High-Protein Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso Overnight Oats
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If you love Starbucks’ Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso, you have to try these overnight oats. They’ve got all the same cozy coffee shop flavors but are packed with over 25g of protein and perfect for meal prep.

One of my go-to Starbucks orders is the Iced Brown Sugar Oatmilk Shaken Espresso, so naturally I had to turn it into overnight oats. I usually order it with blonde espresso and just one pump of brown sugar syrup to keep it a little less sweet, but it’s my favorite when I want a treat.
If you’re a coffee lover like me, you also have to try my coffee overnight oats or coffee baked oatmeal.
Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love These Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso Overnight Oats
- Easy to make: Just like all my overnight oats recipes, everything gets stirred together in one jar. No cooking required.
- Perfect for meal prep: Make a batch (or double it!) over the weekend and you’ll have breakfast ready for days.
- Packed with protein: Each serving has over 25g of protein to help keep you full and satisfied.
Ingredients Needed

- old fashioned rolled oats – the base of the recipe. Rolled oats give you the perfect creamy texture after soaking.
- coconut milk – adds a light, creamy consistency. I used Califia Farms unsweetened coconut milk (found in the refrigerated section), but canned coconut milk works too. I recommend using lite canned coconut milk since full-fat will make the oats very thick. You can also use almond milk, oat milk or any milk of choice.
- espresso or cold brew – gives these oats that bold coffee flavor. Just make sure it’s cooled before adding.
- vanilla protein powder – adds sweetness and boosts the protein. I used Truvani whey protein powder, but feel free to use your favorite brand of protein powder. If using plant-based protein powder, you may need to add more milk since it absorbs more liquid. Start with 3/4 cup and add more as needed.
- chia seeds or basil seeds – help thicken the oats and add a little fiber.
- brown sugar – adds that signature warm, caramel-like sweetness inspired by the Starbucks drink.
Find the full ingredient list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso Overnight Oats

Step 1: Add the oats, milk, espresso, protein powder, chia seeds, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon and salt to a jar or container. Stir well until the mixture is smooth and the protein powder is fully blended in.

Step 2: Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until thickened. Give the oats a good stir before eating, adding a splash of milk if needed to loosen. Enjoy straight from the jar or transfer to a bowl with your favorite toppings.
Brittany’s Recipe Tips
- Let your espresso cool first: Adding hot espresso can affect the texture and make the oats a bit gummy.
- Stir really well: Protein powder can clump, so make sure everything is fully mixed before refrigerating.
- Adjust the thickness: If your oats are too thick in the morning, just stir in a splash of milk to loosen them up.
- Use the right protein powder: Whey blends smoothly, while plant-based protein absorbs more liquid. Add extra milk if needed.

How to Store + Meal Prep
Store your overnight oats in an airtight container (like a mason jar) in the fridge for up to 3–4 days. The oats will continue to thicken as they sit, so just stir in a splash of milk before serving if needed.
For meal prep, you can easily double or triple the recipe and portion it into individual jars. It’s perfect for having a grab-and-go breakfast ready throughout the week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! You can skip the protein powder, but the oats won’t be as thick or as high in protein. If needed, reduce the milk slightly or add a bit more chia seeds to help thicken.
Absolutely. You can use decaf espresso, cold brew or even replace it with extra milk if you want a caffeine-free version.
Rolled oats work best for the ideal texture. Quick oats will be softer and more mushy, while steel cut oats won’t soften enough. If you’re looking for a recipe with steel cut oats try my overnight steel cut oats.
Give the oats a good stir, then enjoy straight from the jar or in a bowl. If you’re feeling fancy try topping with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, extra brown sugar or even a drizzle of nut butter (like almond butter) or granola butter.
More Overnight Oats Recipes
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Brown Sugar Shaken Espresso Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- ⅓ cup unsweetened coconut milk, I used Califia Farms
- 1 shot (1 oz) cooled espresso, or 2 Tablespoons cold brew
- 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder, I used Truvani whey
- ½ Tablespoon chia seeds or basil seeds
- ½ Tablespoon brown sugar, plus more for topping
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- Pinch sea salt
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a mason jar or airtight container. Stir really well until the protein powder is fully incorporated and there are no clumps remaining.½ cup old fashioned rolled oats, ⅓ cup unsweetened coconut milk, 1 shot (1 oz) cooled espresso, 1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder, ½ Tablespoon chia seeds or basil seeds, ½ Tablespoon brown sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon cinnamon, Pinch sea salt
- Cover and place in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- When ready to eat, give everything a good stir. If the oats are thicker than you like, add a splash of milk to loosen things up.
- Enjoy straight from the jar or pour into a bowl. Top with an extra sprinkle of brown sugar, a dash of cinnamon or toppings of choice.
Notes
- Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4-5 days. The oats will thicken as they sit, so stir in a splash of milk before serving if needed.
- Meal prep: Double or triple the recipe and portion into individual jars for an easy grab-and-go breakfast throughout the week.
- Coconut milk: I used unsweetened coconut milk from a carton, but canned coconut milk works too. If using canned, opt for lite since full-fat will make the oats much thicker.
- Protein powder: Whey protein mixes in smoothly, while plant-based protein absorbs more liquid. If using plant-based, you may need to add extra milk to reach your desired consistency.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I’ve tried a lot of your overnight oat recipes, but this might be my new fave! Saw this this morning and somehow had everything, except coconut milk, so I used regular milk. The brown sugar, cinnamon, and espresso combo is so good. Definitely making again!