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These Chocolate Overnight Oats are made with only 7 healthy ingredients and are the perfect make-ahead breakfast that tastes like dessert. Vegan & Gluten-Free.
I’ll take any excuse to eat chocolate – breakfast included. These Chocolate Overnight Oats are a filling, delicious, and great for meal prep and busy mornings. Make a batch in only 15 minutes for an easy breakfast throughout the week!
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The Make-Ahead Breakfast that tases like Dessert
I’ve started making overnight oats when I was in college, and they’ve been a staple in my diet ever since. They’re the perfect make-ahead breakfast with only 10 minutes of prep time, and the flavor combinations are practically endless! These Chocolate Overnight Oats are packed with rich chocolate flavor and taste like the could be a dessert, but are secretly packed with complex carbs and fiber to help keep you full and satisfied until lunch.
Ingredients for Chocolate Overnight Oats:
This overnight oats recipe is made with only 7 simple and wholesome ingredients! I always keep them in my pantry for a quick and easy meal.
- Oats: you can use either instant oats or rolled oats for this recipe; I prefer to use a 50-50 mix of both for the perfect creamy and chewy texture!
- Cocoa Powder: adds a rich chocolate flavor to our oatmeal. You can also use cacao powder, which is slightly more sweet.
- Non-dairy Milk: makes our overnight oats nice and creamy! I prefer to use unsweetened soy milk for an extra boost of protein.
- Yogurt: helps make our oatmeal creamy and adds a subtle tang. I used dairy-free unsweetened almond yogurt when making this recipe!
- Chia Seeds: help to thicken the oatmeal and add fiber and healthy fats via omega-3 fatty acids.
- Maple Syrup: adds sweetness and helps to balance the bitterness from the cocoa powder. You can also use another sweetener like agave, cane sugar, or coconut sugar.
- Vanilla Extract: for sweetness, and because chocolate and vanilla make the perfect pairing!
- Mini Chocolate Chips: for an extra boost of chocolate flavor! I prefer to use mini dark chocolate chips so the oatmeal doesn’t taste too sweet – or use cacao nibs instead for a less processed option! You can also use chopped chocolate or regular sized chips (but I personally find them to be a little too large).
How to Make Overnight Oats
- Add dry ingredients to a large bowl and mix well.
- Add the milk, yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt to the bowl and mix well. Let the oats sit for a few minutes to thicken, then stir again.
- Divide into glass jars and store in the fridge overnight. Top as desired and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
You can top your overnight oats however you’d like. I love to drizzle mine with some almond butter and sliced banana, but you can also top your oats with shredded coconut, fresh berries, or chopped nuts for an extra crunch!
If you prefer to eat your oatmeal warm you can reheat in the microwave or on the stovetop – most of the liquid is absorbed in the fridge, so I’d recommend adding a splash of water or almond milk to your oatmeal as you are warming it up.
If you’re looking for more oatmeal recipes, you’ll also love these Strawberry Overnight Oats, this Blueberry Overnight Oatmeal, or my stovetop Chocolate Oatmeal!
How to Store Overnight Oats
Store overnight oats in the fridge for up to 5 days. I recommend dividing your overnight oats into mason jars or individual Tupperware. This makes them easier to grab and enjoy for an on-the-go breakfast!
Substitutions and Variations
- Add Protein Powder: If you’d like a protein boost you can add 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder to this recipe with the dry ingredients. I recommend reducing the cocoa powder to 1 tablespoon, and the sweetener to 2-3 tablespoons
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal: Add 2 tablespoons of peanut butter in with the wet ingredients and mix well.
- Mocha Overnight Oats: Add one shot of espresso or 1 teaspoon of espresso powder for a delicious chocolate and coffee flavor!
- Chocolate Strawberry Overnight Oats: Fold 1 cup of chopped strawberries into the overnight oats before portioning into jars. You can also use raspberries for a different fruity twist!
Recipe FAQs
Overnight oats are full of complex carbohydrates and fiber, which will keep you full until lunch and can be part of a healthy diet.
Your overnight oats will look runny when you first mix them, but will thicken more after sitting in the fridge overnight. If they are still too runny you can mix in 1-2 teaspoons of ground flax or chia seeds, or reduce the amount of liquid you use the next time you make them.
Steel cut oatmeal has a much firmer texture and will not soften enough in an overnight oats recipe. I recommend cooking steel cut oats on the stovetop or in the instant pot!
Enjoy! If you make this recipe and decide to share it on Facebook or Instagram, don’t forget to tag me @FromMyBowl + #FromMyBowl! I would also love it if you could leave a comment below with a recipe rating! Thank you for the support 😊
Chocolate Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 2 cups quick-cooking or rolled oats* gluten-free if necessary
- 2 tablespoons cocoa powder or cacao powder
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds or ground flaxseed
- 2-3 tablespoons mini chocolate chips or chopped chocolate optional
- Pinch of salt
- 2 cups creamy non-dairy milk
- 1/2 cup plain unsweetened dairy-free yogurt or sub with more milk
- 2-4 tablespoons grade A maple syrup plus more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Topping suggestions: fresh or frozen fruit nut butter, chocolate chips, etc.
Instructions
- Dry Ingredients: Add the oats, chia seeds, and mini chocolate chips (if using) to a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle the cocoa powder over the top of the oats, then use a spatula to mix well until the cocoa is evenly distributed (this reduces clumping).
- Wet Ingredients: Add the milk, yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt to the bowl and mix well until mostly combined; some of the cocoa may clump at the top. Let sit for 5 minutes, then stir in again to fully incorporate the cocoa. Let sit for another 5 minutes, to thicken.
- Store & Serve: Transfer the oatmeal to jars or other containers, then store in the fridge for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight. Top as desired and enjoy cold or warm; leftovers will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Recipe Notes
- Non-dairy Milk: I recommend using a thick and creamy milk, like cashew, oat, or soy milk.
- Oats: I like to use 50-50 mix of instant oats and rolled oats for a creamy and hearty texture! Instant oats will make the oatmeal more creamy, while rolled oats add more of a chew.
I just hate eating regular oats with some milk and dry fruits and all that stuff. Making this overnight chocolate oats is super easy and fun to do. Just takes 15 mins to add the ingredients and mixing. A huge thanks to you for making and posting this delicious recipe. Much love and progress to you
Thank you so much for the review, Mayank! Glad you liked it.
Literally the best overnight oats recipe I’ve ever had (and I’ve made quite a few)! It’s creamy, got some texture with the chocolate chips and is perfectly balanced flavor-wise!
Thank you so much, MK! Glad you enjoy it.