This is a healthy treat for breakfast, and reminds me of a delicious cherry pie. You can switch out the cherries for fresh or frozen blueberries or strawberries, and the almond butter for peanut butter-- delicious versions that are just as satisfying and delicious! See Notes below for variations and suggestions.
3/4cupunsweetened vanilla almond milk or other non-dairy milk
1/2cupquick cooking or old fashioned rolled oats
1tbspChia seeds
1/2- 1tbspmaple syrup, depending on desired sweetness
1/4tspground cinnamon
1/8tspnutmeg
1/4tspalmond extract (don't skip this)
Sea salt, pinch
CHERRY CHIA JAM:
3/4cupfrozen pitted cherries, thawed
1tbspchia seeds
1/2tspmaple syrup
1/8tspalmond extract
Instructions
Start with the Chia Jam: Mash the thawed cherries in a small bowl, add chia seeds, maple syrup, and almond extract, stir to combine. Place in fridge to set up for 5-10 minutes.
In a medium-sized bowl, combine almond butter and milk, whisk together until well combined.
Add in oats, chia seeds, maple syrup, cinnamon and almond extract. Stir together, Let it sit in the fridge to thicken for 5 minutes.
In a canister jar, parfait dish or wide, tall glass, spoon in half the oatmeal mixture, dollop on half the cherry mixture, top with remaining oatmeal mixture and top with remaining cherries. Garnish if you like with cherries, almond butter, slivered almonds or dairy-free yogurt. Enjoy!
Notes
This makes two medium/small servings, or one large one as pictured. For a richer version, substitute reduced or full fat coconut milk for the almond milk, or use half coconut milk, half almond milk. You can easily double this and store it in the fridge to enjoy for several breakfasts. Variations: Two combinations to try- Strawberries and peanut butter or Blueberries and cashew butter. Change almond extract to vanilla extract. Top with the nut butter, sliced berries, peanuts and/or walnuts.