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Home Recipes By Type Breakfast

Chocolate Overnight Oats

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By: Diana Last updated on September 11, 2023

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

a glass jar of chocolate oatmeal with sliced strawberries on top. Text overlay says "healthy overnight oats"

Chocolate Overnight Oats are a perfectly sweet and decadent breakfast recipe that you can throw together in minutes!

With just a handful of healthy ingredients, these chocolate oats are both delicious and good for you.

a clear glass bowl of chocolatey overnight oats with sliced strawberries.


All over the world, people are enjoying oats and other grains for breakfast. This is because hearty oatmeal and other types of porridge are full of carbohydrates to jump-start your day, and fiber to keep you full all morning long.

There are a million ways to make and enjoy oatmeal, but my favorite is this easy recipe for overnight oats that is chocolatey and sweet.

Chocolate Overnight Oats take less than five minutes to mix up in the evening, and they’ll be ready for you to enjoy when you wake up the next morning.

This recipe makes enough to serve two people, and it’s easy to adjust to make a single serving or multiple servings if you need to.

For more filling breakfast grains, try my Berry Quinoa Porridge, or learn how to cook Buckwheat Porridge (aka Kasha).

closeup of a jar of chocolate oatmeal with chocolate chips and strawberries.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  1. No Cooking Required – The beauty of overnight oats is that you don’t need to cook them. To make this recipe, you simply need to mix the ingredients up in a jar and put the jar in the fridge!
  2. Rich Chocolate Flavor – I love a bit of chocolate in the morning, and I hope you do too. Cocoa powder gives this overnight oats recipe a decadence that will put a huge smile on your face as soon as you taste it.
  3. Versatile Recipe – Overnight oats recipes like this one are very forgiving. You can add or remove ingredients, play with flavors and mix-ins, or make more or less oatmeal depending on what you like.

Ingredients In Chocolate Overnight Oats

Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.

Here’s what you need to make this easy overnight breakfast treat:

  • Oats: The best type of oats for overnight oats are the ones labeled “Old-fashioned” Use rolled oats rather than steel-cut or instant oats for this recipe.
  • Chia Seeds: Chia seeds are a healthy superfood, and they make this oatmeal extra thick and yummy.
  • Cocoa Powder: Use your favorite unsweetened cocoa powder to give your oats a decadent flavor. If you really love chocolate, add in some miniature chocolate chips too!
  • Milk: Any type of milk works to make overnight oats. I typically use oat milk for mine, but you can use regular milk, almond milk, or coconut milk as well. For a real treat, learn how to make your own creamy cashew milk!
  • Maple syrup, salt, and vanilla extract: These work together to enhance the flavor of the cocoa and add a bit of natural sweetness.

How To Make Chocolate Overnight Oats

a pitcher pouring milk into mason jars filled with oats and cocoa.
  1. Combine the Ingredients: Using either a medium mixing bowl or two mason jars, combine the rolled oats, chia seeds, cocoa powder, and salt. Mix well. Then add the milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract and stir again until well combined.
two jars of chocolate overnight oats. a hand is stirring one of them.
  1. Refrigerate: When the oats are mixed up, cover the bowl or seal the jars, and place in the refrigerator for at least four hours, or overnight.
two mason jars of chocolate overnight oats in front of a container of Hershey's cocoa.

Tip!

If you’re mixing up your overnight oats in jars, feel free to put the lid on and give it a good shake to mix rather than using a spoon. It’s more fun that way!

Recipe Tips

  • To make a single serving, halve all of the ingredients. 
  • You can also double the recipe to make breakfast for the whole family, or to have a jar of chocolate overnight oats ready for the next 4 days! 
  • The ratio of oats to milk in this recipe is perfect, based on many, many tests, but if you like your oatmeal runnier, you can add an extra splash of milk before eating them. 
  • Instead of mixing up the oats in a bowl, add the ingredients to 1 or 2 jars, cover tightly, and shake to combine. 
  • I like to eat my overnight oats the next morning, but you can keep this recipe in the fridge for a few days before eating it. At a certain point, the oats won’t absorb any more of the liquid and will stay at the perfect texture.
  • To make this recipe gluten-free, be sure that you buy oats that are labeled as such. While oats don’t contain gluten, they are often contaminated with wheat during the growing process if special protocols aren’t followed.
a short glass jar filled with chocolate overnight oats and topped with fresh strawberries.

Storing Tips

You can make overnight oats ahead of time! Once mixed, you can store jars of overnight oats in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

This means that you can potentially make multiple servings on the weekend, and have breakfast ready to go all week long.

What To Serve With Overnight Oats

Make these chocolatey oats part of a delicious balanced and healthy breakfast by pairing them with some of my other easy breakfast recipes.

