When you’re eating plant-based, breakfasts with protein can be hard to find. Especially convenient ones, like, say, from Starbucks.
Between that plant-based breakfast challenge and the fact that I often find myself trying (unsuccessfully) to dig up a quick breakfast when I’m out and about, I was pretty excited to discover Starbucks’ new menu item, Strawberry & Toasted Almonds Overnight Grains.
It’s steel cut oats, quinoa, and chia seeds all swimming in creamy coconut milk, then topped with fresh strawberries, toasted sliced almonds, and crunchy shaved coconut chips.
It’s delicious and satisfying and plant-based and has a decent amount of protein and, well, you probably know what’s next … I just had to figure out how to make it at home so I could have it whenever I wanted (without spending as much cash).
I thought this one would be pretty easy to replicate, but it actually wasn’t! For one, it’s not like your typical overnight oats recipe – you actually have to cook the grains first. So it’s not just mix, chill, done – it requires a bit more work up front.
But if you’re all about meal-prepping, this one hits all the right notes. Just a bit of up-front investment + super easy peasy when it actually comes time to eat. Perfect for the busy school year staring us in the face (how is that possible?!)
Second, in order to maintain the creaminess, it requires a lot more coconut milk than I originally thought it would! Two cans’ worth. And you need to stir it in after you cook the oats. I tried cooking the oats directly in the milk thinking it would be uber-creamy perfection but after chilling it was just too thick. I didn’t want thick. I wanted creamy.
(The good news? All this recipe testing meant that I had my plant-based, protein-packed breakfast taken care of for many days in a row!)
Overnight oats is one of my favorite camping breakfasts, so last time we went out, we took some mason jars of these Strawberry & Toasted Almonds Overnight Grains with us. LOVE! Stow the grains in the RV fridge or ice chest, pop ’em out come breakfast, top with sliced strawberries, coconut chips, and almonds and voila. A power-up breakfast that requires zero work (at least, not at breakfast time).
If you try this recipe, please leave a rating! And, if you find it share-worthy – which I hope you do – please share. Tag #kitchentreaty on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest, and don’t forget to check out my other recipes!
Strawberry & Toasted Almonds Overnight Grains
Ingredients
- 1 cup steel cut oats
- 1/4 cup red quinoa (rinsed)
- 3 1/2 cups water
- Pinch sea salt
- 2 (14-ounce) cans lite coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 3 tablespoons honey (or pure maple syrup) (+ more to taste if desired)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean powder (or 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract)
- 1 cup strawberries (sliced)
- 1/2 cup sliced toasted almonds*
- 1/4 cup coconut chips
Instructions
- Add water to a large saucepan set over medium-low heat. Stir in the oats, quinoa, and salt. Cook on medium-low, uncovered, until the grains are just tender and the water has evaporated, 15-20 minutes.
- Remove from heat. Stir in the coconut milk, chia seeds, honey or maple syrup, and vanilla. Taste and add additional sweetener if desired. Allow to cool, then pour into eight separate containers (about 1 cup per container). I like to use mason jars because they have lids + they're sturdy and portable. Seal and refrigerate (it should keep for 4-5 days).
- At the time of serving, top with strawberries, almonds, and coconut chips. Eat directly out of the jar or pour into a bowl - your preference!
I’m so glad you’re here! I’m a vegetarian home cook, certified plant-based pro, and mom. I’m married to an enthusiastic carnivore, and my mission is to achieve peace in the kitchen – one tasty recipe at a time. These days, I also try not to ask to speak to the manager.
Oatmeal used to be my go-to breakfast. Then I got pregnant and I couldn’t handle the texture with morning sickness. Then I liked food again and gave in to most (unhealthy) cravings. Cravings aren’t an excuse anymore so its time for this mommy to get back into healthy eating! This is perfect as it requires minimal prep and is ready when I get up.
What brand of oats do you use for this recipe?
Wow, those strawberries really look like they complete the sweetness of this recipe!
I have been looking to duplicate this recipe as it is one of my favorite breakfast item. I used one can of light and one can of regular coconut milk and it turned out exactly like Starbucks.
This copycat recipe is excellent! My family loves it. It tastes almost exactly like the Starbucks grains bowl, but I can add even more fruit! Nice work Kare!
Oh yay! I’m so happy to hear that. Thank you for the review! I’m getting excited to start making this again for breakfasts now that the weather is getting warmer again!
Awesome breakfast. I first tried it at a Starbucks in LA–but it didn’t make it to my city. Everyone in my office LOVES it! And so easy! Thank you.
I’m glad you (and your coworkers!) like this one! It’s definitely a fave here too. 🙂
Do you think this recipe will still work without chia seeds?
I think you could make it work but you would want to reduce the liquid by a bit because chia seeds soak up a lot of liquid. If you give it a try, please report back!
