If you’re searching for a breakfast that feels like dessert but is secretly packed with nourishing goodness, Layered Black Forest Overnight Oats are about to become your new morning obsession. Imagine creamy oats mingling with luscious cherries, hints of rich chocolate, and a satisfying crunch—all without turning on the stove! This recipe captures the classic flavors of Black Forest cake in a wholesome, make-ahead jar that will have you springing out of bed. Whether you’re looking to impress at brunch or simply treat yourself on a busy weekday, these oats are pure joy in every spoonful.

Layered Black Forest Overnight Oats Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

Oat Mixture
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or honey)
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Cherry Layer
- 1/2 cup pitted and chopped sweet cherries (fresh or frozen)
- 2 tablespoons cherry preserves
Toppings
- 2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips or shavings
- 2 tablespoons granola (optional, for topping)

How to Make Layered Black Forest Overnight Oats

Step 1: Mix the Oat Base

Start your Layered Black Forest Overnight Oats journey by grabbing a mixing bowl and combining the rolled oats, your milk of choice, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Give everything a good stir so the oats and chia seeds are evenly distributed. This will become the creamy, luscious foundation for all your layers.

Step 2: Prepare the Cherry Layer

In a separate small bowl, mix together the chopped cherries and cherry preserves. This duo creates a jammy, fruit-packed layer that adds both sweetness and a burst of color to your oats. If you like a smoother texture, you can mash or lightly blend the cherry mixture, but keeping some chunks makes every spoonful exciting.

Step 3: Layer the Oats, Cherries, and Chocolate

Now comes the fun part: assembling the layers! Spoon half of the oat mixture into a jar or container, smoothing it out. Top with half of the cherry mixture and a sprinkle of dark chocolate chips or shavings. Repeat with the remaining oat base, cherries, and chocolate. The layers not only look gorgeous but also give you a taste of everything in every bite.

Step 4: Chill Overnight

Cover your jar tightly and pop it in the fridge. While you sleep, the oats and chia seeds work their magic, soaking up all the flavors and softening to perfection. For best results, let everything chill overnight, but if you’re short on time, four hours will do the trick.

Step 5: Finish and Serve

When you’re ready to dig in, top your Layered Black Forest Overnight Oats with a handful of granola if you like an extra crunch. Grab a spoon and savor every creamy, fruity, chocolatey bite—no cooking required!

How to Serve Layered Black Forest Overnight Oats

Garnishes

Garnishing is where the magic really happens. Try a swirl of extra cherry preserves, a sprinkle of chocolate shavings, or even some fresh cherries on top. A dollop of Greek yogurt or a few mint leaves can make your Layered Black Forest Overnight Oats look like a breakfast sundae—almost too pretty to eat (but too delicious not to)!

Side Dishes

While these oats are plenty satisfying on their own, pairing them with a hot cup of coffee or a fresh fruit salad takes breakfast to the next level. If you’re serving brunch, try offering little bowls of mixed nuts or a platter of sliced oranges alongside your Layered Black Forest Overnight Oats for a vibrant, crowd-pleasing spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Layered Black Forest Overnight Oats look beautiful in glass jars, allowing those vibrant layers to shine through. For a special occasion, try assembling mini parfaits in elegant glasses or even using small mason jars for grab-and-go breakfasts. If you’re hosting, set up a DIY overnight oats bar with toppings so everyone can customize their own creation.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Layered Black Forest Overnight Oats keep beautifully in the fridge for up to 3 days. Store them in airtight containers or jars to keep everything fresh and the oats nice and creamy. The flavors actually deepen as they sit, making day two or three just as delicious as the first.

Freezing

If you’d like to prep even further ahead, you can freeze assembled jars of overnight oats (without the granola or fresh garnishes). Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving. The texture may be a touch softer, but all the wonderful flavors of your Layered Black Forest Overnight Oats will still shine through.

