There was a time in my life when I hated eating breakfast. Putting food in my mouth first thing in the morning was almost as unappealing as wearing heels to work, though I often forced myself to do both. These days I can’t wait until breakfast! I can’t tell you what’s changed but I think it has something to do with all of the yummy plant-based breakfast options. Big frosty smoothies, warm steel cut oatmeal with berries and nut butter, healthy pancakes, fresh fruit, savory crepes, overnight oats, chia pudding… Today’s post is a conglomeration of the last two; a fiber and omega 3 filled creamy oat and chia pudding of sorts.

I used cherries and mangos in my chia oats, for a naturally sweet treat, but feel free to use any fruit you like. I also used a vegan chocolate hazelnut butter, but you can also use almond butter or my easy 2 minute raw chocolate sauce from my last post. Or leave it out. I have a few suggestions for other add-ins below the recipe, but go ahead and get creative with whatever you have on-hand.

If you’re looking for an easy, healthy, and tasty breakfast that you’ll actually want to eat in the morning, look no further! These overnight chia oats will have you dreaming of breakfast 🙂

Cherry Mango Chia Overnight Oats (vegan, gluten free, refined sugar free, raw)

10 minute prep, refrigerate 1-8 hours

makes 1-2 servings

• 1 + 1/4 cups unsweetened almond milk (I love using homemade almond milk!)
• 3 tbsp chia seeds
• 3-4 tbsp oats
• 1/4 tsp vanilla
• couple drops of almond extract (optional)
• 2 tsp maple syrup or sweetener of choice (optional)
• handful of sweet cherries, pitted
• 1 mango, peeled and chopped
• raw chocolate sauce, raw almond butter, or vegan chocolate hazelnut butter
• other toppings of choice

Instructions:

Combine the first 6 ingredients in a glass jar with a lid. Give it a shake or stir to mix. Shake gently after about 5 minutes, to prevent the chia seeds from clumping. I usually give it a third shake again a few minutes later, just to be sure. Then let it hang out in the fridge overnight. I’ve even eaten it after an hour and it was delicious! So if you forget to make it before you go to bed, and want to make it in the morning, go for it! If the mixture is too thick after setting overnight, add a splash of almond milk and stir to thin it out.

Layer your fruit and chia oats alternately in another jar and top as desired. Some other toppings I like:

• granola
• nuts – almonds, walnuts, cashews
• seeds – sunflower seeds, pepitas
• cacao nibs
• coconut shreds
• dried fruit