Instead of Chiaseeds you should use, linseads. Much less expensive and much better, because Homegrown.👍🏻🤩
Hi! Does the nutritional information include the strawberries and coconut?
Hi, yes, it includes everything in the recipe. But I am not a nutritionist and I don’t have the software to calculate nutrition info … I literally just plug the info into an online calculator. So I urge you to do your own research if you need the nutrition info to be super accurate.
What brand of vanilla bean powder do you use??
Currently I have Kiva brand in my pantry.
Can we use coconut milk instead of the cans one?.
Thank you so much for cracking the code 🙂 I fell in love with this at Starbucks but the price just doesn’t make sense. Making this now, literally, and can’t wait to have it and serve to my little one!
Can this be put in the freezer – because it makes so much?
Hi! Could I store it in one-two jars? Thanks!
Hello, I forgot to grab the coconut milk…do you think this would work with 28 oz of cows milk? It’s all I have on hand…Thanks!
Hello, I forgot to grab the canned coconut milk, do you think I could use the same amount of cow’s milk? Also, are you supposed to cook the oats all the way through or only partially? Mine say 30 minutes to cook and I have quick cook steel cut oats that take 15 minutes. Thanks so much for your help!!!
Hi Christina, sure, you can use the same amount of cows’ milk! You may want to adjust the sweetener as the coconut milk would have been sweeter. As far as the grains go, it’s best to cook them all the way through. Perhaps cook them separately? I know that’s a pain. I do hope you love the recipe and have a great week!
Starbucks overnight oats are a delight and I’m so thankful for your recipe.
Thanks!
I am so excited to find this recipe. I know I’m late to the game but I just tasted the Starbucks version the other day and had to find a copy cat version. Here’s an easier instant pot hack I tried… I toasted the almonds and shredded coconut beforehand on the sauté setting in the instant pot. I removed it and saved it for later. Then I cooked the oats, quinoa, salt, and same amount of water that you used in the instant pot on high pressure for 2 minutes with a 10 minute natural release. Then I added in all the rest, mixed it up, threw on the glass lid and just put the whole inner pot in the fridge to cool! Perfect! Thanks so much for this recipe.
This recipe was perfect! So easy and tastes just like the Starbucks version (if not better). I tried using frozen strawberries, but next time I’ll just use fresh. Thank you for posting!!
I’m so glad you liked this one! Thank you so much for the review! Love the idea of using frozen berries; it makes for a nice option.
I can’t wait to make this tonight! I loved Starbucks…except, I felt theirs was too sweet for my taste. I will play with your recipe! Thank you!
I have prepared this receipt ….. I have to keep trying. maybe I will use less coco milk, texture is alittle more slimy than I expected, but I will experiment alittle more. Also I can taste the oats stronger. But I am grateful for ingredients base because I absolutely love this breakfast mix from starbucks but at $4 a pop, I have to try and fit into budget. Thank you, gina
I found someone posting your recipe and claiming as their own. Even uses your photo of dish.
Thought you might like to know.
Thank you for the heads up!
Can you substitute white quinoa for red?
Sure!
Hi there, first time trying this recipe. 2 cans of coconut milk seem like a lot, doesthe mix reduces while in the fridge? Thank you!
It thickens up a lot!
This tastes exactly like the Starbucks version and I love it so much I’m so glad I found someone who made this exact recipe and now I can have it as much as I want and waste less money and gas to go to Starbucks every morning
Hi Ashley, I’m so glad you liked this one! Thank you so much for the review.
What brand/kind of coconut chips and red quinoa did you use?
Thanks!
Char
Hi Char, I’m sorry, I don’t remember!
Tastes exactly like the one at Starbucks! So yummy
So glad you liked this one! Thank you so much for coming back and leaving a review.
Hi Kare,
Thank you for this; I enjoy your writing; it’s fun, engaging, and instructive!
Hope that your family and friends are all safe, healthy and well during the pandemic.
Have you tried Making a few servings and store them in the fridge? I’m curious how long they will last in my fridge.
Thank you!
Duncan
Hi Kare,
So sorry! I just missed the line about storing in the fridge in your recipe! Got it now!
Thanks and stay safe and healthy!
Duncan
I absolutely LOVE this recipe. I was buying the ones at Starbucks as a quick grab and go on my way to work but that started to add up. This is the perfect dupe and so easy to make. Thank you for this!
Hi Vanna, I’m so glad you liked this one! Crazy how much Starbucks can add up … I can’t believe how much money I have saved since not being able to go there, lol! Can I add a star rating for you? Just reply to let me know and I can add it. You can choose between 1 and 5. 🙂 Thanks so much!
I love love love this from Starbucks so I was very excited to try this! Overall, great dupe! Next time I would definitely tweak the proportions of the grains more to my liking – twice as less oats, twice as more chia.
