Chocolate Overnight Oats is not your traditional oatmeal recipe. Chocolate lovers everywhere will fall for this recipe that can be made ahead of time, no heat needed, and with heart-healthy ingredients in less than 5 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
Overnight oats are one of the best breakfast recipes for those on the go and need something that is simple to meal prep the night before for the next morning. These oats are healthier than a lot of other breakfast options. They’re packed with fiber + protein and a filling breakfast recipe.
- Simple steps: Prepping this healthy breakfast will only take about 5 minutes, and no special kitchen appliances are needed – just a mixing bowl.
- Batch prepping: You can make 2 servings with this recipe, or double it for almost a week of breakfast that is ready to grab and go.
- Variety: There are so many great options for ways to change this healthy overnight oats recipe. Customize it to make it work for your tastes.
If you prefer a warm oatmeal that’s ready quick, try our Instant Pot Oatmeal instead.
Key Ingredients and Substitutions:
Milk is essential to this recipe. We like to use low-fat milk for this recipe, but you can also use plant-based milks like almond milk, cashew milk, or oat milk. You could also sub in a higher protein milk, too.
Use unsweetened cocoa powder and pure maple syrup for a simple way to add healthy flavor to the instant oats.
Using rolled oats will give you the best texture for overnight oats with a creamier consistency to pair with the chia seeds.
Add dark chocolate chips for a sweet addition.
See recipe card for a detailed list of ingredients.
Equipment Needed:
- Small bowl: any kind of mixing bowl will do. Nothing fancy needed here.
- Spatula: or a spoon will will work, just something to quickly mix ingredients together.
- Mason jar or ramekin. You can also use a small bowl to refrigerate overnight and portion it out to regular cups in the morning.
How to Make Overnight Oats:
- Combine milk, cocoa powder, and maple syrup in a small mixing bowl or divide between two mason jars.
- Add the oats and chia seeds to the milk and then stir it all together until it is well combined. You can add the chocolate chips now, or add them as a topping (or both). Use more or less milk depending on how you like to eat your oats. As written, they will be easily spooned. For more drinkable oats, you’ll need to add more liquid.
- Divide the mixture between two jars to make it easier in the morning, or leave it in the bowl to serve it individually later.
- Cover the oats and place them in the refrigerator overnight. They are good for 3-5 days.
- Serve the overnight oats in the morning, topped with chocolate chips, sliced almonds, or a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Tips and Recipe Notes
- To add even more chocolate flavor, you can add some chocolate syrup over the oats.
- Switch the chocolate chips for cacao nibs, they are like healthy chocolate with a similar taste but less sugar.
- Coconut sugar or brown sugar can be added for a little more sweetness.
- Chocolate protein powder is a simple way to add protein and even more chocolatey goodness. If you want to add protein powder, we’d also recommend adjusting the amount of liquid you use.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Store the overnight oats in individual servings or in a small airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 – 5 days for the best texture. The longer they sit, the more moisture the oats will absorb. If you like thinner oats that are more similar to a protein shake, you may need to mix in more milk before eating.
FAQ’s for Overnight Oats
Rolled oats (also known as old fashioned oats) are our preferred choice after years of making these. You can also use steel-cut oats, but we’ve found they tend to need a little extra milk and an added day to let them sit for the best results.
Some of our favorite toppings for our oats are fresh fruit, a little vanilla Greek yogurt (hello, even more protein), hemp hearts or hemp seeds, a little bit of peanut butter or peanut butter powder, or slivered almonds.
Yes. Typically overnight oats are served chilled. If you would rather have them warmed up, you can heat them up in the microwave in 30-second intervals until they reach your desired temperature.
This recipe is written so the texture is soft, but spoonable. If you want a more drinkable overnight oat texture, you’ll need to add 1-2 more ounces of liquid.
More Simple Breakfast Recipes:
Overnight Blueberry French Toast and Instant Pot Yogurt Recipe are delicious breakfast recipes that can be made for easy prep!
Sunrise Skillet and Amish Breakfast Casserole are simple yet bursting with flavor and protein for a scrumptious and hearty meal.
Chocolate Overnight Oats Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 2 Tablespoon cocoa powder
- 2 Tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 Tablespoon chia seeds
- 2 Tablespoon chocolate chips
Equipment
Instructions
Prepare the liquid part:
- Make the milk base: Combine milk, cocoa powder and maple syrup in a bowl.
Add the dry ingredients:
- Add the dry ingredients: add the oats and chia seeds. If you’d like, you can add chocolate chips as well, or leave them for the topping. Stir until well combined. Divide the mixture between two jars or ramekins, or leave it in a bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
To serve:
- Serve overnight oats in the morning, topped with chocolate chips.
Notes
Nutrition
Video
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
Question! Can I assume from the recipe that you then eat the oats cold? I’ve seen several recipes like this that I’ve not made because I have trouble thinking of eating oatmeal cold!
If I wanted to use protein powder where / how would I incorporate it?
Yes, overnight oats are typically eaten cold and straight from the refrigerator as they’re designed to be a no-cook breakfast, but you can warm them up in the microwave if you prefer a hot meal.
Chocolate chips for breakfast? YES PLEASE!
Yes! You can absolutely add protein powder. Just mix it well with your oats, milk, chia seeds, and other ingredients. Different protein powders (whey, casein, plant-based) can affect thickness, so you might need to adjust liquid, and ensure you use a flavor you enjoy. Let us know how it turns out!
Can steel cut oats be used instead of rolled?
Yes, you can use steel-cut oats for overnight oats, but expect a chewier, heartier texture compared to the creamy result from rolled oats, and they might need longer soaking (sometimes two nights) or a quick pre-simmer/cook to soften properly
I look forward to trying this recipe! Are you using regular oats or quick oats?
2 questions can I use old fashioned oats and can I skip the chia seeds?
Thanks
Using rolled oats will give you the best texture for overnight oats with a creamier consistency, but you can use old fashioned as well. You can skip the chia seeds, but the consistency will end up a bit different.
We use rolled oats for best texture for overnight oats with a creamier consistency