We have been having some crazy warm temperatures here in NYC and it has me craving some easy, cold recipes that I typically reserve for summer. If you caught my Instagram post last week you know I was digging into my favorite baked oatmeal recipe from my cookbook, Meal Prep for Two. A warm bowl of wintry spiced oats was perfection, but with sunnier skies this weekend I decided to turn my breakfast oat prep into something a bit cooler.

Overnight oats are usually one of my first suggestions for someone wanting to eat breakfast, but who gives me the classic “but I just don’t have time” line. Do you have 5 minutes after cleaning up dinner dishes to combine a few ingredients in a jar? I would seriously bet you do, and once you get into this habit you will be so thankful for carving out space to take better care of yourself.

This rendition of overnight oats is bringing me back to my childhood days of PBJ sandwiches. And while there’s nothing wrong with a jar of preserves or jam, I often like to make up just the right amount of chia jam using whatever fresh or frozen berries I have on hand. Strawberries are definitely not in season, but they were calling my name the other day for snack-time, so instead of eating the rest whole I decided to turn them into jam. This jam is getting swirled into cinnamon-spiced oats and a hefty drizzle of peanut butter is going right on top too.

So, what are you waiting for? Grab a few jars, your bag of oats, and let’s get chilling!

Cinnamon Overnight Oats with Strawberry Chia Jam- makes 2 servings

Ingredients for strawberry chia jam

• 2 cups fresh strawberries, roughly chopped

• 1/4 teaspoon honey

• 1 tablespoon chia seeds

Ingredients for overnight oats

• 1 cup old fashioned oats

• 2 cups unsweetened almond or soy milk

• 1 tablespoon unflavored collagen peptides (optional)

• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• pinch of salt

• Toppings: chia jam, nut butter, extra seeds or nuts as desired

Directions for the strawberry chia jam

1. In a medium saucepan over low heat, add the strawberries to the pot. Cook the berries until they start to breakdown and become liquid. As they break down be sure mash them with a fork or potato masher, resulting in a chunky or more smooth texture, depending on how you like.

2. Remove the pan from the heat and add the honey, adjust for your own sweetness. The stir in the chia seeds. Let stand for 5-10 minutes until the mixture has thickened. Once cooled set aside or store in a glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Directions for the overnight oats

1. In a large bowl combine with oats, milk, collagen, cinnamon, vanilla, and salt. Stir to combine.

2. Divide into two glass jars and top with jam, nut butter, and other toppings of your choice. Seal and enjoy the oats cold or warmed up the following day. Oats can be stored in the fridge for 3-4 days.