These chocolate orange overnight oats taste like you’re eating dessert for breakfast. They are the perfect grab-and-go breakfast to meal prep for busy mornings.

It’s made using rolled oats, protein-rich Greek yogurt, chia seeds, freshly squeezed orange juice and zest, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and sweetened with pure maple syrup.

Overnight oats are my go-to breakfast. As a mom with an active toddler that likes to wake up at 5:00am, these oats are a lifesaver when I need a quick and healthy breakfast.

They’re gluten-free, full of fiber, and good for your gut. I also love that they’re versatile and easy to customize based on your taste preferences and dietary needs.

For example, you can use dairy-free milk and yogurt to keep it vegan.

Overnight oats are an easy no-cook method to making oatmeal. Instead of cooking oats on the stovetop, you’ll soak the raw oat overnights with milk and yogurt. I like to let my oats soak for at least 8 hours.

If you prefer to eat them warm, you can heat them up on the stovetop or in the microwave. I usually just eat them straight from the fridge.

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Why you’ll love these chocolate orange overnight oats

It takes only 5 minutes to put together and there’s no cooking involved
It uses pantry-friendly ingredients. I always keep yogurt and fresh oranges in my fridge.
It tastes like Terry’s chocolate orange, but these oats are made with good-for-you ingredients.
It has a good amount of protein from the Greek yogurt.
It’s high in fiber from the rolled oats and chia seeds.

Chocolate orange overnight oats ingredients

Rolled oats: I prefer to use old-fashioned rolled oats for this recipe because they become tender and creamy when soaked. I’ve tried this recipe with quick oats, but they often get watery and mushy.

Sometimes I use a combination of both old-fashioned rolled oats and quick oats, which offers a nice mix of textures.

I don’t recommend using instant oats or steel-cut oats for this recipe.

Milk: I use unsweetened almond milk for this recipe. I’ve also had good results with oat milk or soy milk.

Greek yogurt: I like using plain Greek yogurt for this recipe because it’s high in protein and low in sugar. This makes the overnight oats super creamy and gives it a thicker consistency.

Use a non-dairy yogurt to make this recipe vegan and dairy-free.

Chia seeds: I always add chia seeds to my overnight oats because they are a good source of fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. It also helps thicken up the oats.

Maple syrup: To keep this recipe refined sugar-free, I like using maple syrup to add a little sweetness. You can use honey if you prefer.

Orange juice and zest: I use a little freshly squeezed orange juice and zest in this recipe to get that bright orange flavor.

I’ve made this using just milk and orange zest, which tastes great too if you prefer not to use orange juice.

Cocoa powder: I used unsweetened cocoa powder to give these oats a rich chocolate flavor.

Salt: By adding just a pinch of sea salt, this can help bring out the subtle flavors in the oats.

Toppings: Overnight oats are all about the toppings. While this recipe will taste amazing just as it is, you can take it to the next level by adding a few toppings.

Some of my favorite toppings include chopped dark chocolate, mandarin orange or clementine segments, cocoa nibs, unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted sliced almonds, or chopped dates.

How to make chocolate orange overnight oats

Mix the wet ingredients together. In a small bowl, whisk together the milk, orange juice, yogurt, vanilla extract, and maple syrup.

Add the dry ingredients. Stir in the oats, chia seeds, cocoa powder, orange zest, and cinnamon (if using) until well combined.

Let it chill in the refrigerator overnight. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or transfer the oat mixture to a jar with an airtight lid. Let it soak overnight in the refrigerator for at least 8 hours. I usually let mine soak for 12 hours.

Stir, add your toppings, and enjoy. In the morning, give your soaked overnight oats a good stir, then add your toppings. I don’t recommend adding the fresh toppings the night before otherwise they might get soggy.

FAQs and tips for making these overnight oats

Can you use steel-cut or instant oats for this recipe? No. Steel-cut oats remain too firm, even after soaking in the fridge overnight and instant oats get too mushy and soggy.

Can you eat them warm? Yes. While I like to eat my overnights oats straight from the fridge, you can warm them up on the stovetop or microwave if you prefer.

Can you make this without yogurt? Yes, you can leave the yogurt out. Instead of using yogurt, you can add a scoop of your favorite chocolate protein powder. The texture and consistency of the overnight oats will change if you don’t use yogurt, but it will still taste delicious.

How long does it keep in the fridge? Overnights oats will keep up to 4-5 days in the fridge. I personally think it tastes best when eaten within 48 hours.

Is this recipe gluten free? Yes. Make sure to use certified gluten-free oats.

Is this recipe vegan? Yes, it can easily be made vegan by using non-dairy milk and dairy-free yogurt.

Can you make these oats without using a Mason jar? Yes, you can make them in any airtight container with a fitted lid.

Please let me know how you like these chocolate orange overnight oats in the comments below! Your feedback and review encourages me to keep creating new and yummy recipes. I hope you love these overnight oats as much as I do.