Description
This Berry Cheesecake Overnight Oats recipe blends creamy cottage cheese with fresh strawberries and vanilla, combined with rolled oats and chia seeds, to create a rich, satisfying, and nutritious breakfast. Chilled overnight to thicken, then topped with fresh blueberries, strawberries, graham crackers, honey, and lemon zest for a delightful, cheesecake-inspired morning treat.
Ingredients
Base Mixture
- 1 cup small curd cottage cheese (2% or 4% for best taste)
- 1 ½ cups milk (cashew, almond, soy, or cow’s – see notes)
- 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- 1 cup quartered strawberries (sliced, then measured)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla bean powder (or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract)
- 2 cups rolled oats or quick cooking oats
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
Toppings and Garnishes
- Fresh blueberries (quantity to preference)
- Fresh strawberries (quantity to preference)
- Graham crackers (crushed, quantity to preference)
- Honey (for drizzling, quantity to preference)
- Lemon zest (for garnish, quantity to preference)
Instructions
- Blend the base: In a blender, combine cottage cheese, milk, maple syrup, quartered strawberries, and vanilla bean powder or extract. Blend until completely smooth, approximately 20 seconds, to create a creamy cheesecake-flavored base.
- Mix-in oats and chia: Pour the blended mixture into a large bowl (around 4-cup capacity). Add rolled oats and chia seeds, then stir thoroughly to combine all ingredients evenly.
- Chill to thicken: Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least two hours, allowing the oats and chia seeds to absorb moisture and the mixture to thicken to an overnight oats consistency.
- Serve with toppings: Once thickened, spoon the oatmeal mixture into serving bowls or jars. Top generously with fresh blueberries, strawberries, crushed graham crackers, a drizzle of honey, and a sprinkle of fresh lemon zest for brightness and added flavor.
- Optional layering: For individual servings in jars, start by placing a layer of crushed graham crackers at the bottom, add the overnight oats mixture evenly among the jars, then layer more berries and graham cracker crumbs as desired. Finish with honey and lemon zest before enjoying.
Notes
- You can use any type of milk you prefer including dairy or plant-based alternatives such as cashew, almond, or soy milk.
- Vanilla bean powder offers a more intense vanilla flavor compared to extract, but both will work well.
- Quick cooking oats will result in a creamier texture, while rolled oats will provide more chew.
- Feel free to adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of maple syrup or honey to your taste.
- Chilling for longer than two hours or overnight will improve the texture and flavor integration.
- Adding lemon zest adds a fresh, bright contrast that emulates classic cheesecake flavors.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
