Mixed Berry Cheesecake Overnight Oats

We use frozen mixed berries to make a fruity topping, yet it's on the bottom of the jar so you can scoop your spoon down to get the perfect bite. If you don't want to use cream cheese in your oats, I have a blueberry cheesecake overnight oats that uses yogurt for the tang and cashew butter for a bit more flavor.

For more overnight oatmeal recipes with fruit try vegan strawberry overnight oats, cherry overnight oats, or raspberry overnight oats.  They can all be made in advance, making them perfect for the next morning. For a non-oatmeal breakfast try oat milk chia pudding or a chia bowl with mango and granola.

Recipe features

• Perfect for meal prep!
• Make one serving or multiple at one time!
• Dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free!
• Add a variety of toppings to change things up!
• The recipe is great for adults, kids, and the whole family!

Ingredient notes and substitutions

The berry cheesecake overnight oatmeal uses simple ingredients for an easy sweet breakfast, but please see the recipe card below for the exact measurements and full list of ingredients.

Rolled oats - Old-fashioned oats are the base for making overnight oats and give the best texture.  The whole grains soak up the liquid to become soft and creamy.  If you need gluten-free, use certified gluten-free oats.  Rolled oats cannot be substituted with steel-cut oats since they take longer to break down.  Quick-cooking oats break down much quicker and may become mushy.

Dairy-free milk -Use your favorite non-dairy milk for this easy recipe.  Try it with unsweetened almond, oat, soy, or cashew milk.

Dairy-free cream cheese - I tested the berry cheesecake overnight oat recipe with the classic plain version of Miyoko's cashew milk cream cheese.  It doesn't taste too sweet, so I opted for 1 tablespoon of maple syrup for this cheesecake version of overnight oats.  If you substitute with another cream cheese and it does taste slightly sweet, you may want to reduce the maple syrup.  Always adjust the sweetener in overnight oatmeal recipes to suit your personal preference.

Ground flax seeds - The ground flaxseed makes the oats a little thicker.  Chia seeds can be used instead, but I prefer to reduce the amount to 2 teaspoons instead of a tablespoon. For more vegan breakfast recipes with ground flaxseeds try cinnamon overnight oats or flax pudding with strawberries.

Maple syrup - Pure maple syrup can be substituted with agave syrup or your sweetener of choice.  Add it to taste to suit your preferences for sweetness.

Vanilla extract - Just a little bit of vanilla extract to give the oats a little more flavor.

Frozen mixed berries - I opt for thawing frozen mixed berries.  When thawed and mashed, they create a thin liquid berry mixture that can resemble a berry topping for cheesecake.  I also love scooping my spoon down to the bottom to scoop up the berry mixture into the oat mixture for the perfect bite.  

If you don't care about the fruit layer on the bottom of the jar but still want to use frozen fruit, they can be added to the top of cheesecake overnight oats the night before you consume them.  No need to thaw them, they'll thaw overnight on top of the oats.  For more inspiration check out overnight oats with frozen berries.

Fresh berries do not mash as well and may need a little lemon juice to preserve their color.  Instead, add them to the top before enjoying the oatmeal.

Tips

• Make sure to mix the cream cheese and the oat mixture well to prevent clumps.  The brand I use is thick, so it needs a little more effort to mix in. 
• To thaw frozen berries, pop them in the microwave for 30 seconds or until almost thawed, and let them cool if they are warm.  They can also be thawed in the fridge overnight.

Instructions

Start the overnight berry cheesecake oats by thawing frozen berries, then partially mash the mixed berries to break some up and leave some whole.  I pop the berries in the microwave for 30 seconds and let them cool while I prep the oats and wait for the oats to thicken.  Use a jar or a container with a lid.  If using fresh mixed berries, add them to the top of the oats before consuming them.

In a separate bowl, mix the oats, milk, dairy-free cream cheese, ground flax seed, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. 

Let the mixture sit for 5-10 minutes to thicken up before layering your oats.  If you're not layering then there's no need to wait.

Then top the thawed mixed berries with the oat mixture. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours or overnight.

Toppings

Enjoy the berry cheesecake overnight oatmeal as-is or enjoy the delicious breakfast with your favorite toppings.  My favorite is to add a sprinkle of granola.  Wait to add the toppings until you're ready to enjoy the oat recipe.

• Fresh blueberries or other fresh fruit
• Toasted unsweetened coconut flakes
• Toasted almond slices
• Plant-based granola
• Sliced ripe banana 
• Crumbled vegan graham crackers

Frequently asked questions

Storage

Store the overnight berry cheesecake oatmeal in an airtight container with a lid or a wide-mouthed mason jar in the refrigerator. With fruit, I would consume them within 2-3 days.  If you're using fresh berries and adding them to the top of your oats right before consuming then the oats will last about 5 days in the refrigerator.  If the oatmeal becomes too thick, add a little extra milk to thin out.  

The recipe is for one serving but multiple can be made simultaneously.  Store multiple servings in individual containers for a grab-and-go portion or add multiple servings to one large container and then scoop out the serving needed.  

Related recipes

• Blueberry cheesecake overnight oats
• Vegan strawberry overnight oats
• Pumpkin overnight oats
• Banana cinnamon overnight oats
• Breakfast chia bowl with mango

I hope you enjoy the berry cheesecake overnight oatmeal recipe!  If you did, feel free to rate it and leave a comment.