Blueberry Overnight Oats make a healthy breakfast packed with whole grains that are a bit lighter and fresher than a bowl of cooked oatmeal. These oats are perfect to enjoy at home in the morning to take on the go in a jar!

A cup with overnight oats topped with blueberries

What exactly are overnight oats?

I’m a BIG fan of oats for breakfast. Whether it’s baked oatmeal, a cozy bowl of oatmeal, or overnight oats, incorporating oats into my morning leaves me feeling full and ready to take on my day.

Overnight oats are made by combining oats with ingredients like milk and yogurts (regular or plant-based) and often healthy seeds like chia seeds or flax seeds. The mixture is then placed in the fridge overnight (hence the name) to let the oats soak up all the liquid. It’s very similar to Bircher Muesli (also called Swiss Muesli) which often has grated apple and dried fruits in it and is a popular breakfast in Switzerland.

Why you’ll love this recipe

  • Easy to make. Making overnight oats is even easier than making a bowl of oatmeal. You just add everything to a bowl and place it in the fridge. No cooking or microwaving involved.
  • Can be made directly in jars. I love that these Blueberry Overnight Oats can be made in a bowl or directly in jars to make on the go. This makes them perfect for breakfasts you can bring to work or school.
  • The best meal prep breakfast. Seriously though, you can make a big batch of these Blueberry Overnight Oats for the entire week and have breakfast ready to go.
  • Healthy and packed with nutrients. Oats are a great breakfast option becuase they’re nutritious and will keep you feeling full all morning long.

Ingredient notes

A flat lay of ingredients to make blueberry overnight oats
  • Oats: You can use quick oats or rolled oats here. Rolled oats will give you a chewier and nuttier texture.
  • Chia seeds: this is an important ingredient in the oats becuase the chia seeds will absorb some of the liquid and help thicken the overnight oats. Chia seeds will also add some extra protein and fibre and help keep you feeling full!
  • Lemon zest: I love adding lemon zest to these Blueberry Overnight Oats for some brightness that goes really well with the blueberries.
  • Yogurt: Any type of yogurt you like. You can use greek yogurt, regular yogurt or dairy-free yogurt.
  • Vanilla: just a splash of natural vanilla extract for flavour
  • Honey: this will be the sweetener in the overnight oats. You can also use maple syrup or brown sugar.
  • Oat milk: keeping it on the oat trend here! You can substitute any type of milk or plant-based milk you love.
  • Blueberries: fresh or frozen will both work.

How to make Blueberry Overnight Oats

Start by mixing the oats, chia seeds and lemon zest in a mixing bowl or directly in a large mason jar. (You can also mix everything together in a bowl and divide the mixture between individual jars for serving.) Then add the yogurt, vanilla and honey to the bowl.

  • A clear mixing bowl with oats, chia seeds and lemon zest
  • A mixing bowl with oats, lemon zest, chia seeds, yogurt and honey in it

Add the oat milk and mix to combine. If the mixture seems too thick, you can always add a bit more oat milk. Then add the blueberries and mix in.

  • A clear mixing bowl with mixed up oats, chia seeds and oat milk in it
  • Overnight oats mixture in a mixing bowl with a blueberries

Cover the overnight oats and place them in the fridge overnight, or at least for 4 hours to set. Then remove and enjoy as is or serve with your favourite toppings.

  • A clear mixing bowl with overnight blueberry oats mixture in it
  • two cups of blueberry overnight oats topped with fresh mint

Topping ideas

There are so many different ways you can enjoy overnight oats and so many different ways you can top them. Of course for this recipe, the most common topping would be to add some more blueberries, but you can go way beyond just blueberries for the toppings. Here are some of my favourite ways to top these overnight oats:

Recipe variations

Blueberry Overnight Oats can be customized which makes them perfect to suit all types of different diets. These oats are great to enjoy whether you’re vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian or just looking to incorporate more healthy meals into your life.

Make it gluten-free: I already use gluten-free oats in my kitchen, but not all oats are certified gluten-free, so make sure to use gluten-free certified oats in this recipe if needed.

Make it vegan: make sure to replace the honey in the recipe with maple syrup or agave, and use a dairy-free yogurt option. Coconut yogurt is my personal favourite and is delicious in this recipe!

