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Are you looking for protein breakfast ideas? I have the perfect recipe for you. With Greek yogurt and oats, this easy Protein Breakfast Bowl comes together in just 2 minutes, no need for cooking. Make it with or without protein powder, vegan, low carb or keto, this healthy breakfast is suitable for any diet!
Today I am excited to share with you one of my favorite breakfasts: Greek yogurt overnight oats. Quick and easy to make, this protein breakfast bowl has been my to-go choice for years. I just can’t get over its delicious taste, creamy texture and especially convenience. I love it, and I’m sure you will love it too. Are you still not convinced? Then keep on reading.
Table of Contents
5 reasons why this is the best breakfast bowl
- High protein without the need for protein powder. Boosting more than 37 grams of protein, this oatmeal is the perfect healthy breakfast for active people. The best thing is that it does not require protein powder – but you can still add it, if you want.
- Healthy, nutritious and diet friendly. Made with oats, chia seeds and Greek yogurt, this easy protein breakfast is packed with minerals, vitamins and dietary fibers. It will give you all the energy for the day and keep you full for hours! What is more, this recipe can easily be adjusted to match your dietary needs: vegan, low carb, gluten-free or dairy-free.
- Quick and easy to prepare in just 2 minutes. As simple as this, all you should do is mixing the ingredients in a bowl and refrigerate overnight. There’s no need for cooking, baking or messing up the entire kitchen!
- Delicious and incredibly satisfying. You’ll be amazed at how tasty and satisfying this protein bowl is. Especially if you enjoy it with fruit and toppings, such as pumpkin seeds, cocoa nibs and crushed walnuts.
- Convenient and versatile breakfast. A further winning point for these protein oats is that they are extremely versatile. From the choice of yogurt to extra toppings, my recipe gives you the base for endless customizations!
Protein breakfast ingredients
Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. This protein breakfast recipe only requires a handful of basic ingredients, all of them can be found at the local grocery store. And don’t worry if you don’t have protein powder, because you won’t need a single spoon! Of course you can still use it, if desired.
- Greek yogurt. This is going to be the main source of protein in this bowl. My recipe can be prepared with either full-fat or low-fat Greek yogurt. The only difference will be in terms of fats, and thus calories. If you follow a dairy-free or vegan diet, replace with plant based alternatives such as soy yogurt.
- Rolled oats. These are going to be our main source of complex carbohydrates. I recommend old fashioned rolled oats because they come with a better taste and texture. Also quick oats work, but they will get softer. In case you have special dietary needs, choose certified gluten-free oatmeal.
- Chia seeds. Rich in fibers, antioxidants, nutrients and protein, chia seeds make this breakfast bowl more filling and nutritious. Feel free to omit if you don’t want to use the chia.
- Maple syrup. I like sweetening my oatmeal in a natural and nutritious way with pure maple syrup. As an alternative, you can opt for honey, agave syrup, date syrup, coconut sugar or any granular sweetener of your choice. Also calorie-free options such as erythritol work.
- Milk of choice. Use your favorite, dairy or dairy-free milk are all great. For more protein, my suggestions are semi-skimmed cow milk and soy milk (preferably sugar-free).
Can I add protein powder to yogurt?
Yes, indeed! You can add a scoop of your favorite powder for an extra shot of protein and more taste. My recommendation is to opt for whey protein powder, it tends to give a smoother and creamier texture without tasting grainy or leaving lumps. That’s because it mixes very well and does not absorb plenty of moisture. Nevertheless, you can still use vegan protein powder or casein. Just keep in mind that your breakfast bowl may need some more liquid.
Prefer simple protein powder flavors, such as vanilla or chocolate. Those will add a delicious taste without feeling fake or artificial. But nothing holds you from experimenting with other flavors, if you desire.
Diet protein breakfast: adjust the recipe to your needs
- Vegan and dairy-free. Replace Greek yogurt with your favorite nondairy yogurt, such as soy or coconut, and use a plant based milk. As it comes with more protein, Greek-style soy yogurt is my suggestion.
- Gluten-free. In case you can’t eat gluten, make sure you are using certified gluten-free rolled oats. Most oatmeals in the market may contain traces of gluten, so you’d better be careful.
