Description
A refreshing and nutritious Cherry Overnight Oats recipe that combines old fashioned oats with sweet frozen cherries, almond butter, and dairy-free milk. Perfect for a quick, no-cook breakfast that’s rich in fiber, protein, and healthy fats. Customize with your favorite toppings like vegan chocolate chips and sliced almonds for an extra tasty start to your day.
Ingredients
Scale
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)
- â…› teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Toppings
- Dairy-free yogurt
- Vegan chocolate chips
- Cocoa nibs
- Sliced almonds
Instructions
- Thaw the Cherries: Thaw the frozen sweet pitted cherries overnight in the refrigerator or use the microwave to speed up the process. If microwaving, be sure to allow the cherries to cool completely before proceeding to the next step.
- Mash the Cherries: Gently mash the thawed cherries with the back of a fork in a bowl or individual containers to create smaller cherry pieces and release some juice, giving the oats more flavor and moisture.
- Preserve the Cherry Juice: Do not discard the juice released from the cherries; add it back into the oats for enhanced taste and moisture.
- Combine Ingredients: In a jar or container with a lid, combine the oats, dairy-free milk, almond butter, ground flax-seed, maple syrup, lemon juice, almond extract, and the cherry mixture including the juice. Stir well until fully combined.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Seal the container tightly and refrigerate overnight or for at least two hours to allow the oats to soak, soften, and thicken.
- Add Toppings Before Serving: 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.
- Storage: Keep the covered oats refrigerated and consume within 3-4 days for optimal freshness and taste.
Notes
- Use frozen sweet pitted cherries for convenience and to have cherries available year-round.
- Almond butter adds creaminess and healthy fats; you can substitute with other nut butters if desired.
- Maple syrup can be adjusted to taste or replaced with your preferred sweetener.
- Optional lemon juice and almond extract add a bright and subtle nutty flavor but can be omitted.
- Overnight soaking softens the oats without cooking, preserving nutrients and saving time in the morning.
- Customize toppings based on your dietary preferences and texture preferences.
- Consume within 3-4 days for best quality; never leave overnight oats at room temperature for extended periods.
