Cherry Almond Overnight Oats

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Wake Up to Cherry-Almond Bliss (Without Breaking a Sweat!)

Hey friends! Mason Hartman here, your fellow flavor adventurer and champion of the no-fuss kitchen. Raise your hand if your mornings feel like a high-speed chase! 🙋‍♂️ Yeah, mine too. That’s exactly why I’m utterly obsessed with overnight oats – they’re like a superhero breakfast, prepped in your PJs the night before, ready to swoop in and save your chaotic AM. But let’s be real, plain oats can get… well, plain. Enter my Cherry Almond Overnight Oats – your ticket to a morning that tastes like dessert but fuels you like a champ.

Picture this: plump, juicy cherries nestled in creamy, dreamy oats, kissed with the warm, nutty magic of almond extract, and finished with a satisfying crunch. It’s sweet, it’s nutty, it’s refreshingly simple. This isn’t just breakfast; it’s a little jar of joy, a moment of calm before the daily storm. I created this recipe because life’s too short for boring breakfasts and complicated routines. This is “fancy-feeling” food without the fuss – my absolute favorite kind. Whether you’re sprinting out the door or savoring a quiet moment at the kitchen counter, this recipe delivers pure, uncomplicated deliciousness. Trust me, your future self (the one hitting snooze one too many times) will thank you. Ready to make mornings magical? Let’s grab a jar and get mixing!

A Jar Full of Summer Memories (And One Epic Spill!)

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Cherry Almond Overnight Oats

Sweet, nutty, and effortlessly creamy—these Cherry Almond Overnight Oats bring a touch of dessert flair to your morning. The juicy cherries pair beautifully with almond extract for a flavor combo that feels both rich and refreshing. It’s a simple way to treat yourself first thing in the day.

  • Author: Mason Hartman
  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Chill time: Overnight
  • Total Time: 37 minute

Ingredients

Scale

½ cup rolled oats

½ cup milk (dairy or almond)

¼ cup Greek yogurt

½ cup pitted cherries (fresh or frozen, chopped)

1 tbsp sliced almonds

1 tbsp honey

¼ tsp almond extract

Instructions

In a jar or bowl, combine oats, milk, Greek yogurt, honey, and almond extract.

Stir in chopped cherries and sliced almonds.

Mix well, cover, and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours).

In the morning, give it a stir and top with extra cherries and almonds if desired.

Notes

Fiber-packed and rich in antioxidants

Lush, layered, and ready to go—this breakfast is pure cherry-almond bliss in a jar.

Nutrition

  • Calories: 300–340
  • Protein: 11g

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This recipe? It’s basically summer vacation in a jar for me. It all goes back to childhood trips to my Grandpa Joe’s orchard in Michigan. Every July, we’d spend sticky, sun-drenched days picking buckets of tart Montmorency cherries straight off the trees. The smell! Sweet, tangy, and pure sunshine. Grandma Ellie, bless her patient soul, would patiently pit them while Grandpa Joe told wildly exaggerated fishing tales. Their kitchen became a cherry factory – pies, jams, and always, always a big bowl of fresh cherries dusted with sugar, sitting on the table.

Fast forward to my first tiny apartment kitchen, feeling nostalgic but *definitely* not equipped for pie-making. I wanted that cherry orchard magic in my busy city mornings. Experimenting began! One memorable (read: messy) attempt involved blending cherries directly into the oats. Picture it: 6 AM, bleary-eyed, unscrewing the blender lid without checking… BOOM. A volcanic eruption of bright pink oat gloop covered me, the counter, the cat (sorry, Whiskers!). Lesson learned: chopped cherries stirred in gently are the way to go! That messy disaster somehow captured the *essence* of those orchard summers – sweet, a little chaotic, and full of heart. Every spoonful now feels like a hug from Grandma and a wink from Grandpa Joe. It’s comfort food that travels.

Your Simple Squad: Gathering the Good Stuff

Here’s the beautiful part – you likely have most of this already! Grab your favorite jar or container (I’m partial to a classic mason jar – see-through satisfaction!), and let’s meet the players:

    • ½ cup Rolled Oats (Old-Fashioned): The foundation! Rolled oats soak up the liquid perfectly, becoming creamy without turning to mush. Avoid instant oats – they get slimy. Steel-cut? Too chewy uncooked. Rolled is goldilocks here!
    • ½ cup Milk (Your Choice!): Dairy milk makes it extra rich, but almond milk is my go-to for a double almond whammy! Oat milk? Creamy! Soy? Perfect. Use what you love or have open in the fridge.
    • ¼ cup Greek Yogurt: Secret weapon alert! This adds serious creaminess, tang, and a protein punch. Plain or vanilla both work. No Greek yogurt? Regular plain yogurt is okay, but your oats might be slightly thinner.
    • ½ cup Pitted Cherries (Fresh or Frozen!): Star of the show! Chop fresh cherries if it’s peak season (pitter worth it!). Frozen cherries? Genius year-round! No need to thaw – they bleed gorgeous color and juice as they sit. Swap? Try chopped strawberries or raspberries!