- Low carb and keto. Substitute the oats with almond flour plus a combination of chia seeds and flaxseeds. Besides that, you may also want to choose keto sweeteners such as erythritol.
How to make protein breakfast easy?
Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir until smooth. Start with about 60 ml (1/4 cup) of milk and adjust with more in case the mixture is too thick. This depends both on the consistency of your Greek yogurt, and on whether you use protein powder. Keep in mind that the oats will soak and absorb most of the milk.
After stirring well, seal the bowl with a lid or with food wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Ideally, prepare your protein bowl the day before and leave in the fridge overnight.
When you are ready to eat, remove from the fridge and give it a good stir. If the Greek yogurt oatmeal is too thick, restore the desired consistency with more milk. Serve with your favorite toppings, such as slices of banana, blueberries, nuts, seeds and cocoa nibs.
Storage information
Make this protein yogurt oatmeal overnight, seal and store in the fridge. If you refrigerate it in a mason jar or bowl, these oats will last for up to 4 days. Add any fruit and extra topping just before eating.
Topping ideas
I like serving my yogurt oatmeal with sliced bananas, blueberries and a mix of nourishing seeds. Pumpkin seeds to be precise. But the options are literally endless. In case you are looking for ideas, here are some ways how you can top this easy protein breakfast bowl.
- A mix of fresh berries such as blueberries, raspberries and strawberries.
- Fresh fruit like apple, pear, banana, mango or kiwi.
- A good drizzle of your favorite nut butter, such as peanut butter, almond butter or cashew butter.
- Pieces of walnuts, pecans, almonds or your favorite nuts.
- Crunchy seeds such as pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, flaxseeds or chia seeds.
- Extras such as chocolate chips, cocoa nibs, desiccated coconut, raisins.
More protein breakfast recipes
- Protein powder stovetop oatmeal (the complete guide)
- Protein pancake recipe
- Casein protein oatmeal
- Apple protein baked oats
- Protein overnight oats
- High protein waffles
- No bake protein balls
- Oatmeal protein cookies
- Chocolate protein balls
- Protein oat bars
Easy Protein Breakfast Bowl
Ingredients
- 250 grams (1 cup) Greek yogurt, low-fat or full-fat
- 50 grams (½ cup) rolled oats, or quick oats
- ½ to 1 tbsp maple syrup, or honey, to taste
- 1 tbsp chia seeds, optional
- ca. 60 ml (¼ cup) milk of choice, see notes*
Protein Powder Bowl
- 1 scoop protein powder, I recommend whey protein powder
- milk of choice, as necessary
Additional Ingredients
- fruit of choice, such as banana and blueberries
- pumpkin speeds, nuts, cocoa nibs, chocolate chips
- nut butter
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir until smooth. Start with about 60 ml (1/4 cup) milk and adjust with more in case the mixture is too thick. This depends both on the consistency of your Greek yogurt, and on whether you use protein powder. Keep in mind that the oats will soak and absorb most of the milk.
- After stirring well, seal the bowl with a lid or with food wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Ideally, prepare your protein bowl the day before and leave in the fridge overnight.
- When you are ready to eat, remove from the fridge and give it a good stir. If the Greek yogurt oatmeal is too thick, restore the desired consistency with more milk. Serve with your favorite toppings, such as slices of banana, blueberries, nuts, seeds and cocoa nibs.
Notes
- Texture of Greek yogurt. Greek yogurts are not all the same; some products come with a thicker texture than others and your oats will need more milk.
- Use of protein powder. Adding protein powder will make your yogurt oats denser and you’ll probably need to adjust with more milk.
Your easy protein breakfast bowl looks delicious! It brings back memories of when I started experimenting with nutritious breakfast options. Adding Kodiak Cakes’ protein-packed mix to my bowls has been a game-changer. Your recipe will be a perfect addition to my morning routine. Thanks for sharing! For more protein-rich options, check out Kodiak Cakes.
Hey dear Georgina,
thank you so so much for your kind comment!! It makes me truly happy to hear that you liked this simple protein breakfast bowl. Your comment made my day 😉
Have a great week,
Matteo