5-Ingredient Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oats & 60+ Nourishing No-Cook Breakfast Recipes! (2024)

Here’s an easy, 5-minute, 5-ingredient Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oats full of probiotics and protein! Plus, get over 60 MORE nourishing, no-cook breakfast recipes so everyone gets out the door with a full belly on chaotic mornings!
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5-Ingredient Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oats & 60+ Nourishing No-Cook Breakfast Recipes! (1)

Busy mornings are hard, y’all.

Early, busy mornings are even worse.

And yet, everyone needs and deserves a hearty, filling, and nourishing breakfast to start their day off on the right foot!

And I’m not just talking about kids needing and deserving a breakfast like this.

Momma, you need breakfast, too.

Trust me.

I skipped breakfast for years, thinking I didn’t have time to cook for myself or I didn’t want to dirty up the kitchen or I would make up for it later with lunch and dinner.

Wrong.

It’s a long story, but skipping breakfast was, I believe, a big factor that led to blood sugar imbalance and weight gain for me. I’m a much happier, balanced, and healthier Momma when I nourish myself first. (Or right after the peeps head out the door so I can enjoy my breakfast in peace and quiet. 😉 )

Think of being on an airplane. If those oxygen masks ever drop down, what are you supposed to do?

Secure your own mask first, then help your kids. Because you’re useless to them if you’re not breathing.

Breakfast is kinda like that oxygen mask. I’m useless to my kids (and my husband and myself and my friends) if I’m starving and cranky because my blood sugar is in the dumps.

Momma, it’s ok to take care of you. Besides eating breakfast, here are 15 more ways you can practice self-care!

Now… if only I could get my husband to eat breakfast… 😉

5-Ingredient Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oats & 60+ Nourishing No-Cook Breakfast Recipes! (2)

Overnight Oats To The Rescue!

Honestly, I didn’t jump on the Overnight Oats Train until recently. I think I was convinced that my kids wouldn’t eat cold oatmeal, so I didn’t even try.

Then, my daughter decided she was sick and tired of eggs.

And then, one night, with our pantry and fridge in desperate need of re-stocking, I decided to go for it!

I grabbed the rolled oats from the pantry and the kefir from the fridge. (We always have rolled oats because I buy them in 25-pound bags from Azure Standard!)

To add protein, I threw in a scoop of my favorite, grass-fed collagen powder. Save 10% with my readers-only discount code ALLTHETHINGS!

And, because we don’t use sugar or whole sweeteners, I sweetened it all with some vanilla stevia with frozen blueberries on top (which I also buy in bulk from Azure Standard).

5 minutes to prep. 5 ingredients. Vanilla. Blueberries. Kefir. Healthy. Done.

Use Kefir For Overnight Oat Success & Best Digestion

#1 — Use kefir or yogurt to breakdown phytic acid.

Many recipes that I found for overnight oats used milk or dairy-free milk.

Unfortunately, however, oats are pretty high in an anti-nutrient called phytic acid. Phytic acid prevents mineral absorption in humans, which leads to nutrient deficiencies, poor gut health, and poor oral health.

Yet, kefir (or a high quality cultured yogurt) contains the necessary compounds to breakdown the phytic acid in oats, making them nourishing, digestible, and much healthier!

Learn how to make kefir.

Learn how to make raw milk yogurt.

#2 — Kefir also adds protein and fat.

Have you ever eaten a bowl of cereal or toast for breakfast only to find yourself starving an hour later??

Oats are carb-i-licious and little else. So, eating a big bowl of sweetened oatmeal made with water is nothing more than a blood sugar spike and drop waiting to happen.

I’m a big fan of slow-digesting carbs that don’t lead to taking a ride on the Blood Sugar Drop of Death Rollercoaster.

In these overnight oats, kefir provides the acid to breakdown phytic acid (see above) while also providing extra protein and fat. Adding those macros to this otherwise carb-heavy breakfast is really valuable for stable blood sugar and satiety.