1 tbsp Sliced Almonds: Essential crunch! They soften slightly overnight but keep a lovely bite. Toasting them first? *Chef’s kiss* – brings out insane nuttiness! Allergy? Skip ’em or use toasted sunflower seeds.

  • 1 tbsp Honey: Nature’s sweetener! Maple syrup works beautifully too, or agave for vegan vibes. Taste your cherries first – super sweet? Maybe use just 2 tsp. Tart? A full tbsp is perfect.
  • ¼ tsp Almond Extract: The flavor BOMB! This tiny amount makes it taste like cherry pie filling met an almond croissant. Pure magic. Don’t skip it! Vanilla extract is a fine sub, but the almond-cherry vibe changes.

 

See? No weird, hard-to-find ingredients. Just simple, good stuff playing together beautifully. Pro Tip: Got chia seeds? Toss in 1 tsp! They add extra thickness and a nutrient boost.

Let’s Build Your Breakfast Jar (It’s Easier Than Folding Fitted Sheets!)

Alright, team! Time to assemble our masterpiece. This takes literally 5 minutes. Promise. Grab your jar or container (aim for about 16 oz capacity – room to stir!) and let’s do this thing:

  1. The Creamy Base: “Dump and Plop!” Into your jar, plop the rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, honey, and that magical almond extract. Why dump together? It lets the honey dissolve evenly and the extract disperse right away. No fancy whisk needed!
  2. Stir It Up, Buttercup: Grab a spoon (or just screw the lid on tight and give it a vigorous shake – my preferred method when feeling lazy!). Stir or shake until everything is beautifully combined. You want no big streaks of yogurt or honey hiding. It should look like a creamy, slightly loose porridge at this stage. Don’t worry about lumps – they vanish overnight!
  3. Cherry Bomb Incoming: Time for the star! Add your chopped cherries (or frozen ones, straight from the bag!) and the sliced almonds. Insider Hack: Reserve a few cherries and almonds for topping in the morning – makes it look extra fancy with zero effort!
  4. The Gentle Fold: Now, gently fold them in. Why gentle? We don’t want to completely obliterate the cherries! A few folds are enough to distribute that gorgeous fruit and nutty crunch throughout the base. See those beautiful pink streaks starting? That’s the magic beginning!
  5. Seal the Deal & Dream: Pop the lid on tightly. Seriously, seal it well – nobody wants fridge-flavored oats! Tuck your jar into the fridge. Let it chill for at least 4 hours, but honestly, overnight is best (aim for 8 hours). This is where the alchemy happens! The oats slowly absorb all that liquid, plumping up into creamy perfection, while the cherries soften and mingle their sweet-tart juices.
  6. Morning Reveal: Good morning, sunshine! Pull your jar from the fridge. Give it a good stir. It will have thickened beautifully! If it seems *too* thick for your liking? No sweat! Stir in a splash of milk (like a teaspoon at a time) until it’s your dream consistency.
  7. Top It Off (Optional, But Highly Recommended): Now’s the time for those reserved cherries and almonds! Pile them on top. Feeling decadent? A tiny extra drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of cinnamon works wonders. This step isn’t just pretty; that fresh crunch and burst of cold cherry on top of the creamy base is next-level.

That’s it! You’ve just created breakfast brilliance. Grab a spoon, find a sunny spot (even if it’s just mentally!), and savor every bite.

How to Serve Your Jar of Joy

Honestly? Digging straight into the jar with a big spoon is 100% acceptable (and my usual M.O. on busy mornings!). But if you want to make it feel extra special or serve it to someone you adore:

  • The Jar Show: Keep it rustic and charming right in the mason jar. Wipe the rim clean, add your toppings artfully, and maybe tie a little twine or ribbon around it if you’re feeling fancy. Perfect for grabbing and going!
  • Bowl Beauty: Spoon the oats into a pretty bowl. This lets you really swirl in those toppings and maybe add a *little* extra milk pool around the edges. It feels more like a sit-down treat.
  • Temperature Twist: Love it cold? Straight from the fridge is refreshing. Prefer it less chilly? Let it sit on the counter for 10-15 minutes before eating to take the edge off.
  • Coffee’s Best Friend: This pairs amazingly with a hot cup of coffee or a cold brew. The nutty notes in both just sing together!

However you serve it, just enjoy it! This is breakfast without rules.

