Cherry Overnight Oats
Cherry Overnight Oats, a creamy plant-based overnight oats recipe made with rolled oats, chia seeds, and cherries. Great grab-and-go breakfast!
Love overnight oats? Make them with cherries! This easy cold refrigerator oats recipes uses fresh cherries blended with plant-based milk to flavor the oats and chia seeds.
👉 Ready to learn how to make overnight oats with cherries? Let’s do it!
🍒 Ingredients
- Rolled oats: The main ingredient that provides a hearty and filling base to the recipe, as well as a good source of fiber and nutrients.
- Plant-based milk: Provides a creamy texture and additional flavor to the oats, as well as a source of calcium and vitamins.
- Chia seeds: Adds thickness and creaminess to the oats, as well as extra fiber, protein, and healthy omega-3 fatty acids.
- Maple syrup: Adds natural sweetness to the oats and balances the tangy flavor of the cherries.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances the flavor of the oats and adds a subtle sweetness.
- Cherries: Provides a natural sweetness and tanginess to the oats, as well as a source of vitamin C and antioxidants. You can use either fresh or frozen cherries.
- Recommended tools: high powered blender or handheld immersion blender, glass jars with lids
🥣 How to make (step-by-step photos)
1️⃣ Step One: Blend cherries
To do this, simply add sliced cherries, plant-based milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to a high powered blender and blend until smooth (alternatively, you can also add all ingredients to a bowl and use a handheld immersion blender).
👉 Pro tip: While many cherry overnight oats recipes are simply just unflavored overnight oats with cherries on top, in this recipe we’re going to flavor the oats themselves by blending cherries and mixing with the oats.
2️⃣ Step Two: Mix overnight oat ingredients
Next it’s time to mix the overnight oat ingredients. To so this, first add rolled oats and chia seeds to a small jar.
Then pour the blended cherry mixture over the oats, then close the jar with a lid and shake well to mix the ingredients.
👉 Container tip: If you don’t have a jar, you can alternatively mix the ingredients in a bowl and then add to a small glass.
3️⃣ Step Three: Chill oats overnight
Close the lid on your jar and place it in the refrigerator at least 4 hours, but for best results 8+ hours.
A great time to make overnight oats in right before bed to enjoy them in the morning (hence the name, “overnight” oats).
4️⃣ Step Four: Garnish and serve
When you’re ready to eat the oats, simply remove the jar or glass from the refrigerator, top with garnishes like sliced cherries or granola, and enjoy!
❓ Recipe questions + quick tips
Some of the best plant-based milks for overnight oats are almond milk, coconut milk, and oat milk, as they have a creamy texture and subtle flavors that complement the oats well.
For the best texture, it is recommended to soak the oats in plant-based milk overnight for at least 4-6 hours or ideally up to 12 hours, as this allows the oats to absorb the liquid and soften to a creamy consistency.
Yes, you can use frozen cherries instead of fresh ones for making cherry overnight oats, as they will thaw and soften overnight in the refrigerator and create a similar texture and flavor.
🧊 How to store
- Refrigerator storage: Store leftovers in an airtight container (the jar you made it in) in the refrigerator for 2-3 days (3-4 days total storing time, depending on how far ahead you prepared the oats).
- Freezer storage: Freezing is not recommended, as the oat texture will be very soggy after thawing.
👉 More plant-based overnight oats
Want more overnight oats recipes? Try Strawberry Overnight Oats, Blackberry Overnight Oats, Plum Overnight Oats, and Blueberry Overnight Oats.
NOT SURE WHERE TO START WITH PLANT-BASED EATING?
Get my 4-Day Plant-Based Meal Plan
Subscribe to my daily recipe emails and I’ll send you my FREE meal plan to kickstart your plant powered journey.
Cherry Overnight Oats
Equipment
- 1 high powered blender or immersion blender
- 1 mason jar or glass
Ingredients
- ½ cup cherries sliced
- ½ cup plant-based milk
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup optional for sweetness
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- Optional garnishes: sliced cherries, granola, nuts or seeds
Instructions
- Blend cherries: Add sliced cherries, plant-based milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract to a high powered blender and blend until smooth (alternatively, you can also add all ingredients to a bowl and use a handheld immersion blender).½ cup cherries, ½ cup plant-based milk, 1 teaspoon maple syrup, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Mix overnight oat ingredients: Add rolled oats and chia seeds to a small jar. Pour the blended cherry mixture over the oats, then close the jar with a lid and shake well to mix the ingredients. If you don’t have a jar, you can alternatively mix the ingredients in a bowl and then add to a small glass.½ cup rolled oats, 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- Chill overnight: Close the lid on your jar and place it in the refrigerator at least 4 hours, but for best results 8+ hours. A great time to make overnight oats in right before bed to enjoy them in the morning.
- Garnish and serve: Remove the jar or glass from the refrigerator, top with garnishes (optional), and enjoy.Optional garnishes: sliced cherries, granola, nuts or seeds