Healthy Chocolate Overnight Oats
Posted Jul 12, 2020, Updated Aug 23, 2024
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This healthy chocolate overnight oats recipe is a quick and easy, make-ahead breakfast. It only takes 5 minutes and 5 ingredients to mix up these chocolate oats, which are a gluten-free, dairy-free vegan-friendly meal prep breakfast!
Overnight oats are a genius breakfast idea. Recipes like these chocolate Overnight Oats (plus classic overnight oats, peanut butter overnight oats, overnight oats with yogurt, pumpkin overnight oats, chocolate peanut butter overnight oats) only take 5 minutes and minimal ingredients to prepare – but are a delicious make-ahead breakfast everyone loves.
And who wouldn’t want to enjoy chocolate for breakfast? Especially when it’s healthy, loaded with fiber and will keep you full until lunch!
Chocolate Overnight Oats: Ingredients & Substitutions
Let’s begin by chatting about the ingredients in this recipe, as well as possible substitutions.
- Old-fashioned oats. Feel free to use any variety of oats you wish including old-fashioned, rolled, quick-cooking and steel cut! My personal favorite is old-fashioned oats!
- Almond Milk. Any variety of milk works well in this recipe, both dairy and non-dairy milks! My recommendations are almond milk, coconut milk, whole milk or 2 % milk. Just remember the higher the fat content, the creamier your overnight oats will be! You can replace up to 1/2 cup of the milk with yogurt for an even creamier version (similar to these yogurt overnight oats).
- Cocoa Powder. Unsweetened cocoa powder is the best choice for these chocolate overnight oats. You could use a dark cocoa powder if you like a deeper richer flavor.
- Vanilla extract. I do not recommend omitting the vanilla extract, it adds such a great flavor! However you could use vanilla bean paste instead!
- Honey. Any liquid sweetener works well in this chocolate overnight oats recipe, however the two that I recommend most highly are honey and pure maple syrup (for a vegan option).
How to Make Chocolate Overnight Oats
This chocolate overnight oats recipe is so easy. As always, we will walk through the process step-by-step, and don’t forget to watch the video!
Begin by whisking the milk, honey, cocoa powder, vanilla and sea salt together in a medium bowl.
Next, add the oats and stir to combine.
Chill
Divide the chocolate overnight oats mixture into four glass jars with lids. You can make two 8 ounce or four 4 ounce servings. Chill overnight (at least 12 hours).
Serve
Here are a few suggestions for toppings/mix-ins that pair wonderfully with these chocolate oats:
- Fresh Berries (careful not to use frozen berries unless you thaw and drain them first. They release water as they thaw and will cause your oats to become a little “soupy”)
- Fresh fruits (bananas, apples, citrus fruits, etc.)
- Nut Butters (like this vanilla almond butter or this homemade peanut butter)
- Chia Seeds
- Candied almonds
- Cinnamon Sugar pecans
- Honey or Maple Syrup
- Strawberry Sauce
- Chocolate chips or cocoa nibs
- Nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts, etc.)
- Dried Fruits (cranberries, apricots, rasins, etc.)
Store/Freeze
Store in an airtight container (preferably a glass container with a lid) in the refrigerator for 5-7 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. To thaw, transfer the jar to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight.
Chocolate Overnight Oats Recipe FAQs
Here are some commonly asked questions about this chocolate overnight oats recipe.
These chocolate overnight oats stay fresh in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Just be sure that the ingredients you use do not expire before you eat them. For example, if you make this recipe with milk that expires in 4 days, make sure to eat the overnight oats within those four days.
You can use all different types of oats to make this recipe! Here are some suggestions:
old-fashioned oats (my personal preference)!
quick-cooking oats
rolled oats
steel cut oats
You really can eat them at whatever temperature you choose. They are meant to be eaten cold, and taste delicious that way. However many people just have to eat their oatmeal warm, which is totally acceptable too.
Yes! If you want to enjoy chocolate overnight oats warm, you may heat them up in the microwave. I recommend starting by only warming them for 30 seconds, then stirring and tasting. Warm them in 30 second increments until you reach your desired temperature.
No, of course not! You can choose any container you’d like. I do recommend using an airtight glass container with a lid.
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Chocolate Overnight Oats Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk (or coconut milk, whole milk, 2% milk, etc.)
- 4 Tablespoons honey (or maple syrup)
- 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 ½ cups old-fashioned oats
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together almond milk, honey cocoa powder vanilla and sea salt.
- Add oats and stir to combine.
- Pour mixture into four glass jars. Secure the lids.
- Place in the refrigerator overnight and enjoy the next day for breakfast topped with your favorite toppings.
Video
Notes
- Old-fashioned oats. Feel free to use any variety of oats you wish including old-fashioned, rolled, quick-cooking and steel cut!
- Almond Milk. Any variety of milk works well in this recipe, both dairy and non-dairy milks! My recommendations are almond milk, coconut milk, whole milk or 2 % milk. Just remember the higher the fat content, the creamier your overnight oats will be! You can replace up to 1/2 cup of the milk with yogurt for an even creamier version.
- Cocoa Powder. Unsweetened cocoa powder is the best choice for these chocolate overnight oats. You could use a dark cocoa powder if you like a deeper richer flavor.
- Vanilla extract. I do not recommend omitting the vanilla extract, it adds such a great flavor! However you could use vanilla bean paste instead!
- Honey. Any liquid sweetener works well in this chocolate overnight oats recipe, however the two that I recommend most highly are honey and pure maple syrup (for a vegan option).
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
If I use steel cut oats, do I use the same amount of oats and milk? It seems like they use a different ratio sometimes.
Yum! I try to eat healthy and stay as close to plant based eating as possible. I added some chia seeds and then topped it with natural peanut butter, soooo good.
I haven’t tried these yet, and I scaled back the recipe to just serve one. They look delicious though! I really like the idea of the honey in it to add a bit of balance to the cocoa powder.
How many calories in one jar?