Mix It Up! Your Oats, Your Rules

Got the cherry-almond groove down? Awesome! Now let’s play. This base recipe is your blank canvas:

  1. Berry Bliss: Swap the cherries for equal parts mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries, chopped strawberries). Use vanilla extract instead of almond for a classic vibe. Top with toasted coconut flakes!
  2. Peach & Pecan Dream: Use chopped fresh or frozen peaches instead of cherries. Substitute chopped toasted pecans for the almonds. A tiny pinch of cinnamon stirred in is heavenly!
  3. Chocolate Cherry Indulgence: Stir in 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder with the dry ingredients. Use vanilla extract. Top with a few dark chocolate chips in the morning!
  4. Protein Powerhouse: Add 1 scoop of vanilla or unflavored protein powder to the base mix (you might need an extra splash of milk). Great post-workout!
  5. Vegan Vibes: Easy! Use almond milk (or other plant milk), swap honey for maple syrup or agave, and use a plant-based yogurt (coconut yogurt adds lovely richness).

The possibilities are endless! Got a favorite fruit-nut combo? Throw it in and tell me how it goes!

Mason’s Musings & Kitchen Confessions

This recipe has been my trusty sidekick for years, evolving from that initial blender explosion (RIP, clean kitchen walls) to the simple jar method we use today. The biggest lesson? Embrace the soak! I used to be impatient, trying to eat it after just 2 hours. Nope. Giving it the full overnight rest transforms the texture from slightly gritty to luxuriously creamy. It’s worth the wait!

Another confession: I’m a huge fan of using frozen fruit. Not only is it cheaper and available year-round, but those frozen cherries release this incredible juice as they thaw slowly in the fridge, creating these beautiful swirls of flavor throughout the oats. It’s like a built-in sauce! Fresh cherries? Absolutely divine when they’re in season, but don’t feel guilty reaching for the freezer bag in January.

Funny story: I once accidentally used vanilla Greek yogurt AND the almond extract. Total flavor overload! But you know what? It was weirdly delicious in a “cherry-vanilla-almond explosion” kind of way. Don’t be afraid of happy accidents! Cooking should be fun, not stressful. This recipe is forgiving and flexible – just like we need our mornings to be.

Your Overnight Oats Questions, Answered!

Let’s tackle some common head-scratchers to make sure your oats are perfect every time:

  1. Q: My oats are super runny in the morning! What gives?
    A:
    Ah, the dreaded soup! This usually means:
    * Not enough soak time: Give it the full 8 hours if possible.
    * Yogurt type: Using regular yogurt instead of thick Greek? That’s likely the culprit. Next time, either use Greek yogurt or reduce the milk slightly (start with ⅓ cup).
    * Oat type: Double-check you used Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats, not instant or quick-cooking. Instant oats absorb way less liquid.
    Fix It Now: Stir in a tablespoon of chia seeds or a bit more oats and let it sit for 30 mins. It’ll thicken up!
  2. Q: Help! My oats are way too thick, like concrete!
    A:
    Easy fix! Just stir in a splash (start with a teaspoon) of your chosen milk until it reaches your perfect creamy consistency. It happens if your yogurt was extra thick or your fruit was less juicy.
  3. Q: Can I make a bigger batch for the whole week?
    A:
    Absolutely! Multiply the recipe by however many servings you need. Mix everything (except fresh toppings) in a large airtight container. Portion it out into jars each morning (or the night before). Pro Tip: It stays great for 4-5 days in the fridge, but the texture is best within 3 days. The fruit softens more over time.
  4. Q: The almond extract tastes too strong/too weak. Help!
    A:
    Almond extract potency varies by brand! Start with ¼ tsp. If it’s too weak after soaking, stir in an extra tiny drop (seriously, use the dropper!) in the morning. Too strong? Unfortunately, you can’t remove it, but stirring in a bit more yogurt or milk can dilute it slightly. Next time, use just ⅛ tsp. Taste is personal!

Quick Nutritional Snapshot (Per Serving)

While I’m all about the joy of eating first, it’s nice to know this tasty treat is also doing you good! Here’s a rough estimate:

  • Calories: ~300-340 (Depends on milk/yogurt fat content & honey amount)
  • Protein: ~11g (Thanks, Greek yogurt & oats!)
  • Fiber: ~6g+ (Oats & cherries are fiber champs!)
  • Healthy Fats: From almonds & yogurt
  • Antioxidants: Cherries are loaded with them!
  • Prep Time: 5 mins | Chill Time: Overnight (min. 4 hours)</
  • Final Thoughts: A Cherry-Almond Hug You Can Eat

    So there you have it, friend—your new weekday breakfast crush, packed with creamy oats, bursts of cherry brightness, and that cozy almond bakery vibe. It’s nourishing, beautiful, and wildly easy to customize, which makes it perfect whether you’re chasing a school bus, sipping slow with coffee, or sneaking a quiet spoonful before sunrise. For me, every bite brings back orchard summers, sticky fingers, and the kind of simple sweetness that lingers long after the jar is empty. Here’s to breakfast that feels like a treat and fuels like a champ. Go ahead—make a batch (or three) and start your morning with a little magic.

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