Blueberry pecan overnight oats are a simple, make-ahead breakfast with no cooking involved. Creamy cinnamon oatmeal is topped with fresh blueberries and chopped pecans. A hearty and filling grab-and-go breakfast!
Blueberry overnight oats make a simple, fuss-free breakfast. They're perfect for when you don't have time to cook, but still want a filling meal. Pumpkin pie overnight oats and strawberry overnight oats are a few of my other favorite flavors.
So, what are overnight oats? Old fashioned oats are soaked in milk and yogurt overnight in the refrigerator. They're ready to enjoy first thing in the morning with no cooking needed!
Enjoy your overnight oats cold, just like a bowl of cereal, topped with chopped pecans and fresh blueberries. These overnight oats are lightly sweetened with maple syrup and a dash of cinnamon for a perfectly comforting flavor.
Ingredients and substitutions
- Oats - Old fashioned oats have the best texture for overnight oats. Instant oats are too thin and powdery, getting mushy when allowed to sit overnight. Steel cut oats can work but need additional liquid and turn out a bit chewier.
- Milk - Any type of milk works with this recipe, like whole milk, skim milk, or almond milk.
- Yogurt - I used plain Greek yogurt for this recipe, but vanilla yogurt would also work.
- Maple syrup - Can be substituted with honey, brown sugar, or granulated sugar. The sweetness can also easily be adjusted by adding more or less of your preferred sweetener.
- Pecans - Can be substituted with other nuts like walnuts or sliced almonds.
- Cinnamon - Adds warm, cinnamon flavor to the overnight oats. Substitute with pumpkin pie spice or chai spice blend for a more complex flavor.
- Blueberries - Fresh blueberries are my favorite topping for overnight oats, but can be substituted with your favorite fresh fruit. Sliced banana, raspberries, or strawberries are great options.
Tips and tricks
Use a tightly sealing container - For easy transportation on the go, use a small reusable container or glass jar with a tightly sealing lid. I recommend a 16 ounce wide-mouth mason jar (like shown above), which allows extra space for toppings like fresh fruit.
Use old fashioned oats for best texture - Instant oats are too thin and turn out mushy. Steel cut oats turn out chewier and will need about ¼ cup of extra milk.
Add extras - Fresh fruit, nuts, flaxseed, sunflower seeds, and shredded coconut add flavor, texture, and heartiness to your overnight oats.
Make ahead - For best texture, allow your oats to refrigerate for at least 8 hours.
Frequently asked questions
Old fashioned oats are the best option for overnight oats. Instant oats are thin and powdery in texture compared to old fashioned oats. They get too soft and mushy when soaked overnight. Steel-cut oats can work, but you'll need to add a bit more liquid (about ¼ cup of milk), and they'll be much more chewy. I find that steel-cut oats do not soften enough overnight, which is why I recommend old fashioned oats.
Overnight oats require no cooking and can be eaten cold. The ingredients are mixed together the night before, stored in the refrigerator, and can be enjoyed straight from the fridge in the morning.
Yes, overnight oats can be warmed up just like traditional oatmeal. Microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring frequently, until warmed to your desired temperature, or warm up on the stovetop over medium heat.
Yes, overnight oats will keep for about 5 days in the refrigerator, but the texture is best within the first 2 to 3 days.
Recommended
📖 Recipe
Blueberry Pecan Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- ½ cup (45 g) old fashioned oats
- ½ cup (114 g) milk
- ⅓ cup (76 g) plain Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup, or more to taste
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
- ½ cup (78 g) fresh blueberries
Instructions
- In a 16 ounce mason jar or other container with a lid, add oats, milk, yogurt, maple syrup, and cinnamon. Stir until combined. Seal with a lid and refrigerate at least 8 hours, or overnight.
- Just before serving, top oats with chopped pecans and fresh blueberries. Oats can be enjoyed cold, or microwaved until warmed through.
Equipment Recommendations
Notes
- Storage: Overnight oats will keep for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, but the texture is best within the first 2-3 days.
- Oats: Old fashioned oats are best for making overnight oats. Steel cut oats will remain very chewy and instant oats will get soggy.
- Optional additions: collagen peptides, protein powder, ground flaxseed, chia seeds, walnuts, pecans, fresh fruits.
Linda C
I make this regularly. So easy. I get up and pop my Ball jar microwave for a minute and take it to go. Delicious!