Mixed Berry Chia Overnight Oats
Bright, tart, jammy berry oats — the chia turns them into natural fruit jam.
Method · 6 steps
- 1
In a small bowl, smash the frozen berries with a fork — leave some chunks, this is not a puree. The berries thaw as they sit.
- 2
Add maple syrup and lemon zest to the berries and stir. Let it sit 2 minutes while you prep the jar.
- 3
In a 16 oz mason jar, stir together oats, chia seeds, salt, almond milk, Greek yogurt, and vanilla.
- 4
Spoon the berry mixture on top of the oat base — do not stir yet. You want a layered look for visual appeal, and the berries will seep down overnight.
- 5
Seal and refrigerate at least 6 hours, ideally overnight. The doubled chia seeds need the full soak to set the jam layer.
- 6
In the morning, stir once to swirl the berry jam through the oats. Top with a few fresh berries if you have them.
Chef's notes
- →Frozen berries work better than fresh here — they release more juice as they thaw and the jam layer is thicker.
- →Lemon zest is non-negotiable. It wakes up the berry flavor and stops the jar from tasting flat.
- →Do not top with fresh berries if you're meal-prepping multiple days out — they go mushy by day 3. Add them the morning of.
Storage
Fridge 4 days sealed. The chia jam actually improves day 2-3. Do not freeze.
