Chia Overnight Oats with Cherry Compote

One of my go-to meal prep breakfast recipes is overnight oats! Not only are they super easy to make, but they're a great nutritious meal to start off the day. Don't like cherries or coconut? No prob! Make the 'chia overnight oats base' recipe and add your favorite toppings - fresh fruit, dried fruit, nut butter, nuts, etc.

Makes: 4 servinges

INGREDIENTS:

Chia Overnight Oats Base:

2 cups rolled oats

2 tbsp chia seeds

3 cups almond milk, sub milk of choice

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp maple syrup, sub honey

a pinch of salt

Cherry Compote:

1 lb frozen pitted cherries

1/4 cup cane sugar

2 tbsp water

1 tsp lemon juice

1/2 cup toasted coconut flakes, for garnish

1. Combine all overnight oat ingredients in a large bowl. Mix together, making sure the chia seeds are incorporated. Place in the fridge for at least 1 hour, or overnight. Then portion it out into 4 containers that you can seal tightly (like mason jars or these plastic containers).

2. Heat a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the frozen cherries, cane sugar, water & lemon juice. Stir to combine and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to medium-low so it's at more of a consistent simmer, then continue to stir occasionally for ~20 minutes or until the cherries have broken down and thicken up. Remove from heat & let cool for at least 20 minutes before transferring into a glass jar or using as a topping. This cooling process will thicken it up even more.

3. Once your base and compote are ready, you can start building your bowls! I love the combo of toasted coconut with the cherry compote, but this is when you can add whatever toppings you'd like. Nut butters are another great option and add an extra protein punch.

4. Store your containers in the fridge for up to 4 days!

Be sure to take a pic & tag @thepreppedpalate in your creations 📸