I’m glad this is a good starting point for you! Thank you so much for the review. 🙂
I’m very excited about trying this. How many days can or would you keep this recipe in fridge and still be yummy and edible. It’s just me, and even cutting recipe in half that’s four days of breakfast. The one I bought at Starbucks was dated to pull the following day. Thanks for any info you can share!
We’ve had it in the fridge up to a week and it was still great.
Fan-flipping-tastic!!! I didn’t have steelcut on hand so I subbed old fashioned and it worked great. I can’t wait to try it with steel cut. So. Good.
So glad this was a winner for you! Thank you so much for coming back and leaving a review. 🙂
This! I tried replicating Starbuck’s overnight grains a few weeks ago and it was not the same at all. But this! You nailed it! I only made one change. Since I had no fresh strawberries, I thawed out the rest of my frozen ones in a bowl & drizzled them with a little agave. That sweet strawberry mixture was the first layer to the rest of this deliciousness. Oh so good. Thank you for sharing!
I’m so glad this was a hit for you! Thanks so much for coming back to leave a review. Happy summer!
I just made these for my meal prep this week. They turned out delicious. I do not like traditional overnight oats, but the steel cut oats and quinoa are great together. I cooked my strawberries a little to get the juices out and it was delicious. Highly recommend.
Side note, it does make quite a bit, for 1 person I might half the recipe.
How long did it take the water to evaporate? I’ve had it on medium low heat for 20 minutes and the water is still in there
Love this recipe!! I used to grab my mason jar when I ran out the front door for class and eat it when I got there 🙂
Perfect! 🙂 Thank you so much for the review!
Just cooked up a batch of this, and even warm it’s sooo good! I did need to cook the oats and quinoa closer to 30 minutes to absorb the water and be tender. I also added about 2 more tablespoons of honey, and it’s almost like a not so sweet rice pudding. The taste is very similar to Starbuck’s version. I’m looking forward to eating this for breakfast this week.
So glad you like this one! Thank you so much for coming back and leaving a review. 🙂
Just coming back to note that this recipe makes a lot! I also didn’t have the coconut milk absorb as well as I’d like, so I thought it was a little soupy. Next time I’d make half a recipe and use maybe 2/3 – 3/4 the amount of coconut milk. Otherwise, it’s a very good recipe.
Thank you for sharing this recipe. I love the Starbucks one and often wondered what they used. I made this tonight. I used almond milk instead of coconut milk.
Amazing recipe!
You totally found the secret to creaminess by pre-cooking the oats then adding milk. Thank you!
I also love the Starbucks strawberry oats – but I can’t always go.
Really great feeling to be able to make this at home and customize it how I want 🙂
P.S. Stellar recipe and instructions. I messed up a few times (put the quinoa in with the oats to cook, forgot the toasted almonds, etc.) but it still turned out yummy.
I love this! I’ve shared it with friends who also love it! Tastes just like the one from Starbucks but I get to have it everyday now.
is there any way we can sub the red quinoa for something else?
Tried this and loved it! I actually started eating some without even adding the little toppings, and it was super good just as is!
Hello, I want to make this for tmrw morning but without the red quinoa. How should I go about with this recipe?
just made these, it took a minute but I toasted the coconut and almond slices in my air fryer and used vanilla bean syrup as sweetener at first but I ended up using pure maple syrup instead and it’s delicious! I can finally stop spending money at Starbucks. Thank u!
Wow! These taste great. I tried the Starbucks grains for the first time today and immediately had to figure out how to make them at home. This recipe was super great and easy to follow. The only thing I will say is that the mixture became less creamy after chilling in the fridge. I am thinking the texture is from the oats, but they are steel cut as the recipe directed. Still very good. I added a little more maple syrup and a dash of cinnamon. I also made a compote out of strawberries, maple syrup, and a little water to put at the bottom of the jars so serving each day is extra easy. Great recipe!! Will definitely be making these again.
Oh gosh the addition of compote sounds delicious! Thank you so much for the review.
I just made the strawberry overnight greens for the first time I had a problem with my Chia seeds clumping any suggestions
My comment should’ve read grains not greens
Hi! Can’t wait to try this. Does it have the crunch like the Starbucks does?
Thank you so much for this recipe! I am going to try to make this tonight as my boyfriend and I are both wanting to meal prep and eat healthier! And this is one of my favorite Starbucks breakfasts. Question: I recently got a ninja foodie. Do you have a recipe recommendation for how long, what temp to cook the grains in it?
How much will this “expand” overnight, trying to figure out how much to put it in each jar :). The taste so far is amazing, my first time trying to recreate the Starbucks breakfast.
Super easy and delicious! I added a cinamon stick when cooking the oats and it gave it a yummy cinnamon touch.
Oh my gosh, I’m so glad I found this recipe, my overnight oats came out scrumptious!