Strawberry Lemonade Overnight Oats (Printable Version)

A refreshing mix of strawberries, lemon zest, and poppy seeds layered in creamy chilled oats.

# What You Need:

→ Oats Base

01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
03 - 1/2 cup Greek yogurt (or plant-based alternative)
04 - 2 tablespoons chia seeds
05 - 1 to 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
06 - 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 - Pinch of salt

→ Strawberry Lemonade Mix

08 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
09 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
10 - 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
11 - 2 teaspoons poppy seeds

→ Toppings

12 - Sliced fresh strawberries (optional)
13 - Additional lemon zest (optional)
14 - Extra poppy seeds (optional)

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a medium mixing bowl or large jar, combine the rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, honey or maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
02 - In a separate small bowl, mash half of the diced strawberries with the freshly squeezed lemon juice and grated lemon zest until the mixture becomes juicy with some remaining texture.
03 - Fold the mashed strawberry mixture, remaining diced strawberries, and poppy seeds into the oat base. Stir until all components are fully combined and evenly distributed.
04 - Cover the bowl or seal the jar with a lid. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight to allow the oats to absorb the liquid, soften completely, and allow flavors to meld together.
05 - In the morning, stir the oats thoroughly. If a thinner consistency is preferred, add a splash of additional milk and stir well. Divide the mixture between two serving bowls or jars.
06 - Top each serving with fresh sliced strawberries, additional lemon zest, and extra poppy seeds if desired. Serve directly from the refrigerator while chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • No cooking required, which means you can literally make breakfast in your pajamas while half asleep.
  • It actually tastes like summer in a bowl instead of tasting like something you're eating because you have to.
  • The texture keeps everything interesting, from creamy oats to crunchy poppy seeds to soft strawberry bits.
02 -
  • Don't skip the mashing step; having some strawberries still chunky and others broken down creates texture variation that keeps your spoon interested.
  • Freshly squeezed lemon juice makes a difference that bottled lemon juice simply cannot replicate, so squeeze it yourself even if your hands hurt a little.
03 -
  • Use a vegetable peeler to get lemon zest if you don't own a microplane; it's slower but works perfectly fine and looks more rustic.
  • Taste your strawberries before you buy them; sad strawberries make sad oats, so wait for the ones that actually smell like something.
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