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5-minute overnight oats frozen fruit recipe that only requires 5 ingredients but tastes amazing! Say hello to the taste of summer fruits even when it’s getting cold outside!

Two jars of overnight oats frozen fruit with cute spoons on a round wooden plank.

In this post you’ll learn:

Why You Will Love This Overnight Oats Recipe

  • It only takes 5 minutes of prep time
  • It requires no actual cooking, other than just mixing ingredients
  • It would feel like you’re eating dessert for breakfast
  • And yet it’s healthy since it’s made from whole foods
  • Frozen berries are packed with antioxidants
  • While the good old fashioned oats are packed with fiber, protein, and other vitamins
  • You can save even more time by meal prepping since this recipe is freezer-friendly
  • It’s dairy-free, gluten-free, and completely plant-based!
Two jars of mixed berries overnight oats on a round wooden plank and a grey and pink kitchen towel, with some oats scatter around.

Is Frozen Fruit OK for Overnight Oats?

Absolutely yes! Frozen fruits and overnight oats go especially well together because leaving the frozen fruits overnight also thaws them. So it will be ready for breakfast the moment you wake up the next day!

Plus, using frozen fruit is a good way to save money, while still getting all the nutritional benefits of fresh fruits!

Can I use frozen berries for overnight oats?

Yes, that’s exactly what I did here in this recipe 😉. It’s the perfect combination!


And fret not, frozen berries are just as healthy as fresh ones, if not healthier. This is because frozen berries are picked at the peak of ripeness and the act of freezing them preserves their optimal nutritional values!

Moreover, frozen berries tend to be cheaper and it is also available all year round. Plus, they usually come pre-washed so you can save yourself some time there too!

Ingredients

labelled frozen berries, rolled oats, plant-based milk, maple syrup, and salt in small white bowls
  • Rolled oats: The good old-fashioned rolled oats are a great source of fiber, vitamins, protein, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s also naturally gluten free!
  • Plant-based milk: The liquid base in our recipe which makes for a creamy texture! Feel free to use any kind of plant-based milk such as soy, oat, rice, almond milk, et cetera.
  • Frozen mixed berries: Packed with antioxidants and summer flavor, it’s a healthy and tasty option to add to your breakfasts!
  • Maple syrup: A bit of sweetness to round up the sourness from the berries.
  • Salt: A natural flavor enhancer.

The 3 most important ingredients are rolled oats, milk, and frozen berries. And luckily enough, just remember this ratio of 1:1:1. That’s all you need!

Add the maple syrup to your liking, and feel free to omit it if you are trying to reduce your sugar consumption, or to add more if you like your overnight oats sweet. Note that 1 Tablespoon maple syrup is equal to 3 teaspoons of maple syrup.

Salt always enhances the flavor so I would recommend adding them, but again feel free to omit it!

When to Add Fruit to Overnight Oats?

You can either add it before letting it sit in the fridge, or add it just before serving the overnight oats as toppings. If you let the fruits soak in the fridge, they will tend to be softer while fruits will maintain their freshness when you only add them as toppings.

So in short: totally up to you!

How to Make Overnight Oats with Frozen Fruit?

Mix: Add in the rolled oats, followed by the plant-based milk and maple syrup. Give it a good stir until they combine well.

Chill: Now add your frozen fruits on top and…chill time! Both for the overnight oats to chill in the fridge, and also for you! Let the overnight oats sit in the fridge for at least 6 hours, but preferably overnight.

You know it’s ready when the frozen fruits have thawed completely. Usually, some of the fruit juice will also be drawn out, forming a nice red layer on top of your oats overnight.

rolled oats, soy milk, and frozen fruits in a jar before thawing
Before the frozen fruits thaw
rolled oats, milk, and frozen berries after the fruits thaw
After it sits in the fridge overnight

Dig in! Enjoy these overnight oats with frozen berries! Feel free to add toppings such as nuts, seeds, or even more fruits just before serving.

Toppings/Serving Suggestions

The frozen fruit overnight oats are already super tasty just as they are. However, if you want to add some toppings or want to try another variation, read on!

Some topping ideas you could add:

  • nuts (all kinds will work)
  • seeds
  • plant-based yogurt
    • or make the creamier version of yoghurt: vegan quark using my 1-ingredient Vegan Quark recipe! Detailed instructions and tips are included to make sure that the recipe will be a success! 😉
  • vanilla extract for that hint of vanilla
    • Start with 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Then add more to your liking.
    • Note that vanilla extract will start to lose its flavor gradually after opening. So you might need more if you’ve opened yours a while back.
  • peanut butter (or any other kind of nut/seed butter)
  • fresh fruits
  • cacao nibs / chopped chocolate bars
  • chopped dates
  • raisins and other dried fruits

To serve, you can either eat it cold or warm. If you want it warm, just microwave it for about 30 seconds until it is warm enough for your liking! Be careful not to heat it until it’s too warm/hot to prevent it from tasting like oatmeal (assuming that’s not what you’re going for, of course).

Two jars of pink/red fruits overnight oats on a pink napkin and round wooden plank from an angle, with a bit of oats scattered around

Storage, Meal Prep, and Freezing Instructions

Storage: Store this in the fridge in a glass jar or an air-tight container for up to 5 days.

Meal prep: You can make this recipe ahead of time for up to 5 days.

However, if you want them fresh, I recommend portioning out the rolled oats together with the frozen fruit in small jars. And then, mix the milk and maple syrup together in a separate jar or bottle. Only pour the milk into the small jar with rolled oats and frozen fruit the night before you want to consume them.

