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When the weather gets warmer I’m all about overnight oats! I shared my recipe for banana overnight oats a few weeks back and now I’m onto cherry overnight oats.

image of cherry overnight oats made in a mason jar

It’s the perfect time of year to enjoy this recipe because cherries are in season! But don’t worry, if you want to enjoy these in the off season you can totally use frozen cherries.

Whenever I think of cherries I think of cherry chip cookies, and that’s exactly the inspiration for these oats. I love adding in a handful of mini chocolate chips because it adds a ton of flavor and texture.

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Getting the Ratios in These Cherry Overnight Oats Just Right

Most people prefer their oatmeal one of two ways. Either thick like paste, or thinner and a bit wetter.

I created this recipe to make a thicker oatmeal once it comes out of the fridge. This way everyone is happy in the end!

People who like a thicker oatmeal can eat it straight out of the fridge and anyone who wants it a bit thinner can add a splash of milk or water.

image of ingredients in a bowl to make cherry pie overnight oats

The proper ratio of liquid to oats varies based on a lot of factors. For example, I love adding chia seeds to my oats because they’re a great source of fiber, omega-3s and protein. But they absorb a ton of water!

Usually I stick to a 1:1 ratio of oats to water or milk, but this recipe needs 2/3 of a cup of water because of the chia seeds.

How Far in Advance Do You Need to Make Overnight Oats?

Despite their name, overnight oats don’t actually have to sit in the fridge overnight.

However, they do need a bit of time to soak up the water or milk and soften. If I forget to make my overnight oats ahead of time, I find they only need about 3 hours to soak before they’re ready to go.

They’re definitely a bit thinner when they soak for less time though.

Letting them sit overnight not only helps them fully soften, it also gives the flavors a chance to develop.

Long story short, an overnight soak is ideal but not necessary if you are short on time.

image of cherry overnight oats made with fresh cherries, chia seeds and greek yogurt

Can Overnight Oats Be Eaten Warm?

Not everyone can get behind the idea of eating uncooked, cold oats. And I get it, if you’ve never tried overnight oats before it can seem like a weird concept.

But trust me on this one, cold overnight oats are absolutely delicious and have an amazing texture. They’re also an incredibly refreshing breakfast on a warm day.

With that be said, you can eat overnight oats warm. They can be heated just like any other bowl of oatmeal. Pop them into the microwave and heat in 30 second intervals until they’re warm.

Substitutions & Swaps

While I love this recipe for cherry overnight oats just the way it is, I know some of you might not have all these ingredients on hand!

image of fresh cherries ready to be made into cherry overnight oats

Below are some swaps and substitutions that can be made in this recipe:

Diced Cherries – These oats turn out best with ripe, sweet cherries. If cherries aren’t in season or you can’t find fresh cherries at the grocery store, use frozen cherries! Let them thaw for about 30 minutes before making the oats to make them easier to mix in.
Chia Seeds – If you don’t have chia seeds, you can omit them from this recipe. They absorb a lot of liquid though, so you will need to reduce the amount of water or milk to 1/2 cup to get the right consistency.
Cinnamon – A bit of ground cinnamon adds a nice touch of flavor, but if you don’t have any on hand or you don’t like cinnamon you can skip it.
Brown Sugar – This recipe uses brown sugar, which gives it great flavor! You can also use honey or any sweetener you like in its place.
Chopped chocolate – This ingredient is optional, but it adds a lovely bit of texture! I love using mini dark chocolate chips. You can also use chopped nuts in their place like walnuts or pecans.
Rolled Oats – This recipe turns out best with rolled or old-fashioned oats. You can use quick oats if that’s all you have, but you should reduce the amount of water or milk to 1/2 a cup.
Greek Yogurt – Greek yogurt adds a wonderful creaminess to these oats along with a lot of protein. However, you can use any yogurt you have or like, or dairy free yogurt! You can also skip adding any yogurt if you’re not a fan.
Water – I prefer making these oats with water but you can also use milk or any dairy free milk.

image of overnight oats with cherries in a mason jar

Tips for Making the Best Cherry Overnight Oats

Make your oats in a sealable container like a mason jar!
Muddle the cherries in the bottom of your container with the chia seeds, cinnamon, and brown sugar to give these oats a cherry pie vibe.
Feel free to double this recipe or make multiple jars to last the entire week.
These cherry overnight oats stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Use rolled or old-fashioned oats to give your oatmeal the best texture and consistency!
If you like your oatmeal a bit thinner, I suggest adding a splash of water or your favorite milk before eating.
Top your overnight oats with a sprinkle of chopped chocolate bits, cherry preserves and/or fresh cherries to take them to the next level.

image of cherry overnight oats in a cute mason jar

Let Me Know What You Think!

If you try this recipe for cherry overnight oats, I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a comment and rating below.

And don’t forget to tag me @chelsweets and use #chelsweets so that I can see your delicious creations!

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4.88 from 8 ratings