Blueberry Lemon Overnight Oats

This Blueberry Lemon Overnight Oat recipe is the perfect make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings. It’s bursting with sweet, tangy blueberries and the bright flavor from fresh lemons. You’ll love how simple it is to make this healthy grab-and-go breakfast meal.

Overnight oats have been my go-to breakfast meal for the past several years. I love experimenting with different flavor combinations and these blueberry lemon overnight oats are my absolute favorite.

They’re healthy and high in fiber to keep you full. Plus, they’re naturally sweetened with a little pure maple syrup.

If you’ve never had overnight oats before, they are an easy no-cook method to making oatmeal. Instead of cooking oats on the stovetop, you’ll soak the raw oat overnights with milk and yogurt.

Soaking the oats overnight helps them get soft, improves oat digestibility, and can be better for your gut. I like to let my oats soak for at least 8 hours.

Why you’ll love this blueberry lemon overnight oats recipe

• It only takes only 5 minutes to put together and there’s no cooking involved.
• It uses pantry-friendly ingredients. If you don’t have fresh blueberries on hand, you can use frozen ones instead.
• It contains a good amount of protein from the Greek yogurt and rolled oats.
• It can be made vegan friendly by using non-dairy milk and vegan yogurt instead.
• It’s perfect for meal prep and busy mornings.

Blueberry lemon overnight oats ingredients

Oats: I prefer to use old-fashioned rolled oats for this recipe because they become tender and creamy when soaked. I’ve tried this recipe with quick oats, but they often get watery and mushy.

Sometimes I use a combination of both old-fashioned rolled oats and quick oats, which offers a nice mix of textures.

I don’t recommend using instant oats or steel-cut oats for this recipe.

Milk: I use unsweetened almond milk for this recipe. I’ve also had good results with oat milk or soy milk.

Yogurt: I like using plain Greek yogurt for this recipe because it’s high in protein and low in sugar. This makes the overnight oats super creamy and gives it a thicker consistency.

Use a non-dairy yogurt to make this recipe vegan and dairy-free.

Chia seeds: I always add chia seeds to my overnight oats because they are a good source of fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. It also helps thicken up the oats.

Maple syrup: To keep this recipe refined sugar-free, I like using maple syrup to add a little sweetness. You can use honey if you prefer.

Lemon zest: This gives the overnight oats a bright and tangy flavor.

Vanilla extract: This adds a delicious subtle vanilla flavor to the overnight oats. Sometimes I use almond extract instead, which is just as yummy.

Blueberries: You can use fresh of frozen blueberries for this recipe. Frozen blueberries will turn your oats a beautiful purple color.

When using frozen, I prefer to use wild blueberries because they are smaller and packed with antioxidants. If you can’t find wild blueberries, regular ones work well too.

Salt: By adding just a pinch of salt, this can help bring out the subtle flavors in the oats. I use sea salt.

Toppings: Overnight oats is all about the toppings. While this recipe will taste amazing just as it is, you can take it to the next level by adding a few toppings.

I recommend adding a small handful of your favorite granola, sliced almonds, or unsweetened shredded coconut. 

How to make blueberry lemon overnight oats

Mix the wet ingredients together. In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, yogurt, vanilla extract, and maple syrup.

Add the dry ingredients. Stir in the oats, chia seeds, and lemon zest until well combined. Then fold in the blueberries if you’re using frozen blueberries.

If you’re using fresh blueberries, wait until the morning or just before serving to add them.

Let it chill in the refrigerator overnight. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the oat mixture to a jar with an airtight lid. Let it soak overnight in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours. I usually let mine soak for 12 hours.

Stir, add your toppings, and enjoy. In the morning, give your soaked overnight oats a good stir, then fold in the fresh blueberries. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

FAQs and tips for making these overnight oats

Can you use steel-cut or instant oats for this recipe? No. Steel-cut oats remain too firm, even after soaking in the fridge overnight and instant oats get too mushy and soggy.

Can you eat them warm? Yes. While I like to eat my overnights oats straight from the fridge, you can warm them up on the stovetop or microwave if you prefer.  

Can you make this without yogurt? Yes, you can leave the yogurt out. Instead of using yogurt, you can add a scoop of your favorite vanilla protein powder. The texture and consistency of the overnight oats will change if you don’t use yogurt, but it will still taste delicious.

How long does it keep in the fridge? Overnights oats will keep up to 4-5 days in the fridge. I personally think it tastes best after 12-48 hours.

I don’t like blueberries. Can I use another berry? Of course! Raspberries or strawberries would taste amazing in this recipe.

Is this recipe gluten free? Yes. Make sure to use certified gluten-free oats.

Is this recipe vegan? Yes, it can easily be made vegan by using non-dairy milk and dairy-free yogurt.

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