

• Choosing Matcha Powders: Do not use ceremonial-grade matcha in this recipe because it has such a clean taste that you wouldn’t be able to taste it. Choose lower-quality matcha so that a little bit of the familiar grassiness comes through. Don't worry, it won’t taste bitter.
• Sweeteners:
  • I used maple syrup, but feel free to use a sweetener you prefer. Taste as you go to adjust the sweetness to your personal preference. 
  • The vanilla helps to add another layer of flavor and helps the overnight oats taste more sweet without adding more sweetener. 
• The salt helps to round out the flavors and add a little bit of depth to the matcha overnight oats. Don’t worry, it won’t make them salty.
• If the oats are too thick after resting overnight, add a little more milk until you achieve the desired consistency.

Ingredients

Listed below are all the ingredients you will need:

• matcha powder
• old-fashioned rolled oats
• chia seeds
• plant-based milk
• dairy-free yogurt
• maple syrup or sweetener of choice
• salt
• vanilla extract

Toppings:

• yogurt
• berries
• shredded coconut
• chia seeds
• granola

Instructions

Sift the matcha powder through a fine sieve into a large bowl or container.

Add the old-fashioned rolled oats and chia seeds to the matcha. Mix it all together so that all of the oats are coated in the matcha powder, breaking up any lumps.

Add the rest of the ingredients: milk, yogurt, maple syrup, salt, and vanilla extract (optional). Taste and adjust for sweetness as you go:

Stir, cover, and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours. The oats will soak up the extra moisture and the chia seeds will swell up and make the oats even creamier.

Enjoy cold or warm (heated in the microwave or on the stovetop in a saucepan). Top with your favorite toppings and enjoy! If needed, add more milk or water to make the oats less thick.

Frequently Asked Questions