#3 — Kefir is FULL of probiotics!

Even more than yogurt and even more beneficial for your gut health!

In fact, while yogurt contains transient bacteria to keep the intestines clean and provide food for the healthy bacteria in the digestive tract. Kefir, on the other hand, has bacteria and yeast strains that can actually colonize the gut — which yogurt cannot do.

Kefir also contains more bacterial strains than yogurt, as well as beneficial yeasts (which yogurt does not have) that control and fight pathogenic yeasts, like Candida albicans.

Kefir is definitely a superfood that I want my kids to consume often!

Plus, besides smoothies, these Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oats are literally the only way I can get kefir into my kids.

5-Ingredient Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oats & 60+ Nourishing No-Cook Breakfast Recipes! (3)

Overnight Oats FAQs

Can I sweeten with something other than stevia? Sure! You can add some maple syrup or raw honey to taste, if you like. Obviously, oats aren’t low-carb, therefore I like to keep carbs as low and slow-digesting as possible by not adding any more sugars. If you do use a whole sweetener, you’ll want to add 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract to make up for the vanilla in the stevia.

Is the collagen necessary? In my opinion, yes. A satiating breakfast is one with plenty of protein… and oats aren’t exactly a great protein source. One cup of plain, whole milk kefir contains 9 grams of protein — it’s a good start, but not much. One scoop of grass-fed collagen adds 10 grams of protein, plus amino acids and benefits for the gut, joints, skin, and hair! And 19 grams of protein in breakfast ain’t bad. 😉

This is the only collagen I use. Save 10% on your purchase with my readers-only discount code ALLTHETHINGS.

Fresh or frozen berries?It really doesn’t matter! If you have fresh, use fresh. My kids actually prefer frozen berries because they thaw in the fridge overnight, allowing the purple juice to seep slowly into the oats. Since fresh berries are in season for such a short time, frozen berries allows us to enjoy this super-duper quick breakfast all year long! To save money, I buy frozen blueberries and strawberries in bulk from Azure Standard.

Quick oats or rolled oats? Rolled oats! Use organic, if at all possible. Find certified gluten-free rolled oats here. Again, we purchase organic rolled oats in 25-pound bags from Azure Standard.

Have more questions about these yummy 5-Ingredient Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oats? Ask them in the comments!

Now, let’s make this simple, nourishing, no-cook breakfast!

5-Ingredient Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oats & 60+ Nourishing No-Cook Breakfast Recipes! (4)

4.85 from 19 votes

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Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oats (5 ingredients + 5 minutes!)

With just 5 ingredients, 5 minutes of prep, and NO cooking, this recipe for Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oats couldn't be easier! It's got plenty of protein and probiotics, too!

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Servings 1 servings

Author Lindsey Dietz

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Add the oats and collagen to a pint-size Mason jar.

  2. Mix together.

  3. Add kefir, stevia, and salt.

  4. Mix well to combine.

  5. Top with blueberries.

  6. Cover with a lid and let sit in the fridge overnight -- 8 hours is best for optimal breakdown of phytic acid in the oats.

  7. In the morning, remove from the fridge and serve! Or take it in the car for breakfast on-the-go!

Recipe Notes

*Fresh or frozen? You can use either. My kids prefer frozen berries because they like how the juices seep down into their oats as the berries thaw overnight in the fridge. 🙂

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5-Ingredient Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oats & 60+ Nourishing No-Cook Breakfast Recipes! (5)

And now… 60+ MORE Nourishing No-Cook Breakfast Recipes!

From overnight oats and smoothies to dehydrated granolas and no-cook puddings and porridges and more…

You’re gonna love all of these nourishing, no-cook breakfast recipes!

