Name: Lemon Berry Kefir Overnight Oats
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 360 min
Total time: 365 min
Ingredients: 8 ounces Lifeway Mixed Berry Kefir, or preferred kefir; 1 cup frozen mixed berries (or use fresh, and may need to add water if too thick); 1 cup rolled oats; 2 tablespoons chia seeds; 1 fresh lemon, or the juice of 1/2 lemon; 2 scoops vanilla protein powder; 1 tablespoon honey, optional

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It’s no secret I love the convenience of overnight oats, and these are made with kefir- which has significantly more live, active cultures when compared to yogurt! Mixed berries are combined with fresh lemon juice for bright, refreshing flavors. Protein powder is added so it’s more filling, and the kefir helps to increase the diversity of our gut microbiome!

Two lemon berry overnight oats with kefir in glasses on a lemon towel on a kitchen counter.

Dairy kefir resembles a drinkable yogurt in consistency and taste, and can be used in so many ways. The Lifeway Mixed Berry Kefir that I use in this recipe contains 30% of our daily value of vitamin D – making these oats ideal for both summer and winter!

Reasons to Try Kefir Overnight Oats

Simple and easy meal prep: Just a few ingredients and 5 minutes of prep for a delicious and very nutritious, high protein breakfast for the week. Recipe makes two servings. Even more than the nutritional benefits, this recipe is SO delicious too!
Packed with probiotics and prebiotics: Kefir provides the “good” bacteria, while the chia seeds and fresh berries are considered prebiotics – which is the food for the probiotics. Together, they help create a more balanced gut microbiome.
High in protein AND fiber: You can be sure you will feel full for hours after these protein and fiber packed oats (36g of protein and 13g fiber). The protein powder can be omitted or decreased (top with hemp hearts for more protein and omega-3 fatty acids).
Great source of vitamin D! There are NOT many food sources of vitamin D. Vitamin D deficiency is becoming more common, and multiple studies show there is a link between vitamin D deficiency, depression and anxiety (among many other benefits).

Two jars of overnight oats on a counter next to a bottle of kefir.

What is Kefir?

Kefir is a dairy product produced through microbial fermentation by combining kefir grains and milk, resulting in healthy microorganisms such as lactic acid bacteria and yeasts.

This results in significantly more strains of probiotics as compared to yogurt. This is important because the more variety and diversity in our gut, the more adaptable and resilient it is against unwanted pathogens.

The different strains of good bacteria also provide various benefits – so the more the merrier! Our gut microbiome is directly correlated with improved health and well-being – even mental health.

There are even more promising benefits of kefir due to the anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, and anti-diabetic properties.

I expect it to become a hot topic in the future – and I think we will see many more products available.

INGREDIENTS

Recipe makes two servings.

This post does contain Amazon affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I receive a small compensation if a purchase is made.

Individual ingredients for the berry and lemon overnight oats with kefir.

8 ounces of Lifeway Mixed Berry Kefir: I really enjoyed this flavor and felt like it complemented the recipe well, however, you could just a vanilla or unflavored. Sub with preferred kefir. There are dairy-free options with coconut water, but I have not tried it with this recipe.
2 scoops of vanilla protein powder: Sub with preferred protein powder. I used this Dymatize Whey Protein Isolate Protein Powder, which is sweetened with stevia and contains less lactose. You may need to adjust the amount of honey depending on the sweetness of the protein powder you use.
1 cup of rolled oats: Sub with certified gluten-free oats for those who are gluten-free.
1 cup of frozen mixed berries: I used a berry mix of blueberries, raspberries and blackberries. Frozen fruit contains excess water. If using fresh fruit, you may need to add more liquid (either water or milk) after refrigeration if it seems too dry.
1/2 of the juice of one lemon: The lemon really brightens up the flavor and complements the berry flavors! I used about 1/2 of a lemon, but could have honestly added more.
2 tablespoons of chia seeds: A breakfast high in protein and fiber can help with weight management and blood sugar stabilization. Chia seeds are an excellent source of soluble fiber- and provides prebiotics (or the food) for the live bacteria from the kefir.
1 tablespoon of honey: Optional, depending on what kind of protein powder you use. Taste them after refrigeration and decide if it needs a little drizzle of honey. I personally love the combination of lemon, honey and berries!

Tips For Success

If using frozen fruit, stick to 1/2 cup or add more oats because of the water content. It can result in a soupier oats mixture. Or, add frozen or fresh fruit on top after refrigeration.
Omit the protein powder and top with hemps hearts as a high protein substitute.
Kefir can also be made dairy-free: look for coconut water kefir or coconut milk kefir. I have not, however, made overnight oats with it.
Use stevia as a substitute for honey to reduce sugar.

