Sweet strawberries, a hint of cream and hearty oats combine for an ideal grab-and-go breakfast. These Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats are simple to prepare and delicious — make them the night before and breakfast is ready when you are.
Strawberry Shortcake for breakfast? Why, yes, please!
The name might sound indulgent, but these oats capture the sweet, creamy notes of strawberry shortcake without turning breakfast into dessert. The oats are subtly sweet and creamy with vibrant strawberry flavor — a comforting, portable morning meal.
The one thing missing from true shortcake is the cake itself. If you want to add cake crumbs or a dollop of whipped cream, go for it — but the recipe stands perfectly well on its own.
What elevates these oats is lightly mashing the strawberries with a touch of maple syrup before folding them into the oats. That step creates a jammy texture, similar to the glazed strawberries often used in desserts, and it ties the flavors together.
Adding cashew butter lends creaminess and body to the oats. If you don’t have cashew butter, almond or another nut butter works fine — it’s optional but recommended for extra richness.
If you’re often in a rush, prepping jars of overnight oats makes mornings much simpler — everything is ready to grab from the fridge.
Things to know about this Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats recipe:
- The cream in the recipe is optional, but just a little adds a lovely, silky texture and amplifies the dessert-like flavor.
- Cashew butter adds thickness and a subtle nutty richness. If you don’t have it or prefer a lower-cost option, almond or peanut butter will work. If you skip it, the oats will still be tasty.
- To make this gluten-free, choose certified gluten-free rolled oats. For a dairy-free version, use almond milk or another plant-based milk instead of dairy milk or cream.
SOME THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT OVERNIGHT OATS
After making overnight oats regularly, a few practical tips stand out. These will help you get the best texture and shelf life from your jars or bowls of oats.
HOW LONG DO OVERNIGHT OATS LAST?
Overnight oats typically keep well in the fridge for 3–5 days depending on the ingredients. Fruit like mashed banana shortens the window to about 2–3 days, while recipes without mashed fresh fruit often last toward the longer end. To keep oats fresh longer, add delicate fruit just before serving when possible.
WHAT KIND OF OATS DO YOU USE?
Rolled oats are my preference — they soften nicely when soaked overnight and give a pleasant, creamy texture. Steel-cut oats remain chewy unless cooked, so they’re not the best choice for a typical no-cook overnight method.
DO YOU HAVE TO MAKE THEM IN A JAR?
Jars are convenient and portable, but any bowl or container with a lid works fine. No need to buy special jars if you already have sealable containers at home — even reused food jars will do the job.
CAN YOU WARM OVERNIGHT OATS?
Yes — if you prefer warm oatmeal, microwave your prepared oats for about 1 1/2–2 minutes. They’re also delicious cold straight from the fridge, so choose whichever you like best.
Other overnight oats to try if you love this version:
- Coconut Cream Pie Overnight Oats
- Peanut Butter Cheesecake Overnight Oats
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Overnight Oats
- Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
- Banana Bread Overnight Oats
Did you make one of these recipes? Leave a comment and let me know — I love to see your creations!
Strawberry Shortcake Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 5-6 medium strawberries, cut into small pieces
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tsp cashew butter (or almond butter)
- 2 tsp chia seeds
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 2 tsp cream (optional)
- 2-3 tsp maple syrup
- Dash of sea salt
Instructions
- In a small bowl, mash the strawberries with 1 tsp maple syrup until jam-like.
- In a sealable jar or bowl, combine the mashed strawberries and all remaining ingredients. Stir well to combine.
- Cover and chill overnight.
- Serve cold or warm in the microwave for 1 1/2–2 minutes if you prefer a hot breakfast.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is an approximation.