Here are the standards I kept when hand-selecting each of these no-cook breakfast recipes for you:

  • Many recipes are grain-free, but if they contain grains (oats, sorghum, buckwheat, etc.), the grains are properly prepared by soaking in yogurt or kefir for at least 8 hours.
  • If a recipe contains nuts or seeds, they have been soaked or sprouted to reduce anti-nutrients.
  • No raw spinach or kale in smoothies or smoothie bowls, due to high oxalates. If greens are included in a smoothie, they are lightly steamed first.
  • Granola recipes are not baked, but dehydrated to preserve the enzymes and antioxidants present in the ingredients.
  • Chia seeds are most nourishing and digestible after soaking. Many of these chia pudding recipes use dairy-free milks, instead of yogurt or kefir. If you’re dairy-free, I recommend adding a tablespoon of lemon juice to your dairy-free milk BEFORE stirring in your chia seeds to breakdown phytic acid. If you do tolerate dairy, try chia pudding with kefir!
  • No soy products.

No-Cook Breakfast Success!

Remember what we discussed about protein being part of a nourishing and filling breakfast? And how that’s important to keep blood sugar stable?

Some of these recipes — specifically some overnight oats, smoothies, and smoothie bowls — don’t have enough protein, in my opinion. But, they are really great, no-cook breakfasts nonetheless.

If you come across a recipe that doesn’t seem to have enough protein, or you try one of these recipes and find yourself hungry an hour later, I recommend adding a scoop of collagen to the recipe for 10 extra grams of protein.

Low-Cook Breakfast

I promise I’m really about to give you a TON of healthy no-cook breakfast recipes… really, I am. 🙂

Don’t let the “no-cook” aspect of this keep you in a no-cook box. Maybe you just need “low-cook” breakfasts!

What do I mean by “low-cook”?

Instead of cooking every part of the meal (such as eggs, bacon, oatmeal, porridge, etc.), combine some of these no-cook breakfast recipes with cooked foods:

  • a side of nitrate-free breakfast sausage or bacon with overnight oats or granola
  • a boiled egg or 2 with a smoothie or yogurt parfait

What I’m saying is that you can do a 100% no-cook breakfast, if you want. Or, you can mix no-cook breakfast recipes with a la carte low-cook breakfast foods.

You make breakfast work for you, Momma.

Now, without any further adieu, here are over 60 Nourishing No-Cook Breakfast Recipes!

More Overnight Oats

5-Ingredient Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oats & 60+ Nourishing No-Cook Breakfast Recipes! (6)

Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats from Traditional Cooking School

Kefir Overnight Oats

Cultured Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats

Pre-Soaked Oats (that aren’t glued together or rock-hard!)

Apple Pie Overnight Oats

Flower Child Probiotic Overnight Oats

Bircher Muesli Overnight Oats

Yogurt/Yogurt Bars/Parfaits/Kefir Parfaits

5-Ingredient Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oats & 60+ Nourishing No-Cook Breakfast Recipes! (7)

How To Make A Healthy Yogurt Breakfast Bar from Raising Generation Nourished

How To Make A Healthy Yogurt Breakfast Bar

How To Make A Kefir Parfait (an easy & healthy breakfast!)

Grain-Free Dairy-Free Berry Yogurt Parfait

Blueberry Muffin Overnight Oats Parfait

Strawberry Chia Yogurt Parfait

Raw Carrot Cake Breakfast Bowl

Easy Lemon Berry Cream Parfaits (low-carb)

Dehydrated Granola Recipes

5-Ingredient Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oats & 60+ Nourishing No-Cook Breakfast Recipes! (8)

Chocolate-Orange Quinoa Granola (nut-free, sugar-free, oat-free, soaked!) from All The Nourishing Things

Best Grain-Free Granola (high selenium & protein)

Coconut Macadamia Granola

No-Bake Chocolate Orange Quinoa Granola (nut-free, oat-free, sugar-free, soaked!)

Homemade Soaked Granola (oven or dehydrator instructions)

Basic Raw Soaked Granola (with an oat-free option)

Paleo Blueberry Granola

Gluten-Free Morning Glory Granola

No-Cook 10-Minute Paleo Granola

Cinnamon Pumpkin Granola (gluten-free with grain-free options)

Grain-Free Cinnamon Apple Granola

Simple Cinnamon Granola (gluten-free, refined sugar-free)

Soaked Paleo Maple-Nut Granola

Paleo Chocolate Granola (with enzymes & antioxidants!)

