The definition of a low effort, high reward breakfast- future you will be glad you prepped these berry chia overnight oats. Made with a handful of staples, they are packed with protein and fiber for a satisfying start to the day.
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Breakfast at a Glance
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Planning Ahead: Prep it the night before and up to 5 days ahead.
- Morning Effort: None- just grab and enjoy!
- Protein: 22g per serving
- Fiber: 9g per serving
Nessy's Note
Overnight oats are a breakfast I come back to time and again. And while I love switching up the flavors (hello, cinnamon roll overnight oats), this berry version might just be the one that I return to most.
It's simple, flavorful and made with ingredients I almost always have on hand- like frozen berries. They add just the right amount of natural sweetness so you might find you don't need much (or any) added sweetener.
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
The amounts needed can be found in the recipe card, but here’s a quick summary of the key ingredients and possible substitutions:
- Rolled Oats- These may also be called old-fashioned oats or large flake oats. They're my go-to for the Greek yogurt overnight oats recipe that I use as the base for all sorts of flavors as I find they result in the best texture.
- Substitution: Instant or quick oats work but result in a bit of a "mushy" texture. Steel-cut oats won't work.
- Greek Yogurt- This helps to make the oats higher protein without the need for protein powder. It also provides most of the liquid for the recipe.
- Substitution: Another type of plain yogurt or blended cottage cheese can be used but note that protein content will vary.
- Honey- For sweetness.
- Substitution: Maple syrup or your sweetener of choice can be used instead. Or if you find it sweet enough with just the berries, it can be left out.
- Chia Seeds- These thicken the overnight oats and add extra fiber.
- Substitution: Ground flaxseed can be used instead or they can be left out.
- Sea Salt- Just a pinch brings the flavors together.
- Substitution: Kosher or table salt will also work or it can be left out.
- Berries- I typically use frozen berries for a few reasons. I always have some on hand, they tend to be less expense and it makes the recipe quicker to make- you don't even have to thaw them. Any type or blend that you enjoy will work and you can also use fresh berries if you have them on hand.
Tips for the Best Berry Chia Overnight Oats
- Use frozen berries. While you definitely can use fresh berries for this recipe, frozen berries make it super easy to prep and tend to be a less expensive option. And as they thaw overnight, they let out juices which seep into the oats and add more flavor.
- Adjust the consistency. If the oats thicken too much overnight for your liking (they are pretty thick but that's how I like them), you can stir in a splash of milk (or water) before serving. I do find that if you use frozen berries, they tend to be less thick because of the juices from thawing.
- Meal prep for the week. This berry overnight oatmeal lasts up to 5 days in the fridge, so you can make a batch on Sunday and have breakfast ready for the week.
- For more tips, troubleshooting and flavor customizations check out my ultimate guide to yogurt overnight oats!
These oats are ready to eat straight from the fridge but if you prefer them warm, microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until heated to your desired temperature. Be careful not to overheat as the yogurt can curdle.
More Overnight Oats...
If you give this recipe a try, be sure to let me know what you thought in the comments below!
Berry Chia Overnight Oats
Equipment
- 1 jar or container with lid (at least 10 oz/300mL in size)
Ingredients
- ¾ cup plain Greek yogurt (I prefer 2% for a creamier texture but any type will work)
- 1-3 teaspoon honey (or maple syrup)
- ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
- ⅓ cup old-fashioned rolled oats (large flake)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds (or ground flaxseed)
- ½ cup frozen berries (any kind you like)
Instructions
- Add the Greek yogurt, honey and sea salt to your jar or container and stir well until fully combined.¾ cup plain Greek yogurt, 1-3 teaspoon honey, ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt
- Stir in the rolled oats and chia seeds until evenly mixed. Top with frozen (or fresh) berries.⅓ cup old-fashioned rolled oats, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, ½ cup frozen berries
- Let the oatmeal sit in the fridge for at least 4 hours (but overnight for best texture).
- In the morning, stir the berries into the oats and enjoy your breakfast. If the oats are too thick for your liking, you can stir in a bit of milk or water (1-2 tbsp).
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition Note: Nutritional information is estimated using an online calculator and accuracy is not guaranteed. Remember food is more than numbers and this info is intended as a support.
Marie says
These were so yummy, easy to make and kept me full for the morning!