These fun and festive birthday cake overnight oats are a balanced, protein-packed breakfast that tastes like dessert.

Birthday cake overnight oats in a glass jar topped with colorful sprinkles

If your mornings are hectic but your sweet tooth still shows up early, you’re going to love this birthday cake overnight oats recipe. It’s creamy, sweet (but not too sweet), and packed with 21 grams of protein to help you power through a busy morning.

This is one of my favorite sweet treat breakfasts, right up there with cookies and cream oats and tiramisu overnight oats (seriously— the best!)

We regularly have sprinkles out at breakfast (whatever it takes sometimes!). I made this one on a whim after craving something fun and a little nostalgic, and now it’s part of my regular breakfast meal prep rotation.

As a dietitian and busy mom, I’m always looking for quick meals that check all the boxes: balanced, high in protein, and make me actually excited to eat breakfast.

These overnight oats are all that, plus sprinkles.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This birthday cake overnight oats recipe is perfect for mornings when you want something quick, fun, and satisfying…without the sugar crash.

High protein, low fuss: With 21 grams of protein from Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and nut butter, this recipe helps reduce cravings and gives lasting energy.
Meal-prep friendly: Make it the night before, and it’s ready to grab and go. No cooking, no blending, no mess.
Great for sweet cravings: If you tend to crave sweets in the morning (or late at night), this gives you a way to enjoy something sweet and nourishing.
Kid-friendly, mom-approved: It’s colorful and fun for kids, but nutrient-dense enough for you.
Balanced macros: 471 calories, 21g protein, 8g fiber, and healthy fats for blood sugar stability.

While not every sweet treat has to be made healthier, as a registered dietitian, I love being able to enjoy my favorite flavors with the added benefits of more protein, more fiber, and more nutrients. And this birthday cake oatmeal recipe takes the cake.

(Is there such a thing as mom jokes? Because I am killing it here)

Ingredients

You can grab the whole ingredient list with amounts in the recipe card below, but here are a few ingredient notes to keep in mind:

Low-sugar vanilla Greek yogurt: This gives the oats their creamy texture and helps boost the protein and sweetness without tons of sugar. I love Oikos Greek vanilla or Chobani Zero Sugar vanilla.
Chia seeds: Add fiber, healthy fats, and help thicken the oats to a pudding-like texture.
Imitation vanilla + almond extract: This combo is the secret to getting that true “birthday cake” flavor. Just be sure to go light on the almond extract.
Sprinkles: For the fun factor, of course! They add just a little bit of extra sugar, but a WHOLE lot of fun. Use naturally-colored sprinkles if you prefer.

Equipment needed

All you need is a mason jar or container with a lid. I love using wide-mouth 16-ounce jars for easy shaking and eating.

How to make Birthday Cake Overnight Oats

Preparing birthday cake overnight oats in a jar

Add all ingredients to a mason jar or container. Stir or shake well, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Top with extra sprinkles in the morning and dig in!

Watch how to make this recipe

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How to make this recipe even easier

This recipe really doesn’t need exact measurements. Use a jar with measurement lines to make it easy to eyeball your portions.
Skip the almond extract if you don’t have it or if you don’t love the almond flavor.
Make two or three jars at once so you’re set for a few mornings.

Variations and Substitutions

Nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter instead of cashew butter or just leave it out altogether.
Dairy-free: Swap in plant-based vanilla yogurt and almond or oat milk.
Higher protein: Add a small scoop of vanilla protein powder if you need a boost. You could even use a Birthday Cake Protein Powder for a really robust cake-like flavor.
Lower sugar: Use plain Greek yogurt and use a sugar alternative like vanilla monk fruit sweetener instead of the maple syrup.
Extra fiber: Add a tablespoon of ground flaxseed for a fiber boost.

Jar of birthday cake overnight oats topped with colorful sprinkles and a pink birthday candle for a festive touch.

Storing and reheating leftovers

Store in the fridge for up to 4 days. I think these oats are best cold, but if you like your oats warm, microwave them in a microwave-safe jar or bowl for about 30–45 seconds and stir well.

What to serve with birthday cake oats

These overnight oats are a balanced meal on their own, but you can make them more complete by serving them with:

Fresh strawberries, raspberries, or banana slices
A hard-boiled egg for extra protein
Coffee (because, obviously)
A slice of whole grain toast with almond butter if you need a bit more fuel

Recipe FAQs

Can I make this with steel-cut oats?

Nope! Stick to rolled oats for the best texture. Steel-cut oats won’t soften enough overnight without extra steps.

Is this recipe sweet enough without the syrup?

If your yogurt is sweetened, then yes! Taste and adjust to your preference. Serving it with whipped cream also adds tons of sweetness, so you can skip the maple syrup if you plan on stirring some whipped cream in as well.

Recipe

📖 Recipe