Enjoy the bright taste of cherry pie for breakfast with these Cherry Overnight Oats. Creamy, chilled oats are layered with a sweet cherry compote for a summer-ready morning meal that’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, and perfect for meal prep.
Overnight oats are one of my favorite make-ahead breakfasts. They require no cooking, keep well in the fridge, and are easy to customize. I love classic combinations like blueberry or coconut, but right now I can’t get enough fresh cherries—so I created a version that recalls cherry pie: creamy oats thickened with chia seeds and layered with a luscious cherry compote.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Cherry Overnight Oats capture the flavor of cherry pie in a healthy, handheld breakfast.
- Chia seeds add thickness, protein, and fiber for a satisfying texture and nutrition boost.
- Quick to assemble—prepare the compote ahead or simply fold in fresh cherries to save time.
- Dairy-free and gluten-free when made with plant milk and naturally gluten-free oats, ideal for many diets.
Recipe ingredients
- Cherries: Fresh cherries work beautifully for the compote or as a fresh topping; frozen cherries can be used if fresh aren’t available.
- Old-fashioned rolled oats: These give the best creamy texture for overnight oats.
- Milk: Use dairy or any non-dairy milk you prefer—almond, oat, soy, or cashew all work well.
- Chia seeds: They thicken the oats and add nutrition. If you don’t use chia, reduce the milk quantity slightly (see notes).
- Cherry compote: A simple cooked cherry compote adds pie-like flavor. If you skip the compote and use 1 cup fresh cherries, add about 3 tablespoons maple syrup or another sweetener to the oats.
- Vanilla extract: Optional, but a splash enhances the overall flavor. Almond or orange extract can be substituted for a different twist.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts and measurements.
How to make overnight oats with cherries
This recipe is straightforward: make the cherry compote, mix the oats with milk and chia, then chill. The compote can be prepared 1–2 days ahead to save time, or substitute fresh pitted cherries if you prefer not to cook a filling.
Pro tip: If using fresh cherries instead of compote, pit and halve them and add 3 tablespoons maple syrup to the oats so they’re nicely sweetened.
- Prepare the cherry compote and let it cool completely. (Alternatively, use 1 cup pitted, halved fresh cherries plus 3 tablespoons maple syrup mixed into the oats.)
- In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, chia seeds, and milk. Stir thoroughly so the chia is evenly distributed and the oats are hydrated.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight to allow the oats and chia to soften and thicken.
- Divide the chilled oats into jars or bowls and top with the cherry compote. Add more milk if you prefer a looser texture.
Recipe FAQs
Overnight oats are oats soaked in liquid (milk or plant milk) for several hours without cooking. The soaking softens the oats and creates a creamy, ready-to-eat breakfast.
Yes. Use fresh pitted and halved cherries or thawed frozen cherries. If you use fresh cherries instead of a cooked compote, add about 3 tablespoons of sweetener to the oats so they have the same sweet balance.
These oats are delicious cold straight from the fridge, but you can warm them for about a minute in the microwave if you prefer a hot breakfast.
Stored in an airtight container, cherry overnight oats will keep up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
Serving suggestions
This cherry overnight oats recipe is easy to customize:
- Skip the compote and fold in fresh chopped cherries plus 3 tablespoons maple syrup for sweetness.
- Add crunch with sliced almonds, chopped pecans, or coconut flakes.
- For a black forest twist, stir in mini dark chocolate chips.
- Spice the filling with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or a pinch of cardamom. Orange zest or a splash of orange juice also pairs beautifully with cherries.
- Stir in 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt for extra creaminess and protein.
Recipe notes
- Make ahead: The cherry compote can be prepared 1–2 days ahead and refrigerated.
- No chia seeds? Omit them and reduce the milk to about 2 cups for proper texture.
- Serving sizes vary by jar or bowl. A general guideline is 2 heaping tablespoons of cherry compote for every 1/2 cup of prepared overnight oats.
- Store in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 5 days for easy breakfasts all week.
Cherry Overnight Oats — Recipe Card
Servings and times
- Servings: 6
- Prep time: 15 mins
- Cook time (compote): 10 mins
- Total time: 25 mins
Ingredients (overview)
- Cherry compote or 1 cup pitted halved fresh cherries + 3 tbsp maple syrup
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2½ cups unsweetened almond milk (or your preferred milk)
- Vanilla extract, optional
Instructions (overview)
- Prepare and cool the cherry compote, or use fresh cherries mixed with sweetener.
- Combine oats, chia seeds, and milk in a large bowl; stir to combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
- Portion into jars and top with cherry compote; add extra milk if desired and enjoy.
Nutrition (per serving, estimate)
Calories: 136 kcal; Carbohydrates: 20 g; Protein: 5 g; Fat: 4 g; Fiber: 4 g. Nutrition is estimated and should be used as a guideline.
Did you try this recipe? If so, please leave a review below and tag @flavorthemoments on social media to share your version.