These cherry overnight oats contain almond flakes for added texture and cacao for an interesting flavour twist. Low in sugar and bursting with flavour this recipe is a delicious and healthy way to start your day.

You might also like overnight quinoa with banana.

Cherry overnight oats with fresh cherries, almond flakes and spoon on dark brown surface.

These cherry overnight oats feel like a luxurious dessert, but in fact are a super nutritious breakfast packed with wholegrains and protein. They involve turning the cherries into a 2-ingredient compote for maximum flavour before combining with the other ingredients. This method is quick, easy and yields fantastic results!

Why this recipe works

Cherries, almonds and cacao make a delicious flavour combination.
It's naturally sweetened by the fruit plus a small amount of maple syrup.
It's easy to make, nutritious and satisfying.

Cherry overnight oats ingredients and substitutions

Cherries.
Oats: use old-fashioned rolled oats (jumbo oats) rather than instant oats. Old-fashioned oats are more nutritious and won't turn your breakfast into mush.
Milk: use any.
Ricotta: adds creaminess, but you can sub yogurt or cream cheese if desired.
Almond flakes: add crunch, but you can use desiccated coconut instead.
Cacao: I like to use cacao in its raw form as it's a little more nutritious than cocoa powder but either one is fine to use. You can also omit this ingredient altogether.
Maple syrup: use honey or agave syrup if preferred.

Frozen vs fresh cherries

Either frozen or fresh cherries are fine to use.

If you use frozen you can enjoy this cherry overnight oats recipe any time you like. Plus frozen come already pitted, which is why I prefer frozen to fresh. But the choice is yours.

Top tip

If you use sour cherries you may need to add a little more maple syrup into the mixture.

Cherry overnight oats ingredients in individual dishes.

Step-by-step recipe instructions

1.In a bowl combine the oats with the milk, ricotta cacao and almond flakes.

Oats, flaked almonds, milk and cocoa in bowl.

2. Stir thoroughly.

Oats mixture with milk and cocoa in bowl with spoon.

3. In a saucepan cook the cherries with the maple syrup for 2-3 minutes squashing with the back of a spoon until the fruit releases lots of juice. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool for about 10 minutes.

4. Pour the cherry compote over the oats (do not stir), cover and refrigerate overnight.

5. In the morning sprinkle over some toasted flaked almonds (optional) and enjoy your overnight cherry oats.

Serving suggestions

Cherry overnight oats are best served chilled as a nutritious breakfast or satisfying snack. You can even top them with whipped cream and enjoy as healthy dessert. Other toppings you can use include toasted nuts or seeds.

Top tips

Use frozen or fresh cherries.
Do NOT stir the cherry compote into the oats straight away so the sweet tangy flavour doesn't get lost in the oat mixture. Just pour it over the oats and refrigerate overnight.
Ricotta makes these overnight oats creamier but you could use yogurt to achieve a similar result. Use either Greek yogurt, skyr or fromage frais. Keep in mind, however, that these alternatives will add a little acidity into the oats mixture.
Keep refrigerated, covered for up to 2 days.
Cherry oats are not suitable for freezing.

Top down view of cherry overnight oats with spoon, almond flakes and cherries on top of dark tray.

Check out also these other easy breakfast recipes including this collection of vegetable breakfast recipe ideas.

Keep in touch!

If you make these overnight oats with cherries I'd love to know how they turned out for you. Let me know in the comments below, thanks:)

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