Black Forest Overnight Oats (Chocolate and Cherries)

Black Forest Overnight Oats are the perfect healthy twist on the classic chocolate-and-cherry dessert – but in breakfast form. Packed with whole grains, fiber, and healthy fats, this chocolate cherry overnight oats recipe takes just 5 minutes to prep and gives you a nourishing, meal-prep breakfast ready for the week.

If you love the combination of chocolate and cherries, this Black Forest oatmeal is about to become your new favorite make-ahead breakfast.

Quick Look at the Recipe

Prep Time: 5 minutes
Chill Time: At least 8 hours (overnight)
Servings: 1 jar (easy to scale for the week)
Method: No-cook, refrigerator
Highlights: Chocolate cherry flavor, high fiber, meal-prep friendly, dessert-inspired breakfast

Ingredients

You’ll find the full measurements in the recipe card below. Here’s how each ingredient works in this Black Forest oatmeal recipe and why it matters.

• Rolled Oats. Also called old-fashioned oats, these are the only oats I recommend for overnight oats. Instant oats become mushy, and steel-cut oats won’t soften properly without cooking. Rolled oats give you that perfect creamy texture. Oats are naturally gluten-free, but if you’re sensitive to gluten, make sure the bag says certified gluten-free.
• Cacao Powder. This is what gives the oats that deep chocolate flavor. It’s slightly more bitter than cocoa powder but less processed and rich in flavonoids and fiber. If you’re craving chocolate for breakfast, don’t skip it – this is what turns simple oats into cherry chocolate overnight oats.
• Cinnamon. Just a pinch enhances the chocolate and cherries. It’s subtle, but it rounds everything out beautifully.
• Chia Seeds. I use chia seeds in nearly all of my overnight oat recipes. They absorb liquid and create that creamy, pudding-like consistency. Without them, the oats tend to be softer and more “mushy.” They also add fiber, protein, and omega-3 fats.
• Unsweetened Almond Milk. I usually use unsweetened almond or coconut milk because that’s what I keep on hand for smoothies. Any milk works here. If you want more protein and don’t mind dairy, regular milk will naturally boost the protein.
• Pure Vanilla Extract. Adds warmth and depth to the chocolate flavor.
• Dark Sweet Cherries. Fresh or frozen both work. I mostly use frozen because I make this recipe year-round and love how the juices release into the oats as they thaw. If using fresh cherries, remove all pits. If using frozen “pitted” cherries — still check (I always find at least one).
• Pure Maple Syrup. Optional but helpful. Chocolate and cherries can be slightly bitter depending on your cacao and fruit. I recommend adding sweetness in the morning to taste.
• Cacao Nibs (Optional). For crunch and an extra layer of dark chocolate flavor. You can also use chocolate chips if preferred.

Find My Favorite Overnight Oats Supplies

If you’re looking for the exact mason jars, chia seeds, cacao powder, cherry pitter, and pantry staples I use for overnight oats, you can find all of my go-to favorites in my Amazon storefront. I keep everything organized there so you can easily grab what you need for meal prep breakfasts.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Black Forest Overnight Oats (Chocolate and Cherries)

Step 1: Mix the Dry Ingredients First. Add the rolled oats, cacao powder, cinnamon, and chia seeds to a 16-ounce mason jar. Give it a good stir before adding liquid. This seems like a small step, but it matters — cacao powder loves to clump if you pour liquid on top first. Mixing the dry ingredients first helps everything distribute evenly so your oats taste chocolatey all the way through (not “chocolate in one bite, plain oats in the next”).

Step 2: Add the Liquid. Pour in the almond milk and vanilla extract, then stir until the oats are fully covered. If needed, add an extra splash of milk — you want the oats submerged so they can soften properly overnight.

Step 3: Add the Cherries. Add cherries to the top. If you’re using frozen cherries (my go-to), you don’t need to thaw them. They’ll soften overnight and release juices into the oats, which gives this recipe that signature black forest overnight oats flavor.

Step 4: Refrigerate. Seal the jar and refrigerate for at least 8 hours (overnight is best).

Step 5: Stir, Sweeten & Adjust. In the morning, stir everything together. If the oats are thick, add a splash of milk until creamy. Give it a taste and add 1–2 teaspoons of maple syrup if you want it sweeter. Sprinkle cacao nibs on top and enjoy.

Expert Tips

• Check the Cherries for Pits (Even If They Say “Pitted”), This is one of those “learned the hard way” tips. Even bags labeled pitted can have a stray pit hiding in there. My quick routine: if I’m using frozen cherries, I let a few sit for a minute so I can slice them in half easily, or I just do a quick squeeze/feel as I add them. It takes 10 seconds and saves your teeth later.
• Want a Thicker Texture? Use Less Milk – Want It Creamier? Add a Splash in the Morning. Overnight oats naturally thicken as they sit. The longer they chill, the thicker they get — totally normal. If you love a spoonable “pudding” texture, stick to the recipe as written. If you want it looser and creamier, stir in 1–3 teaspoons of milk in the morning until it’s exactly how you like it.
• Want More Protein? If you’re using overnight oats for weight loss or simply want a breakfast that truly keeps you full, boosting the protein is a smart move. The easiest ways to do that are by stirring in 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt for a creamy, slightly tangy boost, adding ¼ cup of cottage cheese for extra protein with a more neutral (and super creamy) texture, or mixing in a little collagen or protein powder if you want to increase it even more. If you’re unsure whether collagen or protein powder is the better fit, I break it all down in my protein powder vs. collagen post.
• Mix Dry Ingredients First (Especially With Cacao). I know I mention this in the steps, but it’s worth repeating. Cacao powder clumps if it hits liquid too fast. Stirring dry first makes the whole jar taste like chocolate – which is the entire point of chocolate cherry overnight oats.
• You Can Eat It Cold OR Warm It Up. Overnight oats are meant to be eaten cold, but if you prefer warm breakfast, you have options. Pour the oats into a microwave-safe bowl and heat 30–60 seconds, stirring once. Or warm it gently on the stove for a few minutes. The texture stays creamy – it just turns into a warm bowl of chocolate cherry oatmeal.
• Little Extras That Make It Taste Like Dessert, If you want to lean into that classic Black Forest cake flavor without loading it up with processed sugar, a few simple toppings go a long way. Try sprinkling cacao nibs or a few mini chocolate chips on top, adding sliced almonds for a little crunch, or tossing on extra cherries in the morning. Those small additions make it feel extra special and dessert-inspired, while still keeping it a balanced, nourishing breakfast.

How to Store Black Forest Overnight Oats

For the week: Store assembled jars in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The longer they sit, the thicker they become – that’s normal. Just stir in a splash of milk to loosen them back up.

For the freezer: You can also freeze the dry ingredient kits (oats, cacao, chia, cinnamon, cherries). When ready to use, add milk and refrigerate overnight.

Other Overnight Oats Recipes

• Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
• Raspberry Overnight Oats
• Cherry Overnight Oats
• Overnight Oats with PB2
• Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
• Banana Overnight Oats

See all of my healthy oatmeal recipes.

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you made these Black Forest overnight oats, I’d love to hear how they turned out! Leave a comment below and let me know – and if you found this recipe helpful, a 5-star rating helps others find it too. It truly means so much and helps me continue creating these healthy breakfast recipes for you.