Wake up to a refreshing and nutritious breakfast with these Lemon Blueberry Overnight Oats! This easy, make-ahead meal is bursting with bright citrus flavor, juicy blueberries, and just the right amount of sweetness. Perfect for busy mornings, these creamy and satisfying oats require just a few simple ingredients and no cooking—simply mix, refrigerate, and enjoy!
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A breakfast that takes just minutes to prepare and is ready to grab as you head out the door is a win in my book! This sweet and tart overnight oatmeal is what dreams are made of. It tastes just like a lemon blueberry muffin.
These oats can be made in a mason jar with a lid—perfectly sized to fit in your car’s cup holder. With a creamy texture, refreshing citrus flavor, and a boost of protein, this easy meal ensures you never have to skip a balanced breakfast!
Need some other overnight oats recipes? Try these Pear Overnight Oats or these Matcha Overnight Oats.
What I Love About This Recipe
These overnight oats are the perfect make-ahead breakfast. Here is why I love them:
- Balanced Macronutrients— With whole grain carbohydrates, healthy fat from the chia seeds, and some protein. These overnight oats make a great, satisfying breakfast. For a higher protein option, try these High-Protein Overnight Oats (42 Grams of Protein!).
- Maximum Convenience – These oats come together in minutes and are ready to grab and go in the morning. Because let’s be honest—we could all use a little extra ease in our mornings!
Ingredients
Old-Fashioned Oats - Quick oats and steel-cut oats don’t work as well for overnight oats—old-fashioned rolled oats are the way to go! I personally love One Degree Organics Sprouted Rolled Oats, which I usually grab from Costco. They are a little more firm even after soaking overnight, but are sprouted and easier to digest.
Greek Yogurt - Both full-fat and non-fat Greek yogurt work for this recipe. If you’re not a fan of Greek yogurt’s tangy flavor, I recommend using the full-fat version for a creamier, milder taste. Vanilla protein powder can also be used if you do not have Greek yogurt, or you need a dairy-free option.
Milk - Regular milk, Fairlife milk (for extra protein), or any unsweetened milk alternative, except for canned coconut milk, can be used.
Lemon Juice & Zest - Fresh lemon juice and zest give these oats a bright, fresh flavor that works wonderfully with the blueberries and vanilla.
Frozen Blueberries - Frozen blueberries are flash frozen at the peak of ripeness, and offer ultimate convenience. Fresh blueberries can be used, but I personally prefer the texture of thawed frozen blueberries.
See the full ingredient list and measurements in the recipe card below.
Possible Substitutions
- You can use vegan protein powder, but keep in mind it tends to be more absorbent. If your oats turn out too thick after setting, simply stir in a bit more dairy-free milk to reach your desired consistency.
- For sweeteners, any alternative to maple syrup will work. While honey isn’t ideal since it doesn’t dissolve well in cold foods, coconut sugar or another sweetener of your choice will do the trick!
- Chia seeds can be omitted if you don't have them on hand. If using protein powder, depending on the type used, the oats may be slightly more liquid without the chia seeds.
If you try any substitutions in this recipe, please let us know what works in the comments below!
How to Make Lemon Blueberry Overnight Oats
Step 1: Combine all ingredients except the blueberries in an airtight container or 16-ounce jar with a lid.
Step 2: Stir together or shake the sealed jar vigorously until there are no lumps.
Step 3: Place sealed container in the fridge for 2 hours or ideally overnight to thicken.
Step 4: Remove from fridge and stir. Add the frozen blueberries and allow at least 5 minutes for the blueberries to thaw before eating. Mixing the frozen blueberries into the oats before they are set may make the oats watery.
Commonly Asked Questions
This recipe has 14 grams of protein if using greek yogurt. Adding protein powder, in addition to Greek yogurt will up the protein (you may need to add a little more liquid if the oats are too thick). Other options to increase protein would be to use high-protein milks (like Fairlife or dairy-free milk with added pea protein), blended cottage cheese, or topping with hemps seeds or nut butters.
Protein overnight oats can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for 4-5 days, making them an ideal meal prep option for a busy week. They will continue to thicken over time, but a splash of milk can easily bring them back to the perfect consistency. For the best texture, add the blueberries on top either the night before or the day you plan to enjoy them!
Absolutely! Blueberries are a fantastic addition to overnight oats, adding both flavor and nutrients to your breakfast. I prefer using frozen blueberries since they’re picked at peak ripeness and have a softer texture when thawed. The trick is to add them with just enough time to defrost before eating—too early, and they might release excess moisture into the oats.
