Delicious Strawberry Overnight Oats Recipe

Strawberry Overnight Oats offer a perfect breakfast solution for busy mornings. This simple recipe combines fresh strawberries, rolled oats, and a few other ingredients that work their magic overnight in your refrigerator. By morning, you’ll have a creamy, flavorful breakfast waiting for you with no cooking required. The natural sweetness of strawberries pairs wonderfully with the hearty texture of oats, creating a nutritious meal that keeps you full until lunch. This make-ahead breakfast saves time, reduces morning stress, and provides a healthy start to your day.

Reasons to Try Strawberry Overnight Oats

Strawberry Overnight Oats deserve a place in your breakfast rotation for many good reasons:

• Time-saving convenience: Prepare in just 5 minutes the night before
• Balanced nutrition: Contains protein, fiber, and essential nutrients
• No cooking required: Simply mix and refrigerate
• Customizable: Easily adjust sweetness and ingredients to your taste
• Portable: Perfect for on-the-go breakfasts in a jar or container
• Kid-friendly: The sweet strawberry flavor appeals to children
• Budget-friendly: Uses simple, affordable ingredients
• Reduces food waste: Uses up strawberries before they spoil

The creamy texture combined with bursts of fresh strawberry creates a satisfying contrast that makes this breakfast feel like a treat while still being nutritious. The overnight soaking process softens the oats perfectly without cooking, resulting in a pleasant, pudding-like consistency.

Where did Overnight Oats come from?

Overnight oats trace back to a traditional Swiss breakfast called “bircher muesli,” created in the early 1900s by Swiss physician Maximilian Bircher-Benner for his patients. He believed raw foods had greater health benefits than cooked ones. The original recipe used oats soaked overnight in water and lemon juice, mixed with condensed milk, grated apples, and nuts. This healthy dish spread across Europe, eventually evolving into the overnight oats we know today. The modern version gained popularity in the United States around 2010 when health-conscious food bloggers began sharing their variations, with fruit-topped versions like strawberry becoming especially popular for their pleasant flavor and visual appeal.

Ingredients Notes

For the Base:

• Rolled oats: Use traditional old-fashioned rolled oats rather than quick oats or steel-cut for the best texture. The rolled variety absorbs liquid well without becoming mushy.
• Milk: Any type works well—dairy milk provides creaminess, while almond or oat milk offers plant-based alternatives with different flavor notes.
• Greek yogurt: Adds protein and creates a creamier texture. The slight tanginess balances the sweetness of the strawberries.
• Chia seeds: These tiny seeds create a pudding-like consistency while adding omega-3 fatty acids and fiber.
• Maple syrup or honey: Natural sweeteners that complement the strawberry flavor without overwhelming it.
• Vanilla extract: A small amount enhances the overall flavor profile.

For the Strawberry Element:

• Fresh strawberries: Choose ripe, bright red berries with a sweet smell. When not in season, frozen strawberries (thawed and drained) make a good substitute.
• Lemon juice: A splash brightens the strawberry flavor and prevents browning.

How to Make Strawberry Overnight Oats

Base Preparation:

1. Add 1 cup rolled oats to a medium bowl or divide between two mason jars.
2. Pour in 1 cup milk of your choice.
3. Add 1/2 cup Greek yogurt and stir to combine.
4. Mix in 1 tablespoon chia seeds.
5. Add 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (adjust to taste).
6. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.
7. Mix all ingredients thoroughly until well combined.

Strawberry Preparation:

1. Wash and hull 1 cup of strawberries.
2. Dice half the strawberries into small pieces.
3. Slice the remaining strawberries for topping.
4. Toss diced strawberries with 1 teaspoon lemon juice.
5. Fold the diced strawberries into the oat mixture.

Final Steps:

1. Cover the bowl or seal the jars.
2. Refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours.
3. In the morning, stir the mixture and check consistency.
4. If too thick, add a splash of milk.
5. Top with sliced strawberries and optional extras like nuts or seeds.
6. Enjoy cold straight from the refrigerator.

What You Must Know About Strawberry Overnight Oats

• Soaking time matters: The minimum soaking time is 6 hours, but 8-12 hours produces the best texture.
• Texture control: For thicker oats, use less milk; for a thinner consistency, add more.
• Layering strategy: Place strawberries on top just before eating to prevent them from making the oats too watery.
• Storage limits: Prepared overnight oats last 3-4 days in the refrigerator, but the strawberries will soften and release juice over time.
• Temperature sensitivity: These oats are designed to be eaten cold; heating changes the texture and can make the yogurt separate.
• Sweetness development: The natural sugars in the fruit infuse the oats overnight, so you may need less added sweetener than you think.

