Training for a half marathon takes a lot of dedication and focus. With four weeks until race day, I’m thinking about easier ways to fuel my body after running. A favorite hearty breakfast recipe of mine is overnight oats.
I love overnight oats for many reasons – they’re simple to make, they taste great, and Quaker® Oats make it easy to bring your best bowl to the breakfast table.
My inspiration for overnight oats comes from my love of hearty meals and simple recipes.
Tips for Delicious Overnight Oats:
Let Them Soak| To ensure your Quaker® oats absorb all of the liquid, let them soak in the refrigerator for a minimum of four hours. Of course, eight hours is best for optimal absorption. You know that I love to have breakfast for dinner, which means I’ve made these a two o’clock and enjoyed them for dinner at six!
Proper Liquid to Quaker® oats ratio| I follow the measurements on the canister. 1 cup of liquid to 1/2 cup of Quaker® Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats.
Use frozen fruits| Frozen fruits thaw while in the frigerator and their juices incorporate into the oats nicely.
Be adventurous| You can find all of the ingredients you need at Target, look for the endcap to help you bring your best bowl. While you’re there, check out the specially marked packages of Quaker® Instant Oats and Quaker Standard Oatmeal canisters for information on the national Bring Your Best Bowl promotion. Go to the national sweepstakes site to enter for a chance to inspire the next Quaker® Oatmeal flavor. You can also enter to win $250,000! The top recipe entries will be created and sold in stores for a limited time in Fall 2016!
Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oats
Chocolate and cherries are a match made in taste bud heaven. Can you think of a better way to start your day than with happy taste buds? I can’t! That’s why I combined these two ingredients in this simple overnight oats recipe. It’s like dessert for breakfast. Seriously.
This chocolate cherry overnight oat recipe is vegan and gluten free. Heat it up or eat it cold. If fresh cherries are in season, you may use them; though I prefer frozen as the juice incorporates throughout.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 1/2 cup Quaker® oats
- 1/4 cup frozen cherries
- 2 TBSP mini chocolate chips
- Optional: Honey, Maple Syrup, or other sweetener
Instructions
- Use a mason jar to measure one cup of unsweetened vanilla almond milk.
- Add Quaker® oats, frozen cherries, and mini chocolate chips. (add sweetener, if using)
- Stir to combine.
- Refrigerate for a minimum of four hours before enjoying.
In the morning, simply pour the overnight oats into your favorite bowl and enjoy. As I mentioned, these are delicious served straight from the fridge, or warmed. It’s your bowl, your choice.
What are your favorite ingredients to add to Quaker® Oats for a hearty breakfast?
I love the idea of adding frozen fruit and letting the juice of it seep into the oatmeal. Now I’m hungry. Going to try this tonight. Yum! #client
Gimme a bowl of that overnight oats and my day will be set.