Have leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving? Put it to delicious use with these cranberry overnight oats! This recipe transforms holiday leftovers into a healthy, flavorful breakfast you’ll love. Packed with creamy rolled oats, tangy cranberry sauce, and a hint of warm spices, this recipe is bursting with holiday flavor. It’s an easy, make-ahead breakfast that’s perfect for busy mornings or meal prep.

Why You Will Love Cranberry Sauce Overnight Oats

These overnight oats are bursting with sweet and tangy flavors, it’s a delicious breakfast.
It’s a great way to use leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving!
They’re made with simple ingredients you likely already have on hand.
It’s like a cozy holiday breakfast in a jar!
This recipe is quick and effortless to prepare in just 5 minutes!
You can make the most of your leftover cranberry sauce by using it to prepare multiple servings of these overnight oats for meal prep!

What Are Cranberry Overnight Oats?

Cranberry overnight oats are a no-cook, make-ahead breakfast made by soaking rolled oats in almond milk and Greek yogurt, along with cranberry sauce, spices, and optional chia seeds. The mixture sits in the fridge overnight, allowing the oats to soften and absorb the liquid, creating a creamy texture.

This recipe is a wonderful way to use up leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving and turn it into a delicious breakfast. It’s perfect for enjoying during the holiday season or anytime you’re craving the tangy, fruity flavor of cranberries.

Ingredients Needed

Ingredients for cranberry overnight oats

Oats: Use old-fashioned rolled oats to make overnight oats.
Milk: Use your milk of choice for this recipe. We like unsweetened vanilla almond milk.
Greek Yogurt: Plain 0-fat Greek yogurt adds creaminess and protein to these overnight oats!
Cranberry Sauce: Use leftover cranberry sauce for this recipe.
Cinnamon: Add a touch of cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice to elevate the flavor.
Sweetener: Add your sweetener of choice to taste, depending on the sweetness of your cranberry sauce.
Chia Seeds: As an option, add chia seeds for omega-3 fatty acids and fiber.

What Cranberry Sauce To Use

These overnight oats are an excellent way to use leftover cranberry sauce from Thanksgiving! You can use any cranberry sauce you have on hand, whether store-bought or homemade. We love making these overnight oats with our easy and delicious homemade cranberry sauce for the best flavor.

How To Make Cranberry Overnight Oats

Step 1: Add the rolled oats, almond milk, Greek yogurt, cranberry sauce, cinnamon, sweetener, and chia seeds to a jar with a lid or airtight container.

Step 2: Stir until well combined.

Step 3: Seal the container and refrigerate it overnight. This allows the oats to soften and absorb the liquid.

Step 4: In the morning, stir the oats and enjoy!

Serving Suggestions

When ready to serve these cranberry overnight oats, stir them, and add your favorite optional toppings. Here are some great topping ideas!

Chopped Nuts: Sprinkle with chopped walnuts, almonds, or pecans for a delicious crunch.
Almond Butter: Drizzle creamy almond butter on top for a nutty, rich flavor.
Coconut Flakes: Sprinkle with unsweetened coconut flakes.
Fresh Fruit: Add a handful of fresh berries on top.
Greek Yogurt: Top with an extra dollop of Greek yogurt.
Granola: Serve with a handful of granola for a crunchy contrast.
Whipped Cream: Top these overnight oats with whipped cream or dairy-free coconut whipped cream.
Chocolate: Add chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips on top for a chocolate cranberry flavor.
Maple Syrup or Honey: Drizzle with maple syrup or honey for an additional touch of sweetness.

Expert Tips

Use Rolled Oats: Opt for old-fashioned rolled oats when making overnight oats for the best texture. Quick oats will have a softer texture and steel-cut oats won’t absorb the liquid properly.
Sweeten To Taste: If your cranberry sauce is tart, sweeten the overnight oats to taste. One teaspoon of sweetener is a great place to start. Some sweetener options are maple syrup, honey, sugar, brown sugar, coconut sugar, or a 1:1 sugar-free sweetener.
Layered Presentation: For a beautiful layered effect, alternate with layers of the oat mixture, cranberry sauce, and yogurt rather than mixing all the ingredients.
Milk Options: We used unsweetened vanilla almond milk for this recipe. Some other options are dairy milk or other plant-based options such as oat milk, cashew milk, or soy milk.
Prep Multiple Servings: Save time by making several jars at once! You can store them in the fridge for up to 3 days.
Refrigerate Overnight Oats: Refrigerate these overnight oats for at least 6-8 hours, preferably overnight, so the oats can fully absorb the flavors and soften.

Storage Instructions

Store your cranberry overnight oats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

Variations

Make It Vegan: To make these overnight oats vegan, use dairy-free milk, and a plant-based yogurt. Also, ensure your cranberry sauce and sweeteners are plant-based.
Gluten-Free Oats: To make this recipe gluten-free, ensure that you use certified gluten-free oats.
Yogurt Substitution: For a creamy, high-protein alternative to Greek yogurt, use blended cottage cheese in your cranberry overnight oats. Just blend it in a food processor or blender until smooth for a similar texture. It will have a slightly different flavor, but still provides a boost of protein!
Swap the Cranberry Sauce: Try this recipe with a fruit jam like blueberry, strawberry, or raspberry jam.
Protein Boost: Add a tablespoon of vanilla protein powder or almond butter to increase the protein content.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Make Cranberry Overnight Oats Ahead Of Time?

Absolutely! These cranberry overnight oats are perfect for meal prep and can be made ahead of time. Store them in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy them within four days.

How Can I Make These Overnight Oats Sweeter?

The sweetness of these overnight oats will be based on how sweet your cranberry sauce is. To make these overnight oats sweeter, start with one teaspoon of your sweetener of choice and add more to taste.

Can I Serve These Overnight Oats Warm?

Yes, if you prefer warm overnight oats, you can heat them in the microwave or on the stovetop after they’ve been refrigerated overnight. To microwave them, transfer the oats to a microwave-safe bowl and heat them in 30-second intervals until warm. Or, you can heat them in a saucepan on the stovetop.

More Overnight Oats Recipes To Try Next!

If you try this recipe please be sure to leave us a comment and star rating ★★★★★ letting us know how it turns out for you.