Overnight Oats: Chocolate Berry Explosion

I don't know about all of you, but it's hard to find a better feeling than those first few days of summer weather. The sun is shining, birds are chirping, and, if you live in the Midwest like me, you finally can go outside without running the risk of getting caught in a surprise hail storm. What's not to love?

As the weather heats up though, I personally prefer my breakfasts to cool down. While the idea of sipping a cool, fruit smoothie in the middle of January may not sound too appealing, there's nothing better than enjoying a nice, refreshing meal outside on a warm summer's day.

But smoothies aren't the only option if you're looking for a shake-up your breakfasts this summer. You can also try overnight oats! I've experimented with a lot of different recipes over the years, but this chocolate berry version may be my favorite one yet. As an additional bonus, this breakfast packs a big nutritional punch, containing complex carbs, fiber, and protein. They're also absolutely delicious, so what's not to love?

My favorite way to eat these in the morning is to pop them out of the fridge and add a dollop of peanut butter for some extra healthy fats and flavor :)

Recipe:

1/2 cup rolled oats

1 cup milk of choice

1/2 cup frozen blueberries

1/2 cup frozen strawberries

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

Cinnamon to taste

Peanut butter (for topping)

FAQs:

Do I have to use rolled oats, or can I substitute with quick or steel cut ones?

Rolled oats are preferred for this recipe because they hold up best when soaked overnight, but you can sub another type of oats in a pinch. Quick oats, in particular, can probably serve as a decent alternative, you just won't get the same chewy texture. (If you do end up using quick oats, I recommend cutting the milk amount to 3/4 cup so that they're not too runny.)

Can I eat these warm, or do they have to be served cold?

Up to you! Personally, I enjoy to have these cold, and I think that one of the biggest advantages of overnight oats is their unmatched convenience. Especially for those busy mornings, having a breakfast you can grab-and-go proves to be an absolute game-changer. But if you can't stomach the thought of having cold oats for breakfast, then you can absolutely pop them in the microwave for 60-90 seconds.

I don't eat dairy, can I use a milk alternative?

Yep! I used FairLife skim milk in this version, but the recipe is totally customizable to allow for any dietary restrictions you may have. Almond, oat, and soy milks should all work perfectly fine :)