Reheating

These oats are meant to be enjoyed chilled, but if you prefer a cozy breakfast, you can gently microwave your jar (just remove any metal lids!) for 30-45 seconds. Stir well, add your crunchy toppings, and enjoy a warm twist on the classic Layered Black Forest Overnight Oats.

FAQs

Can I make Layered Black Forest Overnight Oats vegan?

Absolutely! Just use dairy-free yogurt and chocolate, and opt for maple syrup instead of honey. You’ll get all the indulgent flavors while keeping the recipe totally plant-based.

Can I use steel-cut oats instead of rolled oats?

Steel-cut oats require a much longer soaking time and will stay quite chewy. For the creamiest texture, old-fashioned rolled oats are the best choice for Layered Black Forest Overnight Oats.

What if I don’t have fresh cherries?

No worries—frozen cherries work beautifully in this recipe. Simply thaw and chop them before mixing with the preserves. The result is just as juicy and flavorful!

How can I add extra protein?

You can easily boost the protein content by adding a scoop of your favorite protein powder, using high-protein yogurt, or even stirring in a tablespoon of nut butter. These additions blend right in with the existing flavors.

Can I meal prep multiple jars at once?

Definitely! Just scale up the ingredients as needed, assemble your Layered Black Forest Overnight Oats in individual jars, and refrigerate. They’ll be ready to grab and go all week long—perfect for busy mornings.

Final Thoughts

There’s something so joyful about waking up to a breakfast that feels a little fancy but is secretly effortless. I hope you give Layered Black Forest Overnight Oats a try—once you taste those creamy oats, juicy cherries, and chocolatey layers, you’ll see why they’re such a favorite in my kitchen!

Layered Black Forest Overnight Oats Recipe

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4.7 from 22 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 10 minutes plus chilling time
Yield: 2 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

This Layered Black Forest Overnight Oats recipe combines creamy oats, tart cherries, and rich dark chocolate for a deliciously indulgent yet healthy breakfast option. Made with wholesome ingredients like rolled oats, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and sweetened naturally with maple syrup, it offers a nutrient-packed start to your day. The layering of cherry preserves and chocolate chips provides classic Black Forest cake-inspired flavors without the baking. Perfect for meal prepping and ready in minutes, these no-cook overnight oats make a convenient, satisfying, and visually appealing morning treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Oat Mixture

1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup unsweetened almond milk (or milk of choice)
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1 tablespoon maple syrup (or honey)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cherry Layer

1/2 cup pitted and chopped sweet cherries (fresh or frozen)
2 tablespoons cherry preserves

Toppings

2 tablespoons dark chocolate chips or shavings
2 tablespoons granola (optional, for topping)

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Instructions

Mix the oat base: In a mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, unsweetened almond milk, plain Greek yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir thoroughly until the mixture is well blended and the chia seeds are evenly distributed.
Prepare the cherry layer: In a separate small bowl, mix the chopped sweet cherries with the cherry preserves. This creates a sweet, fruity layer reminiscent of the Black Forest cake flavor profile.
Assemble the layers: Spoon half of the oat mixture into a jar or container. Then add half of the cherry mixture on top, followed by a sprinkle of dark chocolate chips or shavings. Repeat the layering process with the remaining oat mixture, cherry mixture, and chocolate, creating distinct, beautiful layers.
Refrigerate overnight: Cover the jar or container and place it in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 4 hours. This allows the oats to soften and absorb the flavors, resulting in a creamy and delicious texture.
Add final toppings and serve: Before serving, optionally top with granola for added crunch. Enjoy your Black Forest inspired overnight oats chilled as a quick and nutritious breakfast.

Notes

Use dairy-free yogurt and dairy-free chocolate chips to keep this recipe vegan.
For a smoother cherry layer, blend the cherry mixture before layering.
This recipe is great for prepping multiple jars in advance for grab-and-go breakfasts throughout the week.
Frozen cherries can be used—just thaw before mixing with preserves.
Adjust sweetness by adding more or less maple syrup according to taste.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Breakfast
Method: No-Bake
Cuisine: American