Chocolate Overnight Oats

Chocolate for breakfast? Absolutely. This Chocolate Overnight Oats recipe is creamy, decadent, and secretly good for you. The best part? They take less time than your nightly skincare routine….like a lot less. Just 5 minutes of prep before bed yields a dessert-for-breakfast vibe that will keep you coming back for more. This recipe makes one portion, but you can meal prep ahead. They last 4-5 days in the fridge and make for the grab-and-go breakfast. Overnight oats are meant to be eaten cold, but they can also be enjoyed warm for extra comfort.

What stands out

Rich cocoa blends with hearty rolled oats for a breakfast you can’t wait to wake up to. Almond milk makes each bite creamy and smooth while adding a slightly nutty flavor to this Chocolate Overnight Oats recipe. Notes of caramel from the maple syrup give your oats just the right amount of sweetness. The end result is a breakfast that is heavenly, rich and chocolatey – but also totally nourishing! Top your oats with chocolate chips, strawberries, and a dollop of yogurt just before serving for a breakfast that’s both indulgent and healthy.

Oats: Quick rolled oats are just the right texture—soft and creamy after a night in the fridge, but with enough texture to keep things interesting.

Almond milk: Velvety smooth almond milk gives the oats their creaminess and adds a slightly nutty flavor. We like to use unsweetened so we can control the amount of sugar in this recipe.

Maple syrup: Liquid gold maple syrup adds notes of caramel and balances the bite of the cocoa.

Cocoa powder: Rich cocoa powder transforms basic oats into breakfast that tastes like a decadent dessert.

Kitchen tip

Amp up the protein in this recipe by adding vanilla protein powder. You may have to add a touch more milk so it’s not too thick.

Meal Prep and Storage Tips

• Make ahead for the week – Prep several mason jars at once for straightforward grab-and-go breakfasts that stay fresh up to 4–5 days in the fridge.
• Layer toppings separately – Keep fruit, granola, nuts, or chocolate chips aside until serving to maintain crunch.
• Stir before serving – Overnight oats thicken as they chill, so give them a good mix to restore that creamy texture.
• Mix it up – Use different milk, sweeteners, or add-ins like peanut butter or berries to keep things exciting all week.
• Add in protein – Mix in a scoop of chocolate protein powder for an extra macro boost.

Swaps

1. You can make these Chocolate Overnight Oats dairy-free by using your favorite non-dairy yogurt and milk.
2. Amp up the protein in this recipe by adding in chocolate protein powder. You may have to add in a touch more milk.
3. You can use whatever sweetener you prefer, such as honey, agave syrup, coconut sugar, or any other sweetener you prefer.
4. Top this with crunchy granola cacao nibs or chopped nuts.
5. Add even more flavor with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Serve it with

• Serve these Chocolate Overnight Oats with a bowl of fresh fruit and cottage cheese.
• Serve for breakfast with eggs or another breakfast protein such as turkey bacon or our Homemade Breakfast Sausage Recipe.
• Serve with a spoonful of peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew.

Questions

strong CAN we USE OLD-FASHIONED OATS INSTEAD OF QUICK-COOKING OATS?

We used quick-cook oats in this Chocolate Overnight Oats recipe, but any kind of oats will work. The texture might be slightly thicker, so we would soak them a bit longer to make sure they soften, preferably 8+ hours or overnight.

strong CAN we USE A DIFFERENT TYPE OF SWEETENER?

Absolutely! You can use maple syrup, agave syrup, coconut sugar, or any other sweetener you prefer.

CAn we make this recipe dairy-free?

Yes, you certainly can by using your favorite non-dairy milk and yogurt in this recipe.

what other toppings can i add?

Have fun experimenting with toppings such as chopped nuts, cacao nibs, granola, dried fruit, or fruit and berries.

Ingredients

Makes 1 serving

• ½ cup rolled oats, I use quick cooking
• 1/2-1 tablespoon maple syrup, honey or agave work as well
• 2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa, cacao powder
• ½ cup unsweetened almond milk

Equipment

• Small Mason Jars (250ml)
• Mixing Bowls
• Measuring Cups + Spoons
• Liquid Measuring Cup

Method

1. Add all of the ingredients to a mason jar and stir well. Use a bowl if you don’t have a mason jar.
2. Give it a really good stir and refrigerate for a minimum of 4 hours or overnight.
3. Feel free to prep ahead 3-5 days in advance and enjoy.

Kitchen notes

• Dairy-free: You can make these Chocolate Overnight Oats dairy-free by using your favorite non-dairy yogurt and milk.
• High-protein: Amp up the protein in this recipe by adding in vanilla protein powder. You may have to add in a touch more milk.
• Sweeteners: You can use whatever sweetener you prefer, such as honey, agave syrup, coconut sugar, or any other sweetener you prefer. You could also omit it completely if you prefer.
• Toppings and add-ins: Top this with crunchy granola, cacao nibs or chopped nuts. Add even more flavor with a sprinkle of cinnamon.