This Chocolate Overnight Oats recipe tastes like you’re eating dessert for breakfast! It’s healthy and easy to make-ahead in a jar for busy mornings. It’s made with high protein Greek yogurt, cocoa powder, chia seeds, dark chocolate, and naturally sweetened with pure maple syrup.

I love eating overnight oats during the summer months because it’s a quick and healthy way to start the day. They’re packed with plant-based fiber and protein, so they will keep you full and satisfied.

These chocolate overnight oats are made with unsweetened cocoa powder. This is rich in antioxidants which can improve cardiovascular health, cognitive function, and decrease inflammation. Cocoa powder is also a great source of minerals like iron, selenium, and zinc.

Chocolate overnight oats have been my new favorite breakfast because it’s rich and creamy, not too sweet, and has a nice crunchy texture from the chopped dark chocolate. It’s the perfect vegetarian breakfast and can be made vegan as well with dairy-free yogurt.

Table of Contents

Chocolate overnight oats ingredients

Rolled oats: I use old-fashioned rolled oats for this recipe because they become tender and creamy when soaked.

Avoid using quick oats or steel-cut oats for this recipe because quick oats get too mushy and steel-cut oats remain too firm after soaking overnight.

Greek yogurt: I like using 0% plain Greek or Skyr yogurt in this recipe because it’s thick, creamy, and high in protein. If you prefer a sweeter yogurt, use vanilla or chocolate flavored yogurt.

Milk: I use unsweetened soy milk because it’s high in protein. You can use any type of milk you prefer.

TIP: If you want to make these overnight oats richer and more chocolatey, use chocolate milk.

Chia seeds: Chia seeds are a good source of fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. It also helps thicken up the oats.

You can substitute with hemp seeds or ground flaxseeds if you don’t like chia seeds.

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

Maple syrup: I use maple syrup to add a little natural sweetness. You can use honey or agave nectar if you prefer.

Vanilla extract: This adds good flavor. Don’t skip it!

Instant espresso powder: Coffee is a natural coffee enhancer. It’s helps the chocolate taste richer without adding too strong of a coffee flavor.

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

Toppings: I like adding chopped dark chocolate because it gives these overnight oats good texture. Below are some more suggestions:

Chopped dates
Mini chocolate chips
Cocoa nibs
Whipped cream
Fresh fruit (raspberries, strawberries, cherries, or bananas)
Chopped nuts
Unsweetened shredded coconut
Chocolate sauce
Nut butter (peanut butter or almond is my favorite)

How to make chocolate overnight oats

Add all the ingredients to a bowl or jar with a fitted lid. Add the rolled oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, cocoa powder, maple syrup, instant espresso powder (if using), vanilla extract, chopped dark chocolate, and a pinch of salt.

Stir and let chill overnight. Stir the ingredients together until well combined and there are no clumps of chia seeds. Cover and chill for at least 8 hours or overnight in the fridge.

Add your toppings and enjoy! In the morning, give the overnight oats a good stir and add your desired toppings.

Tips for making overnight oats

Use the right amount of liquid. Some overnight oats recipes call for a 1:1 or 2:1 ratio of liquid to oats. I find that a 1:1 ratio is too thick and a 2:1 ratio is too soupy.

I like adding slightly more milk than oats and combining it with yogurt to make the texture nice and creamy without being too watery.

Don’t forget to add a pinch of salt. A pinch of salt will help enhance the chocolate flavor. It also balances the sweetness and bitterness of the chocolate without making it taste salty.

Avoid using instant or steel-cut oats. Instant oats become too mushy and steel-cut oats become chewy and dense. I recommend using old fashioned rolled oats for this recipe.

Add the fresh toppings in the morning. Dried or frozen fruit can be added and stored in the fridge overnight. But fresh berries should be added in the morning, right before serving.

Always stir your overnight oats in the morning. It’s natural for ingredients to settle while your oats are soaking in the fridge overnight.

Always give your oats a good stir in the morning before adding your desired toppings. This will make sure everything is evenly distributed and taste delicious.

Give your oats enough soak time. Some recipes say that you can enjoy overnight oats in as little as 4 hours, but I think overnight oats tastes best after soaking for at least 8 hours in the fridge. This allows the oats to get fully hydrated and improve digestion.

Please let me know how you like this chocolate overnight oats recipe 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.