Make it high-protein: add a scoop of your favourite protein powder to these overnight oats for an extra protein boost! My favourite is from Sprout Living. (you can use my code Choosing Chia for 20% off your order with them!)

Make it sugar-free: leave out the honey and try using a sweetener like Stevia instead. If you don’t need any sweetness at all then you can just leave it as is.

How to store

Store leftovers of these overnight oats in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. The oats will likely continue to thicken over time, so if you prefer the texture of your overnight oats to be a bit thinner, you can add some more oat milk as needed to thin out the oats.

Tips for making this recipe perfectly

  • Use quick oats for a softer texture and rolled oats for a chewier texture. This will depend on your personal preference. You can also use a mix of half and half of each!
  • Do not substitute with steel cut oats. Steel cut oats will not absorb the same as other oats do and can’t be substituted in this recipe. I have a recipe for Steel Cut Overnight Oats you can check out if you’d like to use these oats instead.
  • Taste and adjust as needed. If you prefer your overnight oats to be sweeter, add some more honey. If you prefer your oats to be thinner, add some more oatmilk. This recipe can be customized as needed!
  • Here are some great jars you can use to store your overnight oats. A large mason jar, and these weck canning jars are great options.

FAQ

Should I eat overnight oats hot or cold?

Overnight oats are meant to be eaten cold straight out of the fridge and don’t require any heating. That being said if you prefer your oats slightly warmer, you can always pop them in the microwave for a minute to heat them up.

Are overnight oats healthy?

Yes! Overnight oats are part of a healthy balanced diet. They contain healthy carbs, protein and fibre and will keep you feeling full and satisfied all morning long.

How long do overnight oats need to soak?

Overnight oats generally need to soak for at least 3-4 hours. If you are using quick oats, they may need a bit less time to soak than if you are using rolled oats.

What are the best oats for overnight oats?

Quick oats and rolled oats are best for making overnight oats. Quick oats will soak slightly faster and give you a fluffier texture, while rolled oats will give you a chewier texture. It’s all personal preference!

Should I use fresh or frozen blueberries?

Either! Of course, if you can get your hands on some fresh blueberries they’re delicious in these overnight oats. But if you can only get access to frozen blueberries they work perfectly fine too!

More oat recipes to try

overnight oats in a cup topped with blueberries and mint

If you tried these Blueberry Overnight Oats or any other recipe on the blog let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment/rating below! Be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for even more deliciousness!

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overnight oats in a cup topped with blueberries and mint

Blueberry Overnight Oats

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  • Author: Jessica Hoffman
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Mix
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian
Print Recipe

Description

Blueberry Overnight Oats make a healthy breakfast packed with whole grains. These oats are perfect to enjoy at home in the morning to take on the go in a jar!

Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 cup oats (quick oats or rolled oats, gluten-free if needed)
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds
  • 2 tsp lemon zest
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/3 cup yogurt of choice
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 cup oat milk
  • 1/2 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen)

Instructions

  1. Add all the ingredients to a mixing bowl or to a large jar and mix together to combine.
  2. Cover the bowl and place in the fridge to set overnight. If adding to jars, spoon the mixture from the bowl directly into jars or and seal with a lid and place in the fridge.
  3. Remove the overnight oats in the morning and enjoy as is or with your favourite toppings!

Notes

If using frozen blueberries you can add them directly in without defrosting. They will defrost in the oats after sitting overnight.

Use quick oats for a softer texture and rolled oats for a chewier texture. This will depend on your personal preference. You can also use a mix of half and half of each!

Do not substitute with steel-cut oats. Steel-cut oats will not absorb the same as other oats do and can’t be substituted in this recipe. I have a recipe for Steel Cut Overnight Oats you can check out if you’d like to use these oats instead.

Taste and adjust as needed. If you prefer your overnight oats to be sweeter, add some more honey. If you prefer your oats to be thinner, add some more oat milk. This recipe can be customized as needed!

Here are some great jars you can use to store your overnight oats. A large mason jar, and these weck canning jars are great options.

 

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/2 of the recipe
  • Calories: 300
  • Sugar: 8g
  • Sodium: 100mg
  • Fat: 8g
  • Carbohydrates: 38g
  • Fiber: 7.5g
  • Protein: 9g