Posted Jul 12, 2020, Updated Aug 23, 2024 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. Here are some commonly asked questions about this chocolate overnight oats recipe. If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!