Smoothies & Shakes

5-Ingredient Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oats & 60+ Nourishing No-Cook Breakfast Recipes! (9)

Antioxidant Blueberry Orange Smoothie from Recipes To Nourish

Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Low-Carb Smoothie

Immune-Boosting Citrus Ginger Smoothie

Chocolate Banana Power Smoothie (promotes focus, attention, & mineral balancing in children!)

Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie with Purslane, Pineapple, & Ginger

Nutrient-Dense Green Smoothie For Kids

High Protein Golden Milk Smoothie

Creamy Keto Chocolate Shake

Loaded Paleo/Keto Raspberry Smoothie

Mango Lime Kombucha Smoothie

Chunky Monkey Milk (stevia-sweetened)

Chocolate Orange Smoothie with Essential Oils + a Secret Green Ingredient

Superfoods Kefir Maca Smoothie

Anti-Inflammatory Peach Smoothie with Probiotics

Antioxidant Blueberry Orange Smoothie

Nutrient-Dense Raspberry Smoothie

Coconut Raspberry Vanilla Kombucha Smoothie

High Protein Raspberry Cheesecake Smoothie

Strawberry Avocado Smoothie

Smoothie Bowls

5-Ingredient Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oats & 60+ Nourishing No-Cook Breakfast Recipes! (10)

Turmeric Ginger Bone Broth Smoothie Bowl from What Great Grandma Ate

Antioxidant-Rich Beet & Berry Smoothie Bowl

Turmeric Ginger Bone Broth Smoothie Bowl

Peach Cherry Smoothie Bowl

Mango Maca Power Smoothie Bowl

Peach Berry Protein Smoothie Bowl

No-Cook Puddings & Porridges

5-Ingredient Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oats & 60+ Nourishing No-Cook Breakfast Recipes! (11)

Mango Chia Seed Pudding from #foodbyjonister

Easy Paleo Mocha Chia Pudding

Eggnog Chia Pudding

Chocolate, Coconut, & Almond Chia Seed Pudding

Chocolate Orange Chia Pudding

Coconut Chia Seed Pudding

Paleo *Copycat Cream of Wheat* Instant Porridge (keto, GAPS, AIP)

Overnight Chia Porridge (soaked for best digestion)

Vegan Strawberry Coconut Chia Pudding

Vanilla Almond Chia Seed Pudding

Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Chocolate Chia Pudding

Overnight Strawberry Kefir Oatmeal

Coconut & Mango Chia Seed Pudding

Chocolate & Peanut Butter Chia Seed Pudding

Keto Vanilla Chia Seed Pudding

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5-Ingredient Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oats & 60+ Nourishing No-Cook Breakfast Recipes! (12)

What no-cook breakfast recipes do you make on busy mornings? Please share to help all the frazzled mommas out there!

5-Ingredient Vanilla Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oats & 60+ Nourishing No-Cook Breakfast Recipes! (2024)

FAQs

What not to add in overnight oats? ›

Here's what not to do when making overnight oats.
  1. Using water instead of milk. ...
  2. Forgetting to add salt. ...
  3. Using instant or steel cut oats. ...
  4. Adding berries to your oats at night. ...
  5. Not stirring your overnight oats. ...
  6. Forgetting to add spices and seasonings. ...
  7. Omitting nuts and seeds. ...
  8. Assuming you have to eat it cold.
Oct 21, 2023

What is the ratio of liquid to oats for overnight oats? ›

Making overnight oats is actually as easy as memorizing a simple ratio: Use equal parts old-fashioned rolled oats and milk, plus half as much yogurt. For example, the recipe below calls for 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats, 2 cups milk, and 1 cup yogurt.