Choose any protein powder that aligns with your dietary preferences. Opt for one with minimal ingredients—I personally prefer options sweetened with monk fruit or stevia to avoid added sugars. Keep in mind that vegan protein powders tend to be more absorbent, which can result in thicker oats. If your oats turn out too thick after setting, simply stir in an extra tablespoon or two of milk (or a milk alternative) to adjust the consistency.
In this recipe, you can use protein powder instead of Greek yogurt, or in addition to it, for added protein. If using both, adjust the ratio of liquid as needed.
Absolutely and easily! Either use vegan protein powder or a vegan Greek yogurt alternative + almond milk or another unsweetened milk alternative for a delicious vegan-friendly breakfast.
Dietitian Notes
- These overnight oats provide a balanced mix of macronutrients, with carbohydrates from whole grain oats, healthy fats from chia seeds, and protein from Greek yogurt or protein powder, making them a satisfying way to start your morning.
- In addition to their macronutrient balance, these oats are also a good source of essential vitamins and minerals, including iron, calcium, vitamin C, and potassium, to help fuel your day.
- While 14 grams of protein is a solid start, consider pairing these oats with another protein-rich food to help you meet your daily protein goals - or try these High-Protein Overnight Oats (42 Grams of Protein!). Aim for about 30 grams of protein in your morning meal.
Recipe Tips
- Sweeten this recipe to taste. If using greek yogurt rather than sweetened protein powder, you may want to add 2 tablespoons of maple syrup.
- Adding them too early may add unwanted excess moisture to the oats. If I plan on eating them around 10 AM, I like to throw the blueberries in before I leave for work around 8 AM. This way they are softened but still cold! I generally won't mix them in. I leave them on top of the set oats and mix them in right before enjoying.
- If your oats are too thick after setting, you can add a tablespoon or two more of milk. If they are a little too thin for your preferences, add another tablespoon of yogurt, protein powder, or chia seeds.
- Omitting the greek yogurt/protein powder will make the oats more liquidy.
- Sprouted oats are a little more firm, and work best if set overnight.
Try These Other Great Breakfast Recipes
Looking for other tasty recipes? Here are a few you might like:
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📖 Recipe
Lemon Blueberry Overnight Oats
Equipment
- 16-ounce jar or airtight container with a lid
Ingredients
- ½ cup Gluten-free old-fashioned rolled oats not steel cut or instant
- ½ cup Milk or unsweetened milk alternative
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt or 2 tablespoons vanilla protein powder (lightly packed)
- 1 tablespoon Maple syrup or to taste
- 1 tablespoon Chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Lemon zest
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt or to taste
- ¼ cup Frozen blueberries
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except the blueberries in an airtight container or 16-ounce jar with a lid. Seal container and shake vigorously for a minute or so until everything is well incorporated and no lumps appear.
- Place sealed container in the fridge for 2 hours or ideally overnight to thicken.
- Remove from fridge and stir. Taste and adjust sweetness if needed. If your oats are too thick (which may happen if using vegan protein powder), add another tablespoon or two of milk. Add the frozen blueberries and allow at least 5 minutes for the blueberries to thaw before eating. Mixing the frozen blueberries into the oats before they are set may make the oats watery.
Notes
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- Sweeten this recipe to taste. If using greek yogurt rather than sweetened protein powder, you may want to add 2 tablespoons of maple syrup.
-
- Adding them too early may add unwanted excess moisture to the oats. If I plan on eating them around 10 AM, I like to throw the blueberries in before I leave for work around 8 AM. This way they are softened but still cold! I generally won't mix them in. I leave them on top of the set oats and mix them in right before enjoying.
-
- If your oats are too thick after setting, you can add a tablespoon or two more of milk. If they are a little too thin for your preferences, add another tablespoon of yogurt, protein powder, or chia seeds.
- Omitting the greek yogurt/protein powder will make the oats more liquidy.
- Sprouted oats are a little more firm, and work best if set overnight.
Rita says
I like the sound of this! I don't have any protein powder, how do I adjust the recipe to omit the protein powder?
foodbornewellness.com says
Hi Rita, You could just omit the protein powder but the consistency will be a little different because it absorbs some of the moisture. You could also substitute it for a couple additional tablespoons of oats.
Liz says
Delicious!! it was awesome!! I'm thinking I will try it with mandarin oranges and cranberries or other yummy combinations.
foodbornewellness.com says
Thanks for trying it out, Liz! I have never done mandarin oranges in oats but that combo sounds phenomenal!