Overnight Cherry Oats + Peanut Butter

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Get ready to stock your fridge with these Overnight Cherry Oats with Peanut Butter! Sweet cherries and peanut butter blend with oats for a sweet and peanutty breakfast that’s ready in minutes. This is an excellent meal prep breakfast for your family to get involved in.

Set the stage with all of the ingredients on the counter. Let everyone make their own jar and choose their own optional add-in’s as well. Having fun and making memories in the kitchen while making tomorrow morning easier for yourselves is a win-win!

Ingredients You’ll Need 

• Oats: quick, steel cut, rolled or old fashioned oats will work fine
• Milk or milk alternative
• Peanut butter
• Cherry jam: I love this for additional sweetness because while cherries are sweet, they are also tart so the jam can balance that out. You could substitute this for honey or maple syrup if desired.
• Frozen cherries: You can also use fresh but I love how frozen ones thaw and add juice (i.e more flavor) to the oats. 
• Chia seeds

Step-by-Step with Optional Variations

Step 1 – choose your container. It doesn’t have to be a mason jar but they are pretty, work well, and if putting your food in a fun / pretty container helps you eat it, then by all means keep doing it!

Step 2 – Add 1/2 a cup of any kind of oats you like such as old fashioned, quick, or steel cut. Personally, I prefer quick oats for these overnight cherry oats due to texture.

Step 3 – Add the liquid. Add just enough to cover the oats which is usually about a cup. You don’t have to use milk but it will add more flavor and nutrition.Using soy or cow’s milk will add in additional protein, vitamins, and minerals. Whereas oat or almond milk will provide a nice flavor and some beneficial vitamins and minerals.

Step 4 – Pit the cherries if you’re not using frozen. My cherry pitter can pit 6 cherries at a time, it is FABULOUS. Add these plus all of the other ingredients, stir/mix, cover and put the oats in the fridge overnight.

Step 5 – Add any optional ingredients you desire! Have you ever considered coconut peanut butter? You can try my recipe out and use it in this or any other overnight oat recipes as well.

What if I didn’t make them overnight?

You could totally make this recipe fresh in the morning. I would add everything in and microwave for one and a half minutes. Then leave it in the microwave for two minutes to allow the oats to really absorb the liquid. Stir gently and continue heating as necessary.

Other Optional Ingredients

When it comes to adding nutrition to your breakfast, there are lots of ways to do that. For this recipe in particular, I encourage you to think about flavor and staying power. Flavor is king and staying power is all about how long you need this breakfast to keep you full.

• Greek Yogurt: Greek yogurt will add creaminess and a bit of a tart flavor. I’ve also chosen a variety of flavored Greek yogurts to change things up further while adding more protein and fat as well.
• Hemp hearts: If you struggle to get quality fats in (read: you don’t eat fatty fish, nuts, or use a lot of oils) then hemp hearts need to be your new go-to! They’re teeny tiny, add a little nuttiness, and are packed with nutrients like protein and quality fats.
• Nuts: I would add these fresh in the morning because if you add them ahead of time, they’ll soften. If that’s your jam, then go for it!

Meal Prepping for Breakfast

Is it important to prepare meals for breakfast? Honestly, for most families I find it essential. With my two kids, mornings can either go really smoothly or feel like you’re trying to herd cats into a straight line. 

But I get it, you might not be prepping breakfast right now so it feels like a daunting task. Start small and simple with this recipe and eventually work it into your daily routine

• Try preparing one breakfast item like these Veggie Egg Bites on Sunday so all you have to do is reheat in the morning and add quick components like toast, yogurt, and/or fruit.
• Or try prepping these overnight oats in the evening before you wash dishes. That way you’ll make your morning less stressful by having a new breakfast ready-to-go.
• Overnight oats store well, allowing you to adjust your portion size based on your appetite, whether you want a small snack or a full hearty meal.

Meal prepping does not need to be stressful. It doesn’t mean you’re cooking 7 dinners, 5 lunch containers of food per person, and pre-portioning snacks. It can be as simple as prepping one breakfast or pre-cutting veggies for tomorrow’s dinner. 

Find what works for you! If you need more help figuring that out, check out my 9 to 5 Meal prep strategies or my read my best Family Meal Prep tips.

Hot or Cold?

It really doesn’t matter when it comes to overnight oats! I always heat mine up so I like storing them in a container that can easily go in the microwave. You can try them both ways and see which you prefer.

I believe that with a well-thought-out meal plan, families can enjoy delicious, wholesome meals together, fostering not only physical health but also bonding experiences around the dinner table. As a mom and a culinary dietitian, I’m here to empower your family to take charge of their mealtime routines, making nourishing meals a priority without sacrificing precious time and energy.