Blueberry and Lemon Overnight Oats

Rolled oats, with their high fiber content and multiple health benefits, are a great food for children and athletes. But, not many people have time to cook them in the morning, and quick-cooking oats or microwavable cups don’t always provide the right texture or flavor. Plus, store-bought oatmeal is often loaded with sugar and unwanted ingredients. 

The good news is that you’re not stuck with these two options or spending 20 minutes simmering oats on low heat. All you have to do is make Blueberry and Lemon Overnight Oats, which not only satisfy your cravings for a comforting bowl of oatmeal in the morning but also provide plenty of protein, calcium, and antioxidants.

A Note About the Ingredients

Rolled oats: In this Blueberry and Lemon Overnight Oats recipe, you will want to use old-fashioned rolled oats rather than quick-cooking. Lightly processed and whole-grain, they have a more satisfying texture than quick-cooking oats, which are processed further and steamed and often turn to mush. After an overnight soak, the rolled oats will be tender but still hold their shape.

Whey protein powder: Easy to absorb and increasingly available in delicious flavors, whey protein powder is a great way to increase your nutrient intake. Not just for protein shakes, you can add whey protein to coffee, puddings, waffles, pancakes, and of course, oatmeal.

Chia seeds: Not just for chia pets, chia seeds are one of the richest plant-based sources of calcium. They are also high in fiber and have a very neutral taste, which makes them the perfect add-on to many recipes needing a little boost.

Almond milk: Easy to make at home by blending 1 cup of soaked almonds with 3 cups of water, a couple of dates, a pinch of salt, and a few drops of vanilla extract before straining through a nut milk bag; almond milk is also easily found in most grocery stores. Nutritious and dairy free, it’s a great substitute for cow’s milk and isn’t overpowering in these Blueberry and Lemon Overnight Oats.

Blueberries and lemon zest: While oats and chia seeds are pretty neutral in flavor, blueberries and lemon add a burst of freshness, as well as a punch of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. Try to get organic lemons and blueberries, as they can rank pretty high on the list of foods with the most pesticide residues. You can use frozen berries if desired.

Making Blueberry and Lemon Overnight Oats

All you need to do is stir all the Blueberry and Lemon Overnight Oats ingredients together and refrigerate them overnight. You can eat the oats cold right out of the fridge or warm them up as desired. You can add more ingredients to the recipe, like a drizzle of maple syrup, a sprinkling of desiccated coconut, chopped macadamia nuts, and more. Just remember to update the nutritional breakdown. 

Not in the mood for almond milk? Whole milk or coconut milk is also great in this Blueberry and Lemon Overnight Oats recipe, which will keep for several days, so don’t hesitate to make a bigger batch. You can even vary each jar with different ingredients, like apple and cinnamon, strawberry and vanilla, banana and peanut butter, almond butter and chocolate, and more.

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