“Quick and easy chocolate overnight oats made with six simple ingredients in less than 5 minutes. A healthy breakfast and snack idea that can be meal prep for whole week.”

Chocolate overnight oats is another variation of overnight oats that you will surely love. Chocolate lovers out there, please raise your hand!!

I mean, who wouldn’t want chocolate for morning? Especially if it is nutritious, high in fiber, and keeps you full until lunch!

This protein-rich, nutritious, and mouthwatering chocolate overnight oats is to die for! It’s creamy with a hint of sweetness and bursting with deep chocolate flavor. A base of oats and chia seeds flavored with milk, vanilla, maple syrup, and cacao powder then topped with rich dark chocolate chips. Yum!

Overnight oats are a great make-ahead meal that everyone enjoys. Just like the peanut butter overnight oats, this simple and quick chocolate overnight oats just takes only 5 minutes to prepare and using only 6 ingredients.

It is vegan and dairy-free that can be eaten for breakfast or as a snack, as desired.

You can add this recipe in your overnight oats portfolio so you would enjoy a different flavor every day.

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT

• So easy to prepare. Overnight oats are one of the simplest breakfast you can ever make. With just few easy steps and minimal effort you can have a nutritious breakfast ready.
• So delicious. Chocolate for breakfast? Who wouldn’t want that!
• Healthy and filling. This chocolate overnight oats is packed with fiber that makes you feel full for longer.
• Best for meal prepping. Overnight oats are excellent for meal preparation. Create a large batch of these oats to last you the entire week; they make a fantastic grab-and-go breakfast.
• Basic ingredients: This oatmeal breakfast recipe just calls for a small number of everyday items. These ingredients are undoubtedly already in your kitchen.
• Easily customize according to your preference. Get creative with your own variations, adding or omitting ingredients if so desire.

WHAT ARE OVERNIGHT OATS

Overnight oats are a quick and easy breakfast or snack meal made by soaking rolled oats in liquid overnight. It is making oatmeal without actually cooking it.  As opposed to boiling the oats with the liquid on the stove or in the microwave, you only need to combine the rolled oats with the liquid and other ingredients. Then allow it to sit for at least four hours or preferably overnight in the refrigerator (thus the name!) before enjoying it.

After a few hours of soaking, the texture of overnight oats changes to a soft, chewy condition. These are a great way to mimic the rich pudding-like texture of a porridge without actually eating one.

INGREDIENTS OF CHOCOLATE OVERNIGHT OATS

Here’s the list of few ingredients required for making chocolate overnight oats:

• Cocoa powder. I usedunsweetenedcocoa powder which is ideal for these chocolate overnight oats. If you prefer a deeper, richer flavor, you might use dark cocoa powder. You can also use cacao powder for more bitter taste.
• Rolled oats. Also known as old-fashioned oats. The best type of oats to use for overnight oats are rolled oats. They are excellent at absorbing liquid, although quick oats also work. Simply said, you shouldn’t use steel cut oats. Check out FAQ below for more details.
• Chia seeds: The chia seeds give the oats a creamy texture and aid in absorbing some of the additional moisture. They also significantly increase the protein and fiber content!
• Almond milk. Almond milk provides a nutty flavor and is vegan and healthy. You can substitute any kind of milk (dairy or non-dairy) or even water if you prefer.
• Maple syrup. Maple syrup easily mixes with the oat mixture. You can also use date syrup or paste if preferred which will add flavor to the chocolate overnight oats. If you want to cut the amount of sugar in this recipe, use stevia or monk fruit as a sugar substitute. If you are not on vegan diet, you can use honey as sweetener.
• Vanilla extract. It offers such a wonderful flavor to the overnight oats.
• Toppings: You can top your overnight oats with fresh fruits, dried fruits, chopped nuts or dark chocolate chips that will add a nice texture and flavor to the overnight oats. However, these toppings are optional and can be substituted or omitted.

HOW TO MAKE CHOCOLATE OVERNIGHT OATS

Overnight oats are one of the easiest breakfast or snack you can make. Simply mix the ingredients, place it in the refrigerator, wait and enjoy!

