Strawberries & Cream Overnight Oats
When I make Strawberries & Cream Overnight Oats, I can’t wait to get up in the morning! These yummy jars of goodness sit in your refrigerator all night, soaking up flavors as they become creamier and creamier. And they’re so nutritious because they’re filled with real, whole foods that provide:
- vitamins
- minerals
- protein
- complex carbs
- whole grains
- fiber
- omegas
- antioxidants and
- phytonutrients.
Here’s the good new about what these pots do not contain:
- no refined sugar (the sweetness comes from real fruit!)
- no artificial colors and
- no artificial flavors.
This Strawberries & Cream Overnight Oats recipe is really 3 small recipes layered on top of each other. Let me give you some details about each layer and how you can customize it to fit your tastes.
Top Layer, Cashew Cream
This decadent vanilla cream is smooth and rich. Because it is made from nuts and not animal milk, it contains protein but no cholesterol. You will need to process the nuts in a blender, which does not work well unless you have a good amount of ingredients (the blades of the blender cannot do their job unless you have over a cup of ingredients present). Therefore, when you follow this recipe you will have cashew cream left over. But that is a good thing! Put it in a covered container in the refrigerator (it will last for about 4 days) or freeze it for up to six months.
- Use it to make another batch of Strawberries & Cream Overnight Oats in a couple days.
- You can also use it as a dip for fresh fruit or drizzle it over desserts.
- We also love to add some cinnamon to the cream and use it as a dip for sweet potato oven fries or as a topping for baked sweet potatoes.
Here are some tips about how to create a smooth and luscious cashew cream. If you have a high speed blender such as a Vitamix, you do not have to soak or boil your cashews. The machine will process them smoothly. If you have a regular blender, no worries! You need to make your cashews soft so that your blender can do its job. You do not want gritty cashew cream! So, either boil your cashews until they are soft, this will take 7-10 minutes. Or, soak your cashews for at least two hours.
Maybe you or a family member cannot eat cashews. The cashew cream provides richness to these overnight oats and helps to keep you full longer. As a substitute try adding two more tablespoons of chia seeds to the oat mixture. Instead of putting the cashew cream as the top layer, add a dollop of any type of nut butter or sunflower seed butter on top and extra fruit.
Middle Layer, Oats and Chia
This middle layer is creamy and white with beautiful flecks of chia seeds. As your jar of goodness sits in the fridge all night, the oats and chia soak up the flavors of the vanilla milk and banana, becoming softer and sweeter. You can use old fashioned rolled oats or quick cook oats. The banana adds the sweetness in this layer, so if you prefer sweet things, feel free to add another banana. And remember, the more ripe your bananas the sweeter they taste.
Bottom Layer, Strawberries and Dates
The bottom layer is the simplest as it has only two ingredients–strawberries and medjool dates. The dates provide extra sweetness along with phytonutrients and fiber. If your strawberries are extra sweet, you may need only one date. If your strawberries are tart, you might need to add another date or two. I like to leave this layer kind of chunky. Some people like things to be smoother, especially kids. So, feel free to process this layer in your blender until it liquifies. If you do this, it will become a strawberry syrup–yum!
Half pint canning jars make perfect containers for our Strawberries & Cream Overnight Oats. If you have a big appetite, feel free to use larger jars! Either way, the glass allows you to see the layers of goodness. Other ideas include reused jam jars or plastic storage containers.
We know it’s hard to wait, but your jars of oats will taste decadent and luscious after sitting in the refrigerator for a few hours, preferably overnight.
One of the requests we hear most often is that people need help preparing meals that are convenient. This recipe makes breakfast time a breeze! In the morning there is nothing to prepare. Simply grab a jar of overnight oats and a spoon and you’re good to go!
- 1cup unsalted cashews
- 1cup water
- 3 medjool datespits removed
- 1/2teaspoon vanilla extract
- dash salt
- 1 banana
- 1 and 1/2cups vanilla plant milkwe like unsweetened almond milk
- 5tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/3cup cashew creamsee above
- 2cups rolled old fashion or quick cook oatsgluten free, if desired
- 2 and 1/3cups strawberriesput a couple berries aside for decorating, if desired
- 2 medjool datespits removed
- Skip this step if you have a high speed blender. If you do not have a high speed blender (such as a Vitamix), put the cashews in a bowl and cover them with water. Let sit for at least 2 hours or overnight. Another option is to put the cashews in a pan, cover with water, and boil for about 7 minutes or until soft. Either way, drain the cashews before the next step.
- Put the cashews, 1 cup water, medjool dates, vanilla extract, and salt in blender. Process on high until smooth. Taste test to be sure the cream is not gritty.
- In a large bowl smash banana with potato masher or large fork.
- Add plant milk, chia seeds, and 1/3 cup cashew cream to bowl and mix well.
- Add oats and mix well.
- Chop strawberries into small pieces.
- Chop dates into small pieces and mix with strawberries.
- Put 1/3 - 1/2 cup strawberry layer in each jar.
- Add about 1/2 cup oatmeal mixture to each jar. Add more to each jar as needed until each container is almost full.
- Spread 2 tablespoons of cashew cream on top of the oatmeal mixture in each container.
- If desired, add chopped or whole strawberries and a sprinkle of chia seeds to decorate the top of each jar.
- Store in refrigerator overnight!
Strawberries & Cream Overnight Oats make a great after school and bedtime snack too.
Try using other fruit! Mango, blueberries, cherries...
Inspired by oatmeal artists on social media, particularly Oatmeal Stories and Bexfast.
Recipe from ChickpeaandBean.com
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