This is the variation of our overnight oats base recipe as seen in our Whole Life Meal Plan. Cherry overnight oats with almonds are great for breakfast and can make busy mornings a breeze. We love topping cherry almond overnight oats with fresh and dried cherries for an added boost of nutrition!
Three Must-Know Cooking Skills
For recipe success, learn how to:
Culinary Tips for the Best Cherry Overnight Oats
Want to make a quick and healthy breakfast for the entire week or for the whole family? To speed up prep time, make a big batch in a bowl, then distribute into individual servings when ready to serve.
Do you love cinnamon as much as we do? Use ¼ teaspoon.
Feel free to add the dried cherries in the morning if you don’t want them to rehydrate overnight.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Oats: use old-fashioned or quick oats. Old-fashioned oats create a firm, chewy texture, whereas quick oats create a soft, mushy texture. Do not use steel cut oats, as these have to be cooked.
- Milk: use regular or plant-based milk. Choose a fat content that works for your overall diet. Don’t have milk? You can also make overnight oats with water, but they won’t taste as creamy.
- Greek Yogurt: substitute regular plain yogurt or a plant-based yogurt. Choose a fat content that works for your overall diet. Choose sugar-free varieties and sweeten to your taste. You can make overnight oats without yogurt, but they will not be as creamy and will be lower in protein.
- Honey: substitute maple syrup or agave nectar to make your cherry overnight oats vegan.
- Vanilla: substitute almond or coconut extract for fun variations.
- Cinnamon: substitute pumpkin or apple pie spice.
- Dried Cherries: substitute any dried fruit. If using larger dried fruits, such as dried figs, apricots, or dates, chop into smaller pieces.
- Almonds: substitute any chopped, toasted nut or seed, such as walnuts, pecans, peanuts, pistachios, cashews, pumpkin seeds, or sunflower seeds. You can also substitute 1 Tablespoon almond butter. Don’t worry if it doesn’t stir in all the way; it will soften as it sits overnight.
- Fresh Cherries: substitute any fresh fruit. Sliced banana, diced apples, quartered strawberries, or fresh raspberries or blueberries would also be great. Substitute ¼ cup frozen cherries to make frozen cherry overnight oats.
Recipe Variations
Feel free to add other mix-ins or toppings of your choosing: chia seeds, flax seeds, dark chocolate chips, unsweetened coconut flakes, cocoa powder, toasted nuts, etc.
Need some recipe inspiration?
Use our overnight base recipe as a guide to make it your own, or check out some of our favorite overnight oats variations!
Equipment Recommendations
Use these kitchen tools for recipe success!
Overnight Oats are a Healthy Breakfast
The first meal of the day can affect how you feel for the rest of the day. A balanced breakfast should contain fiber-rich complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. The featured ingredients in this healthy overnight oats recipe are oats, Greek yogurt, almonds, and dried cherries.
Oats
Oats of any variety are a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates. Fiber is important for digestion, satiety, stable blood sugar, good cholesterol, and healthy gut bacteria. Complex carbohydrates are important for steady energy and focus. (1, 2)
Greek Yogurt
Making overnight oats with Greek yogurt creates a creamy texture and taste. Plus, it adds a nutritional boost! Greek Yogurt is a great source of protein, calcium, and gut-friendly probiotics.
Almonds
Almonds contain plant-based protein, fiber, and healthy monounsaturated fats. These nutrients help you feel satisfied until your next meal and can contribute to improved cardiovascular function. (3)
Cherries
Dried cherries contain carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals. As part of a healthy, balanced diet, dried cherries may contribute to disease prevention. If your cherries contain added sugars, reduce the amount of honey or agave you add.
Serving Suggestions
Fresh cherry overnight oats aren’t just for breakfast! Oats with honey and cinnamon can also be a great snack or post-workout treat. Serve hot or cold.
How to Store Cherry Vanilla Overnight Oats
Store overnight oats in the refrigerator. They’ll be ready to eat the next morning but can be stored for up to one week. The longer the oats are held in the refrigerator, the mushier they will become. Old-fashioned oats tend to hold up longer than quick oats.
Want more healthy breakfast recipes?
Check out these easy base recipe ideas, then adjust flavors to YOUR taste!
Whole Grain Pancakes Base Recipe
Baked Oatmeal Cups Base Recipe
Greek Yogurt Smoothie Base Recipe
Cherry Overnight Oats with Almonds
Ingredients
- ½ cup old fashioned oats
- ½ cup milk or milk alternative
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt (optional)
- 2 Tablespoons dried cherries
- 1 teaspoon honey or agave
- Dash cinnamon
- Dash vanilla extract
- 2 Tablespoons toasted slivered almonds
- ¼ cup fresh blueberries
Instructions
- Combine oats, milk, yogurt, dried cherries, honey or agave, cinnamon, and vanilla in a bowl or jar.
- Mix in or top with almonds and blueberries, or add them in the morning.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Enjoy cold!
