These high-protein birthday cake overnight oats taste like funfetti cake batter and come together in minutes — about 25 grams of protein per jar, no oven needed.
Birthday cake overnight oats are an easy make-ahead breakfast made with rolled oats, Greek yogurt, vanilla or cake-flavored protein powder, a touch of almond extract, and rainbow sprinkles. They soak in the fridge until creamy and sweet, delivering a spoon-licking cake-batter flavor in a jar and roughly 25 grams of protein per serving.
This recipe has been my go-to since 2022. The small addition of almond extract is what transforms simple vanilla oats into a true birthday cake taste — skip it and the oats are still good, add it and they’re memorable.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- 25 grams of protein per jar — Greek yogurt plus protein powder provide a satisfying, non-powdery protein boost.
- Quick prep — a few minutes to mix, then chill.
- Funfetti cake batter flavor — almond extract is the key flavor note.
- Perfect for meal prep — make a batch and have breakfast ready all week.
Ingredients
Full measurements are in the recipe card below.
- Gluten-free old fashioned rolled oats — hold up overnight without turning mushy; avoid steel cut for this recipe.
- Unsweetened almond milk — keeps the sweetness balanced; any unsweetened milk alternative works.
- Plain Greek yogurt — for creaminess, tang, and extra protein.
- Cake pop or vanilla protein powder — cake pop flavor gives the authentic birthday cake taste; vanilla works as a substitute.
- Chia seeds — thicken the oats and add fiber for a scoopable texture.
- Vanilla extract + almond extract — almond extract provides the classic cake flavor; even a quarter teaspoon makes a big difference.
- Honey — a touch of natural sweetness; swap maple syrup for a vegan option.
- Rainbow sprinkles — add them after chilling so the color stays bright.
How to Make Birthday Cake Overnight Oats
Step 1: Combine oats, almond milk, Greek yogurt, protein powder, chia seeds, vanilla, almond extract, and honey in a mason jar or bowl. Stir until smooth and no protein clumps remain.
Step 2: Seal or cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
Step 3: In the morning, stir the oats, top with extra Greek yogurt and sprinkles just before serving. If too thick, add a splash more milk and stir to loosen.
Pro Tips
- Add sprinkles at the end. Mixing them in overnight causes the color to bleed — add them just before eating for a bright finish.
- Use 1/4 tsp almond extract. It sounds like a lot but it’s what delivers the birthday cake flavor.
- Use a 16 oz mason jar. The oats expand as they absorb liquid; an 8 oz jar can overflow.
- Pre-mix protein powder with milk if it tends to clump, then add the other ingredients to avoid chalky bits.
Variations & Substitutions
- Dairy-free / vegan: use plant-based yogurt with protein, plant milk, and maple syrup instead of honey.
- No protein powder: omit it and reduce the milk by about one-third so the mixture isn’t too runny; protein will be lower but flavor remains.
- Add nut butter: stir in a spoonful of peanut, almond, or cashew butter for richness and extra protein.
- Chocolate funfetti: add a tablespoon of mini chocolate chips with the sprinkles in the morning.
- Lower sugar: skip the honey — the protein powder and yogurt provide sweetness on their own.
Storage & Meal Prep
Store prepared jars in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in a sealed container. They’re best within days 1–3 when the oats retain some bite; days 4–5 are softer but still enjoyable. For meal prep, double or triple the batch and divide into jars, holding sprinkles and extra yogurt until serving. Freezing is not recommended — texture and sprinkle color suffer after thawing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes overnight oats taste like birthday cake? The mix of vanilla and almond extracts creates that classic birthday cake flavor; almond extract is the most important note.
How much protein is in these oats? This recipe yields about 25 grams of protein per jar, thanks to Greek yogurt, protein powder, and oats.
Can I skip the protein powder? Yes — omit it and reduce the milk by about a third to maintain texture. Protein content will drop but the cake flavor remains from the extracts and yogurt.
How long do overnight oats last in the fridge? Up to 5 days in a sealed jar, best within the first three days for texture.
Birthday Cake Overnight Oats (High Protein Recipe)
Ingredients
- 1 cup certified gluten free oats
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp almond extract
- 1 scoop cake pop protein powder
- 2 tsp chia seeds
- 1 tbsp honey
- ½ cup plain greek yogurt
- sprinkles
Instructions
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Mix together all ingredients for oats except for the sprinkles and refrigerate for minimum 4 hours, preferably overnight.
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In the morning, stir in sprinkles. Top with plain greek yogurt and more sprinkles if desired!
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an estimate and may vary depending on ingredient brands and substitutions. Use it as a general guide.
More High Protein Overnight Oats Recipes
- Key Lime Pie Overnight Oats
- Lemon Cheesecake Overnight Oats
- Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
- Dubai Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats
- Biscoff Overnight Oats
If you make these birthday cake overnight oats, please leave a star rating and comment — I love hearing how they turn out. Tag @basicswithbails on Instagram or share a photo so I can see your jars.