Strawberry Overnight Oats

Super easy and super delicious breakfast treat.

Do you like to spend part of your Sunday prepping meals for the week? I do. Especially breakfast because mornings are often so hectic around here that if I have a tasty breakfast already prepared, it saves so much time. Strawberry Overnight Oats to the rescue! They are the perfect ready-to-go breakfast (no muss, no fuss, no cooking, no clean-up) because on a Sunday (or any day), you can make a batch that will last all week!

Who thought of this genius way to prepare oats? Well, the original overnight oats are credited to a Swiss physician in the 1900s who treated his patients with a mix of oats, nuts, and yogurt that were steeped overnight. Overnight oatmeal as medicine? That’s right and it does make sense because as we know, there’s a lot of solid research out there about how eating the right foods contributes to good health–and when you eat a blend of these so-good-for-you ingredients, like oats and yogurt and fresh fruit, you know you’re starting your day the best way.

You’re going to have to make Strawberry Overnight Oats yourself, otherwise you will not believe me when I tell you that once you get your ingredients together, it takes mere minutes to prepare this scrumptious breakfast. Seriously, all you have to do is mix the ingredients together in one bowl, transfer the mixture to an airtight container (we like using the glass jars), and stick it in the fridge for at least 6 hours (though we recommend overnight). Yep, that’s it (well, ok, you will have to stir it for a few seconds in the morning before you eat it, but that really is it–I promise!)

The blend of flavors here is so wonderful. There’s the sweetness from the jam and the honey, the tang from the Greek yogurt, the tart/sweet mix from the fresh strawberries, and then the rich undertone of vanilla. Oh, and don’t forget that nutty taste of oats! And the texture is so creamy that you might want to serve Strawberry Overnight Oats with something crunchy like toasted Honey Wheat Sunflower Bread (maybe spread with some Sweet and Smokey Homemade Bacon Jam?). Now that is a meal worth getting out of bed for!

Considering Sugar

These Strawberry Overnight Oats are so sweet and fruity and creamy, you could even eat them for dessert (guilty!). There is a significant amount of sugar that comes from the jam, the milk, the natural sugars in the strawberries. Plus, we’re adding honey. For some people, this isn’t a problem at all but for others, it might be. Never fear! There are ways to decrease the amount of sugar in this recipe without compromising the taste at all.

Most unsweetened milk alternatives (soy, almond, oat milk, to name a few) have less sugar than dairy milk and work perfectly in this recipe in terms of taste and texture. And while there is not a lot of sugar in Greek yogurt, there are varieties that come sugar-free. Speaking of, nearly every company that makes strawberry jam makes a version without sugar. But wait: there’s more! You can cut down on the amount of honey you add or you can leave it out entirely (you’ll still get sweetness from the fresh berries and the sugar-free jam).

Ingredients

1/2 cup rolled oats
2/3 cup milk, or non-dairy alternative
1/3 cup Greek yogurt, or non-dairy alternative
1/2 cup chopped strawberries, more for topping
3 tablespoons strawberry jam
2 teaspoons honey
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

How to Make Strawberry Overnight Oats

Step 1: In a mixing bowl, add rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chopped strawberries, strawberry jam, honey, and vanilla extract.

Step 2: Transfer the mixture to a jar or an airtight container. Place it in the fridge to soak for at least 6 hours, or overnight for best results.

Step 3: The next morning, give your oats a good stir. Top with additional fresh strawberries and enjoy your nutritious breakfast.

FAQs & Tips

How to Make Ahead and Store?

Overnight Oats should be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours, but it’s best to leave them overnight; they will keep in the fridge up to 5 days. Overnight Oats can also be stored in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Can the Strawberry Overnight Oats be eaten warm?

Oh yes! They are lovely served warm; remove them from the fridge, stir, and microwave 20-35 seconds, or to your desired temperature.

What’s the best milk for Strawberry Overnight Oats?

The best milk is the milk you like best. Really. Full fat, skim or 2% dairy, any kind of nut milk, coconut milk…whatever you love will be delicious in these overnight oats. And any of these milks pairs wonderfully with the Greek yogurt (or non-dairy alternative yogurt).

Does it matter what kind of oats you use for overnight oats?

Well…yes and, then again, maybe no. The very best kind of oats for Strawberry Overnight Oats are rolled oats, otherwise known as old-fashioned oats, because they are the most absorbent so they become the most creamy when soaked overnight. You can also use instant oats but they could end up a little pasty, and steel cut oats can become a bit tough…so it really depends on the texture you like best.

What other flavors go with Strawberry for toppers on this overnight oatmeal?

Anything you love with strawberries will be a delicious topper. Slivered or toasted almonds (and for added flavor, use almond extract instead of vanilla), some lemon zest, a handful of dark chocolate chips. Mix up the flavors and the textures.

Serving Suggestions

For a hearty, protein-packed breakfast, serve Strawberry Overnight Oats with some Sunny-Side Up Eggs and Bacon Wrapped Sausage. If you’re looking to get the day started with something lighter, these oats go beautifully with Citrus Mint Fruit Salad. Sometimes for a special treat, I’ve paired Strawberry Overnight Oats with slices of leftover dessert from the night before, (a big hit in our house was Rhubarb Frangipane Tart) or keeping with the flavor profile, Healthy Strawberry Popsicles–I know these aren’t the most traditional breakfast foods but they are some of the most fun ones!