Cherries land in South African shops right as the festive season starts, and there is no better way to use them at breakfast than this. Cherry and almond is a classic pairing — think Bakewell tart or a good cherry frangipane — and it translates perfectly into an overnight oats jar: creamy oats studded with dark cherries, a whisper of almond, and a scatter of toasted flaked almonds for crunch.
It feels a little special without any effort, which makes it a lovely summer-morning treat over the holidays. Fresh cherries are best in season, but a tin of pitted cherries makes it a year-round jar, so you are never far from it.
350Calories
14gProtein
48gCarbs
7gFibre
Ingredients
1/2 cupJungle Oats rolled oats
1/2 cupMilk of choice
1/4 cupPlain Greek yoghurt
1 tbspChia seeds
1 tspHoney or maple syrup
1/4 tspAlmond essence
1/3 cupPitted cherries, halved (fresh or tinned)
ToppingExtra cherries & 1 tbsp toasted flaked almonds
Method, tonight
1
Stir the oats, milk, yoghurt, chia, honey and almond essence together in your jar until well combined.
2
Fold in the halved cherries so their colour and flavour run through the whole jar.
3
Seal and refrigerate overnight, or for at least six hours.
4
In the morning, stir, add a splash of milk if needed, and top with extra cherries and toasted flaked almonds.
SA kitchen tip
Fresh cherries are in season from about November to January — Ceres and the Western Cape orchards supply most SA stores. Out of season, a tin of pitted cherries in juice (drained) works beautifully. Go easy on the almond essence: a quarter teaspoon is plenty, as it is strong. Toast the flaked almonds in a dry pan for two minutes for the best crunch.
SA supermarket shopping guide
Why it works
A dessert flavour that earns its place at breakfast.
Cherry and almond tastes indulgent because we know it from tarts and cakes, but the jar itself is honest: oats, yoghurt, chia and real fruit, sweetened with a single teaspoon of honey. The almond flavour comes from a few drops of essence and a spoon of almonds rather than a pastry case, so you get the whole Bakewell experience for a fraction of the sugar and none of the baking.
Cherries bring more than colour. They add fibre and antioxidants, and their natural tartness balances the creamy oats so the jar never feels heavy — ideal for a warm South African morning.
Common questions
Cherry and almond overnight oats, answered.
Can I use tinned or frozen cherries?
Yes. Drain tinned pitted cherries well before folding them in, and thaw frozen cherries so they do not water down the jar. Both work all year round when fresh cherries are out of season.
Is almond essence the same as almond extract?
Close enough for this recipe. Both give that marzipan-like almond flavour. Use it sparingly — a quarter teaspoon is plenty, as too much turns bitter.
How healthy is it?
A jar lands around 350 calories with 14 grams of protein and 7 grams of fibre, sweetened with just a teaspoon of honey. It is a genuinely balanced breakfast that happens to taste like dessert.
Can I make a few at once?
Easily. It keeps for up to five days in the fridge, so it suits batch prepping — just add the toasted almonds fresh each morning. See our
meal prep guide.
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