Name: Cherry Overnight Oats with Almonds & Cacao
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 4 min
Total time: 486 min
Ingredients: 20 frozen cherries (pitted, use fresh if you prefer); 65 g jumbo rolled oats (not instant); 120 ml semi-skimmed milk (or non-dairy alternative); 1½ tbsp ricotta cheese; 1 tsp cacao/cocoa powder; 35 g almond flakes (plus more for serving (optional)); 1 tbsp maple syrup

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This cherry overnight oats recipe contains almonds flakes for added texture and cacao for more flavour and goodness. 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.

Overnight oats are such an easy and delicious way to enjoy a wholesome breakfast no matter how busy you are. And they are really quite different from cooked oats, i.e. porridge. I do love a bowl of hot, comforting porridge when it's cold and gloomy outside. But in the summer my preferred oaty breakfast are definitely overnight oats.

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

I prepared the oats mixture by combining the oats with the milk, ricotta, almond flakes and cacao (use cocoa if you prefer). Ricotta adds creaminess and the almond flakes give this recipe a bit of crunch.

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

Step-by-step recipe instructions

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

2. Stir thoroughly.

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.

Expert tips and FAQs

Use frozen or fresh cherries.
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 might also like this collection of 27 everyday healthy cacao recipes.
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 for up to 2 days.
Not suitable for freezing.

You might also like this collection of 18 vegetable breakfast recipes.

Keep in touch!

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

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