Cranberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats

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These fiber-rich cranberry cheesecake overnight oats will transform your breakfast into something special. Combining the tangy sweetness of cranberries with the rich, creamy flavors of cheesecake, these oats offer a delicious start to your day.

an image of the Cranberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
Credit:

Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

Chill Time:
12 hrs
Active Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
12 hrs 25 mins
Servings:
4
  • Combining the tangy sweetness of cranberries with creamy cheesecake flavors, this recipe makes breakfast exciting.
  • Packed with fiber from oats and chia seeds, these oats keep you full all morning.
  • To save time, you can buy premade cranberry sauce instead of making your own.

These Cranberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats are a dreamy, dessert-inspired breakfast that will become your favorite time-saver on busy mornings. Packed with fiber from the oats and chia seeds and protein from the milk and yogurt, it’s sure to keep you full all morning. The tart cranberries are balanced by the creamy cheesecake mixture—all complemented by the warm spices of cinnamon and ginger. Read below for our expert tips, including simple substitutions to fit your dietary preferences. 

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • Feel free to substitute plant-based milk for the whole milk, and gluten-free graham crackers for regular.
  • You can purchase your favorite premade cranberry sauce instead of making your own to save time. This recipe is also an excellent way to use leftover cranberry sauce from holiday meals.
  • If you use a microwave to heat the cranberry mixture in Step 2, you won’t have to stir the mixture as often, and you won’t have to deal with the splatter from bursting berries.
  • Wait until the oatmeal is set before adding it to the jars. You’ll get much cleaner layers.

Nutrition Notes

  • Oats, regardless of the type (old-fashioned, quick, instant), contain a type of fiber called beta-glucan, which can help remove harmful LDL cholesterol in your body. This is a big win for heart health. 
  • Whole-milk yogurt and milk are added to this recipe to give just the right consistency. Don’t let the fat content scare you off—full-fat dairy may help with satiety and keep you feeling fuller for longer. 
  • Chia seeds are packed with fiber and contain alpha-linolenic acid, an omega-3 fatty acid that can help reduce inflammation in the body. 
  • Cranberries contain proanthocyanidins, which keep harmful bacteria from lining the bladder wall and can help prevent urinary tract infections. Fresh cranberry season is short, so using frozen whole, unsweetened cranberries is a great way to get this benefit all year long.
the ingredients to make Cranberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats

Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 4 servings

  • cups whole milk

  • 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats

  • ½ cup whole-milk plain yogurt

  • 4 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided

  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds

  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • ¼ teaspoon salt

  • 2 cups frozen whole cranberries

  • 1 teaspoon grated orange zest

  • cup orange juice

  • tablespoons sugar

  • teaspoon ground ginger

  • ¾ cup reduced-fat cream cheese (6 ounces), softened

  • tablespoons half-and-half

  • 1 teaspoon honey

  • ½ cup graham cracker crumbs (from 2 sheets)

Directions

  1. Combine 2¼ cups milk, 2 cups oats, ½ cup yogurt, 2 teaspoons vanilla, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, ½ teaspoon cinnamon and ¼ teaspoon salt; stir well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 12 hours (and up to 4 days).

    the ingredients to make overnight oats being stirred together

    Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

  2. Meanwhile, combine 2 cups cranberries, 1 teaspoon orange zest, ⅓ cup orange juice, 1½ tablespoons sugar and ⅛ teaspoon ginger in a small saucepan; bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low; simmer, stirring occasionally, until most cranberries burst and the mixture thickens slightly, about 10 minutes. Let cool to room temperature, about 1 hour; cover and refrigerate until ready to use (up to 4 days). (Alternatively, microwave on High in a covered medium heatproof bowl, stirring once, until most cranberries burst and the mixture thickens slightly, about 10 minutes.)

    the cranberries in a saucepan over the stove

    Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

  3. Meanwhile, place ¾ cup cream cheese, 1½ tablespoons half-and-half, 1 teaspoon honey and the remaining 2 teaspoons vanilla in a medium bowl; stir with a rubber spatula until fully combined, about 1 minute. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use (up to 4 days).

    the cream cheese and honey being mixed together

    Photographer: Greg DuPree, Food Stylist: Chelsea Zimmer, Prop Stylist: Abby Armstrong

  4. Spoon 2 tablespoons of the cooled cranberry mixture into each of 4 (16-ounce) jars; spoon ½ cup oat mixture over each. Top each with 1½ tablespoons cream cheese mixture. Repeat the layers. Top each jar with 2 tablespoons graham cracker crumbs.

To make ahead

Prepare oats (Step 1), cranberry sauce (Step 2) and cheesecake filling (Step 3); cover and refrigerate in separate airtight containers for up to 4 days. Or, prepare jars and store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. When ready to eat, top with the graham cracker crumbs.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can I substitute the cranberries for another fruit?

    Absolutely. You can swap the frozen cranberries for frozen blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and/or pitted cherries.

  • What are some ways I can use up a box of graham crackers?

    Other than snacking on graham crackers straight from the box, you can crumble them as a topping for ice cream and yogurt or incorporate them as a layer in a pudding parfait. They can also be used to make a pie crust and added to cookie and cake batter. You can even rim a cocktail glass with them. And for the holidays, graham crackers can be used for the walls of gingerbread houses.

EatingWell.com, November 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

520 Calories
22g Fat
64g Carbs
17g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 4
Serving Size 1 jar
Calories 520
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 64g 23%
Dietary Fiber 8g 27%
Total Sugars 25g
Added Sugars 8g 16%
Protein 17g 35%
Total Fat 22g 28%
Saturated Fat 10g 52%
Cholesterol 55mg 18%
Vitamin A 192µg
Vitamin C 19mg 21%
Vitamin D 2µg
Vitamin E 1mg 9%
Folate 48µg
Vitamin K 6µg
Sodium 418mg 18%
Calcium 345mg 27%
Iron 3mg 15%
Magnesium 103mg 24%
Potassium 619mg 13%
Zinc 3mg 28%
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.

Additional reporting by
Sarah Pflugradt, Ph.D., RDN, CSCS
Sarah Pflugradt

Sarah Pflugradt is a registered dietitian who holds a Ph.D. in Health and Human Performance and is a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Her extensive background in dietetics has made her a sought-after expert in family and youth sports nutrition.

and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.