Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy, almond milk recommended)
- 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 3-4 tablespoons maple syrup or honey (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- Pinch of salt
- 1½ cups cherries, pitted and halved (fresh, frozen, or canned)
- ⅓ cup sliced almonds
- Optional toppings: additional sliced almonds, fresh cherries, drizzle of honey, dark chocolate chips, coconut flakes
Instructions
- Prepare Your Base – In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla extract, almond extract, and salt. Whisk or stir thoroughly until everything is well combined and all the oats are coated with liquid.
- Prep the Cherries – If using fresh cherries, wash them, remove the pits, and cut them in half. If using frozen cherries, you can add them frozen (they’ll thaw overnight) or thaw them first (this releases their juice, creating a more flavorful result). If using canned cherries, drain them very well and pat dry with paper towels to remove excess moisture.
- Fold in the Cherries – Gently fold the prepared cherries into the oat mixture, distributing them evenly throughout. Reserve a few cherry halves for garnishing the top if desired.
- Add the Almonds – Stir in most of the sliced almonds, reserving some for topping. If you prefer your almonds to stay crunchy, set them aside and add only before serving.
- Portion into Containers – Divide the mixture evenly among 4 mason jars or airtight containers, each serving about 1 to 1½ cups. Use the back of a spoon to gently press down, ensuring all oats are submerged in liquid.
- Garnish – Top each jar with reserved cherry halves and sliced almonds. If using crunchy toppings that you want to keep crisp, wait until morning to add them.
- Refrigerate Overnight – Seal all containers with tight-fitting lids and place in the refrigerator. Allow them to rest for at least 6-8 hours, or overnight, so the oats can fully absorb the liquid and soften to a creamy consistency.
- Serve and Enjoy – In the morning, give your oats a good stir to redistribute everything. Add any additional toppings you like, and enjoy cold straight from the fridge. For warm oats, microwave for 60-90 seconds, stirring halfway through, and add a splash of milk if needed.
Notes
- Almond Extract Strength: Almond extract is very concentrated. Start with ½ teaspoon and taste before refrigerating. You can always add a drop or two more, but too much can be overwhelming.
- Cherry Selection: Tart cherries provide a more sophisticated, less sweet flavor, while sweet cherries create a dessert-like taste. Mix both types for complexity.
- Consistency Control: If oats are too thick in the morning, stir in milk one tablespoon at a time. If too thin, add a tablespoon of oats or chia seeds and refrigerate for 30 more minutes.
- Keeping Almonds Crunchy: Add sliced almonds only right before eating to maintain their crunch, or lightly toast them first for even more flavor and a crispier texture.
- Sweetness Adjustment: Cherries vary greatly in sweetness. Taste your mixture before refrigerating and adjust sweetener accordingly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (overnight refrigeration)
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: No-Cook, Meal Prep
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 jar (approximately 1½ cups)
- Calories: 325
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 50g
- Fiber: 9g
- Protein: 13g
- Cholesterol: 6mg