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Chia Cherry Overnight Oats are full of summer flavor, healthy, and easy to make for breakfast! They are excellent as a breakfast or snack and are ready in just 10 minutes.
Recipe features
- Dietary features: vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free optional, sugar-free optional
- Filled with sweet and sour summer cherries
- Ready in just 10 minutes using staples from your pantry
- Excellent as a snack or to prepare breakfast
Behind the cherries
As I near the end of my US tenure in the upper left, I find myself subconsciously compiling a list of favorites from the past two years: favorite scenic view (Mount St. Helens at Johnson Ridge Observatory), favorite restaurant (probably Basilisk for their fried tofu sandwich), favorite regional food (probably fruit), favorite fruit (still hotly debated), and so on.
Cherries are one of my favorite parts of summer in the Pacific Northwest. They might even be one of my favorite parts of Oregon overall.
There’s something about that slightly sweet, slightly sour taste: the inevitable red fingers you get from eating overripe cherries, the pleasure of inventing new ways to remove the pit (I prefer to do this while eating the cherry and hoping my mouth is enough able to avoid suffocation).
In my year of exploring fruit (as noted earlier this summer in my Ginger Peach Yogurt Smoothie recipe) I’ve done a lot of fruit experimentation (which sounds a little more exciting than it is!).
I’m already enjoying cherries as a snack between meals (paired with almonds, yogurt, or a piece of cheese), so why not incorporate them into a meal? Cherries go perfectly with oatmeal, so overnight oats with chia cherries are inevitably a great vegan summer recipe.
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Steps to make overnight oats
Overnight oats are super easy to prepare. This is the ratio I use:
Combine 1 part dry oatmeal to 2 parts liquid and let it rest in the fridge for at least four hours, or overnight.
The oats will absorb the liquid and double in volume, creating a creamy, cold oatmeal.
For the chia cherry overnight oats, add the chia seeds and chopped cherries to the overnight oats before placing it in the refrigerator. This allows the cherry flavor to seep into the oatmeal and creates a fun purple color.
Chia seeds break down to a softer texture in overnight oats because they expand to several times their size when combined with liquid.
Tips for a healthy breakfast
If you’re wondering “Are overnight oats healthy?” I have the answers!
A healthy breakfast should keep you full and energized until your next meal or snack. That’s why cherry overnight oats and oatmeal in general are great breakfast options when made with the right ingredients.
- One serving, or ½ cup, of rolled oats contains about 5 grams of protein, 4 grams of fiber, and the B vitamins thiamin and riboflavin.
- Choose a plant-based milk that is free from added sugar and higher in proteinsuch as unsweetened soy milk (8 grams of protein per 1-cup serving) or unsweetened pea protein milk (usually about 8 grams per 1-cup serving).
- An ideal meal contains carbohydrates, proteins and fats. Fats and proteins help you stay fuller for longer, as well as being an integral part of your body’s overall function. This recipe features oat protein, plant milk, and chia seeds. Chia seeds also contribute omega-3 fatty acids and fiberwhich helps with satiety.
- Choose unsweetened whole grain condiments. These oats use ½ cup of cherries per serving, 1 tablespoon of unsweetened shredded coconut, 1 tablespoon of chia seeds, and a dollop of coconut cream.
- Overnight oats are also great as a snack or dessert. Cut portions (including toppings) in half and enjoy a healthy snack!
Recipe FAQ
Yes, frozen cherries work well here. I recommend thawing them before using. They are more likely to change the color of oats than fresh cherries.
Yes, just choose certified gluten-free oats.
Refrigerate for up to 3-4 days. They will get softer the longer they sit.
They are good hot or cold. You can heat them in the microwave in about 1-2 minutes or on the stove over medium-low heat.
Looking for other recipes?
You might also like these flavors of overnight oats:
More of my favorite ways to use rolled oats:
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📖 Recipe
Print Recipe
Chia cherry night oats with coconut cream
Easy and healthy recipe for summer breakfast with fresh cherries.
Portions: 2 portions
Instructions
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Divide the oatmeal, milk, crushed cherries and chia seeds between two pint jars. Add the sweetener and almond extract (optional). Stir to combine. Stir again after 2 minutes to keep the chia seeds from clumping together.
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Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
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To make the coconut whipped cream, use a whisk to whip the contents of a can of coconut cream for 2-3 minutes, until it’s light and fluffy like whipped cream. Add a dash of maple or agave syrup and almond extract for a sweeter flavor. Please note that this method only works with coconut cream*.
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Top the overnight oats with chia cherries with coconut cream and other cherries. If necessary, add more milk to dilute the mixture. Enjoy!
Notes
- Coconut cream: This method only works with coconut cream, not full-fat coconut milk. If you can’t find cans of coconut cream, stick with it this recipe to make coconut cream whipped with full fat coconut milk.
- Keep the leftovers refrigerated for 3-4 days. They will soften as they sit.
Calories: 361kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 14gFat: 11gSaturated fats: 1gSodium: 123mgPotassium: 604mgFiber: 9gSugar: 15gVitamin A: 930UIC vitamin: 19.4mgSoccer: 435mgIron: 3.9mg