Helpful Tips

• Mason jar method: Prepare in wide-mouth mason jars for built-in portion control and easy transport.
• Mashed berry option: For stronger strawberry flavor throughout, mash some berries before adding.
• Premix dry ingredients: Save time by preparing batches of the dry ingredients in advance.
• Frozen berry technique: If using frozen strawberries, add them frozen the night before and they’ll thaw perfectly by morning.
• Texture enhancers: For added crunch, sprinkle granola or sliced almonds on top just before eating.
• Ripeness test: If your strawberries aren’t quite ripe, macerate them in a little sugar for 15 minutes before adding.

Variations and Substitutions

Milk Alternatives:

• Coconut milk creates a tropical flavor profile
• Oat milk provides extra creaminess and complements the oats naturally
• Almond milk adds a subtle nutty flavor

Fruit Combinations:

• Strawberry-banana: Add sliced banana for natural sweetness
• Strawberry-blueberry: Mix in fresh blueberries for antioxidant power
• Strawberry-apple: Include grated apple for extra fiber and natural sweetness

Flavor Boosters:

• Add 1/4 teaspoon almond extract for a subtle nutty flavor
• Mix in 1 tablespoon cocoa powder for chocolate-covered strawberry vibes
• Sprinkle in cinnamon or cardamom for warm spice notes

Protein Additions:

• Stir in 1 tablespoon of nut butter for healthy fats and extra protein
• Add a scoop of vanilla or strawberry protein powder
• Mix in 2 tablespoons of hemp seeds for plant-based protein

Serving Suggestions for Strawberry Overnight Oats

• Parfait style: Layer the overnight oats with extra yogurt and fresh strawberries in a clear glass.
• Breakfast bowl: Serve in a wide bowl topped with additional fresh fruit, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of granola.
• Smoothie companion: Pair a smaller portion with a green smoothie for a complete breakfast.
• Toast partner: Serve alongside whole grain toast with nut butter for a more substantial meal.
• Topping bar: Set up a topping station with chopped nuts, seeds, coconut flakes, and different fruits for a customizable breakfast.
• Dessert alternative: Serve in small ramekins as a healthier dessert option.

Storage

Store prepared Strawberry Overnight Oats in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The texture will change slightly over time as the oats continue to absorb liquid. If you’re meal prepping for several days, consider storing the sliced strawberry topping separately and adding it just before eating to maintain freshness and prevent the berries from making the oats too watery.

Irresistible Strawberry Overnight Oats: Easy and Healthy Breakfast

Discover our easy Strawberry Overnight Oats recipe – a delicious, time-saving breakfast packed with protein and fresh strawberry flavor. Perfect for busy mornings!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 0 minutes mins

Cooling Time 7 hours hrs

Total Time 7 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American, international

Servings 2 servings

Calories 290 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup milk of choice
• 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup fresh strawberries
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• Optional toppings: sliced almonds hemp seeds, or granola

Instructions

 

• In a medium bowl or divided between two mason jars, combine oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
• Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
• Wash and hull strawberries. Dice half the strawberries into small pieces.
• Toss diced strawberries with lemon juice and fold into the oat mixture.
• Cover the bowl or seal the jars and refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours.
• Slice the remaining strawberries for topping.
• When ready to serve, stir the oat mixture and check consistency.
• If needed, add a splash of milk to thin the mixture.
• Top with sliced strawberries and optional toppings.
• Enjoy cold from the refrigerator.

Notes

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

Based on a serving made with 2% dairy milk, plain Greek yogurt, and 1 tablespoon of maple syrup:

• Calories: 290
• Protein: 14g
• Carbohydrates: 47g
• Fiber: 7g
• Sugars: 18g (includes natural and added sugars)
• Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 2g
• Calcium: 25% DV
• Iron: 10% DV

This nutritional profile makes Strawberry Overnight Oats a balanced breakfast option that provides long-lasting energy through a good balance of complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats.

Breakfast, No-cook, Make-ahead, Strawberry, Oatmeal, Healthy, Quick, Easy, Meal prep, Summer