If you want a really excellent cup of coffee, learn how to make coffee with a French Press, or coffee in a Moka pot.

Enjoy your chocolate oatmeal with fresh fruit. I especially love this recipe with strawberries or raspberries. You might also enjoy my Mexican Fruit Salad with a kick of lime chili seasoning.

Prefer something a bit heartier in the morning? Try Scrambled Eggs with Cottage Cheese, Bisquick Breakfast Casserole, or a Bagel Breakfast Sandwich.

Recipe FAQs

What else is good in overnight oats?

As long as you keep the ratio of milk to oats the same, you can add so many other things to overnight oats! Try yogurt, peanut butter, ground flax seed, blueberries, chopped nuts, and more.

Can I make overnight oats without chia seeds?

I really enjoy the sticky texture that chia seeds add to this recipe, but if you don’t, you can leave them out. You can replace the chia seeds with another type of fiber like psyllium husk or ground flax seeds also.

Can I eat overnight oats warm?

Yes! If you prefer warm oatmeal, you can reheat them in the microwave or on the stove over low heat.

Can I make overnight oats with quick oats?

Quick or instant oats can be used to make overnight oats, but since they are thinner, the texture will be a bit more mushy. I also advise eating them within 1 to 2 days at most.

More Recipes with Oats

Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Baked Oatmeal Cups

Berry Baked Oatmeal

Banana Oatmeal Smoothie

All Breakfast Recipes →

If you love chocolate for breakfast, you have to try these easy Chocolate Overnight Oats! Add a handful of chocolate chips to make yours extra sweet.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Recipe
a clear glass bowl of chocolatey overnight oats with sliced strawberries.
5 from 22 votes
(Click stars to rate!)

Chocolate Overnight Oats

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Chill time: 4 hours hrs
Total Time: 4 hours hrs 5 minutes mins
Author: Diana
Print Rate Recipe
Chocolate Overnight Oats are a perfectly sweet and decadent breakfast recipe. Prep the night before for the easiest make ahead morning meal.
2 servings
Chocolate Overnight Oats are a perfectly sweet and decadent breakfast recipe. Prep the night before for the easiest make ahead morning meal.

Equipment

  • mason jar or mixing bowl

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup (80 g) old fashioned rolled oats
  • 2 tablespoons (30 g) chia seeds
  • 3 tablespoons (20 g) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) milk of choice I use oat milk
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) maple syrup
  • ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Instructions 

  • In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats, chia seeds, cocoa powder, and salt. Mix well.
  • To the same bowl, add the milk, maple syrup, and vanilla extract and stir until well combined.
  • Divide the mixture evenly between two jars or containers with lids.
  • Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4 hours.
  • In the morning, give the oats a good stir and enjoy cold, or heat them up in the microwave or on the stove if you prefer.

Notes:

  • To make a single serving, halve all of the ingredients. 
  • You can also double the recipe to make breakfast for the whole family! 
  • The ratio of oats to milk in this recipe is perfect, based on many, many tests, but if you like your oatmeal runnier, you can add an extra splash of milk before eating them. 
  • Instead of mixing up the oats in a bowl, add the ingredients to 1 or 2 jars, cover tightly, and shake to combine. 
  • Once mixed, overnight oats can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. 

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1cup, Calories: 362kcal, Carbohydrates: 60g, Protein: 15g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 2g, Trans Fat: 0.01g, Cholesterol: 9mg, Sodium: 222mg, Potassium: 637mg, Fiber: 11g, Sugar: 21g, Vitamin A: 353IU, Vitamin C: 0.2mg, Calcium: 351mg, Iron: 4mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Little Sunny Kitchen

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  1. Paula K says

    Posted on 6/16/23 at 12:53

    5 stars
    My new favorite afternoon snack! I am going to double them to keep in the fridge for my kids!

    Reply
    • Little Sunny Kitchen says

      Posted on 6/17/23 at 02:20

      Thank you for the wonderful review, Paula! I’m so happy that you enjoyed this recipe!

      Reply
  2. Michael says

    Posted on 6/10/23 at 11:29

    5 stars
    These overnight oats are like dessert for breakfast. I’m in love. SO GOOD!!

    Reply
    • Little Sunny Kitchen says

      Posted on 6/11/23 at 02:19

      That’s so great to hear, Michael! Thank you for the kind review!

      Reply
  3. Sharina says

    Posted on 6/2/23 at 12:49

    5 stars
    This chocolate overnight oats is very convenient, especially for my busy mornings! So delicious and filling!

    Reply
    • Little Sunny Kitchen says

      Posted on 6/3/23 at 02:19

      Thank you, Sharina! I’m so glad you like it!

      Reply

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