How to Make Overnight Oats with Kefir

Two jars of lemon berry kefir overnight oats on a lemon dish towel next to a bottle of kefir and a bowl of berries.

Combine all ingredients in a bowl.

I personally prefer to add the kefir and protein powder in a large bowl, and whisk to ensure it is well-combined.

Then, add the oats, chia seeds, frozen fruit, and the juice of 1/2 a lemon. Combine gently with a spoon. Divide into two mason jars or storage containers.

*You could also add all ingredients to a jar, put the lid on and shake it to combine.

All the ingredients for the overnight oats mixture in a bowl on the counter next to lemon wedges.

Kefir overnight oats in two jars prior to refrigeration.

Refrigerate for at least 6 hours.

Place the jars into the fridge for at least 6 hours, or overnight for best results. It will thicken as it refrigerates.

Taste and add a drizzle of honey and more lemon juice – if needed. Enjoy!

Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

A close-up of a bite of creamy kefir overnight oats with lemon juice and berries.

Other Variations

Kefir comes in so many different flavors. Try my creamy strawberry kefir smoothie (which basically tastes like a strawberry smoothie), this Peach Pineapple Kefir Smoothie, or come up with your own variations.

Raspberries are very high in fiber and prebiotics. The mixed berry kefir with frozen raspberries and milk would be delicious and nutritious!

Lemon Berry Kefir Overnight Oats

Alex Evink, MS, RD

The delicious, refreshing flavors of lemon and berry combined with kefir for a more varied and diverse gut microbiome! This recipe is packed with protein, fiber, prebiotics, probiotics and vitamin D! It's a well-balanced breakfast (not to mention so good) that you can meal prep in 5 minutes. Kefir is very underrated but tastes very much like a drinkable yogurt – yet it has significantly more live, active cultures.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 6

Total Time 6 5

Course Breakfast

Cuisine American

Servings 2 servings

Calories 361 kcal

Ingredients

8 ounces Lifeway Mixed Berry Kefir, or preferred kefir
1 cup frozen mixed berries (or use fresh, and may need to add water if too thick)
1 cup rolled oats
2 tablespoons chia seeds
1 fresh lemon, or the juice of 1/2 lemon
2 scoops vanilla protein powder
1 tablespoon honey, optional

Instructions

Add the kefir and protein powder in a large bowl, and whisk to ensure it is well-combined.
Then, add the oats, chia seeds, frozen fruit, and the juice of 1/2 a lemon. Combine gently with a spoon. Divide into two mason jars or storage containers.
You could also add all ingredients to a jar or container and mix or shake, but I prefer whisking the protein powder. Fresh or frozen fruit can be added after the oats have refrigerated as well.
Place the jars into the fridge for at least 6 hours, or overnight for best results. It will thicken as it refrigerates.
Top with more berries and a drizzle of honey, if you prefer. Enjoy! Store in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Notes

If you dislike the taste of protein powder, use 1-1 1/2 scoops only and this recipe still contains a lot of protein!
If using frozen fruit, stick to 1/2 cup or add more oats because of the water content. It can result in a soupier oats mixture. Or, add frozen or fresh fruit on top after refrigeration.
Kefir can also be made dairy-free: look for coconut water kefir or coconut milk kefir. I have not, however, made overnight oats with it.
Use stevia as a substitute for honey to reduce sugar.
Omit the protein powder and top with hemps hearts as a high protein substitute.

Nutritional information is just an estimation and may vary depending on individual ingredients and preparation.

Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2
Amount per serving
Calories	361
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 8.1g	10%
Saturated Fat 1.4g	7%
Cholesterol 5mg	2%
Sodium 285mg	12%
Total Carbohydrate 45.7g	17%
Dietary Fiber 13.2g	47%
Total Sugars 16.5g
Protein 34.6g
Vitamin D 1.6mcg	15%
Calcium 321mg	25%
Iron 3mg	17%
Potassium 305mg	6%

Keyword healthy high protein and fiber breakfast, improving gut microbiome, kefir recipe

A Good Source of Vitamin D!

All in all, kefir is a little higher in sugar than yogurt – but consuming it provides so many potential benefits.

Getting an adequate amount of vitamin D is difficult in the winter months, if you live in colder climates – and Lifeway Kefir contains 30% of our daily value! It’s a versatile ingredient that can be substituted for milk or yogurt in various recipes.