In high school, our marching band drove down to Disneyland every December to march in a parade down Main Street. But besides those few hours we spent backstage changing into our uniforms and rehearsing our songs, we were given free reign of the park.
Since Disneyland had the most rides of the two parks, we usually spent the bulk of our time there dashing between lines and navigating between semi-lost guests. (To this day, I still know the streets and sidewalks of Disneyland better than my hometown!) Every once in a while throughout the day, our group of friends grew so large that we took up the entire train on Thunder Mountain Railroad or the boat on Pirates of the Caribbean!
One year, the band director allowed us to go to Disneyland two days in a row. With the extra time, we ran over to California Adventure for a few hours, rotating between the California Screamin’ roller coaster, Soaring Over California gliders, and stomach-churning drops on the Tower of Terror.
When lunchtime rolled around, we started looking for something quick and easy to maximize our time on the rides. Most of the guys bought corndogs or turkey legs from the food carts, but I was craving something sweet. (Surprised?)
As we wandered around, I found myself staring at the baked goodies in the display case of one of the eateries. As soon as I spotted the gigantic snickerdoodles almost as big as my face, I grabbed the softest, chewiest one and headed up to the counter to pay. Yes, I ate a snickerdoodle for lunch—and loved every single bite!
However, I’m a little bit older (and supposedly wiser) now, and I know I shouldn’t be making a meal out of humongous cookies. But because the temptations still creeps up on me every once in a while, I make these Snickerdoodle Protein Overnight Oats as a compromise!
Since many of you enjoyed my last overnight oat recipe so much, I wanted to share this other favorite of mine too. It’s thick and creamy with practically the same texture as cake batter, but it has the taste of cookies and is packed with 16g of protein. It’s the perfect breakfast treat!
Even better? These oats take all of 2 minutes to make. Just throw everything together in a mason jar or tupperware container with a lid the night before. Stir a few times, refrigerate, and your breakfast will be ready when you wake up. That’s especially helpful for busy on-the-go mornings!
There are two really important ingredients in this recipe. Greek yogurt provides the big protein boost and makes the oats really thick and creamy. Butter extract is the secret ingredient that makes them taste like snickerdoodle cookies! It’s sold on the baking aisle near the vanilla extract. (I use it in these recipes too, in case you’re wondering what to do with the leftovers!) You can substitute vanilla in a pinch, but the oats won’t quite have that same iconic cookie taste.
Protein-packed “cookies” for breakfast? Now that’s my kind of meal!
| Snickerdoodle Protein Overnight Oats | | Print |
- ¼ c (25g) old-fashioned oats (gluten-free if necessary)
- ½ c (120g) plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- ¼ c (60mL) nonfat milk
- 2 tsp (9g) Truvia (or other sweetener, to taste)
- ½ tsp (3mL) butter extract
- ¼ tsp (<1g) ground cinnamon
- Add all of the ingredients in the order that they’re listed to a mason jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. Stir to combine. Screw on the lid, and refrigerate the oats overnight or at least 8 hours.
Any milk and yogurt will work. However, most yogurts don’t contain the same amount of protein and thick creaminess as Greek yogurt.
Vanilla extract may be substituted in place of the butter extract. However, the oats won’t have quite the same iconic cookie taste.
{gluten-free, clean eating, low fat, low calorie, high protein}
More overnight oat recipes from other food bloggers…
♥ Double-Chocolate Brownie Batter Overnight Oats by Chelsea’s Messy Apron
♥ Overnight Blueberry Lemon Cheesecake Oats by The Housewife in Training Files
♥ Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats by The Lemon Bowl
♥ Strawberry Overnight Oats by The Roasted Root
SUCH a great recipe! Love the Disneyland inspiration for it too 🙂 Oh and the addition of the cinnamon chips.
Thank you Liz!
If I was at Disneyland I would be the kid who didn’t go on any rides, I hate roller coasters or anything that moves! But I am glad you linked to your baked snickerdoodle donuts holes, because I am going to go check them out now!
Thanks Beth! If I was with you at Disneyland, I’d take you to the best bakeries, Tom Sawyer’s island to explore, and maybe even the petting zoo part. There’s still fun stuff for you to do! And it’d give me an excuse to finally meet you in person too. 😉
Wow! These look awesome! I actually LOVE sweet treats in the afternoon and think this might be my new favorite 3PM snack! 🙂 Can you believe I have never been to Disney Land? I’ve done Disney World as a kid but can’t believe I’ve never headed down there after being in CA for the last 8 years!
Thanks Alex! We should totally go down sometime soon!! I literally used to go every year for almost all of my childhood. Sometimes we even went twice. How about a big blogger trip to Disneyland??
These overnight oats look fantastic! I know my kiddos will love them!
Thanks Anna! Hope you’re feeling better this weekend!
Overnight oats make a fantastic breakfast. This snickerdoodle version sounds great!
Thanks Shelby!
Those oats look super creamy! Guess its because of the yoghurt?
That’s exactly right Maria!
First of all, no shame eating a snicker doodle for lunch, secondly I cannot believe you got to march down Disney. SO COOL. I had a snicker doodle tiny cookie yesterday, this was fate.
“No shame eating a snicker doodle for lunch” <-- this is why we're friends. You're the best Brittany!
Snickerdoodles for breakfast. YES!
I knew you’d approve Dorothy! 🙂
I’ve made these twice already…for myself and my 11 year old son ! Fantastic !!! Thanks so much for another wonderful breakfast option.
I added a tablespoon of Greek yogurt cream cheese each time for mine (for just a little extra protein …since I have Crohn’s disease)…
BTW… I fully support cookies for lunch…or any other reason : )
I’m so glad you and your son enjoyed the oats Kimberly! You’re so sweet to make them for him. I love your idea of adding Greek yogurt cream cheese too! 🙂
you know I am always game for a breakfast that tastes like dessert!
Yes, I do Heather — and that’s one of the things I absolutely love about you! 🙂