Vegan Cherry Overnight Oats

Name: Vegan Cherry Overnight Oats
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 245 min
Ingredients: ½ cup rolled oats (regular or gluten free); ½ cup vanilla almond milk, unsweetened (or milk of choice); 5-7 cherries (fresh or frozen); 1 tsp almond butter; ½ tsp vanilla extract; 1-2 tsp pure maple syrup or honey; 2 tsp sliced almonds; Dash of sea salt; ⅛ tsp almond extract (optional)

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Breakfast prep that takes only 5 minutes and then is ready in the morning? That's what these Vegan Overnight Oats are! Simple to whip up and can sit in the fridge for several days. Hearty oatmeal with the perfect touch of maple and fresh cherries!

While I am not a vegan, I do have quite a few readers who are. I also know that making one recipe that will accommodate everyone in the family can be a straight up challenge.

So having a breakfast recipe that is gluten free, dairy free, vegan and any other dietary needs is crucial. These vegan overnight oats are all of the above, but as is, they are not nut free. That's the other thing I know a lot of people have to avoid due to allergies.

Overnight oatmeal, and not just this recipe can very easily be made vegan, so know you don't have to stop here.

Whether it's cherry season or not, you can enjoy this hearty breakfast thanks to frozen cherries. But more importantly, you can go to sleep at night and wake up to a nice breakfast. No one is ever going to be mad about that, right?

What you will need to make this recipe:

Almond extract is something I often love with any cherry flavor. It is totally optional, and almond extract can be VERY overpowering if you go even a touch too far, so just be aware!
I actually prefer thawed, frozen cherries in these vegan overnight oats unless it is cherry season. Cherries are so good right now so I am getting all that I can!

How to make this oatmeal recipe:

Literally, there is nothing to it. Stir everything together, seal and wait until the morning.

THAT IS IT.

Did I mention I love love looooove overnight oats??

Notes:

You can soak your cherries in a touch of maple syrup before adding them into these vegan overnight oats for some added sweetness. I highly suggest this if you have the extra time. Just let them sit for about 15-20 minutes.
If you need to make this nut free, opt for a regular dairy milk or a dairy free milk option that does not contain nuts. Then omit the almond butter and almond extract. You can substitute a seed butter if preferred. But the recipe will be great still without nut butter.

Vegan overnight oats in jars with cherries on top.

FAQs

Do I have to eat my overnight oatmeal cold?

Absolutely not! You can pop them in the microwave for a minute or so and have them warmed up if you prefer. Some people love them chilled and that is fine as well!

I don't have any fancy jars, what can I use?

You do not need mason jars or anything fancy I promise. Don't go out and spend more money if you don't have them already. Any sort of tupperware or pyrex dishes are great. You can even just make them in a bowl and cover them with foil or plastic wrap.

How long will this oatmeal last in the fridge?

I have eaten my overnight oatmeal up to 5 days after making them. These vegan overnight oats should hold up just fine for that long. So you can make several batches at once and have plenty for the week.

Can I use steel cut oats?

I actually get this question a LOT. While the answer is yes, you could, I am actually not a fan. The steel cut oats are just too chewy for me even after sitting overnight. If you are a fan of that texture, go for it, but they will not be soft.

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