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Chocolate Overnight Oats

My obsession with overnight oats is still going strong and I’ve been making just about every flavor I can image. I am a huge fan of chocolate, which is what inspired me to make these chocolate overnight oats.

This recipe uses cocoa powder, a bit of brown sugar and vanilla extract to pack these chocolate overnight oats with flavor.

They’re so delicious it almost tastes like you’re eating dessert for breakfast.

image of chocolate overnight oats made in mason jars

Getting the Ratios Just Right in These Chocolate Overnight Oats

Oatmeal can be a divisive topic. Most people prefer their oatmeal one of two ways. Either thick like paste, or thinner and a bit wetter. I’m going to be honest with you, I like my oatmeal a bit “wetter.”

However, that’s not how this recipe is formulated. I created this recipe to make a thicker oatmeal once it comes out of the fridge. This way everyone is happy in the end!

People who like a thicker oatmeal can eat it straight out of the fridge and anyone who wants it a bit thinner can add a splash of milk or water.

image of ingredients in a mason jar to make chocolate overnight oats

The proper ratio of liquid to oats varies based on a lot of factors.

For instance, I love adding chia seeds to my oats because they’re a great source of fiber, omega-3s and protein. But they absorb a ton of liquid!

Usually I stick to a 1:1 ratio of oats to water or milk, but I use 2/3 of a cup of milk in this recipe because of the chia seeds.

How Far in Advance Do You Need to Make These Chocolate Overnight Oats?

Despite their name, overnight oats don’t actually have to sit in the fridge overnight.

However, they do need a bit of time to soak up the water or milk and soften.

If I forget to make my overnight oats ahead of time, I find they only need about 3 hours to soak before they’re ready to go.

They’re definitely a bit thinner when they soak for less time though.Letting them sit overnight not only helps them fully soften, it also gives the flavors a chance to develop.

Long story short, an overnight soak is ideal but not necessary if you are short on time.

Can Overnight Oats Be Eaten Warm?

Not everyone can get behind the idea of eating uncooked, cold oats. And I get it, if you haven’t tried overnight oats before it does seem like an odd concept.

But trust me on this one, cold overnight oats are absolutely delicious and have an amazing texture. They’re also an incredibly refreshing breakfast on a warm day.

With that be said, you can eat overnight oats warm. They can be heated just like any other bowl of oatmeal. Pop them into the microwave and heat in 30 second intervals until they’re warm.

Substitutions & Swaps in these Cocoa Overnight Oats

While I love this recipe for chocolate overnight oats just the way it is, I know some of you might not have all of these ingredients on hand!

Below are some swaps and substitutions that can be made in this recipe.

image of ingredients in a bowl to make chocolate peanut butter overnight oats
  • Rolled Oats – This recipe turns out best with rolled or old-fashioned oats. You can use quick oats if that’s all you have, but you should reduce the amount of milk to 1/2 a cup.
  • Chia Seeds – If you don’t have chia seeds, you can omit them from this recipe. They absorb a lot of liquid though, so you will need to reduce the amount of milk to 1/2 cup to get the right consistency.
  • Cocoa Powder – I prefer using dutch processed cocoa powder to make these oats but any type of unsweetened cocoa powder will work.
  • Brown Sugar – This recipe uses brown sugar which gives it great flavor. I prefer using light brown sugar but you can use dark too. You can also use honey or any sweetener you like in its place, and adjust the amount to suit your taste.
  • Peanut Butter – Peanut butter adds a wonderful richness to these oats. You can use any type of peanut butter (I love using creamy) or nut butter, or omit it if you don’t have any on hand.
  • Vanilla – The vanilla extract in this recipe is optional but it really helps enhance the chocolate flavor in these oats.
  • Mini Chocolate Chips – Mini chocolate chips add great texture but are optional. You can use any type of chocolate chips or use chopped up bits of chocolate instead.
  • Milk – I prefer making these oats with milk but you can also use water or dairy free milk.

Customizing These Overnight Oats

One of the best things about chocolate overnight oats is that they are totally customizable to your dietary preferences!

In addition to the substitutions discussed above, you can easily make these overnight oats vegan, gluten-free or low-sugar. Below are some specific swaps for these chocolate overnight oats:

  • Vegan substitutions: Use plant-based milk or water and maple syrup for sweetener.
  • Gluten-free substitutions: Use gluten-free oats.
  • Low Sugar substitutions: Skip adding the brown sugar or use stevia or monk fruit sweetener instead.

Tips for Making The Best Chocolate Overnight Oats

  • Make your oats in a sealable container like a mason jar!
  • Double this recipe or make multiple jars to last the entire week.
  • Adjust the amount or type of sugar in this recipe as needed to suit your preferences!
  • These chocolate overnight oats stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • If you like your oatmeal a bit thinner, I suggest adding a splash of water or your favorite milk before eating.
  • Top your overnight oats with a dollop of whipped cream and chocolate syrup to take them to the next level.
image of chocolate overnight oats topped with whipped cream and a piece of chocolate

Let Me Know What You Think!

If you try this recipe for chocolate overnight oats, I’d love to hear what you think! Please leave a rating and comment below.

Tag me @chelsweets and use the #chelsweets so that I can see your amazing creations on social media!

Other Recipes You Might Like:

Yield: 1

Chocolate Overnight Oats

image of chocolate overnight oats made in mason jars

These chocolate overnight oats are the ultimate breakfast! They come together in a few minutes and taste just like dessert!!

Prep Time 5 minutes
Additional Time 3 hours
Total Time 3 hours 5 minutes

Ingredients

Chocolate Overnight Oats

  • 1/2 cup old fashioned or rolled oats (50g)
  • 2 tsp chia seeds (6g)
  • 2 Tbsp dutch-processed cocoa powder (10g)
  • 2 Tbsp light brown sugar (20g)
  • 1 Tbsp peanut butter - optional (15g)
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract - optional (4g)
  • 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (45g)
  • 2/3 cup milk of your choice or water (160g)

Optional Toppings:

  • whipped cream
  • chocolate syrup
  • additional peanut butter

Instructions

  1. Add 1/2 cup rolled oats, 2 tsp chia seeds, 2 Tbsp dutch-processed cocoa, 2 Tbsp brown sugar, 1 Tbsp peanut butter, 1 tsp vanilla extract and 1/4 cup of mini chocolate chips.
  2. Pour in 2/3 cup of milk or water and give the oats a good stir.
  3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
  4. When you're ready to eat the oats, remove from the fridge. You’ll see that the oats absorbed a lot of the liquid, so you might want to add a little more water or milk of your choice before eating.
  5. If desired, top with whipped cream and/or a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
  6. These chocolate overnight oats keep in the fridge for up to 4 days.

Notes

How To Make the Best Chocolate Overnight Oats:

  • Make your oats in a sealable container like a mason jar!
  • Feel free to double this recipe or make multiple jars to last the entire week.
  • These chocolate overnight oats stay good in the fridge for up to 4 days.
  • If you like your oatmeal a bit thinner, I suggest adding a splash of water or your favorite milk before eating.
  • Top your overnight oats with chocolate shavings and whipped cream to take them to the next level.

Nutrition Information

Yield

1

Serving Size

1

Amount Per Serving Calories 512Total Fat 15gSaturated Fat 4gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 9gCholesterol 22mgSodium 191mgCarbohydrates 80gFiber 7gSugar 29gProtein 14g

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