Healthy Chocolate Overnight Oats Recipe

Satisfy your early morning sweet tooth with this healthy chocolate overnight oats recipe. With only 5 minutes of prep time, its easy to whip up a whole week’s worth of healthy breakfast for your family! Full of protein and probiotics, this breakfast tastes like a chocolate mousse. I mean, what’s not to love?

I’m not one of those moms who can serve up a continental breakfast every morning. Its either we eat a hot breakfast, or we get out the door by 8:00 AM. My husband leaves for work before we wake up, so lets just say, I’ll take all the help I can get to make the mornings go smoothly so that we can get off to school on time!

Having breakfasts prepped ahead of time has been a life saver for me. There are a handful of healthy make ahead breakfast recipes my kids LOVE to eat in the mornings and I pretty much make them on repeat week after week. Chocolate overnight oats is one of them. (and probably their favorite!)

I mean, what kid wouldn’t want chocolate “pudding” for breakfast, right? This recipe is thick and creamy and loaded with dark chocolate flavor. And to make it even more fun, these taste delicious with a variety of toppings! Each of my kids has a different preference when it comes to dressing up their individual jar of overnight oats. They just grab one from the fridge, take off the lid, add their favorite topping combination and they’re set with a special little breakfast creation all their own.

For a Fall and Winter spin on this recipe, check out my pumpkin pie overnight oats recipe!

What are Overnight Oats?

As the name suggests, overnight oats are oats that are soaked in milk or some other liquid overnight. The oats soak up the milk making them soft enough to eat uncooked.

Overnight oats have a very different texture from regular oatmeal. The consistency is something like pudding or a mousse. Unlike regular oatmeal, overnight oats are almost always eaten cold but you can warm them up in the microwave if you aren’t a fan of cold oatmeal.

Are Chocolate Overnight Oats a Healthy Breakfast for Kids?

Just like regular oatmeal, this overnight version is a good source of protein and fiber. Also high in antioxidants! Using Greek Yogurt there is the added benefit of live probiotics that support a gut health. Chocolate overnight oats may taste like a treat but they are a healthy breakfast for your kids as well! For a Fall twist, try these pumpkin pie overnight oats.

Try my recipe for Homemade Greek Yogurt in the Instant Pot to make this recipe even more budget friendly!

CAN YOU USE NON-DAIRY MILK IN This Healthy Chocolate Overnight Oats Recipe?

Yes. I have made this recipe with almond milk and it tastes great! (Maybe even better)

Can Overnight Oats Be Gluten Free?

Yes! Just use gluten free oats in place of the rolled oats in this recipe.

How to Make Healthy Chocolate Overnight Oats:

Ingredients:

• Oats – rolled old fashioned oats. You could use gluten free oats if you want.
• Honey – raw honey for sweetness.
• Greek Yogurt – plain is what I recommend, but vanilla or honey would work just fine! I use my homemade greek yogurt
• Milk – any kind of milk works in this recipe: whole, 2%, skim, almond milk, coconut milk, or even whey left over from making yogurt.
• Vanilla Extract – because everything is better with vanilla! I use my homemade vanilla extract.
• Cocoa Powder – for the chocolate flavor.

What is Whey?

Whey is the liquid that is left over when yogurt is strained. Its full of protein and healthy enzymes, so using it in recipes helps boost the nutritional value! It tastes tangier than milk so keep that in mind when you use it in recipes, but its a great way to use up the whey after making Greek Yogurt! I used whey as the liquid in the overnight oats in this recipe and it tastes plenty sweet. You can very easily substitute milk instead if you don’t make yogurt! You could even use chocolate milk if you want to make it REALLY chocolatey!

Can you Make Overnight Oats without Chia Seeds?

Yes! I used to make them with chia seeds, a common ingredient in overnight oats. But they were giving my kids tummy aches. That is why this chocolate overnight oats recipe doesn’t call for chia seeds. The texture is a bit different but, still nice and thick and creamy!

How To Make Healthy Chocolate Overnight Oats:

Stir – Combine all of the ingredients in a large bowl and stir well to combine.

Divide Into Single Servings – Pour or scoop the mixture into individual single serving containers. I like to use these jars and lids.

Refrigerate – Refrigerate the overnight oats for at least 4 hours to let the oats soak and thicken before eating.

Tips:

To Serve – Enjoy these overnight oats plain or topped with bananas, nuts, berries or peanut butter.

Prepare in Small Single Serving Containers – or jars to help the mixture to set up faster and to make eating easier in the morning.

Warm Them Up – in the microwave if you prefer warm oatmeal.

Store – in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Variations – Use non-dairy milk in this recipe in place of the milk or gluten-free oats in place of the rolled oats.

MORE HEALTHY Make Ahead Breakfasts Recipes:

• Banana Baked Oatmeal
• Chunky Date and Pecan Granola
• Pumpkin Pie Baked Oatmeal
• Healthy Jumbo Banana Muffins
• Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats

If you try this recipe, I would love it if you use the 5 star rating in the comments below! It helps me so much!