Life is pretty chaotic right now, and my eating habits have totally gone down the tubes, so it’s time to start meal prepping. This week I decided to meal prep my breakfasts. I really enjoy overnight oats, and I still had some blueberries in the freezer, so I decided to make these low-sugar overnight oats so I could have a fuss-free, ready-to-go option when I wake up in the morning.
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“This was absolutely delicious! I already know I’m going to be making these a LOT in the future. I’m shocked by the reviews saying they weren’t sweet enough – they have TONS of flavor and don’t taste like straight-up sugar, which is ideal for me! So easy to prepare, too.”
amanda
Easy Blueberry Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are one of my favorite morning meals. Easy to prepare, hearty, and satisfying, I’m always thrilled to get out of bed in the morning knowing I’ve got a delicious breakfast waiting for me. And, these no-sugar overnight oats do not disappoint. Sweetened with unsweetened applesauce instead of sugar, I am happy to say that the applesauce doesn’t detract from the blueberry and almond flavor I was aiming for, but rather adds a natural sweetness.
I like to portion the oats into individual mason jars for easy grab-and-go breakfasts, but that’s totally optional. Any airtight container you have on hand will work just fine. No matter how you store them, they turn out just as delicious.
Recipe Success Tips
- Eat warm or cold. I love eating these oats straight from the fridge, but you can warm them in the microwave if that’s what you’d prefer.
- Old fashioned oats are best. I think old-fashioned will give you the best texture. Steel cut may not get as soft.
- Applesauce for sweetness and moisture. Some readers are asking if yogurt can be used instead of applesauce, and while it will add moisture, you won’t get the same level of sweetness.
- Use non-dairy if needed. Any type of dairy or non-dairy milk will work fine for this recipe. Just keep an eye on the sugar content of non-dairy milks, if you’re concerned about added sugars.
Low Sugar Overnight Oats
Cost $4.57 recipe / $1.14 serving
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats ($0.34)
- ¼ cup chia seeds (optional, flax seeds also work, $0.59*)
- ½ cup sliced almonds ($0.97)
- ¼ tsp nutmeg ($0.02)
- 1⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce ($1.08)
- 1 cup blueberries (fresh or frozen, $0.82)
- 2 cups milk ($0.42)
- ½ tsp almond extract (vanilla extract also works, $0.33)
Instructions
- To each of four containers, add ¼ cup oats, 1 Tbsp chia seeds, 2 Tbsp sliced almonds, and a pinch of nutmeg.
- On top of the dry ingredients, add ⅓ cup applesauce and ¼ cup blueberries to each container.
- Stir the almond extract into the milk, then add ½ cup milk to each container. Stir the containers well to prevent the chia seeds from clumping. Place a lid on the containers and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 4 days.
- When ready to eat, simply stir with a spoon and then enjoy!
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Notes
Nutrition
Have you tried this recipe?Mention @budgetbytes or tag #budgetbytes on Instagram!How to Make Overnight Oats Step-by-Step Photos
Add the dry ingredients: To each of four containers, add ¼ cup old-fashioned rolled oats, followed by 1 Tbsp chia seeds, 2 Tbsp sliced almonds, and finally, a pinch of nutmeg.
Add applesauce and blueberries: Pour in ⅓ cup unsweetened applesauce and then add ¼ cup blueberries to each container.
Add the wet ingredients: Combine ½ tsp almond extract with 2 cups of milk, and then pour ½ cup of milk into each container. Stir each container well to prevent the chia seeds from clumping. Seal the containers and refrigerate overnight or up to four days.
Serve: You can eat the low sugar overnight oats straight out of the container in the morning for a super convenient breakfast, or pour it into a bowl to be a little more fancy. ;)
Serving Suggestions
These low sugar overnight oats are great for a quick breakfast when I’m in a rush to get out the door, and I’ve found that these savory egg muffins make a great companion when I’m looking for a little more fuel to get me going in the morning. I’ll also stash a banana muffin in my backpack for a mid-morning treat, and, of course, a tall glass of cold brew is a must to really kickstart the day.
Storage and ReheatinG
These low sugar oats will keep for up to 4 days in the fridge. I like them cold, but you can warm them up if you like, or bring them to room temperature.
If you want to stash the oats in the freezer, they’ll keep for up to 3 months. Just make sure to use a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the fridge and enjoy.
This was absolutely delicious! I already know I’m going to be making these a LOT in the future. I’m shocked by the reviews saying they weren’t sweet enough – they have TONS of flavor and don’t taste like straight-up sugar, which is ideal for me! So easy to prepare, too.
Do you think I could substitute the applesauce for Greek yogurt for a protein boost? :)
I’m sure you could, though we have not tested it and can’t give you guidance.
This is one of my favorite breakfasts. I’ve made it with both fresh and frozen berries and far prefer it with fresh berries.
This is one of my favorite oatmeal breakfast recipes. I double the amount of blueberries in mine, and I only use fresh berries.
I subbed in frozen cherries for the blueberries. An I added chocolate chips.
Absolutely delicious. I sometimes like to make it with kefir instead of regular milk to get an added dose of probiotics.
Can this be made with steel cut oats?
We have not tested the recipe with steel-cut oats. To use steel-cut for overnight oats, you should bring the 2 cups of milk to a boil, add the oats, take it off the heat, and cover. Let them sit for at least an hour, and then prepare the recipe. You might need to add a little more liquid. Again, this is just an educated guess, as we have not tested the recipe with steel-cut oats. Thank you! XOXO -Monti
Great recipe! I use a drizzle of honey instead of the applesauce. This little bowl of overnight oats keeps me full and satisfied until lunch time. Thanks for another great recipe!!
Can almond milk be used instead of regular milk?
Yes :)
I left a positive comment but didn’t add a rating so here’s the rating :)
Considering I’ve literally been making this recipe every single week for almost 4 years, I should probably leave a review. I think it goes without saying that we love it :) this recipe got us out of the habit of eating sugar-heavy store-bought oatmeal and now we can’t go back. It does take some getting used to if you’re accustomed to sugary breakfasts, but it is delicious, healthy (two types of fruit!), and so nice to be able to make in advance and eat first thing in the morning. Thank you for our everyday breakfast!
Great recipe! Perfect for us as we are a family of four, we each got a jar!
Compared to the ordinary cooked oatmeal I was eating, this has both more fibre and more protein. Tastes good too! It’s a regular part of my breakfast now. Thanks!
I’ve made this recipe several times now and we really enjoy it as a breakfast! It fills us up and helps keep us from snacking, plus it’s super tasty. I make small alterations based on what’s in our pantry and fridge (almond milk, alternate berries), but the combo of oats, chia, applesauce, and fruit has been great!
Can you use gluten free rolled oats?
Yes, that shouldn’t cause any problems with this recipe. :)