Dark chocolate Cherry Baked Oats {6 Ingredients}
Enjoy these warm, dark chocolate cherry Baked Oats with cashews and melty chocolate. protein packed, vegan and gluten free, and PERFECT for breakfast or dessert.
Breakfast DOES NOT have to be boring!
I promise you, there is a solution to the everyday (sometimes mundane) routine of making a filling breakfast. This delicious and VEGAN dark chocolate cherry oatmeal bake is a great and SUPER energizing way to start your morning right!
Oats, Dark Chocolate, and Cherries…YES PLEASE
I love getting my protein and fiber in simple yet creative ways. This dark chocolate cherry oatmeal bake will rock your tastebuds first thing in the morning!
With a mixture of rolled oats, dried cherries, smooth dark chocolate and plenty of flax seeds, you’re getting amazing nutrient dense ingredients while STILL enjoying what seems like a fancy dessert!
These oat bakes are also a great way to meal prep for the week for your breakfasts. If you like to minimize your thinking early in the morning like I do, this recipe will help simplify those hectic mornings we sometimes find ourselves in.
If you like this recipe, then you’ll love my Apple Butter Oatmeal Bake which is ALSO vegan and downright scrumptious.
Tips and Tricks for Making These Oats
There are a few tricks that will help you make the most delicious dark chocolate cherry baked oats:
- Use rolled oats if possible! I used rolled oats and I am so happy with how they worked out. Obviously any oats will do, but these happened to soak up just the right amount of the milk liquid when baking. They didn’t come out too dry or too wet, just the right texture of CREAMY. Sprouted oats tend to not soak up as much liquid, this could result in most mushy and thin oatmeal. If you only have sprouted oats, just use less milk, no worries!
- If you prefer a softer and creamier texture of oatmeal (like I do!) you can let your oatmeal mixture sit and soak for a couple hours before you bake. This is optional but it does help soften and hydrate up those oats for a creamier texture!
Ingredients for dark chocolate cherry baked oats
Milk of Choice– You can use dairy free milks such as almond milk, hemp milk, oat milk or even cashew milk! It is totally up to you. This part is nice and customizable if you have a specific dietary need or are lactose free. However, whole milk or 2% is just as fine if you do not need a vegan of DF option.
Rolled Oats– oats are packed with some of the things our bodies need the most!
Flax Seeds– these little seeds pack a big punch of fiber! They help promote a happy gut as well as help us with bowel regularity. (Yes, you read that right! They help us out in MANY ways! lol)
Dark Chocolate– I mean…who doesn’t like dark chocolate?? Well, maybe little kiddos…. their taste buds still like milk chocolate. But ME? I LOVE dark chocolate, especially when I use it in this oatmeal bake. I feel super sneaky adding chocolate to my breakfast.
Love dark chocolate as much as me? Check out this simple SKS recipe for Dark Chocolate Covered Figs!
Dried Cherries-dried cherries are a great way to get fruit into your morning oatmeal bakes.
Instructions for dark chocolate cherry baked oats
First, find yourself a medium sized bowl to mix all your ingredients in. You can also skip this step and just use the 8 x 8 baking dish to mix everything in to save on doing dishes. This is a tired mom hack! Ha!
HOW TO SERVE YOUR DARK CHOCOLATE CHERRY Baked oats
Cut yourself a slice and serve with some extra chopped dried cherries or shreds of coconut on top! You can also SPICE up this dish by sprinkling some hazelnuts or cashews on top, in other words, GO NUTS! You can even get a little wild and serve while warm with a scoop of dairy free vanilla ice cream…..or a dollop of yogurt, your choice!
Occasionally I like adding some melted chocolate drizzle on top of my cold yogurt or ice cream because of the hard shell it forms. SO satisfying when Tom and I dig in with our spoons and hear the “CRACK” of the dark chocolate drizzle. Mmmm, I can hear it now.
I hope you enjoy this delish way to get in your breakfast with a little added flair! This oatmeal bake will definitely become a staple in your home in no time.
I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOUR CREATIONS! YOU CAN USE “TRIED IT” ON PINTEREST OR SHARE ON INSTAGRAM OR TIKTOK BY TAGGING #SHUANGYSEATS
Get the recipe:Dark Chocolate Cherry Baked Oats
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup milk, *whole milk, oat milk, coconut milk are my favorite
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 3 tbsp ground flax seed, *use chia seeds if you do not have flax
- 1/2 cup maple syrup, *or use honey, agave, or date syrup
- 1 ysp baking powder
- 1/4 cup chopped cashews, *omit if nut free
- 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips/chopped dark chocolate bar
- 1/2 cup dried cherries or fresh pitted, *chopped or whole
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Grease or line your 8 x 8 baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a medium mixing bowl, add in your oats, flax seeds, baking powder, milk and maple syrup.
- Fold in your dark chocolate chips or chunks as well as your dried cherries.
- Pour your mixture into your lined or greased baking dish. You can add more chopped dark chocolate, cashews or cherries to the top if desired.
- Bake for 30 minutes in your pre-heated oven.
- Let cool for 20 minutes before slicing into and enjoying!
The Nutrition Facts above are specific to the ingredients I chose to use for this recipe, which may vary.