Start your day with an easy breakfast recipe – these chocolate overnight oats with fresh cherries are healthy and delicious! Gluten free, dairy free, and loved by kids and adults, this is the perfect simple breakfast for when you’re on the go.
We all have crazy mornings…the kind where you are running late, can’t find your keys, or shoes, and realize that you forgot to make a plan for breakfast. When that happens, you might just grab a granola bar, and hope that you don’t pass out from hunger in a couple of hours.
Good news – there’s no need to do that when you can make a healthy, tasty, satisfying breakfast that will be ready to go the next morning!
Chocolate overnight oats with cherries is just the breakfast to make for busy weeks.
If you’re like me, you’ll take any opportunity to eat cherries when they’re in season. Making chocolate cherry overnight oats is a great way to enjoy them. And if cherries aren’t in season, any berry that you like will do! I also love this recipe with blueberries.
Are overnight oats healthy?
Yes, overnight oatmeal is a healthy breakfast choice. Overnight oats contain healthy carbohydrates and lots of fiber.
Oats contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. Diets that are high in both these types of fiber may help prevent heart disease, stroke, and obesity.
Why do you need to soak oats overnight?
Soaking oats overnight is a real time-saver! Simply put the oats in a jar with some liquid, and the next morning, they will be ready to eat.
No need to spend time over the stove, waiting for your oatmeal to cook – overnight oats are ready to eat when you wake up.
Soaking oats also makes them easier to digest. As they soak, their starches break down, and the phytic acid that they contain is reduced, which makes them much more digestible.
How do you make chocolate overnight oats?
It’s quick and easy! Simple place your oats and non-dairy milk in a jar, and place in the refrigerator overnight.
In the morning, add your cocoa powder and maple syrup, and stir well.
Top with cherries or any other topping that you choose!
Note: You can add your cocoa powder and maple syrup the night before if you wish – just stir very well to break up any cocoa powder lumps that may form.
How long can you keep overnight oats in the refrigerator?
Overnight oatmeal should last for up to five days in the refrigerator.
Chocolate overnight oatmeal with cherries is:
- gluten free and vegan
- perfect to serve on busy mornings
- full of fiber
- easier to digest than normal oatmeal
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Recipe
Chocolate Overnight Oats with Cherries.
Ingredients
- ½ cup gluten free old fashioned oats
- ¾ cup non-dairy milk
- 1 ½ Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ½ Tablespoon maple syrup
- ½ cup fresh sweet cherries pitted and sliced
- 1 Tablespoon dairy free chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- Place the gluten free oats and non-dairy milk in a jar with a lid and stir well. Place the lid on top and store in the refrigerator overnight.
- In the morning, open the jar, stir the oats, and add the cocoa powder and maple syrup.
- Top with cherries and dairy free chocolate chips. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
This recipe was published in July 2016, and has been updated with new text and photos.
Sol
This recipe is awesome, it makes for a rich-tasting, luxurious breakfast! I’ve made it many times now. I usually double the quantity and then portion and freeze most of the oats for later.
One addition: To my taste, the oats themselves are not sweet enough, so I usually add a few drops of sweetener before serving them. But it’s no problem when it can be rectified so easily. Maybe I could also work out how much extra sweetness to add before cooking everything, but so far, I’ve been too lazy.
Darryl
Super delicious and super easy to make!
Sarah @Whole and Heavenly Oven
Cherries are seriously my love language right now and pretty much all want to do is eat tons of ’em! These overnight oats are SO calling my name right now! Can’t beat chocolate + cherries for breakfast!!
Kelly
I agree! My favorite combo!
Julia
I’m craving this so hard for breakfast! I love overnight oats and the cherry-chocolate combo is so on point!
Kelly
Thank you!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
Overnight oats are one of my favorite breakfast dishes to make, especially in the summer. Love this chocolate cherry version, Kelly! Wish this was my breakfast today!