Name: Strawberry Protein Overnight Oats recipe
Ingredients: Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: ½ cup. This is the ideal oat for overnight recipes. The whole flakes absorb the liquid slowly, becoming soft and creamy without turning into complete mush like instant oats would. Do not use steel-cut or instant oats for this recipe.; Milk of Choice: ⅔ cup. The type of milk you use will subtly affect the flavor and creaminess. Unsweetened almond milk is a great neutral, low-calorie option. Oat milk adds extra creaminess, while regular dairy milk (whole or 2%) provides a classic, rich taste.; Chia Seeds: 1 tablespoon. These tiny seeds are a textural and nutritional superstar. They absorb liquid, creating a thick, pudding-like consistency while adding a significant boost of fiber, protein, and healthy omega-3 fatty acids.; Vanilla Protein Powder: 1 scoop (approximately 30g). This is the engine of the recipe. A good quality vanilla-flavored whey, casein, or plant-based protein powder will not only provide a substantial protein boost (typically 20-25g) but will also add sweetness and a creamy vanilla flavor that turns the oats into a dessert-like treat.; Plain Greek Yogurt: ¼ cup. This ingredient is a triple-threat. It adds another layer of protein, contributes a wonderful tangy flavor that balances the sweetness of the strawberries, and lends an extra-rich, cheesecake-like creaminess to the final texture. Use plain, unsweetened yogurt to control the overall sugar content.; Fresh Strawberries: ½ cup, washed, hulled, and diced. The star of the show! Fresh, ripe strawberries provide a burst of natural sweetness, a beautiful pink hue, and a delightful texture. Frozen strawberries can also be used (see FAQ).; Pure Maple Syrup or Honey: 1-2 teaspoons (optional, to taste). The need for extra sweetener will depend heavily on the sweetness of your protein powder and strawberries. It’s best to start with a small amount or omit it entirely until you taste the finished product.; Pure Vanilla Extract: ¼ teaspoon. Even with vanilla protein powder, a tiny splash of pure vanilla extract enhances the flavor, giving it a more authentic, deep “strawberry shortcake” taste.; Pinch of Salt: Just a tiny pinch (less than ⅛ teaspoon). Salt is a flavor enhancer that makes the sweet notes pop and balances the overall taste profile. Do not skip it!

Ingredients

The Foundation:

Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: ½ cup. This is the ideal oat for overnight recipes. The whole flakes absorb the liquid slowly, becoming soft and creamy without turning into complete mush like instant oats would. Do not use steel-cut or instant oats for this recipe.
Milk of Choice: ⅔ cup. The type of milk you use will subtly affect the flavor and creaminess. Unsweetened almond milk is a great neutral, low-calorie option. Oat milk adds extra creaminess, while regular dairy milk (whole or 2%) provides a classic, rich taste.
Chia Seeds: 1 tablespoon. These tiny seeds are a textural and nutritional superstar. They absorb liquid, creating a thick, pudding-like consistency while adding a significant boost of fiber, protein, and healthy omega-3 fatty acids.

The Protein Power-Up:

Vanilla Protein Powder: 1 scoop (approximately 30g). This is the engine of the recipe. A good quality vanilla-flavored whey, casein, or plant-based protein powder will not only provide a substantial protein boost (typically 20-25g) but will also add sweetness and a creamy vanilla flavor that turns the oats into a dessert-like treat.
Plain Greek Yogurt: ¼ cup. This ingredient is a triple-threat. It adds another layer of protein, contributes a wonderful tangy flavor that balances the sweetness of the strawberries, and lends an extra-rich, cheesecake-like creaminess to the final texture. Use plain, unsweetened yogurt to control the overall sugar content.

The Strawberry Goodness:

Fresh Strawberries: ½ cup, washed, hulled, and diced. The star of the show! Fresh, ripe strawberries provide a burst of natural sweetness, a beautiful pink hue, and a delightful texture. Frozen strawberries can also be used (see FAQ).

The Flavor Enhancers:

Pure Maple Syrup or Honey: 1-2 teaspoons (optional, to taste). The need for extra sweetener will depend heavily on the sweetness of your protein powder and strawberries. It’s best to start with a small amount or omit it entirely until you taste the finished product.
Pure Vanilla Extract: ¼ teaspoon. Even with vanilla protein powder, a tiny splash of pure vanilla extract enhances the flavor, giving it a more authentic, deep “strawberry shortcake” taste.
Pinch of Salt: Just a tiny pinch (less than ⅛ teaspoon). Salt is a flavor enhancer that makes the sweet notes pop and balances the overall taste profile. Do not skip it!

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Instructions

- 1. Select Your Vessel: Choose a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid that can hold at least 16 ounces (a pint-sized mason jar is perfect). This will give you enough room to mix the ingredients thoroughly without making a mess.
  2. Combine the Dry Ingredients (The Anti-Clump Step): In your chosen jar, add the old-fashioned rolled oats, the scoop of vanilla protein powder, the tablespoon of chia seeds, and the pinch of salt. Secure the lid and shake the jar well, or use a fork to whisk these dry ingredients together. This is the most crucial step for preventing clumps. Dispersing the protein powder and chia seeds evenly throughout the dry oats ensures they won’t form stubborn lumps when the liquid is added.
  3. Add the Wet Ingredients: Now, pour in your milk of choice, the Greek yogurt, the optional maple syrup or honey, and the ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract.
  4. Mix Thoroughly: Secure the lid tightly and shake the jar vigorously for a good 30 seconds. Alternatively, if using a bowl or a container that’s hard to shake, use a spoon to stir everything together very well. Make sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the jar to ensure all the dry ingredients are fully incorporated and moistened. The mixture should look well-combined, though it will still be quite liquid at this stage.
  5. Fold in the Strawberries: Gently stir in the ½ cup of diced fresh strawberries until they are evenly distributed throughout the oat mixture.
  6. Seal and Chill: Screw the lid on tightly and place the jar in the refrigerator. Let it chill for a minimum of 4 hours, but for the best texture and flavor, let it rest overnight (at least 8 hours). During this time, the oats and chia seeds will absorb the liquid, soften, and the flavors will meld together beautifully.
  7. The Morning Stir: The next morning, your oats will be thick and creamy. Give them a good stir to re-incorporate any liquid that may have settled and to fluff up the texture. If the mixture is thicker than you prefer, simply stir in an extra splash of milk until it reaches your desired consistency. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 35-45g
Carbohydrates: 45-55g
Fiber: 10-15g