This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
The perfect tropical summer breakfast is here! These mango overnight oats with coconut milk and cottage cheese are creamy and delicious with fresh mango flavor.
Packed with protein from the cottage cheese, fiber, omega-3’s, and vitamin C, mango overnight oats are a healthy and well-balanced way to start the day.
I generally like to serve these overnight oats with fresh mango layered in between and on top, but you could also blend the coconut milk with fresh or frozen mango to give it a boost of flavor. I’ll give you both options!
Although frozen mango is so easy to keep on hand, fresh mango works so well in other recipes too like mango lassi, mango salsa, and an ahi tuna salad, so if you’re purchasing it for this recipe you can use it many different ways.
Table of Contents
About Mango Overnight Oats
These mango overnight oats take a classic overnight oats recipe which is usually just a combination of milk, old fashioned oats, sometimes yogurt and a sweetener, but add a tropical twist.
By using mango with coconut milk, the tropical flavors create a profile that makes you feel like you’re on a beach vacation…but in the comfort of your own home. You’ll love these coconut mango overnight oats because:
- Easy for meal prep – The oats can be prepped ahead and then just add mangoes the day of. They will last for about a week in the refrigerator.
- Unique flavors – Most of use are used to typical overnight oats with berries, but this is a fresh take that can mix up a monotonous meal.
- Well-balanced – This recipe balances carbohydrates with lots of fiber, omega-3’s, and protein.
How to Choose the Best Mango
For this mango overnight oats recipe, you can use a few different types of fresh mango. There are so many mango types out there! Some options are better than others, but here are a few that will work.
- Fresh honey (ataulfo) mango – These are golden in color and I can usually get a good deal on these at Costco. They’re delicious, sweet, and on the smaller side, making them better for 1-2 portion sizes.
- Tommy Atkins – Another commonly found type, these make up a large majority of what is sold in grocery stores.
- Kesar – Sweet and juicy, these will also work well.
- Palmer – Larger in size, these are grown in Florida and Brazil.
Frozen mango would also work for this recipe, however, I find that you may need to add more sweetness to the dish through additional honey or maple syrup. It would be better to use frozen mango for the blended mango overnight oats option, rather than the layered.
Ingredients
- Old Fashioned Oats – Sometimes referred to as “rolled oats”. Not steel cut or quick cooking.
- Mango – I prefer fresh, but frozen will also work.
- Milk – Can use dairy milk, oat milk, hemp milk, coconut milk – whatever you like. My preference is canned coconut milk.
- Cottage Cheese
- Chia Seeds
- Honey – Optional if using really sweet, fresh mango.
- Shredded coconut – Also optional but a great addition!
Equipment
There’s not much needed to make these mango overnight oats! But for meal prep, I highly recommend getting small mason jars to help with transporting easily.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Layered mango overnight oats:
Step 1 – Combine all the ingredients except the fresh mango, mixing until well-combined. Place into a large storage container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Step 2 – In individual jars, layer part of the overnight oats with the mango in between. Serve immediately or place back in the fridge until ready!
Blended mango overnight oats:
Place mango in the blender with milk and blend till smooth. Combine with the rest of the ingredients, stirring till blended. Refrigerate for 2 hours or overnight.
Expert Tips
- Use the right oats – old fashioned “rolled oats” are best.
- Frozen mango is best in blended version.
- Fresh mango is best in layered version.
- Highly recommend canned coconut milk for best tropical flavors.
Suggested Substitutions
- Milk – Any type of milk can be used, but I highly recommend coconut milk for the best tropical flavor.
- Mango – Strawberries, blueberries, kiwi, peaches, or blackberries would all be great here. I’d recommend peaches for the most similar to mango.
- Cottage Cheese – If you’d like to make this dairy free or vegan, just leave this out. If you’re not following a migraine diet or are not sensitive, you can use coconut yogurt.
- Need more protein? Add in a little protein powder to the oat mixture!
Meal Prep Tips
What is great about overnight oats with mango is they’re the perfect addition to a breakfast meal prep. They store well for a few days and are easy to transport and eat on the go.
My recommendations are to make the overnight oats in one big bowl, then spoon them into individual containers, layering the mango. I do find fresh mango can get a little mushy after 2-3 days so you could always add the mango the day of, or use the blended version.
Toppings for Mango Overnight Oats
Here are a few favorites that pair well with this recipe.
- Shredded, toasted coconut
- Other types of fruit like peaches, strawberries or kiwi
- Buckwheat granola
- Seed granola
- Chia seeds or hemp seeds
Frequently Asked Questions
I only recommend putting fruit directly into the overnight oats if you’re ok with them also being mushy or if it’s blended into the milk. Layering them ahead of time can cause them to become soft. This does work well for mango because mango is already softer, but for other fruit, I would wait to add it on top.
Yes and no – it depends on how you make them. If you pair oatmeal with sugary fruit and are not balancing it with fat and protein, it could cause issues with blood sugar. Balancing it with fat from either seed butters or coconut and protein from cottage cheese or protein powder will help to balance the meal.
Overnight oats will keep well in the fridge for at least 4-5 days. If prepping that far in advance, wait to cut up the mango till the night before or day you are eating for best results.
Oatmeal Recipes
For more recipes like this mango overnight oats, see these posts! And don’t miss these delicious Cinnamon Overnight Oats.
Breakfast
Apple Oat Smoothie
Love this recipe? Please leave a 5-star 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 review in the recipe card! Don’t forget to tag me @thedizzycook on Facebook and Instagram, and follow along on Pinterest for more great recipes!
Mango Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1 cup old fashioned oats
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1⅓ cups milk of choice (coconut milk recommended)
- 2 tablespoons cottage cheese*
- 2 teaspoons honey (optional, but recommended if using frozen mango)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen mango (fresh recommended)
Instructions
For layered mango overnight oats
- Add the oats to a large storage container or bowl, then stir in chia seeds, add milk, cottage cheese, vanilla, and honey. Stir everything to combine, then cover with a lid and store in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight.
- Once the oats have softened and soaked up the liquid, stir everything again and spoon into individual mason jars or bowls, layered with the fresh mango. Serve chilled, topped with mango, granola, or plain. Store up to 5 days.
For blended mango
- Combine fresh or frozen mango in a blender with 1 cup of milk and blend till smooth.
- Add the oats to a large storage container or bowl, then stir in chia seeds, add mango milk, cottage cheese, vanilla, and honey. Stir everything to combine, then cover with a lid and store in the fridge for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Notes
- Coconut is sometimes an elimination food on a migraine diet. For plain overnight oats, substitute the coconut milk with another type of milk.
- For the coconut milk, I used Native Forest. Hemp, rice milk, or regular milk are also favorites.
- If using oat milk or sweetened milk, you may not need to add honey. Taste and adjust accordingly.
- For additional protein, add your favorite protein powder.
- For low sodium, use a low sodium cottage cheese or omit.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
