Chocolate Overnight Oats: Healthy Dessert for Breakfast

Do you like dessert for breakfast? so do I! Try these chocolate overnight oats. They are sure to take care of a morning chocolate craving!

Chocolate overnight oats are one of my new favorite breakfast foods.

At first, I was skeptical of overnight oats. I mean, come on. It’s cold oatmeal! Who eats cold oatmeal? Apparently, a lot of people do nowadays…

But then I thought, this is basically dessert for breakfast. I mean, it’s still a good-for-you dessert. But still. Chocolate first thing in the morning, especially when it is “that time of the month”, is probably one of the best ways to start your day.

The funny thing about overnight oats is, however, that there are a bunch of different ways to make them. I was looking at other food blogger’s versions of overnight oats and really, there are so many different flavors, additives, thicknesses, and textures.

And speaking of different textures and thicknesses, I tried a few different amounts of oats in my food trials. One had a ¼ cup, another had a ⅓ cup, and the last had ½ cup of oats.

And after doing some very scientific research, I have concluded that both ½ and ⅓ cup of oats work! It all depends on how thick you want your oatmeal. ⅓ cup oats had some liquid movement, but the ½ cup did not. It really depends on you and how you like your oatmeal. 

Today, you’re getting my version of chocolate overnight oats!

My favorite addition to overnight oats is chia seeds. Not only are they super healthy for you (as I mentioned in this post), but they soak up some of the liquids to give the oatmeal a thickened texture.

Some people add bananas, and others add peanut butter. And although those sound tasty, that will not be this recipe today!

For my recipe testing, I used raw cacao powder. I have talked about the health benefits of using raw cacao powder before (as I mentioned in this other post). Using baking cocoa in this recipe will work just fine. To get the full health benefits, however, consider getting some raw cacao!

The best time to make overnight oats is at night, obviously.

I mean, that’s why they are called overnight oats!

But seriously, why not make it right before bed?! It legitimately takes no more than 5 minutes to put this recipe together. You let it sit while you are sleeping, and then come morning time, breakfast is ready and waiting for you! And isn’t the morning the time we need the time the most?

 

What if your oats are too thick or too runny?

No worries! I have a fix for both problems.

If your chocolate overnight oats are too thick, add more milk. I suggest using almond milk for this recipe, but use whatever milk you like! Stir it in until well combined.

If your chocolate overnight oats are too thin, add some more chocolate powder. Adding more chocolate is more for if you need the oats to be a little thicker; you don’t really want to add in more than a half to a teaspoon at a time.

If it is really thin, you might have to add some more chia seed and let it sit for a bit. Add a ½ tsp, stir it up, and see where it is at in a half hour.

Oh, and feel free to sweeten the chocolate overnight oats however you please!

If left unsweetened, the oats have a bitter chocolate flavor to them. Some people like that and that is okay! For those who don’t, I recommend using stevia for a low-sugar option. Adding some semisweet chocolate chips or some good quality chocolate syrup are also great sweeteners. Me? I enjoy it either way. It’s all a matter of preference.

What is your favorite overnight oats flavor? Is there a flavor that you want me to try? Let me know in the comments down below!

Cheers dears!

Gem

Chocolate Overnight Oats

Chocolate overnight oats taste like dessert for breakfast… But this dessert is good for you!

Yields: 1 serving

  • 1/4 cup rolled old fashioned oats
  • 1 1/2 Tbsp. Chia seed
  • 2 tsp. raw cacao powder or baking cocoa
  • 1 cup unsweetened, unflavored almond milk
  • Dash vanilla extract
  • 1 Tbsp. Chocolate chips (optional)
  • Sweetener, as needed

In a small, 4 to 6 oz., lidded container, put in all dry ingredients (oats, chia, cacao powder). Mix until thoroughly combined.

Add in almond milk and vanilla. Stir until thoroughly combined and chia seeds start to suspend in the liquid.

Place on lid and refrigerate overnight. Add chocolate chips and/or sweetener before consuming, if desired.

  • Preparation time: 5 minutes
  • Total time: 8 hours

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