Freezing: You can freeze this recipe for up to 3 months! To thaw, let it sit in the fridge overnight.

I recommend freezing it right after you mix all the ingredients together (but before chilling). This way, the oats will only soak up the milk when it is being thawed. However, you can also freeze it even after it has been left in the fridge overnight. The oats will be a bit softer as they will absorb more liquid, but I’m sure that it will still be tasty!

Two jars of mixed berries overnight oats from above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I put fruit in my overnight oats?

Absolutely! Frozen fruits are perfect for overnight oats as the frozen fruits will thaw when the overnight oats are left in the fridge. However, fresh fruits are also just as good!

Note that the fresh fruits will probably not stay as fresh but as long as you eat them within 3-5 days, they should remain delicious!

Can I use quick-cooking or instant oats instead of old fashioned rolled oats?

No, the texture will be different. With quick-cooking or instant oats, they will turn out mushy.

If you only have quick-cooking oats on hand (or if you really want/need to use them up), you can try to only let them sit in the fridge for 1-2 hours. This way, the texture will still be different but they won’t get mushy and they still remain tasty. Note that I have not tried this trick using instant oats.

How about steel cut oats? Can I use them in this recipe?

No, steel-cut oats won’t work in overnight oats recipes.

Can I also add chia seeds?

Yes, you can! Note that chia seeds will absorb moisture so I advise adding 2 parts plant-based milk to 1 part chia seeds to compensate.

You can also add ground flax seeds instead of chia seeds to thicken the mixture, and to add some crunch to this recipe.

Can I omit the maple syrup?

I do not recommend it since the sweetness rounds up the recipe nicely. However, if you are going sugar-free, feel free to omit it!

Another option is to add dried fruits such as chopped dates, raisins, dried currants, dried cranberries, etc. They add natural sweetness to this recipe, without additional sugar. This would be a healthier option but it will taste just as good!

How long are overnight oats good for?

They can be kept in the fridge for up to 5 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Be sure to store them in a covered glass jar, or in air-tight containers.

Landscape picture of three frozen berries overnight oats.

Looking for more Breakfast / Dessert Recipes?

If you want to use up your frozen berries, try this Mixed Berries Baked Oats recipe (variation number 4) or this Overnight Weetabix recipe.

Fancy a drink instead? Try this 5-minute Strawberry Oat Milk recipe that is guaranteed to impress everyone!

Want more easy Overnight Oats recipes? Try theses:

Or go for the Chocolate Chip Baked Oats variation if you like the combination of banana 🍌 + chocolate chips 🍪.

two jars of pink overnight oats with cute spoons on a round wooden plank
Print Recipe
5 from 3 votes

Overnight Oats Frozen Fruit

5-minute overnight oats frozen fruit recipe that only requires 5 ingredients but tastes amazing! Say hello to the taste of summer fruits even when it's getting cold outside!
Prep Time5 minutes
Total Time5 minutes
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: overnight oats frozen fruit
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 317kcal

Ingredients

  • ½ cup rolled oats (45 grams)
  • ½ cup plant-based milk (115 ml) I used oat milk but any plant-based milk will work!
  • ½ cup frozen fruit (70 grams) I used frozen mixed berries
  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup (10 grams) or sub with agave nectar
  • a pinch of salt

Instructions

  • Mix: Add the rolled oats to a small jar. Then add the plant-based milk, followed by the maple syrup. Stir to mix well.
  • Chill: Now add the frozen berries on top. Leave it in the fridge for at least 6 hours, but preferably overnight.

Video

Notes

Ingredients Notes:
  • Feel free to add chia seeds for a more pudding-like texture.
    • Note that chia seeds will absorb moisture so if you do want more of a runny texture, I advise adding 2 parts plant-based milk to 1 part chia seeds to compensate.
  • You can use any kind of plant-based milk in this recipe!
  • Do not swap the rolled oats with quick-cooking or instant oats. The texture will be different. With quick-cooking or instant oats, they will turn out mushy.
    • If you only have quick-cooking oats on hand (or if you really want/need to use them up), you can try to only let them sit in the fridge for 1-2 hours. This way, the texture will still be different but they won’t get mushy and they still remain tasty.
    • Note that I have not tried the trick above using instant oats.
  • I do not recommend omitting the maple syrup since the sweetness rounds up the recipe nicely. However, if you are going sugar-free, feel free to omit it!
Serving Suggestions:
  • You can either serve it cold, warm, or at room temperature. If you want it warm, just microwave it for about 30 seconds.
  • Feel free to add any other toppings of your choice! This could be nuts, seeds, cocoa nibs, dried fruits, or whatever floats your boat!
Storage and Meal Prep:
  • Storage: Store this in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Meal prep: You can make this recipe ahead of time for up to 5 days.
    • However, if you want them fresh, I recommend portioning out the rolled oats together with the frozen fruit in small jars. And then, mix the milk and maple syrup together in a separate jar or bottle.
    • Only pour the milk into the small jar with rolled oats and frozen fruit the night before you want to consume them.
  • Freezing: You can freeze this recipe for up to 3 months! To thaw, let it sit in the fridge overnight.
    • I recommend freezing it right after you mix all the ingredients together (but before chilling). This way, the oats will only soak up the milk when it is being thawed.
    • However, you can also freeze it even after it has been left in the fridge overnight. The oats will be a bit softer but it is still delicious!
Other Notes:
  • The calorie information is calculated based on using frozen berries as the frozen fruit option.