Name: Strawberry Overnight Oats
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: PT-490404H39M49S
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/3 cup rolled oats, gluten-free if desired; 1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk (I use unsweetened almond milk); ¼ cup plain yogurt (I use plain 0% Greek yogurt); 2 teaspoons chia seeds; 2 teaspoons maple syrup (or honey); ½ teaspoon fresh orange zest (or lemon zest); ¼ teaspoon almond extract (or vanilla extract); A pinch of salt; ¼ cup fresh sliced strawberries (or strawberry preserves); Sliced almonds, toasted if desired; Granola; Sliced bananas; Strawberry jam; Shredded coconut or coconut flakes; Mini chocolate chips; Hemp seeds; Pumpkin seeds

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These strawberry overnight oats are easy to make ahead in a jar. They’re packed with protein from the Greek yogurt and full of fiber from the rolled oats, chia seeds, and fresh strawberries.

It takes only 5 minutes to put together the night before. You’ll love this tasty and satisfying grab-and-go breakfast that’s healthy, gluten-free, and requires zero cooking time.

As soon as the spring hits, I find myself craving these strawberry overnight oats. Since I’ve become a mom, I’ve come to rely on overnight oats for a quick and easy breakfast.

My 1-year-old wakes up at 5:00am every morning, so I love knowing that I have a healthy and delicious breakfast ready for me in the fridge.

You can heat them up on the stove top or microwave, but I prefer to eat mine cold. That’s one of my favorite things about overnight oats – they’re a no-cook method to making oatmeal. The raw oats soak overnight with the milk and yogurt, which makes them easier to digest.

Table of Contents

Strawberry overnight oats ingredients

Rolled oats: I 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.

Strawberries: I recommend using the freshest strawberries you can find for the best taste.

If you don’t have fresh strawberries, you can substitute with strawberry preserves or compote.

Milk: I use unsweetened almond milk since that’s what I usually have in my fridge. You can use any type of milk you prefer.

If you want to boost the protein content, use organic soy milk or plant-based milk with added protein.

Yogurt: I use 0% plain Greek or Skyr yogurt in this recipe because it’s thick, creamy, and high in protein. If you prefer a sweeter yogurt, use strawberry or vanilla flavored yogurt.

Make it vegan by using a dairy-free yogurt.

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.

Orange zest: This gives the overnight oats a bright and tangy flavor. If you don’t like orange zest, you can substitute with fresh lemon zest.

Almond extract: This adds a delicious subtle almond flavor to the overnight oats. Strawberries and almonds are a classic flavor pairing and work well together in this recipe.

You can substitute with vanilla extract if you prefer.

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

Sliced almonds: I like to top this overnight oat recipe with sliced or silvered almonds. You can toast them if desired.

Optional toppings: Overnight oats are all about the toppings. This can help add good texture to cold oatmeal. Below are some suggested toppings:

Sliced banana
Granola
Pumpkin seeds
Hemp seeds
Shredded coconut or coconut flakes
Strawberry jam
Almond butter, peanut butter, or your favorite nut butter

How to make strawberry overnight oats

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

Add the dry ingredients. Stir in the oats, chia seeds, and orange zest until well combined. Gently fold in the fresh strawberries or strawberry preserves (if using).

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 and add your favorite toppings. I sprinkle sliced almonds on top. 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 strawberries. Can I use another berry? Of course! Raspberries, blueberries, or blackberries 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.

Please let me know how you like these strawberry overnight oats in the comments below! Your feedback and review encourages me to keep creating new and yummy recipes. I hope you love these overnight oats as much as I do.