Koeksister-Inspired Overnight Oats

2 January 2026 By Jimmy Smith
South African koeksister-inspired overnight oats with golden syrup, cinnamon and coconut
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Koeksister-Inspired Overnight Oats

All the syrupy, cinnamon-spiced joy of a koeksister in a creamy make-ahead jar a proudly South African treat-yourself breakfast without the deep-frying.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 0 minutes
Chilling 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 1 jar
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: South African
Calories: 390
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup rolled oats
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds
  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup plain yoghurt
  • 1 tbsp golden syrup
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground ginger
  • 2 tbsp desiccated coconut

Method
 

  1. Combine the oats, chia seeds, cinnamon and ginger in a jar.
  2. Add the milk, yoghurt and golden syrup, then stir thoroughly.
  3. Stir through half of the desiccated coconut, seal and refrigerate overnight.
  4. In the morning, drizzle with a little extra syrup and finish with the remaining coconut for that classic koeksister sweetness.

Notes

Keep the extra syrup for serving so it stays glossy. A pinch of orange zest nods to the Cape Malay version.

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