If you are looking for a breakfast that feels like dessert but is packed with nutrition, these Creamy Cherry Almond Overnight Oats are the answer. This recipe combines the classic “bakery” flavors of almond and cherry with the convenience of a no-cook breakfast.
By letting the oats soak in almond milk with chia seeds and fresh cherries, you create a thick, pudding-like texture that is ready the moment you wake up. It’s high in fiber, rich in healthy fats, and perfectly sweet.
Recipe Details
- Flavor Profile: Sweet and nutty with a bright, tart burst from fresh cherries and a warm vanilla finish.
- Texture: Creamy and chewy oats, slightly thickened by chia seeds, with a satisfying crunch from slivered almonds.
- Time: 5 minutes prep, 4 hours (or overnight) chilling time.
- Difficulty: Very Easy.
What You’ll Need
To make this recipe, you will need a medium-sized mixing bowl and a whisk. For storage, we recommend using glass mason jars or airtight containers. If you are prepping for a few days, having individual-sized jars makes grabbing breakfast on your way out the door a breeze.
Ingredient Notes
- Old-Fashioned Oats: Be sure to use rolled oats (old-fashioned) rather than instant or steel-cut. Instant oats will become too mushy, while steel-cut oats will remain too hard.
- Unsweetened Almondmilk: This provides the creamy, low-calorie base. You can use vanilla-flavored almondmilk for an extra boost of flavor.
- Chia Seeds: These act as a natural thickener. As they sit, they absorb liquid and create a gel-like consistency that makes the oats extra creamy.
- Fresh Cherries: Pitting and halving the cherries allows their juices to bleed slightly into the oats, naturally sweetening the entire batch.
- Sliced or Slivered Almonds: These provide a necessary textural contrast.
- Honey or Maple Syrup: A touch of natural liquid sweetener balances the tartness of the cherries.
Add-ins and Substitutions
- Protein Boost: Stir in a scoop of vanilla protein powder or 1/4 cup of plain Greek yogurt for extra satiety.
- Extracts: If you love that “birthday cake” almond flavor, add 1/4 teaspoon of almond extract in addition to the vanilla.
- Fruit Swaps: If cherries aren’t in season, you can use frozen pitted cherries or swap them for blueberries or raspberries.
- Nut-Free: Substitute the almondmilk with oat milk and replace the almonds with sunflower seeds or hemp hearts.
How to Make Creamy Cherry Almond Overnight Oats
- Whisk the Base: In a medium bowl, whisk together the almondmilk, honey (or maple syrup), vanilla extract, and salt until the sweetener is fully dissolved.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the old-fashioned oats, chia seeds, slivered almonds, and prepared cherries to the liquid base. Stir well until all the oats are submerged and the ingredients are evenly distributed.
- Soak: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, or divide the mixture into individual jars and seal with lids. Place in the refrigerator for at least four hours, though letting them sit overnight yields the best, creamiest results.
- Serve: Give the oats a good stir before eating. If the mixture is too thick, splash in a little extra almondmilk. Top with fresh cherries, extra almonds, and a drizzle of honey if you’re feeling indulgent!
Pro Tip: To maximize the flavor of the nuts, lightly toast your slivered almonds in a dry pan over medium heat for 2-3 minutes until they are fragrant and golden before adding them to the oat mixture.
Recipe Tips
- Cherry Prep: If you don’t have a cherry pitter, you can place a cherry on top of an empty glass bottle and use a straw to push the pit through into the bottle.
- Consistency: Chia seeds absorb a lot of liquid. If you prefer your oats more “soupy,” increase the almondmilk to 2 1\2 cups.
- Sweetness Level: Taste the liquid base before adding the oats. Remember that the cherries will release some sweetness as they sit, so you may want to start with less honey.
FAQs
- Can I use frozen cherries? Yes! Frozen cherries work great. You don’t even need to thaw them; they will thaw as the oats soak in the fridge.
- How long do these last? They stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Note that the almonds may lose some of their crunch by day 3.
- Are these gluten-free?Yes, as long as you use certified gluten-free old-fashioned oats.
Serving Suggestions
- Hot or Cold? While these are traditionally eaten cold, you can absolutely pop them in the microwave for 60-90 seconds if you prefer a warm breakfast.
- Extra Toppings: Shredded coconut, cacao nibs, or a dollop of almond butter on top takes this to the next level.
Make This Recipe in Advance
This is the ultimate make-ahead meal. I recommend making a double batch on Sunday night. Divide them into four mason jars, and you have a grab-and-go breakfast ready for Monday through Thursday.
Print
Creamy Cherry Almond Overnight Oats
- Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 Servings 1x
Description
If you are looking for a breakfast that feels like dessert but is packed with nutrition, these Creamy Cherry Almond Overnight Oats are the answer. This recipe combines the classic “bakery” flavors of almond and cherry with the convenience of a no-cook meal. By letting the oats soak in almond milk with chia seeds and fresh cherries, you create a thick, pudding-like texture that is ready the moment you wake up. It’s high in fiber, rich in healthy fats, and perfectly sweet.
Ingredients
The Base
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats (rolled oats)
- 2 cups unsweetened almondmilk
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of kosher salt
The Mix-ins & Toppings
- 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved or quartered
- 1/4 cup sliced or slivered almonds
- Optional: Extra almonds, cherries, or honey for garnish
Instructions
Whisk the Base
In a medium bowl, whisk together the almondmilk, honey (or maple syrup), vanilla extract, and salt until the sweetener is fully dissolved.
Combine Ingredients
Add the old-fashioned oats, chia seeds, slivered almonds, and prepared cherries to the liquid base.
Stir
Mix well until all the oats are submerged and the ingredients are evenly distributed.
Soak
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, or divide the mixture into individual mason jars and seal with lids.
Chill
Place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, though letting them sit overnight yields the creamiest results.
Serve
Give the oats a good stir before eating. If the mixture is too thick for your preference, splash in a little extra almondmilk. Top with fresh cherries and extra almonds before serving.
Notes
Oat Type Matters: Use old-fashioned rolled oats. Instant oats will turn into mush, and steel-cut oats will remain unpleasantly crunchy even after an overnight soak.
Pro Tip – Toast the Nuts: To maximize flavor, lightly toast your slivered almonds in a dry pan over medium heat for 2–3 minutes until fragrant and golden before adding them to the oats.
Chia Consistency: Chia seeds are the thickening agent. If you prefer a thinner, “soupier” consistency, increase the almondmilk to 2 1/2 cups.
Storage: These stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. Note that the almonds will gradually lose their crunch the longer they sit in the liquid.
Frozen Fruit: If cherries aren’t in season, frozen pitted cherries work perfectly no need to thaw them beforehand!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: No-Cook / Overnight
- Cuisine: Healthy / American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Jar (approx. 1.5 cups)
- Calories: 380
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 11g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 56g
- Fiber: 10g
- Protein: 9g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: overnight oats recipe, cherry almond oats, healthy meal prep breakfast, chia seed pudding, high fiber breakfast, vegan overnight oats, easy no cook breakfast
