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 peanut butter overnight oats, overnight oats with yogurt , and of course these Chocolate 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 ½ 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!
Whisk ingredients together
First, in a medium bowl whisk together milk of choice, honey cocoa powder vanilla and sea salt
Add oats & combine
Next, add the oats and stir to combine.
Put in jars and chill
Divide the chocolate overnight oats mixture into four glass jars with lids. You can make two 8 ounce or four 4 oz servings. Chill overnight (at least 12 hours).
Serve & Enjoy
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.
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 TBS honey (or maple syrup)
- 2 TBS cocoa powder
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp 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
Ingredient Substitutions
- 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 ½ 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).
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.Nutrition
If you like this recipe you will love these....
- Yogurt overnight oats are creamy, healthy and delicious!
- This healthy Chia Pudding is another delicious overnight breakfast recipe, perfect for meal prep!
- This chocolate chia pudding is one of our favorite quick and healthy desserts or breakfasts.
- These chia peanut butter overnight oats are full of protein and fiber.
- I eat these breakfast bars every day! It's my favorite recipe of all-time!
- Baked oatmeal is so good, try these flavors: pumpkin baked oatmeal, apple cinnamon baked oatmeal, peanut butter banana baked oatmeal, chocolate peanut butter baked oatmeal, and of course blueberry baked oatmeal.
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Jay
I’ve just made this but haven’t tasted it yet. What I liked about this most is that you were very forgiving of ingredients. If you don’t have rolled oats, you can use other types. If you don’t have almond milk, use something else. Other overnight oats recipes are very rigid on ingredients. So thank you. I didn’t see the jar sizes until after I half filled two 8 oz jars. That’s all that it made. So maybe with rolled oats it would have been a thicker amount. I did put in about a 1/4 cup peanut butter to help but all I got was about a total of maybe 10 ounces. Oh well. I’ll see how it tastes in the morning!
Laura
Thank you Jay! I hope you enjoy it for breakfast!
Debbie
This recipe is the 💣 thanks! I added bananas overnight and it was delish! Also tastes great with a dollop of Kraft hazelnut spread!
Laura
Thank you Debbie!
yummybuns
This is the first overnight oats recipe I ever tried. I wanted to make a quick and easy breakfast to meal prep over the week and this was honestly perfect (and delicious). A great start to the day.
If you're going to try this, don't skip out on the fruit toppings. I personally dice 2-3 strawberries and it seems to be enough, though you might need more depending on the size of your portion. It really adds a nice flavor, and tastes x20 better than just eating the oats mixture on its own.
I meal prepped these for 7 days and kept them in the freezer, and they stayed fresh for the entire time.
Also, when pouring out the mixture I'd recommend using an ice-cream scoop.
yummybuns
Oh also, I added like a cup of chocolate whey protein powder (only use this if you're trying to gain muscle) and it didn't make any difference to the taste 🙂
Yunnu
Yum
Jennnn
Yummy yummy!