We are big fans of overnight oats for a quick and nutritious make-ahead breakfast and the combination of cocoa powder and cherries gives this recipe a black forest cake vibe. Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oats take just a few minutes to prep and so easy to adapt.
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This is a great breakfast recipe for busy mornings (we have these on Sunday morning football match days), or any day of the week, really. Everything is mixed in one jar or container, chilled overnight, and finished with toppings the next day.
It is simple, balanced, and easy to adapt depending on how sweet, rich, or high-protein you want it to be.
The oats soften overnight, the frozen cherries release their juices into the chocolate base, and the topping of Greek yogurt and cacao nibs adds creaminess and crunch right before serving. These chocolate cherry overnight oats have got it all!
Looking for more overnight oats recipes? Check out our easy Overnight Oats with Frozen Fruit, delicious Healthy Banoffee Overnight Oats or our Tiramisu Overnight Oats, which tastes like dessert for breakfast!
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Ingredients and Substitutions
A full ingredients list, along with US Customary and Metric measurements, can be found in the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Oats - Rolled oats work best here because they soften nicely overnight while still keeping some texture. Quick oats will give you a softer, slightly mushier result, and steel-cut oats will stay too firm unless you use a different liquid ratio and much longer soaking time.
- Cherries - Frozen cherries are ideal because they soften overnight and release a little juice into the oats, which adds flavour and colour. Sweet or sour cherries both work. If using fresh cherries, pit and chop them first.
- Milk - Use any milk you like. Dairy milk gives a creamy result, while almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk all work well too. If you want a thicker texture, go for oat milk or whole milk. If you want a lighter texture, almond milk is a good choice.
- Maple syrup - You can use honey or agave nectar if you prefer.
- Vanilla - Make sure you use vanilla extract and not essence.
- Cacao nibs - You can swap these for chocolate chips if you prefer.
- Cocoa powder - Unsweetened cocoa powder gives the oats a rich chocolate flavour. If your cocoa powder tends to clump, whisk it with the milk first before adding the oats. You could also use chocolate protein powder.
Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oats Variations
Black forest - Top the oats with a few dark chocolate shavings as well as the Greek yogurt and cacao nibs.
Higher-protein - Stir a spoonful of Greek yogurt or kefir into the oat mixture before chilling, then add more on top before serving. You can also replace part of the milk with a protein shake or use protein powder instead of cocoa powder.
Vegan - Use a plant-based milk, dairy-free yogurt, and make sure your sweetener and toppings are vegan too.
Cherry Compote - This is great on top. Follow our recipe for 10 Minute Chia Seed Jam, but use frozen cherries as the frozen fruit.
High Fibre - For extra fibre and thickness, stir in 1 teaspoon of chia seeds and flaxseeds with the oats. This is optional, but it works well if you like a more pudding-like texture.
How To Make Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oats
- Step 1: In a mixing bowl, add the oats, milk, vanilla, maple syrup and cocoa powder. Mix well.
- Step 2: Stir in the frozen cherries.
- Step 3: Divide the mixture between glass jars and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is best).
- Step 4: Serve topped with some Greek yogurt and cacao nibs (optional).
Meal Prep and Storage
Chocolate cherry overnight oats are excellent for meal prep. You can make several jars at once and store them in the fridge for up to 4 days.
If the oats thicken too much after a couple of days, just stir in a splash of milk before eating. That brings them back to a creamy consistency very quickly.
I do not recommend freezing the fully assembled oats, because the texture of the oats and yogurt changes once thawed. For the best texture, keep them refrigerated and enjoy within a few days.
Dannii's Top Tips
- If you like thicker overnight oats, reduce the milk slightly or add an extra spoonful of oats. If you prefer a looser, creamier texture, stir in a splash of milk before serving.
- Mix the cocoa powder thoroughly at the start. Cocoa can cling to the sides of the jar or form little lumps, so take an extra few seconds to stir well.
- If your frozen cherries are very large, chop them before adding. This gives you a more even texture and makes the oats easier to eat straight from a jar.
- Taste and adjust the next morning if needed. Overnight oats are very forgiving, so you can always add more milk, a drizzle of maple syrup for extra sweetness, or extra yogurt just before eating.
- Use a container with enough space for stirring the chocolate cherry overnight oats. It is much easier to combine everything well if the jar is not filled right to the top.
- Use certified gluten-free oats to ensure this recipe is gluten free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Fresh cherries work well, but they should be pitted and chopped first. We use frozen cherries because they are convenient and they soften overnight and release more juice into the oats.
Yes, but the texture is best after a full overnight chill. If you are short on time, let the oats sit for at least 4 to 6 hours in the fridge.
Yes, they can. Although they are designed to be eaten cold, you can warm the oat base gently in the microwave before topping with the Greek yogurt and cacao nibs. Add the yogurt after heating, not before.
More Oat Recipes
If you've tried this Black Forest Overnight Oats recipe, let us know how you got on in the comments below.
Tag us in your creations on Instagram @hungryhealthyhappy - Use the hashtag #hungryhealthyhappy too.
Recipe
Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 120 g (1 cups) Oats - (use certified gluten free oats to ensure this recipe is gluten free)
- 2 tablespoon Cocoa powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon Maple syrup
- 250 ml (1 cups) Skimmed milk
- 150 g (1 cups) Frozen cherries
- 2 tablespoon Cacao nibs - for serving; optional
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add 120 g Oats, 250 ml Skimmed milk, 0.5 teaspoon Vanilla extract, 1 tablespoon Maple syrup and 2 tablespoon Cocoa powder. Mix well.
- Stir in 150 g Frozen cherries.
- Divide the mixture between glass jars and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (overnight is best).
- Serve topped with some Greek yogurt and 2 tablespoon Cacao nibs (optional).
Recipe Tips
- If you like thicker overnight oats, reduce the milk slightly or add an extra spoonful of oats. If you prefer a looser, creamier texture, stir in a splash of milk before serving.
- Mix the cocoa powder thoroughly at the start. Cocoa can cling to the sides of the jar or form little lumps, so take an extra few seconds to stir well.
- If your frozen cherries are very large, chop them before adding. This gives you a more even texture and makes the oats easier to eat straight from a jar.
- Taste and adjust the next morning if needed. Overnight oats are very forgiving, so you can always add more milk, a drizzle of maple syrup for extra sweetness, or extra yogurt just before eating.
- Use a container with enough space for stirring the chocolate cherry overnight oats. It is much easier to combine everything well if the jar is not filled right to the top.
Nutritional Information
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The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
As all appliances vary, cooking times are a guide. Please note that by changing the serving size, the cooking time may also need to be altered.
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