Cocoa Dark Cherry Overnight Oats

These Cocoa Dark Cherry Overnight Oats are such a delightful way to enjoy chocolate as part of a filling and nutrient-packed breakfast!  I love grabbing them from the refrigerator on mornings when I want something both hearty and sweet!  They’re delicious plain, but feel free to add extra goodies on top such as chopped chocolate/chocolate chips, shredded coconut, or extra cherries!

Overnight oats are one of my very favorite flavorful and healthy breakfasts to meal-prep.  You can make them in any glass, jar, or container that you have, and you don’t even technically need a lid!  You can use plastic wrap (or an equivalent) to keep them airtight in the fridge until you’re ready for them.  Just stir everything together and refrigerate overnight!  (Enjoy chilled.)

This recipe makes one serving, but line up as many containers as you please to create several days’ worth of breakfast at once!  Eat them straight from the container (that’s what I do!), or whatever’s most convenient.

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INGREDIENT NOTES:

Old Fashioned Rolled Oats: Old fashioned rolled oats are what you need for overnight oats to get the classic chewy consistency!  (Quick cooking oats are too absorbent, and would make them much too mushy.)

Chia Seeds: Chia seeds act as the glue in overnight oats to hold everything together!  Plus, they provide some bonus omega 3s. 🙂

Dutch-process Cocoa Powder: Dutch-process cocoa powder is super smooth compared to natural cocoa and definitely a must for these oats!

Salt: A tiny pinch of salt helps balance out the sweetness!  Start super small as you can always add more to taste when the oats are ready if desired.

Dark Maple Syrup: Maple syrup is my favorite sweetener for overnight oats!  I personally like to use dark maple syrup for the deeper flavor.

Vanilla Extract: Vanilla extract is a great flavor enhancer in overnight oats!  It complements the cocoa very nicely here, and makes them feel dessert-y and “hot cocoa”-y.

Reduced Fat (2%) Milk: I used reduced fat milk because it was what I happened to have on hand, but I bet whole milk would taste delicious too!  I have not tested these oats with any plant-based milks…They may have their own unique flavor profile, but feel free to experiment!

Frozen Dark Sweet Cherries: The frozen cherries will thaw during their time overnight in the fridge.  I love how convenient and budget-friendly they are to use!  If you prefer to use fresh dark sweet cherries and/or happen to have some on hand, this would work well too, though I personally enjoy the softer texture of the thawed frozen cherries over firmer fresh cherries!

Kitchen Equipment:

• A Jar, Glass, Or Container Of Choice

• Plastic Wrap (or equivalent) (If you don’t have a lid)

Servings: 1

Ingredients: 

• 1/2 Cup Old Fashioned Rolled Oats
• 1 Tablespoon Chia Seeds
• 1 Tablespoon Dutch-process Cocoa Powder
• A Pinch Of Salt
• 1 Tablespoon + 1 Teaspoon Dark Maple Syrup
• 1/2 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 Cup + 2 Tablespoons Reduced Fat Milk (2%)
• 1/2 Cup Frozen Dark Sweet Cherries

OPTIONAL TOPPING IDEAS

• Chopped/Shaved Chocolate Or Chocolate Chips
• Shredded Coconut
• Extra Cherries, fresh or thawed from frozen

Directions:

In a jar/glass/container of choice, add the oats, chia seeds, cocoa powder, salt, maple syrup, vanilla extract, then milk, then stir together vigorously until evenly combined

Gently stir in the frozen cherries

Cover and refrigerate overnight

Give the finished oats a stir before eating

Add optional toppings of choice if desired after a taste test

Enjoy chilled!