What is the secret to overnight oats? ›

Add Twice as Much Milk as Oats

Whether you prefer whole milk, rice milk or coconut milk, you can use it. Just make sure to add twice as much milk as oats. Note: You can also use whey, buttermilk or thinned yogurt for a tangier flavor.

Why do people put yogurt in overnight oats? ›

Milk: Use cow's milk, oat milk, almond milk, or whatever milk alternative you prefer. Yogurt: Greek yogurt lends richness, flavor, and lots of protein to help you take on the day. Oats: Make sure to use rolled oats. Honey: Honey lends subtle sweetness.

What are the disadvantages of overnight oats? ›

Overnight oats usually contain more calories than traditional oats, which is not ideal for individuals following a low-calorie diet or looking to cut back on calorie-rich foods. Note: Eating raw oats is generally safe, but may cause digestive issues or increase the risk of foodborne illness.

Why should we not eat oats at night? ›

There is no particular time to eat oats. You can consume the oats at lunch and dinner too. This cereal, however, is consumed in breakfast mostly. It contains fiber, magnesium, complex carbohydrates, etc, which help in keeping your tummy full for a longer time, thus, reducing overeating.

What happens to your body when you eat overnight oats everyday? ›

According to a 2021 review published in Foods, oat beta-glucan has positive effects on hyperglycemia, lowering blood lipid levels and reducing weight. "The fiber content of oatmeal is filling and satiating, which in turn can help with eating fewer calories throughout the day and managing your weight," says Michalczyk.

What not to mix with oatmeal? ›

Whatever you do, steer clear of the worst offenders: dried fruit with added sugars, like Craisins or dried pineapple. "These are almost always made with added sugar, if not also an artificial sweetener, says Pennsylvania-based RD Gina Consalvo. "Always choose a fresh fruit instead." Need hard proof?

What makes overnight oats taste better? ›

You only need two ingredients to make overnight oats, which are, of course, milk and oats. But it probably won't taste very good, and by adding in Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and a drizzle of your favorite sweetener, you're really creating a well-rounded breakfast.

What to use instead of yogurt in overnight oats? ›

You can use nut butter, banana, applesauce, or coconut milk instead. Can I make overnight oats without chia seeds? Chia seeds add a nice thick and creamy texture. This recipe omits yogurt so it relies on the chia seeds.

What is the best container for overnight oats? ›

Ball Mason Jars are a classic choice for preparing overnight oats, and as an added bonus, they're generally inexpensive to buy. These 8-ounce versions come in a pack of two for just $10, but you can also buy sets of 12 jars if you want to stock up.

Do overnight oats spike blood sugar? ›

Oats are rich in carbohydrates and a fibre called beta-glucan, which helps in the slow release of glucose into the bloodstream. However, consuming oats in isolation and in the morning may lead to a spike in blood sugar levels due to the Dawn effect.

What can you not mix with oats? ›

Some unhealthy toppings for oatmeal include:
  • Sugary syrups like maple syrup or honey.
  • Candied or dried fruit with added sugar.
  • Chocolate chips or other candy.
  • Sweetened whipped cream or heavy cream.
  • Granola or other high-sugar cereals.
  • Sweetened coconut flakes.
  • Artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes.
Feb 13, 2023

Can you make overnight oats wrong? ›

Using the wrong oat-to-milk ratio: If you don't add enough milk, some of the oats will soak up all of the liquid before the rest of the oats can absorb any, creating an uneven texture. Some oats will be very soft while others might still be chewy.

Why do my overnight oats taste so bad? ›

While overnight oats are a healthy breakfast option, they can taste bland if you don't add any sweetener. Some people skip the sweetener altogether, thinking that the fruit they add will be enough. However, a little bit of honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar can go a long way in making your oats more enjoyable.

Why did my overnight oats not work? ›

Since overnight oats are really just oats that have been left to soften for hours in liquid — usually milk of some sort — to break down and become porridge-like, if you use too little liquid, the oats won't be able to soften enough and get that creamy consistency. Instead you'll have something more like cement.

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