Ready for a quick and easy breakfast? I got a 3 ingredient breakfast recipe you can meal prep: Kefir Overnight Oats. All you need is old fashioned oats, kefir and frozen fruit.
As you can probably tell from past posts, I love kefir! It's high in probiotics (good for supporting bacteria in our gut) and protein to help keep us full. It has a thinner consistency than yogurt with a creamy, tangy taste and is usually 95% lactose-free.
I've written on the differences between kefir and yogurt and how to make your own homemade kefir in past kefir recipe posts if you're interested in learning more!
You can use kefir in so many ways! Create a dressing with it, smoothies, breakfast bowls, even bake with it! But today's recipe is using oats. If you like traditional oatmeal, I think you'll enjoy this spin on a classic breakfast!
Recipe Prep
The simplest recipe version of this kefir breakfast bowl requires just two ingredients: kefir and old fashioned oats. You can use store-bought kefir or make your own homemade batch. You'll need a 1:2 ratio of oats to kefir, so ½ cup oats and 1 cup kefir are perfect for one serving.
Topping the overnight oats with frozen fruit is an easy way to add natural sweetness. The frozen fruit will defrost by the time you eat it in the morning, so it works well with meal prep!
Since it's summer, I used mango....also because it's my favorite fruit! I used plain kefir this time, but I love using flavored kefir to add a touch of sweetness and more flavor.
Chia Seeds and Other Toppings
You can always add additional toppings like flaxseed, chia seeds, hemp seeds, sliced almonds, granola, cacao nibs and spices! Chia seeds are my favorite topping because they help bulk up the oatmeal. Since they absorb 9x their weight in volume, the oats will thicken up overnight.
When I use plain kefir, I always drizzle a little honey or maple syrup to help balance the tart taste of the plain kefir.
Recipe FAQs & Tips
You don't have to meal prep the oats the night before. Mix the kefir and oats and allow it to sit for 15 minutes to soften. The frozen fruit won't have time to defrost in those 15 minutes, so instead, throw in some fresh fruit and your breakfast is good to go!
In the picture below, I made chocolate oatmeal with cacao powder, cinnamon, chia seeds and cacao nibs. This is the texture after stirring it all together and letting it sit for a good 15 minutes.
While overnight oats last awhile and don't have to be eaten the next day, it's best to eat it the next morning. The texture is optimal when the frozen fruit defrosts. Plus, if the defrosted fruit sits on top of the mixture for days, the oats may become soggy.
Simply put, yes! Oats are a great source of fiber and protein, and kefir is an excellent source of calcium, vitamin D, protein and probiotics. Pairing these two together will help sustain you throughout your morning!
Kefir Overnight Oats With Frozen Fruit
Ingredients
- 1 cup kefir (plain or flavored)
- ½ cup old fashioned oats
- 1 cup frozen fruit
- 1 teaspoon honey (optional for added sweetness)
- additional toppings
Instructions
- In a jar or container, mix ½ cup old fashioned oats and 1 cup kefir until well combined. If adding chia seeds, mix them in the night before (at this step) so that they can help the oats and kefir thicken.
- Add frozen fruit on top and cover with a lid to refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning, add any other desired toppings and enjoy!
Notes
- If meal prepping, make the night before and eat the next morning after the fruit has defrosted.
- If not meal prepping, oatmeal can be made in the morning with fresh fruit instead of frozen. Allow 15 minutes after stirring, for the kefir and oats to thicken.
- Topping Ideas: chia seeds, flaxseed, hemp seeds, sliced almonds, walnuts, honey, maple syrup, cacao powder, cinnamon, vanilla extract, cacao nibs etc.
Nutrition
(Nutrition values are calculated by third-party software and an estimate that can vary based on product brands and cooking methods.)
If you ever make a recipe, tag me on Instagram @monicanedeff.rdn I love seeing your creations and sharing them with the community! Please comment and give this recipe a star rating if you’ve made it as it greatly helps support this blog and my small biz, thank you!
Cheryl Willis says
I have overnight oats every day. 3/4 cup oats, 1/2 cup mango kefir, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, and 2 tbsp of a chia, flax, hemp seed mixture. Before I put it in the fridge the night before, I pile in a combination of frozen mango, blueberries, blackberries and strawberries - to the person asking about protein powder, I have VITAL PROTEINS Bovine Collagen Peptides Powder which dissolves SO well and is tasteless, so adding that bumps up the protein. I just LOVE it and look forward to it every day.
Monica Nedeff says
Thanks for sharing your version and protein powder tip, Cheryl! Mango kefir sounds absolutely delicious!
Jennifer says
have you ever added a protein shake powder to your overnight oats? I had the gastric sleeve surgery and so need the extra protein, just wondering if you've tried it.
Monica Nedeff says
Hi Jennifer, great question! You can definitely add protein powder to overnight oats; however, you'll need to experiement with the measurements and add more liquid to get the right consistency. Another alternative is having additional protein on the side such as a protein shake, Greek yogurt or eggs if you're trying to meet your protein needs post surgery - hope that helps!
Ana says
I tried the 15 minute version of the recipe. I added chopped apple, walnuts, and maple syrup, and it was delicious. I cannot wait to try the overnight version with frozen mango! Thanks, Monica.
Monica Nedeff says
So happy to hear you enjoyed it, Ana! Enjoy the mango version!
James Baxter says
so you kill the probiotics with the frozen fruit?
Monica Nedeff says
No, the probiotics are not killed off by the frozen fruit. What would more likely have an impact on the probiotics viability is stomach acid. However, that's not a reason to not consume probiotic rich foods.
Dodi says
Great recipe! Quick and easy, and you can get creative with it too. This is often my breakfast and I love it.
Monica Nedeff says
Thanks, Dodi! So glad to hear you enjoyed it!