You know those mornings, right? The alarm goes off, you hit snooze twice, and suddenly you realize you have exactly seven minutes to get out the door. If weekday mornings feel like a frantic race against the clock, you absolutely need to embrace the magic of make-ahead breakfasts. That’s why I’m obsessed with this simple recipe for Cherry Almond Overnight Oats. Seriously, I rely on these things to keep me fueled when the snooze button wins! They come together in under five minutes the night before, and waking up to a perfectly chilled, ready-to-eat breakfast? It’s the ultimate little win. This recipe is so much better than resorting to that dense oat bread you sometimes need when you forget your prep, which is why I always keep the ingredients for quick oat bread on hand as a backup. They taste bright, slightly sweet, and give you that great texture you want in your oats without ever having to turn on the stove.

Why You Will Love This Cherry Almond Overnight Oats Recipe

Honestly, what’s not to love about a breakfast that does all the work while you sleep? I swear by these for busy weeks. Here’s why this recipe always makes it into my rotation:

It’s zero-cook convenience—you literally set it and forget it until morning!
The flavor combo of tart cherry and rich almond is just *chef’s kiss*.
Perfectly reliable results every single time, even if you’re scrambling getting ready.
You can easily customize it, unlike those pre-packaged cups. Check out my other three favorite versions for inspiration!

It just works, and that reliability is everything when you’re rushing out the door!

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Cherry Almond Overnight Oats

You only need a handful of staples to create this amazing make-ahead breakfast! The beauty of this recipe is that you probably have most of this stuff already languishing in your pantry. The blend of oats, chia, and your favorite milk swells up perfectly overnight.

For the best texture, make sure you measure these out precisely. Having homemade heavy cream on hand is fun, but regular milk works perfectly here!

1/2 cup rolled oats—don’t grab the instant kind!
1 cup milk (I use almond milk usually, but use whatever you love!)
1 tablespoon chia seeds—these are crucial for volume!
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract for that classic background warmth.
1/4 cup dried or frozen cherries—your choice on this one!
1 tablespoon sliced almonds for crunch in the morning.
1 teaspoon maple syrup (this is optional, only add if you like things sweet!).

Expert Tips for Making the Best Cherry Almond Overnight Oats

I’ve made about a thousand jars of this stuff, so I’ve learned a few little tricks along the way to make sure your Cherry Almond Overnight Oats are absolutely perfect when you wake up. First off, let’s talk about the cherries. If you use frozen ones, they thaw overnight and release this gorgeous, slightly tart juice that colors the whole jar pink—I love that effect! If you use dried, they plump up nicely, but you might want to soak them in a teaspoon of water for 10 minutes before adding them just to get them going.

My personal secret flavor booster? A tiny pinch of almond extract along with the vanilla. It really punches up that almond flavor without overwhelming it. Remember to check out my thoughts on different chia pudding techniques, as the mixing process is very similar!

Adjusting Consistency in Your Cherry Almond Overnight Oats

The milk-to-oat ratio is everything here, people! If you like your oats super thick—almost like a spoonable pudding—use just a half-cup of milk. If you prefer them looser, definitely go closer to a full cup. If you wake up and it’s too thick? No big deal. Just stir in a splash of milk until it feels right for you. Don’t panic if it seems too wet when you mix it the night before; the chia seeds work wonders overnight!

Ingredient Swaps for Your Cherry Almond Overnight Oats

Don’t worry if you’re missing one thing; we can flex here! If you don’t have sliced almonds for your Cherry Almond Overnight Oats, chopped walnuts or even toasted pecans work beautifully instead. Feel free to swap out the maple syrup for honey or skip the sweetener entirely if you prefer a less sweet breakfast bowl. For the milk, any dairy or non-dairy works, but oat milk really enhances the overall creaminess of the final product.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Cherry Almond Overnight Oats

This is honestly the easiest part, which is why I love this recipe so much for busy workdays. You just need one jar or container—no fancy equipment required! Grab a spoon and get mixing right away so those ingredients get properly acquainted before heading to the fridge.

First, you’re going to combine the rolled oats, your favorite milk, the chia seeds, and that lovely vanilla extract right into your chosen jar. Give it a really good stir, making sure those little chia seeds aren’t clumped up at the bottom.
Once it looks mostly combined, gently fold in the cherries. If you’re using frozen ones, don’t worry if they start looking a little sad and defrosting quickly; that juice is what we want!
Now, here is the key: cover it up tight! It needs to chill in the refrigerator for a minimum of six hours, but honestly, truly overnight is best. This allows the oats and chia to absorb all that liquid.
When morning comes, give everything a final stir. If you decided you need a little extra sweetness now that you’ve tasted it, drizzle in that maple syrup.
Finally, right before you dig in, top it generously with your sliced almonds. That crunch right before you eat is non-negotiable! For more ideas on flavor boosts, check out my favorite banana peanut butter version, which has a similar layering technique.

