This easy Cherry Overnight Oats recipe is a healthy breakfast that comes together in under 5 minutes of hands-on time. Frozen cherries burst with flavor in the chewy, creamy oats while cacao nibs add an irresistible chocolaty flavor that complements the cherry oats. Top it off with fresh dark cherries for a seasonal flair! This recipe is perfect for meal prep, and gluten-free and vegan-friendly.
Overnight oats are my favorite healthy breakfast all year round. They’re a great recipe to incorporate seasonal flavors, like Apple Pie Overnight Oats and Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats, so you can enjoy overnight oats any time of the year without getting bored.
This cherry overnight oats recipe is perfect during summer when fresh cherries are in peak season. Even though this recipe is made with frozen cherries, our bodies naturally crave seasonal produce. And garnishing with fresh cherries on top is always a great idea.
Meal prep these overnight oats in a jar and kick start the next day healthy and nourished! Serve with energizing drinks like Banana Matcha Latte and Iced Maple Apple Crisp Macchiato!
Jump to:
Ingredients
For the Creamy Cherry Overnight Oats Base Recipe
- Frozen Cherries – You can use fresh cherries but frozen cherries work the best in this recipe! Thawed cherries are so soft and juicy melting into the creamy overnight oats. Also, they release flavorful juice into oats during overnight thawing.
- Oats – Use old-fashioned rolled oats. Oats are naturally gluten-free but can be cross-contaminated. Use certified gluten-free oats if you want to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Oat Milk or Any Milk– You can use any milk of your choice. Use certified gluten-free product to avoid cross-contamination if you want to make this recipe completely gluten-free.
- Chia Seeds – Adds extra fiber and healthy fats. I also love the crunchy texture that contrasts with the creamy overnight oats.
- Maple Syrup – Sweetener.
Tip: I tried several frozen cherry brands and found that not all the frozen cherries give oats a cute pink hue. Some cherries just don’t release pink juice. But don’t worry, it doesn’t affect the taste!
For the Toppings
- Yogurt – Use plain or vanilla-flavored yogurt of your choice. Greek yogurt for the creamy high protein topping or coconut yogurt to make this recipe vegan. Plain yogurt is naturally gluten free but other flavor may not. Use certified gluten-free product if you want to make this recipe completely gluten-free.
- Cacao nibs – cherries and chocolate flavor are a match made in heaven! Cacao nibs add a nice crunch and irresistible cacao flavor to these overnight oats.
- Fresh cherries – If fresh cherries are in season, take advantage of it and garnish with extra fresh cherries on top.
How to Make Cherry Overnight Oats
Making this cherry overnight oats is so simple and ready in under 5 minutes. The magic happens while you sleep!
First, the night before, add cherries, oats, oat milk, chia seeds, and maple syrup in a jar. Mix well to combine. Cover with the lid and store in the refrigerator overnight.
The next morning, oats should be thick and creamy. Add a splash of milk if you like a thinner consistency.
I usually find this recipe sweet enough, but taste and add more maple syrup for your taste. Top with yogurt, cacao nibs, and fresh cherries.
Substitutions
- Milk – Instead of oat milk, use any milk of your choice, like regular, almond, and hemp milk.
- Chia Seeds – Chia seeds are a nutritious ingredient and add a nice crunch, but they’re high in calories(1 Tablespoon has about 65kcal). If you limit your calories, you can omit them to make this recipe lighter and lower in calories.
- Chocolate Chips – Cacao nibs have an intense chocolate flavor and you can enjoy the benefit of cocoa to the fullest. But if you wish to make this recipe extra decadent, sprinkle some chocolate chips!
Variations
Overnight oats are a forgiving recipe, and you can easily adjust them to your liking. Here are some of the topping suggestions you can try!
- Nut Butter – Adding nut butter like almond butter and peanut butter adds healthy fat and makes this healthy breakfast extra fulfilling and nourishing.
- Hemp Seeds – Want to add more protein? Try adding 1 Tablespoon of hempseeds! 1 Tablespoon of hempseeds has about 3g of plant protein.
- Frozen Fruits – Out of frozen cherries? Try other frozen fruit you have in the freezer. Frozen berries, pineapples, mangoes, and peaches to name a few.
If you’re looking for an overnight oats recipe made with fresh fruit, check out
Strawberry and Cream Overnight Oats!
FAQ
Yes, of course! Overnight oats are the perfect meal prep recipe even during the cold season. Warm up on the stovetop or in the microwave.
Old-fashioned rolled oats are the best for making overnight oats. They become chewy, tender, and creamy without being mushy. Instant oats and quick-cooking oats are thinner and smaller oats that become too mushy after being soaked overnight. Steel-cut oats are too firm for non-cooking recipes like overnight oats.
Related
Looking for more breakfast recipes? Try these:
For more recipes and updates, follow me on Instagram or TikTok!
If you enjoy the recipe, please leave a comment and ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️! I’d love to know what you think!
Easy Cherry Overnight Oats with Cacao Nibs(Healthy Meal Prep)
Ingredients
For the Cherry Overnight Oats Base
- ½ cup frozen cherries
- ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats *see note 1
- ½ cup oat milk *see note 1
- 1 Tablespoon chia seeds
- ½ Tablespoon maple syrup plus more if necessary
For the Topping
- 2 Tablespoons yogurt use coconut yogurt if you want to make it vegan. *see note 1
- ½ teaspoon cacao nibs
- Fresh cherries optional
Instructions
- In a jar, add cherries, oats, milk, chia seeds, and maple syrup. Mix well to combine. Cover with the lid and store in the refrigerator overnight.
- In the morning, oats should be thick and creamy. Add a splash of milk if you like a thinner consistency. Taste and add more maple syrup for your taste. Top with yogurt, cacao nibs, and fresh cherries.
Leave a Reply