Make Chocolate Overnight Oats in minutes and have a healthy, high protein breakfast waiting for you in the morning. No cooking involved and great for meal prep!
Hello non-stressful mornings. Enter Chocolate Overnight Oats. Make one, or make a whole weeks supply, and have them lined up in the fridge ready and waiting for you. You could even mix and match with my Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats and Strawberry Overnight Oats.
These magical, creamy no cook oats take minutes to throw together and will keep you feeling full for hours. Bonus points: Knowing you're going to get a chocolate fix makes getting out of bed in the morning a whole lot easier!
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Ingredients
Here's what you will be needing to make Chocolate Overnight Oats:
And a few notes about the main players:
- Oats - Old fashioned oats or rolled oats are what you need here. Don't use quick oats or steel cut oats.
- Chia seeds - I like to add these for extra nutrition and protein, and because they make the oats thicker and more puddingy. If you're not a fan of chia seeds you could use flaxseed instead, or leave them out and reduce the milk by a couple of tablespoons.
- Cocoa - Overnight oats with cocoa are so delicious! Use regular cocoa powder or cacao powder if you prefer.
- Sweetener - Only a touch of sweetness is needed. You can use a drop of maple syrup or break a Medjool date up into little pieces instead. If you don't have much of a sweet tooth leave the sweetener out completely.
- Chocolate Chips - Any dairy-free ones that you like. I like to use semi-sweet. You could use carob chips or cacao nibs instead if you prefer.
- Milk - Any non-dairy milk is fine to use but I do recommend unsweetened. If you only have sweetened omit the maple syrup.
Feel free to add in any extras to your chocolate oats recipe. Pecans, walnuts, vanilla extract, a few spoonfuls of vegan yogurt for extra creaminess, ground ginger, shredded coconut, cinnamon, peppermint or orange extract, even add a tiny bit of brewed coffee in place of some of the milk would all be great additions. Love peanut butter? Try my Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats and if you love coffee you will love my Coffee Overnight Oats!
How to make Chocolate Overnight Oats
This recipe is incredibly easy to make and no cooking is involved. Here's how it's done:
- Add the oats, chia seeds, salt and cocoa powder to a mason jar or any other small lidded container.
- Pile on the chocolate chips and either a date or a drop of maple syrup.
- Pour in the milk and give it a quick stir or a really good shake.
- Put the container in the fridge for at least 4 hours or for up to 5 days. The next morning, open and enjoy!
Serving suggestions
The beauty of overnight oatmeal is that it is ready to grab and go straight from the fridge, and unlike recipes like my coconut milk oatmeal, there is not cooking involved. You can eat them straight from the jar or spoon them out into a bowl.
Eat just as they are or top with a drop more milk, some vegan yogurt, nuts, seeds, frozen berry compote or fresh fruit like banana and strawberries.
Recipe FAQs
Other than the very small amount of chocolate, the ingredients are all healthy whole foods including whole grain rolled oats and chia seeds and the added sweetener is a natural unrefined one. This means the oats are a nutritious breakfast full of healthy complex carbohydrates and packed with fiber, protein and healthy fats. They will make a great addition to most balanced, healthy diets.
I like to eat my overnight oats cold and straight from the jar, but you can warm them up if you prefer. Heat either in a small pan on the stove or in a microwave for a short time until warmed through.
A jar of overnight oats will keep for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Yes. Reduce the milk by 2 to 3 tablespoons though if you do.
The jar needs to hold at least 8.5 fl oz or 250 ml. I use my old Bonne Maman jam jars.
Hungry for more?
If you try this recipe, let me know how you like it by leaving a comment and rating below! And be sure to join my mailing list for more deliciousness!
Recipe
Chocolate Overnight Oats
Author:Ingredients
- ½ cup (50 grams) oats , old fashioned or rolled oats (use certified gluten-free oats if necessary)
- 1 to 2 tablespoons chocolate chips
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablepoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup , or 1 medjool date
- 1 small pinch fine salt
- ¾ cup (180 mls) plant milk
INSTRUCTIONS
- Add all of the ingredients to a small jar or lidded container that will hold at least 8fl oz (250ml).
- Stir, or put the lid on and shake well.
- Place in the fridge for at least 4 hours or up to 5 days.
CC says
I have never made overnight oats before, so I was scared I was going to totally fail on it, but this is absolutely fantastic! It is unbelievably easy to make, and even more unbelievably delicious! I love homemade oatmeal because it’s so healthy and filling, but it takes a while to make. This however is the easiest thing ever to just make the night before and have it in the morning! Thanks so much! ❤️
Chris says
Sinfully delicious, but it is healthy right ;) I love overnight oats and I love the the energy benefits from Cocoa powder (use it a lot!). I did not add the chocolate chips, but did add some walnuts. SO GOOD!!! Thanks Mel!
Carolyn says
Heaven! Chocolate for breakfast, and so filling that it keeps me going until lunchtime! Thank you, Mel. Another winner, and more proof that vegan food does not have to boring!
Melanie McDonald says
I'm so pleased you enjoyed the recipe Carolyn!