• Combine ingredients: Add the almond milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and cocoa powder to a mason jar. Mix lightly using a spoon or fork.
• Add oats: After that, toss in the rolled oats. Make sure that all ingredients are well combined and no clumps of cocoa. Also make sure that oats are well submerged to the liquid.
• Chill: Cover the jar or container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or preferably overnight.
• Serve and enjoy: Served chill or warm it up if preferred. I like to add an extra splash of milk when I eat my overnight oats. You can do that too if the overnight oats are too thick for your tastes. However, if you want thicker, more pudding-like oats, you can adjust the recipe by adding more chia seeds (or oats) then let it sit for 30 minutes. Then top it with your favorite fruits, seeds, chopped nuts or chocolate chips.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long overnight oats last in the refrigerator?

Overnight oats last for up to 5 days in the fridge when kept in an airtight container. Because of this, meal preparation using overnight oats is excellent. You can prepare the entire batch for the week on Sunday.

Why do overnight oats contain chia seeds?

Chia seeds are a fantastic addition to overnight oats since they are rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids. They add a delightful texture and have little calories! You can omit them if preferred.

Can I use quick oats?

We recommended using rolled oats when making overnight oats, but you may also use quick oats; but it will have a softer texture.

Can I use steel cut oats?

As per the above, we recommend using the traditional oats. Steel cut oats steel cut oats are unable to absorb moisture. They won’t be quite as soft, they’ll require more liquid, and they’ll take longer. They need to be heated during cooking in order for them to become edible.

Can I eat overnight oats hot?

You can eat overnight oats hot or cold. Although overnight oats can be warmed, their main purpose is to be consumed cold, similar to muesli. Even if you think cold oats seem weird, I suggest giving them a try before you dismiss them. To heat, place in the microwave for 45–60 seconds (just make sure there is room at the top of the jar to prevent overflowing), or place in a saucepan and warm through over medium heat.

Is it possible to make overnight oats without milk?

Of course, you can. This overnight oats recipe is dairy-free since it uses almond milk. You can use other dairy-free milk or even water if so desire.

Are overnight oats healthy?

Overnight oats is considered as nutritious breakfast option due to its high fiber and protein content. Natural minerals can also be found in oats.

Is consuming overnight oats every morning bad for you?

If you have any worries about your health or your diet, it is always better to speak with your doctor. Overnight oats are a terrific choice if you want a breakfast that is high in protein and fiber. Depending on the ingredients you use, eating overnight oats every day shouldn’t be considered “bad.”

What flavor do overnight oats have?

Overnight oats have a creamy, delicately sweet, and occasionally neutral flavor. Given their many uses, overnight oats readily take on the flavors of the things they are combined with.

RECIPE TIPS

• Use ingredients that you love so you will have an enjoyable experience preparing and eating overnight oats.
• Use gluten-free oats to make this gluten-free.
• You can use Monk fruit sweetener or stevia to substitute for maple syrup. You can also use agave or date syrup or paste.
• If you want to enjoy the oats sooner, make sure to let them sit for at least four hours. They need that time to absorb the liquid and the flavor.
• I personally like to splash some extra milk to my overnight oats to thin it out. If it’s too thick for you, whisk in additional milk to thin it up. If the mixture is too thin, add more chia seeds or oats and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
• Before consuming, be sure to give it a good stir as chia seeds tends to sink at the bottom.

TOPPINGS AND ADD-INS SUGGESTIONS

• Fruits. Fresh or frozen (thawed) slices of banana, strawberries or blueberries are great options.
• Chopped nuts. Almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pecans, whatever you have!
• Nut butters. Almond butter or peanut butter will be lovely.
• Dried fruits. Coconut flakes, raisins, cranberries, apricots works well.
• Jam or Sauce. You can try to add raspberry or strawberry jam or sauce. Chocolate sauce will also makes it chocolatier. Just adjust the maple syrup if using these options.
• Seeds. Add more chia seeds, or hemp seeds to add crunch.
• Dark chocolate chips. To add crunch and for richer chocolate flavor.

HOW TO SERVE

Overnight oats such as this chocolate overnight oats can be serve as a breakfast or snack. They are best to consume on days 1-3 because the oats tends to soften as days go by. Serve as is or top it with your favorite toppings. See toppings and add ins suggestion above.

HOW TO STORE

This chocolate overnight oats will last for up to five days in the refrigerator.

You may prepare a large batch and store overnight oats in a single-serving mason jar just like what I did. This is an excellent technique to manage portion control. You can also use glass bowls, or glass meal prep containers.

Overnight oats don’t freeze well.

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