These Overnight Oats Taste Like a Slice of Strawberry Cheesecake

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These overnight oats are chock-full of classic strawberry-cheesecake flavors—from the rich cream cheese layers to the sweet strawberry base, this feels like dessert for breakfast in the best way possible. If strawberries aren’t at their peak, swap them out for raspberries, blueberries or chopped stone fruit like peaches or nectarines. You could try frozen strawberries, but they may add more liquid to the mixture.

Active Time:
20 mins
Chill Time:
8 hrs
Total Time:
8 hrs 20 mins
Servings:
4

Nutrition Notes

Are Rolled Oats Healthy?

Yes, rolled oats provide heart-healthy fiber and other benefits. Altogether, oats have been associated with lower cholesterol and better blood sugar control.

Is Cream Cheese Good for You?

While it does contain some saturated fat (we use reduced-fat cream cheese in this recipe), you can’t beat the taste of cream cheese—and a little goes a long way. It does provide some nutrition, including a little protein and vitamins A and D. Like most foods, cream cheese can fit into a healthy, varied diet.

Are Strawberries Good for You?

Strawberries are loaded with nutrients and health benefits. They deliver antioxidants, fiber, vitamin C and potassium. Strawberries have been associated with lower inflammation, a healthier heart and brain, and better blood glucose control.

Tips from the Test Kitchen

What’s the Easiest Way to Make Graham Cracker Crumbs?

There are a few easy ways. Depending on the amount of crumbs you need (8 whole graham cracker sheets equals 1 cup crushed), your food processor or blender will get the job done fast and easily, but you might end up with a few bigger crumbs here and there, and you will lose some time cleaning your equipment afterward. Sometimes, prep work by hand makes more sense and you have a couple of good options: Add the graham crackers to a large zip-top bag and roll over the bag with a rolling pin. Or put the graham crackers in a deep bowl and crush them with a cocktail muddler. Both of these methods will give you more control, so the size of the crumbs should be more consistent. If you find that you made too many crumbs or have a lot of whole crackers left in the box, you can use them to add crunchy sweetness to yogurt parfaits and ice cream. They can also be used as a base for cheesecake fruit bars and tarts.

Additional reporting by Carrie Myers, M.S. and Linda Frahm

the ingredients to make the Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats

Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser

Ingredients

  • 1 3/4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

  • 1 3/4 cups unsweetened almond milk

  • 1 cup whole-milk plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons white or black chia seeds

  • 2 1/2 tablespoons pure maple syrup, divided

  • 4 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided

  • 4 cups fresh strawberries, divided

  • 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest

  • 6 ounces reduced-fat cream cheese, softened

  • 1 1/2 tablespoons half-and-half

  • 2 teaspoons lemon juice

  • 1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs (from 4 graham cracker sheets)

Directions

  1. Combine oats, almond milk, yogurt, chia seeds, 1 tablespoon maple syrup and 2 teaspoons vanilla in a medium bowl; stir well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or up to 4 days.

    a photo of the oats, almond milk, yogurt, and chia seeds mixed together

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser

  2. Meanwhile, hull and chop 3 cups strawberries; place in a medium bowl. Add lemon zest and the remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup; toss gently to combine. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use or up to 4 days.

    a photo of the strawberries being chopped on a wooden chopping board

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser

  3. Mix cream cheese, half-and-half, lemon juice and the remaining 2 teaspoons vanilla with a rubber spatula in a medium bowl until fluffy and smooth, about 1 minute. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use or up to 4 days.

  4. Spoon a scant 1/4 cup strawberry mixture into each of 4 (16-ounce) jars; spoon 1/2 cup oat mixture over the strawberry mixture in each jar. Top each with 1 1/2 tablespoons cream cheese mixture. Repeat the layers. Top each jar with 2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs. Slice the remaining 1 cup strawberries; divide among the jars.

    a recipe photo of the Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats

    Photographer: Jen Causey, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Phoebe Hauser

To make ahead

Refrigerate jars for up to 4 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Which Type of Oats Are Best for Overnight Oats?

    That would be old-fashioned oats (also known as rolled oats). This kind of oat quickly soaks up the moist ingredients in the recipe and becomes tender and creamy overnight. However, depending on your recipe and your taste, overnight oats are usually ready within four or five hours. If you prefer chewy oats, you can eat them even sooner.

EatingWell.com, April 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

467 Calories
17g Fat
63g Carbs
17g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size about 1 cup
Calories 467
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 63g 23%
Dietary Fiber 9g 32%
Total Sugars 25g
Protein 17g 33%
Total Fat 17g 21%
Saturated Fat 6g 32%
Cholesterol 32mg 11%
Vitamin A 126µg
Vitamin C 103mg 114%
Vitamin D 1µg
Vitamin E 4mg 28%
Folate 77µg
Vitamin K 7µg
Sodium 313mg 14%
Calcium 448mg 34%
Iron 3mg 19%
Magnesium 112mg 27%
Potassium 735mg 16%
Zinc 3mg 24%
Vitamin B12 1µg
Omega 3 1g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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