Serving Suggestions for Your Cherry Almond Overnight Oats

Once you’ve got your base Cherry Almond Overnight Oats ready, it’s time to make it feel like a fancy brunch treat, even if you’re eating it over the sink! While the almonds on top are mandatory for that perfect texture contrast, don’t stop there!

I absolutely adore swirling in a spoonful of Greek yogurt right before I eat it. It makes the whole jar creamier, almost like a delightful little cheesecake experience. A sprinkle of cinnamon or a tiny dash of nutmeg never hurts either, especially if your cherries were tart. If you want something a bit more tropical later in the week, try topping your next batch with coconut flakes like I do for my coconut berry treats!

Storage and Make-Ahead Guide for Cherry Almond Overnight Oats

One of the biggest selling points for these Cherry Almond Overnight Oats is that they are total rockstars for meal prepping. They keep beautifully in the fridge for up to four days, which means I can make a few jars on Sunday night and be set for almost the whole work week. That’s huge for me!

If you’re making a big batch ahead of time, here’s my one huge warning: keep those sliced almonds separate! If you mix them in the night before, they get totally soggy by day two, and we don’t want that crunch lost. Store the almonds in a little tiny baggie taped to the outside of the jar lid. Then, in the morning, just open the jar, stir, and top right before you eat. You can even check out my Easter-themed oats recipe—it follows the exact same storage rules!

Common Questions About Cherry Almond Overnight Oats

Since I’ve been churning out batches of these yummy Cherry Almond Overnight Oats for years now, people always ask me the same things when they try the recipe for the first time. It’s totally normal to have questions when you’re trying a new make-ahead breakfast!

For example, a lot of folks wonder about the sweeteners. If you find the cherries are sweet enough, you can skip the maple syrup entirely, or maybe replace it with a half-teaspoon of stevia instead. For more advanced flavor combos, you should look at my guide for the vanilla oats with spiced pears—it’s amazing what a little spice can do!

Can I make Cherry Almond Overnight Oats vegan?

Oh yes, absolutely! This recipe is super easy to make completely vegan. Just swap out your regular dairy milk for any plant-based milk you like—oat, soy, or almond milk all work fantastically well. That’s the only change you need to make!

What is the best type of oat for Cherry Almond Overnight Oats?

You have to use old-fashioned rolled oats for this one, trust me on this. Steel-cut oats just never get soft enough, even after 12 hours in the fridge. And skip the instant oats; they turn into total mush before you even get a chance to top them with those lovely almonds.

Nutritional Snapshot of Cherry Almond Overnight Oats

Nobody makes overnight oats for the nutritional stats, but it’s nice to know what you’re putting in your body when you rush out the door! Based on the standard ingredients I’ve listed—using unsweetened almond milk and no added maple syrup—here’s a rough idea of what you get.

Keep in mind these numbers are just estimates, of course! If you use dairy milk or decide to add a big spoonful of honey, those macros will shift a bit. But for a quick, fiber-packed morning meal, I think these are pretty fantastic results!

Calories: Approximately 350
Protein: Around 15g
Fat: About 10g (mostly healthy fats from the almonds and chia!)
Fiber: A whopping 10g!

Share Your Cherry Almond Overnight Oats Creations

Okay, now that you’ve mixed up your glorious jars of Cherry Almond Overnight Oats, I absolutely need to know what you think! Did you use frozen cherries? Did you add that tiny dash of almond extract I suggested? Don’t be shy!

Please jump down to the comments and leave a star rating—it really helps other busy people see how great this breakfast is. And if you snap a picture of your beautiful breakfast jar, tag me on social media! I love seeing your creations and it makes my day when I see one of my recipes fueled a perfect morning for you.

If you need anything else at all, like questions about substitutions or finding more recipes, you can always reach out via my contact page. Happy to help!

Cherry Almond Overnight Oats

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 5 min
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Simple recipe for cold, prepared oats with cherries and almonds.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2 cup rolled oats
1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup dried or frozen cherries
1 tablespoon sliced almonds
1 teaspoon maple syrup (optional)

Instructions

Combine rolled oats, milk, chia seeds, and vanilla extract in a jar or container.
Stir well to mix all ingredients.
Fold in the cherries.
Cover the container and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
In the morning, stir the oats. Add maple syrup if you desire sweetness.
Top with sliced almonds before serving.

Notes

If using frozen cherries, they will thaw overnight and release juice into the oats.
Adjust the amount of milk for your preferred consistency; use less for thicker oats.
You can substitute other nuts or seeds for the almonds.

Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 0 min
Category: Breakfast
Method: No Cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bowl
Calories: 350
Sugar: 18
Sodium: 100
Fat: 10
Saturated Fat: 1.5
Unsaturated Fat: 8.5
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 55
Fiber: 10
Protein: 15
Cholesterol: 5

Keywords: cherry, almond, overnight oats, breakfast, quick prep, no cook