Okanagan Cherry Vanilla Overnight Oats

With our fridge and freezer packed to the brim with delicious Okanagan cherries (and more on their way!), I’ve been loving testing different recipes in the kitchen! However, it’s been a busy couple of weeks lately and while I didn’t want cherry season to come and go without sharing at LEAST one more cherry recipe with you, I reached out to Bailey from Basics with Bails to see if she could whip up a delish (and simple!) plant-based cherry breakfast recipe that I could share with you!

For those of you who may be wondering who Bailey is, she’s a passionate food blogger who started Basics With Bails in 2017 as a way to share her food photography, as well as healthy, delicious and accessible recipes that nourish the body and soul. I’m so excited to have Bailey take over the blog today to share her delicious recipe for Okanagan Cherry Vanilla Overnight Oats! So let’s give her a warm welcome, and I’ll let her take it from here!

Hi everyone! Bailey here! I’m so excited to contribute this recipe to Jillian’s blog (hopefully you’ll see more of my recipes pop up here from time to time going forward!? ). If you’ve never heard of overnight oats before, I’m going to give you a quick run down! They’re quick, easy, and the PERFECT grab and go breakfast for all you busy mom’s out there (or anyone who’s busy, really)! Instead of cooking your oats on the stovetop, you simply add oats and liquid with mix-ins to a mason jar or bowl and store it in the fridge overnight.

The texture is more dense and creamy than your average stovetop oats, and they’re served cold instead of hot, but I find them so much better! Typically I use a 1:1 ratio of oats to liquid (nut milk), however in this recipe I have added chia seeds. Chia seeds absorb liquid like a sponge, so I like to add in a little bit of coconut milk to make sure it stays really creamy!

The best part about these oats is the variety! Get creative with it! Switch up the almond milk for cashew milk. Add in hemp hearts or flaxseed. Instead of dark chocolate add in some coconut flakes. If you want to get really fancy, make some cherry jam with your cherries, add in some peanut butter, and you’ve got yourself a peanut butter and jam overnight oat recipe! The possibilities are endless!

All this fresh fruit around the house has got me thinking about how much better fruit tastes in season! Not only does it taste better but there are so many reasons to buy fruit and vegetables in season!

Five reasons why I love buying fruits and vegetables in season!

1. Healthier

Seasonal fruits and veggies haven’t been processed or transported long distances. Which means fresher, more nutritious food because the vitamins and nutrients haven’t had as much time to break down.

2. Supports local farmers and producers

Instead of always shopping at the supermarket, try to go to the farmers’ market more often! Your money goes directly to them and encourages a much more sustainable way of eating. Providing out-of-season fruits and veggies all year round is hard to maintain and can cause harm to the environment. Which brings me to the next reason!

3. For the environment

Shipping foods across large distances can cause environmental damage by using a ton of energy to refrigerate them. Less chemicals are also needed to fertilize in-season fruit and veggies!

4. Saves you money

A lot of the time farmers’ market prices will be lower in cost because there is an increased supply of in-season fruits and vegetables which drives the price down! Plus, produce that hasn’t been sitting in a truck for days will last longer, and that can save you money by reducing food waste.

5. Taste

Last but not least, in-season produce is always fresher and tastes WAY better!!

Okanagan Cherry Vanilla Overnight Oats

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Recipe by From the Kitchen of Jillian Harris

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup 1/2 gluten-free oats

• 1/2 cup 1/2 unsweetened almond milk

• 1/4 cup 1/4 full-fat coconut milk

• 1 tbsp 1 chia seeds

• 1 tbsp 1 maple syrup

• 1 tsp 1 vanilla

• 1/3 cup 1/3 chopped cherries

• 1 tbsp 1 chopped dark chocolate

Directions

• Combine gluten-free oats with chia seeds in a mason jar or small bowl.
• Add unsweetened almond milk and coconut milk and mix well.
• Add maple syrup, vanilla, chopped cherries, and chopped dark chocolate and cover.
• Refrigerate overnight and top with more fresh cherries, coconut yogurt, nut butter, or whatever toppings you desire!

Note: You can make this recipe with regular quick oats. They do not have to be gluten-free. And if you’re not into plant-based milk, you can use regular milk instead for the same results! You can also substitute the maple syrup for honey (as long as you’re not vegan) or for a sweetener of choice.

If you’re looking for more delicious recipes, check out my Blueberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats, Lemon Cheesecake Overnight Oats and Peaches and Cream Overnight Oats recipes on my blog!

xo

Bailey