- This make-ahead breakfast tastes like a lemon-poppyseed muffin in a jar.
- The protein and fiber of the oats, yogurt and milk are a satiating combo.
- You can easily remove the lemon zest without the bitter pith by using a microplane grater.
If you love a lemon-poppyseed muffin, you are going to flip over our Lemon-Poppyseed Overnight Oats. Fiber-rich rolled oats are soaked in a creamy mixture of tangy, protein-packed Greek-style yogurt, sweet maple syrup, aromatic vanilla, bright lemon and crunchy poppy seeds for texture—the perfect balance of tart and sweet. These are not your standard overnight oats; we’ve upped the game on this one. Keep reading for our expert tips on nutritious add-ins, substitutions and more.
Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen
These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too!
- Using a microplane grater is one of the easiest ways to remove lemon zest without including any of the bitter pith. Alternatively, you can zest the lemon with a vegetable peeler, remove the white pith with a paring knife and then chop the zest.
- For added flavor, you can incorporate a fruit topping like fresh blueberries or blackberries, or toss them directly into the mixture. A dollop of fruit preserves or jam would also be delicious.
- For a nutty boost, mix in ¼ cup pistachio butter or almond butter.
Nutrition Notes
- Old-fashioned rolled oats are the oats of choice for overnight oats because they take their time absorbing the liquid as they sit in the fridge—although all oats are nutritious. Oats have a special type of fiber, called beta-glucan, that has been shown to help remove harmful LDL cholesterol from the body, improving heart health. Oats are naturally gluten-free but may be contaminated with gluten during processing. If you’re avoiding gluten, you may want to choose oats specifically labeled as gluten-free.
- Whole-milk strained (Greek-style) yogurt is thick and tangy, and packed with protein—great for keeping you full. You may also get an added gut-health bonus with your yogurt if it contains live and active cultures, which are probiotics. Always check the label to see if the brand you choose has active probiotics.
- Whole milk is an excellent source of calcium, which is necessary to maintain healthy bones and teeth, but also essential for muscle contraction. Dairy milk also contains a good amount of protein, which can help with the satiety of these oats.
Photographer: Robby Lozano, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hausser
