Lately I have been all about overnight oats and have been making just about every flavor I can image. I just made a bunch of strawberry freezer jam and realized it’d be perfect for strawberry overnight oats!

This recipe uses homemade strawberry jam and loads of strawberries to pack these overnight oats with strawberry flavor.

They’re so delicious it almost tastes like you’re eating dessert for breakfast.

The best part is that these strawberry overnight oats are gluten free, can easily be made vegan and are packed with protein. They truly are such an easy and wonderful way to start your day.

Getting the Ratios Just Right in Strawberry Overnight Oats

Oatmeal can be a divisive topic. Most people prefer their oatmeal one of two ways. Either thick like paste, or thinner and a bit wetter. I’m going to be honest with you, I like my oatmeal a bit “wetter.”

However, that’s not how this recipe is formulated. I created this recipe to make a thicker oatmeal once it comes out of the fridge. This way everyone is happy in the end!

People who like a thicker oatmeal can eat it straight out of the fridge and anyone who wants it a bit thinner can add a splash of milk or water.

The proper ratio of liquid to oats varies based on a lot of factors.

For instance, I love adding chia seeds to my oats because they’re a great source of fiber, omega-3s and protein. But they absorb a ton of water!

Usually I stick to a 1:1 ratio of oats to water or milk, but I use 2/3 of a cup of water in this recipe because of the chia seeds.

How Far in Advance Do You Need to Make Overnight Oats?

Despite their name, overnight oats don’t actually have to sit in the fridge overnight.

However, they do need a bit of time to soak up the water or milk and soften.

If I forget to make my overnight oats ahead of time, I find they only need about 3 hours to soak before they’re ready to go.

They’re definitely a bit thinner when they soak for less time though.

Letting them sit overnight not only helps them fully soften, but it also gives the flavors a chance to develop.

Long story short, an overnight soak is ideal but not necessary if you are short on time.

Can Overnight Oats Be Eaten Warm?

Not everyone can get behind the idea of eating uncooked, cold oats. And I get it, if you haven’t tried overnight oats before it does seem like an odd concept.

But trust me on this one, cold overnight oats are absolutely delicious and have an amazing texture. They’re also an incredibly refreshing breakfast on a warm day.

With that be said, you can eat overnight oats warm. They can be heated just like any other bowl of oatmeal. Pop them into the microwave and heat in 30 second intervals until they’re warm.

Customizing These Overnight Oats

One of the best things about these strawberry overnight oats is that they are totally customizable to your dietary preferences!

In addition to the substitutions discussed above, you can easily make these overnight oats vegan or gluten-free. Below are some specific swaps in this recipe:

Vegan substitutions: Use plant-based milk and plant-based yogurt.

Gluten-free substitution: While oats are naturally gluten free, not all are processed in wheat free facilities. Be sure to check your package. Be sure to use gluten-free oats.

Strawberry Overnight Oats – Substitutions & Swaps

While I love this recipe for strawberry overnight oats just the way it is, I know some of you might not have all these ingredients on hand!

Below are some swaps and substitutions that can be made in this recipe:

• Rolled Oats (GF) – This recipe turns out best with rolled or old-fashioned oats. You can use quick oats if that’s all you have, but you should reduce the amount of water or milk to 1/2 a cup.
• Chia Seeds – If you don’t have chia seeds, you can omit them from this recipe. They absorb a lot of liquid though, so you will need to reduce the amount of water or milk to 1/2 cup to get the right consistency.
• Jam or Jelly – You can use your favorite jam or jelly in this recipe! I love using my strawberry freezer jam, but raspberry, blackberry, grape, or even blueberry jam or jelly would taste great in these overnight oats!
• Greek Yogurt – Greek yogurt adds a wonderful creaminess to these oats along with a lot of protein. However, you can use any yogurt you like or dairy free yogurt! You can also skip adding yogurt if you’re not a fan.
• Strawberries – Strawberries add wonderful texture and color. You can use fresh or frozen berries! I love using frozen berries because they naturally color the oats and give them a beautiful look once mixed in.
• Freeze dried strawberry powder – This ingredient it totally optional but adds a lot of color and flavor! If you have it on hand, I highly recommend adding it, but if you won’t you can skip it.
• Milk – I prefer making these oats with skim milk but you can also use water or any dairy free milk.

Tips for Making the Best Strawberry Overnight Oats

• Make your oats in a sealable container like a mason jar!
• Be sure to use a large enough jar to give yourself room to stir.
• Feel free to double this recipe or make multiple jars to last the entire week.
• These strawberry overnight oats stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days.
• Use rolled or old-fashioned oats to give your oatmeal the best texture and consistency!
• If you like your oatmeal a bit thinner, I suggest adding a splash of water or your favorite milk before eating.
• Use frozen berries! They naturally color the oats and create a beautiful look once mixed in.
• Top your oats with a dollop of whipped cream and fresh berries to take them to the next level.

Let Me Know What You Think!

If you try this recipe for strawberry overnight oats, I’d love to hear what you think of it! Please leave a rating and comment below.

Don’t forget to tag me @chelsweets and use #chelsweets so that I can see your amazing creations on social media!

Other Recipes You Might Like: