Cherry Overnight Oats Recipe

Introduction

Cherry Overnight Oats are a delicious and nutritious way to start your day with minimal effort. This easy, make-ahead breakfast combines creamy oats with sweet cherries and almond butter for a satisfying, dairy-free treat.

Ingredients

• ½ cup (45 g) old fashioned oats
• ½ cup (118 mL) dairy-free milk
• ½ cup (70 g) frozen sweet pitted cherries
• 1 tablespoon (15 g) almond butter
• 1 tablespoon (7 g) ground flax-seed
• 1-2 teaspoons maple syrup
• ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
• ⅛ teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Thaw the frozen cherries either overnight in the refrigerator or quickly in the microwave. If microwaving, let them cool before using.
2. Step 2: For smaller cherry pieces, gently mash the thawed cherries with the back of a fork in a bowl or in individual containers. Be sure to keep and include any cherry juice that separates.
3. Step 3: In a jar or container with a lid, combine the oats, dairy-free milk, almond butter, ground flax-seed, maple syrup, lemon juice (if using), almond extract (if using), and the mashed cherries with their juice. Stir well to mix.
4. Step 4: Cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least two hours to allow the oats to absorb the liquid and thicken.
5. Step 5: When ready to eat, stir the oats and add your favorite toppings such as dairy-free yogurt, vegan chocolate chips, cocoa nibs, or sliced almonds.

Tips & Variations

• Use fresh cherries in season for a brighter flavor or substitute with frozen berries if cherries aren’t available.
• Add a pinch of cinnamon or vanilla for extra warmth and depth.
• Swap almond butter for peanut or cashew butter depending on your preference.
• Adjust sweetness by varying the amount of maple syrup to your taste.

Storage

Store the cherry overnight oats covered in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. For best texture, consume within this period. If the oats thicken too much after storage, stir in a splash of dairy-free milk before eating to loosen.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe with regular milk instead of dairy-free milk?

Yes, you can use any milk you prefer, including cow’s milk. The recipe works well with all types of milk.

Do I need to thaw the cherries before adding them to the oats?

Thawing the cherries helps their juice blend into the oats for better flavor and texture, but you can also add them frozen and let them thaw overnight in the fridge.

Cherry Overnight Oats Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 53 reviews

Delicious and nutritious Cherry Overnight Oats made with old fashioned oats, frozen sweet cherries, almond butter, and flax-seed. This dairy-free and vegan-friendly breakfast is easy to prepare, requires no cooking, and can be customized with your favorite toppings like vegan chocolate chips and sliced almonds.

• Author: Hannah
• Prep Time: 5 minutes
• Cook Time: 0 minutes
• Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes (including refrigeration time)
• Yield: 1 serving 1x
• Category: Breakfast
• Method: No-Cook
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegan

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Base Ingredients

• ½ cup (45 g) old fashioned oats
• ½ cup (118 mL) dairy-free milk
• ½ cup (70 g) frozen sweet pitted cherries
• 1 tablespoon (15 g) almond butter
• 1 tablespoon (7 g) ground flax-seed
• 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup
• ½ tablespoon fresh lemon juice (optional)
• ⅛ teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Toppings

• Dairy-free yogurt
• Vegan chocolate chips
• Cocoa nibs
• Sliced almonds

Instructions

1. Thaw the cherries: Thaw the frozen sweet pitted cherries in the refrigerator overnight or use the microwave. If microwaving, allow them to cool completely before mixing with other ingredients.
2. Mash the cherries: For smaller cherry pieces, mash the thawed cherries gently with the back of a fork in a bowl or individual containers to create a slightly broken texture with some juice.
3. Preserve the cherry juice: Do not discard the juice released from the cherries; add this juice back into the oats for extra flavor and moisture.
4. Combine ingredients: In a jar or container with a lid, add all ingredients including oats, dairy-free milk, almond butter, ground flax-seed, maple syrup, lemon juice, almond extract, and the cherry mixture with juice. Stir well to fully combine.
5. Refrigerate to thicken: Seal the container and refrigerate overnight or for at least two hours to allow the oats to soak and thicken.
6. Serve with toppings: Before eating, top your cherry overnight oats with dairy-free yogurt, vegan chocolate chips, cocoa nibs, sliced almonds, or any desired toppings for added texture and flavor.
7. Storage: Keep the covered oats refrigerated and consume within 3-4 days for best freshness and taste.

Notes

• You can adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of maple syrup to your taste.
• If you prefer a creamier texture, increase the amount of dairy-free milk slightly or add more almond butter.
• Add the optional lemon juice to brighten the cherry flavor.
• The almonds or vegan chocolate chips make excellent toppings that complement the cherry flavor well.
• This recipe is vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free if oats labeled gluten-free are used.

Keywords: overnight oats, cherry oats, vegan breakfast, dairy-free oats, healthy oats, make-ahead breakfast, gluten-free oats