Blueberry lemon overnight oats are the perfect make-ahead breakfast recipe! They're filling, so creamy and delicious, and ready for you when you wake up.
This blueberry lemon overnight oatmeal has been in a steady breakfast rotation at my house for years, and I'm not sick of it yet! There's something about lemon zest stirred into creamy oats that makes it taste almost like a lemony dessert (the kind you'd happily eat for breakfast).
Add in a handful of plump, juicy blueberries, and it starts to feel a little extra special for something made with such simple ingredients. It's a healthy breakfast that's satisfying, easy to meal prep, and ready to go when you are... one of those recipes that quietly takes care of you, especially on busy mornings when you're opening the fridge and feeling very grateful that breakfast is already made.
If you're eating seasonally like me, I make this a year-round breakfast by enjoying fresh blueberries in summer and frozen in the off-season.
If you like this recipe, try my blackberry lemon baked oatmeal on a slower morning!
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Key Ingredients
- Rolled oats - I prefer whole rolled oats here, but you could also use quick oats if you need the overnight oats to be ready more quickly. Be sure to look for a certified gluten-free label, if you need gluten-free.
- Chia seeds - Chia seeds add fiber and protein, and they soak up some of liquid to create a creamy texture.
- Greek yogurt - Yogurt provides protein and incredible creaminess! I love using plain Greek yogurt (2% or whole milk) or lower sugar vanilla Greek yogurt. Siggi's vanilla is my favorite!
- Milk - Use your favorite! Milk will be the main liquid that gets soaked up by the oats.
- Honey - Just a touch for a bit of sweetness.
- Lemon - We'll use both the juice and zest for the best lemon flavor.
- Blueberries - For topping your oats! Blueberries and lemon are super tasty together.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations & Protein Boost Ideas
- Vegan - Use non-dairy milk, dairy-free yogurt (like coconut yogurt), and replace honey with agave or maple syrup. I love the almond milk from Elmhurst and all of the dairy-free products from Forager Project.
- Extra protein - Choose high protein milks and yogurts, add in plain or vanilla protein powder, sprinkle with hemp seeds. My protein overnight oats recipe is full of tips on how to increase protein in any overnight oats.
- Toppings - Add crunch with chopped almonds, granola, or coconut flakes. You could also drizzle on some almond butter or add a dollop of yogurt for creaminess. Other berries like raspberries or strawberries would also taste incredible.
- Frozen blueberries - Frozen berries are great when fresh aren't in season. Just thaw blueberries overnight in a separate container in the fridge, and top your oats in the morning!
How to Make Blueberry Lemon Overnight Oats
Step 1
Combine all overnight oats ingredients in a bowl except for the blueberries.
Step 2
Give it a good stir until mixed into an even consistency where everything is evenly distributed. Tightly cover the overnight oats mixture and place in the fridge overnight.
Step 3
When ready to eat, divide into to two servings and top with fresh blueberries and any other desired toppings!
Success Tips
- Zest before juice. When using the same lemon for juicing and zesting, I like to zest it while the lemon is still whole, and then cut and juice it. This makes for easier handling and is easier to hold the lemon against your microplane so that you don't slip.
- Fewer dishes. Make the oats in the same container you chill them in! Use a medium-large-sized glass bowl or container with some sort of airtight lid. Mix your overnight oats, cover, and pop it right in the fridge. Done!
Recipe FAQs
Of course! Using frozen blueberries in overnight oats is delicious. I recommend thawing the frozen blueberries separately in the fridge overnight, and then topping your oats when ready to eat.
I recommend enjoying your overnight oats within five days.
Store your overnight oats in the refrigerator for up to five days in jars with lids or airtight containers. You can store the blueberries with the oats or separately, and top them the next day (usually I do the latter!).
I'd stick with rolled oats or instant oats for this recipe! Steel cut oats would require a different ratio of ingredients.
📖 Recipe
Blueberry Lemon Overnight Oats
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
Description
These blueberry lemon overnight oats are a healthy and filling breakfast recipe! They're extra creamy, high in protein, and bursting with bright lemon and juicy blueberries. Prepare them the night before, and breakfast will be ready when you wake up!
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ tbsp chia seeds
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup milk of choice
- â…“ cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- juice and zest of 1 lemon
- ½ tbsp honey
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
Get Recipe Ingredients
Instructions
- Combine ingredients. In a bowl or base of an airtight container, combine all ingredients except blueberries. Stir until an even mixture forms, and all ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Chill. Cover the bowl tightly and chill the mixture overnight.
- Serve. In the morning, divide the oats into two servings. Top each with ½ cup blueberries and any other desired toppings, or save a serving for later. Enjoy!
Notes
- Chilling time. If using rolled oats (recommended for this recipe), I like the texture best when it's been chilled overnight because the oats have maxed out their absorption of delicious milk, yogurt, and flavors. If you want or need to eat them sooner, 4 hours is typically the minimum chilling time I recommend.
- Storage container. Overnight oats is one of those recipes that I actually love to make in the same container I store it in (less dishes = yay!). I love to use any glass storage container that's at least a 4-cup size with an airtight cover. This way, you can stir, cover, and pop it in the fridge.
- Toppings. This is the best part of overnight oats, so have some fun with it! Blueberries are of course a topping for this recipe, but coconut flakes, blueberry jam, almonds, more chia seeds, scoop of yogurt, granola, or other nuts/seeds will add delicious flavor and texture.
- Prep Time: 10
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Chill overnight
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: ½ recipe
- Calories: 378
- Sugar: 20.8 g
- Sodium: 367.3 mg
- Fat: 6.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 58.9 g
- Fiber: 8.5 g
- Protein: 15.5 g
- Cholesterol: 16 mg
Mike says
I may have to try this one sooner than the others - always looking for a good breakfast to start the day.