Lemon Blueberry Overnight Oats

This Lemon Blueberry Overnight Oats recipe is a quick and simple way to start your day. Breakfast on the go, made to be delicious and filling!

If you have been following this blog or my socials for any stretch of time, you will know how much I love overnight oats. I make a double batch 2-3 times per week so that my mornings are stress-free. There’s nothing as reassuring as knowing that a delicious breakfast is already made for the upcoming day. And to top it off, it only takes 5 minutes to prep.

Let’s go through a quick list: quick to make (check), can prepare the night before (check), provides protein (check), fibre (check), healthy fats (check), and is a major flavour burst in your mouth (check)!! Okay, great. Glad we covered all of that.

Ingredients and Substitutions

This recipe is pretty straight forward but has the potential of many other flavours and textures. To start with, you will need:

1. Large flake oats
   • Large flake oats maintain their integrity and provide a chewier texture when they soak up liquid. I have tried this recipe with quick or rolled oats and I haven’t enjoyed it as much. 
2. Chia seeds
   • The addition of the chia seeds adds another element to the texture, gumming up when they absorb water. There isn’t a similar ingredient to substitute but if you don’t enjoy the texture of chia seeds you can leave them out altogether.
3. Greek yogurt
   • Greek yogurt is the best! The extra boost of protein that comes from Greek yogurt starts the day off on a good note as it helps regulate and manage blood sugar levels, appetite, cravings and more.
   • NOTE: I recommend opting for the 2% milk fat products as this creates a better mouthfeel (aka it’s smoother), and the fat plays an important role in our health and appetite. Foods that provide a source of fat tend to be more satisfying, keep us fuller for longer and help us absorb fat-soluble vitamins (vitamin A, D, E and K) better. 
4. Milk
   • Please do not use water when you make overnight oats! I have seen this on socials and it doesn’t make sense to me. Milk makes this meal creamy and offers additional protein, fats, calcium and other nutrients if fortified. I always suggest opting for dairy or soy milk as these options provide much more protein compared to oat or almond milk.
5. Lemon zest
   • Using lemon zest instead of lemon juice allows for more control over your flavours and tends to prevent the sourness that can come from lemon juice. If you prefer the combination of lime and blueberry, feel free to use this citrus fruit instead. If you don’t already have a lemon zester, this is similar to the one that I own and use weekly!
6. Fresh blueberries
   • Fresh blueberries are key! When frozen blueberries thaw they add extra liquid to the oats and they don’t have the same flavour or texture that fresh blueberries do. 

Take it to the next level

To make this Lemon Blueberry Overnight Oats your own, you may want to jazz it up even more. Here are some optional add-ins that you could consider:

• To add a little bit of crunch and protein: top with sliced almonds, chopped walnuts, hemp seeds or extra chia seeds
• For extra creaminess: use a higher fat percentage Greek yogurt or milk
• If you need some extra sweetness: drizzle a bit of maple syrup, honey or your choice of sweetener. Alternatively, you could also use a flavoured Greek yogurt. There are many brands that offer lemon-flavoured yogurt, which would allow you to skip the zest altogether.
• To save time and energy: make a double or triple batch in a large bowl and just scoop and go in the morning. Work smarter, not harder!

Whatever way you prepare it, I hope it brightens your morning.