Master the Basics and Make it YOUR Own
Watch our base recipe video to learn the basic skills, and discover how you can customize overnight oats to your taste!
This is a variation of our overnight oats base recipe. Chocolate cherry overnight oats are great for breakfast and can make busy mornings a breeze. Chewy dried cherries, decadent dark chocolate, and crunchy almonds combine with oats, milk, and yogurt to create a breakfast that tastes like a dessert! We know you will love this chocolate cherry almond overnight oats recipe as much as we do!
Must-Know Cooking Skills to Level Up your Kitchen Game
To make this recipe even easier, check out these videos to master the basics:
Plus, we’ve got an awesome Knife Skills 101 course to help you slice and dice like a pro (for other recipes)!
Culinary Tips for the Best Cherry Chocolate Overnight Oats
Looking to whip up a quick and healthy breakfast that’ll last all week or feed the whole fam? Easy! Mix up a big batch in one bowl, then portion it out for grab-and-go goodness.
Toast those almonds for next-level flavor! Whole almonds? Pop them in the oven, then chop them up. Sliced almonds? Toast them on the stovetop until they’re golden and aromatic. 🥣
Ingredient Swaps & Substitutions
- Oats: Go for old-fashioned or quick oats, depending on your vibe. Old-fashioned oats (our favorite oat to use) bring a firm, chewy texture, while quick oats give you a softer, mushier finish. Avoid steel-cut oats—they need to be cooked for easy digestion and just won’t work here.
- Milk: Regular or dairy-free milk both work beautifully!
- Greek Yogurt: Swap for plain regular yogurt if you prefer. Pick the fat content that suits your diet, and opt for plain varieties so you can sweeten to your liking. No yogurt? No problem—just skip it! For a vegan version, go with a plant-based yogurt.
- Dark Chocolate Chips: Feeling fancy? Swap in cacao nibs or vegan chocolate chips for a twist.
- Almond Extract: Vanilla extract makes a great stand-in if that’s what you have on hand.
- Dried Cherries: Use any dried or fresh fruit you love! If you’re working with larger dried fruits like figs, apricots, or dates, chop them into bite-sized pieces.
- Sliced Almonds: Any nut will do! Try cashews, hazelnuts, peanuts, pecans, or walnuts to mix things up.
Recipe Variations: Make it Your Own!
Feel free to add other mix-ins or toppings: chia seeds, ground flax seeds, coconut flakes, cocoa powder, nut butter, fresh fruit, etc. Spices are also fair game – a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg add some pizazz!
Need some overnight oats recipe inspiration?
Use our base recipe as a guide, and create your own signature variation!
Take a look at our stovetop oatmeal base recipe and its variations for even more ideas!
Overnight Oats Base Recipe
Cinnamon
Apple Pie
Blueberry
Banana Nut
Berry
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana
Pumpkin Pie
Equipment Recommendations: The Essentials
You just need a few basic tools for this recipe. Here’s your shopping list:
- Measuring cups & spoons – precision makes a difference.
- Liquid measuring cup – let’s be honest, you will probably use the cup you use for oats, but in theory, a liquid cup should be used!
- Mason jars – for a fun presentation!
Check out our essential equipment guide to stock your kitchen with ALL the tools you need to prepare anything and everything!
Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oats are a Healthy Breakfast
Your first meal sets the tone for the rest of your day, so make it count! A balanced breakfast should pack fiber-rich complex carbs, protein, and healthy fats to keep you energized and satisfied. Our overnight oats recipe hits all the right notes with hearty oats, creamy Greek yogurt, chewy dried cherries, and crunchy almonds. And for a little morning indulgence, there’s a touch of sweetness from dark chocolate chips—way less sugar than your typical cereal but just as satisfying! 🥣✨
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, while complex carbohydrates provide steady energy and focus.
Learn more about the different types of oats in this article!
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.
Dried Cherries
Cherries contain carbohydrates, vitamins, and antioxidants. Most dried cherries contain some added sugar, so we decided not to add honey to these overnight oats like we usually do.
Almonds
Almonds contain plant-based protein, fiber, and healthy monounsaturated fats. These nutrients promote heart health and help you feel satisfied until your next meal.
Less Sugar than Cold Breakfast Cereal
Many breakfast cereals contain large amounts of added sugars that might give you a quick pick me up, but it’s guaranteed to be followed by a crash. By making your own homemade overnight oats, you get to control the amount of added sugar that you eat!
Dive into our ingredient guide to discover the freshest, tastiest picks for all your recipes—because great ingredients make all the difference! 🌟🍎
Serving Suggestions
Overnight oats aren’t just for breakfast! They can also be a great snack or post-workout treat.
They are meant to be enjoyed cold, but you can microwave them if you insist on a warm breakfast!
Learn how to build a healthy balanced meal with our Whole Life Plate, meal plan, and book!
How to Store Overnight Oats
Store overnight oats in the refrigerator, and they will be ready to enjoy the next morning. They’ll stay fresh for up to 5 days, but heads up – the longer they hang out, the mushier they’ll get. So, if you’re a fan of that perfect chewy texture, don’t wait too long to dig in!
Want more healthy breakfast recipes? We got you covered!
Check out these healthy base recipe breakfast ideas, then adjust to YOUR taste!
Whole Wheat Muffins Base Recipe
Greek Yogurt Smoothie Base Recipe
Whole Grain Pancakes Base Recipe
Baked Oatmeal Cups Base Recipe
Share the Love – Leave us a Review!
Unlike many other recipe blogs, we actually encourage you to tweak our recipes. Not because they’re in need of change, haha, but because we believe one of the secrets to success in the kitchen is cooking to YOUR taste. Make the recipe, leave us a review, and tell us if you made any changes! We love hearing how you’ve made it your own.
Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oats with Almonds
Ingredients
- ½ cup old fashioned or quick oats
- ½ cup milk or milk alternative
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt (optional)
- 1 Tablespoon mini dark chocolate chips
- ⅛ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 Tablespoons dried cherries
- 1 Tablespoon sliced almonds
Instructions
- Mix oats, milk, yogurt, chocolate chips, and almond extract in a bowl.
- Top with dried cherries and sliced almonds, or add them in the morning.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Enjoy cold!
Notes
Nutrition
Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oats with Almonds
Ingredients
- ½ cup old fashioned or quick oats
- ½ cup milk or milk alternative
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt (optional)
- 1 Tablespoon mini dark chocolate chips
- ⅛ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 Tablespoons dried cherries
- 1 Tablespoon sliced almonds
Instructions
- Mix oats, milk, yogurt, chocolate chips, and almond extract in a bowl.
- Top with dried cherries and sliced almonds, or add them in the morning.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Enjoy cold!
