Blueberry Overnight Oats

I’m not much of a morning person, so make-ahead meals are always a welcome addition to my breakfast rotation. Even better? No-cook breakfast recipes, like these blueberry overnight oats. They take just a few minutes to prepare—it’s as simple as measuring and mixing a few ingredients—then all the magic happens overnight in the fridge. By morning, a fruity, filling grab-and-go breakfast is ready and waiting.

To make overnight oats with blueberries, combine oats with milk, yogurt, a sweetener, fresh blueberries, cinnamon and vanilla for extra flavor. Let the mixture chill overnight and the oats will absorb the liquid, leaving you with creamy, pudding-like oatmeal that can be eaten straight out of the fridge. This fuss-free recipe is an easy way to start your day with something delicious and wholesome, even if you’re in a hurry or still half asleep.

Ingredients for Blueberry Overnight Oats

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• Oats: We love the chewy texture of old-fashioned oats after soaking overnight. If you have only quick oats, you can use them, but your overnight oats will have a mushier texture. I don’t recommend steel-cut oats, which need a lot of liquid to soften properly.
• Brown sugar: Brown sugar sweetens the oats and adds a caramel-like note. You can substitute maple syrup or honey for a different flavor, or cut the amount of sugar in half for less sweetness.
• Cinnamon: Ground cinnamon adds warmth and makes these oats taste like a blueberry muffin.
• Milk: Stovetop oatmeal is delicious cooked in just water, but milk is best for soaking overnight oats—it makes them creamy. This recipe calls for 2% milk, but you’ll get perfect results substituting an equal amount of your favorite nondairy milk.
• Blueberries: The key to fruity oats is mashing the berries before mixing them with the other ingredients. This makes the fruit softer and easier to incorporate for smoother, creamier oats. It also releases juice for a sweeter taste and vibrant color.
• Yogurt: Soaking the oats in both yogurt and milk is the secret to ultra-creamy oatmeal with a pudding-like consistency. Choose plain Greek yogurt, which has a thicker consistency and more protein than regular yogurt. For extra flavor, try vanilla or blueberry-flavored Greek yogurt.
• Vanilla: A splash of vanilla extract adds a subtle sweetness that enhances the natural flavor of the blueberries. Use pure vanilla extract for the best flavor.
• Optional toppings: Overnight oats with blueberries are satisfying on their own, but you can doctor them with your favorite oatmeal toppings. To satisfy a sweet tooth, stir in a tablespoon of semisweet or white chocolate chips, or make them even healthier with extra berries, banana slices or a spoonful of peanut butter. Want to add crunch? Top this blueberry overnight oats recipe with granola, toasted nuts or seeds.

Directions

Step 1: Combine the ingredients

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In a small bowl, whisk together the old-fashioned oats, brown sugar and ground cinnamon.

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Add the milk, mashed blueberries, yogurt and vanilla, and stir until combined.

Editor’s Tip: To mash the berries, place them in a small bowl and press them with the back of a fork or a wooden spoon.

Step 2: Chill overnight, then serve

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Divide the blueberry overnight oats into airtight containers—Mason jars with lids are perfect here. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Just before serving, garnish the oats with any desired toppings, such as chocolate chips, granola or extra fruit as desired.

Editor’s Tip: If your overnight oats are too thick in the morning, add an extra splash of milk and give them a stir to loosen up.

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Recipe Variations

• Add more fruit: Replace some blueberries with strawberries, raspberries or blackberries to make mixed berry overnight oats, or top the blueberry overnight oats recipe with sliced bananas, diced peaches or extra berries.
• Layer with jam: Turn your overnight oats into a parfait with a layer of blueberry jam on the bottom or top—it’ll add even more blueberry flavor too! Since jam is pretty sweet, I’d recommend omitting or halving the brown sugar in this recipe.
• Boost nutrition with nuts and seeds: Besides crunch, nuts and seeds add fiber, protein, heart-healthy fats, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants—talk about superfoods! I’m partial to pumpkin seeds and pecans, but hemp seeds, chopped walnuts, slivered almonds and pistachios work too. You could also add a tablespoon of ground flax or chia seeds to the recipe—they’ll absorb some of the liquid for even thicker oats.
• Get more protein in: A scoop of your favorite protein powder is an easy way to increase the protein in your overnight oats. Not a fan of protein powder? Stir in a tablespoon of peanut butter for an extra 4 grams of protein, or soak the oats in a high-protein milk—it’s filtered to concentrate the natural protein in dairy milk.
• Serve them warm: Prefer warm oatmeal? No problem! Soaking the oatmeal overnight in the fridge takes the place of simmering it on the stovetop, so you can heat it just before serving. Simply microwave the overnight oats with blueberry in a microwave-safe bowl or heat them in a saucepan until warm.

How to Store Blueberry Overnight Oats

I prefer assembling and storing my overnight oats in a Mason jar with a lid, but any airtight container works. Keep the blueberry overnight oats recipe refrigerated until you’re ready to eat. The overnight oats with blueberries will be ready to eat after soaking for six to eight hours and will last for up to four days in the fridge—just give them a stir before eating. The oats will take on a softer texture the longer you store them.

Can you freeze overnight oats with blueberries?

Yes, you can freeze these blueberry overnight oats if you want them to last longer than several days. Simply combine the ingredients as directed, transfer the oats to a freezer-safe container and freeze them for up to three months. Put them in the fridge to thaw overnight, and they’ll be ready to eat by morning.

Blueberry Overnight Oat Tips

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Can you use frozen blueberries in overnight oats?

Absolutely! Frozen blueberries will be just as delicious as fresh fruit in overnight oats. Thaw them at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes, then mash them lightly and proceed with the recipe. Or, you can add them still frozen to the other ingredients and they’ll thaw in the fridge—you’ll just have bigger pieces of blueberries in your oats.

Are blueberries and peanut butter good together in overnight oats?

Definitely! Like peanut butter and jelly, blueberries and peanut butter are a winning combination in overnight oats—the rich, creamy taste of peanut butter pairs perfectly with the sweet, juicy berries. You can mix peanut butter into the oats or use it as a topping.

How do you make dairy-free blueberry overnight oats?

To make these blueberry overnight oats without dairy, substitute your favorite nondairy milk and yogurt for the regular milk and Greek yogurt. Soy and coconut milk produce extra-creamy oats, but oat, almond and other nut milks also work well. If you’d rather leave the yogurt out, add 2 tablespoons of chia or ground flax seeds—they’ll absorb some of the milk and help create a thicker consistency.

What toppings are good with blueberry overnight oats?

Extra fruits, like strawberries, bananas or peaches, are a sweet and nutritious topping for overnight oats with blueberry. Craving some crunchy contrast? Top your oats with toasted nuts, shredded coconut, granola or pumpkin seeds. A tablespoon of your favorite nut butter is a great way to add richness and make overnight oats even more satisfying.