Name: Cherry Vanilla Dark Chocolate Overnight Oats
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 1/2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt; 2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice; 2 tablespoons maple syrup; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1 tablespoon chia seeds; 1 tablespoon flax meal; 1/2 cup rolled oats (gluten-free if needed); Pinch of salt; 1/2 cup pitted, chopped cherries; 1 tablespoon chopped dark chocolate

Cold, creamy, overnight oats are perfect for summer. Take advantage of seasonal fresh cherries and make these Cherry Vanilla Dark Chocolate Overnight Oats! A quick and easy breakfast or delicious after dinner snack!

A couple Sunday’s ago we were at our local farmers market and I spotted a few boxes labeled “first of the season cherries”. Obviously I had to get some. I didn’t have a recipe in mind when I bought them, I just wanted something local and fresh to eat. Of course later that afternoon I came up with the idea for these Cherry Vanilla Dark Chocolate Overnight Oats, but that was after I had already stuffed myself eating half of them.

To be honest we don’t have the greatest farmers’ market near our house. There are others a little farther away that are way better. We usually only go to the one near us out of convenience (it’s only a couple miles from our house) and then end up leaving empty handed. Ours is more like a street market because the number of vendors selling everything except produce. I’ll never understand why the vendor with the biggest tent is the one selling tie dyed hippie clothes and macrame purses (insert eye roll).

June isn’t the best time for local Colorado produce. July, August and early September are much better if you’re going to actually buy fruit and vegetables. Some of my favorite things to buy later in the summer are the melons, cucumbers since I have no luck with them in my garden and of course my beloved Palisade peaches. June is a great time to take advantage of the cherries, like I did for this recipe.

I’ve really been enjoying overnight oats now that the weather has warmed up. Not only do they make a great breakfast, but a better-for-you after dinner treat. These Cherry Vanilla Dark Chocolate Overnight Oats are especially satisfying for a weeknight “dessert” because of the chunks of dark chocolate.

Since cherries and chocolate are such a classic combination, it was a no brainer to put them together with these thick, creamy and very vanilla oats. These overnight oats aren’t all carbs, although there are plenty. There’s a decent amount of protein and fiber in them as well from the Greek yogurt, chia seeds and flax meal that I added in. If the cherries have hit the farmers’ market or grocery store where you live, take advantage of them and try out these overnight oats!