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    Home / Recipes / Breakfasts and Brunch

    Chocolate Overnight Oats with Cocoa Powder

    Jun 4, 2023 · Updated: Aug 19, 2023 by Dee Dine · Affliate links disclosure.

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    a spoonful of overnight oats

    Easy chocolate overnight oats with cocoa are a fast whole grain breakfast with oats. Use rolled oats or quick oats, and mix them up in 5 minutes. These chocolate overnight oats are full of fiber and protein thanks to rolled oats, chia seeds, and yogurt. The perfect make ahead breakfast and a healthy weight loss option.

    chocolate overnight oats in a bowl and on a spoon


    These healthy chocolate overnight oats use either rolled oats or quick oats, and with the addition of lemon juice, are easy to digest. The perfect breakfast meal prep because unlike my chocolate baked oats, overnight oats require no cooking and take only 5 minutes to prepare in a jar.

    If you haven't tried overnight oats yet, the creamy texture will amaze you. These cocoa overnight oats are my favorite, but I have others. Try my basic overnight breakfast oats recipe with 7 different flavors or my chocolate chip overnight oats.

    This chocolate oatmeal recipe is best eaten chilled, but can easily be heated in a minute in the microwave. The topping options are endless, stir in more chocolate chips, and top with my healthy chocolate sauce.

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love These
    • Ingredients
    • Equipment Needed
    • Step by Step Instructions
    • Recipe Tips
    • Variations
    • How to Store
    • Best Toppings for Overnight Oats
    • FAQS
    • Other Overnight Oats Recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    overnight oats with a chocolate sauce

    Why You'll Love These

    Make ahead breakfast. Mix just a few ingredients in a bowl with a spoon, and chill overnight for the creamiest texture or at least a few hours.

    Nutritious & energizing. Chocolate overnight oats are full of fiber and protein, and help you feel full for hours. The cocoa has caffeine, helping to energize and wake up your brain.

    Supports digestion & weight loss. The addition of lemon juice ensures these oats are easy to digest and support weight loss by allowing the oats to help you feel full for hours and avoid unhealthy snacking. [source]

    Fits all diets & customizable. The recipe as is fits all diets, vegan, dairy free, gluten free and refined sugar free. This flavor is chocolate but deepen it by adding chocolate chips and nuts.

    Ingredients

    ingredients for overnight oats chocolate flavor

    1. Rolled oats: Use old fashioned rolled oats or quick oats, but don't use steel cut oats in overnight oats recipes as they are too crunchy. Rinse the oats briefly to remove the sour dust coating.

    2. Dairy free milk: You can use any milk but the higher the fat, the creamier your oats will be.

    3. Chia seeds: Chia seeds gel in moisture, increasing hydration. The seeds are also high in protein and fiber.

    4. Yogurt: Adds a creamy flavor and more protein. I use unsweetened.

    5. Lemon juice: Brightens the oats flavor and deactivate phytates in oats that sometimes interfere with digestion.

    6. Maple syrup: You can use any liquid sweetener, including date paste or date syrup.

    7: Cocoa. Use unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder. Choose a quality brand like Ghiradelli or Valhrona as this ingredient carries the chocolate flavor of your oatmeal.

    Equipment Needed

    • Measuring cups, spoons
    • Strainer
    • Container with a cover

    Step by Step Instructions

    For more detail, visit the complete recipe at the bottom of this post, but here are general steps.

    Preparation. Rinse the rolled oats or quick oats with plain water to remove outer dust to improve digestion and flavor. Drain and measure out other ingredients.

    ingredients in a cup of oats

    Step 1: Add all basic overnight oats ingredients to a jar, including rinsed oats, stir with a spoon to break up clumps. (Image 1)

    covered jar of overnight oats.

    Step 2: Cover and chill overnight or at least two hours. (Image 2)

    overnight oats in a bowl

    Step 3: Add in unsweetened cocoa and taste-test. Add more sweetener, if necessary, any further mix-ins such as chocolate chips or walnuts. (Image 3)

    overnight oats with a chocolate sauce

    Step 4: Stir, add toppings including chocolate syrup and eat right away, or cover and store. (Image 4)

    Recipe Tips

    1. Enhance the flavor of chocolate overnight oats by adding ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract and ⅛ teaspoon of salt. If you like cinnamon, add ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon.
    2. Use unsweetened cocoa powder or even cacao powder for this recipe. Cacao powder is harder to find, less sweet but healthier because it is less processed so has higher concentrations of healthy components such as antioxidants that fight disease and magnesium that supports sleep.
    3. Be sure the container of overnight oats is sealed tightly so the oats don't dry out as you chill them.
    4. Once you've chilled the overnight oats, if they are not creamy enough for you, stir in a tablespoon or more of milk.

    Variations

    Make overnight oats without chia seeds. Chia seeds add protein but are not essential.

    Make the overnight oats without yogurt. Yogurt provides a creamy texture and more protein but is not essential for this recipe - you can use milk or even water instead.

    Should you eat overnight oats hot or cold? Overnight oats are chilled so typically are served cold for speed, but they can easily by warmed. Just microwave the jar for one minute, uncovered, stir and if not hot enough, microwave another 30 seconds and enjoy.

    Add chocolate chips to these chocolate overnight oats to make a double chocolate version.

    If you prefer fruity overnight oats, try my overnight oats with frozen fruit.

    overnight oats in a bowl

    How to Store

    Refrigerated. Overnight oats last about three days covered and in the refrigerator.

    Make Ahead. Since oats last three days, it's easy to make ahead three days of breakfasts to be ready to grab and go. You can chill it in a covered jar like a mason jar, or these overnight oats jars, and bring it to work or school. Prepared oats should be chilled however, so don't eat them if they are left at room temperature for more than two hours.

    Freeze. Technically prepared overnight oats can be frozen and thawed, but since it takes the same amount of time to make them fresh and chill, it's better if possible to just make them fresh.

    Best Toppings for Overnight Oats

    Chocolate. Top with chunks of chocolate or chocolate chips.

    Coconut flakes or shredded coconut. Try to add fresh coconut flakes, and your chocolate oats will taste like a mounds bar.

    Fresh Berries. Strawberries or raspberries are delicious on chocolate overnight oats.

    Chocolate sauce. Try my healthy chocolate sauce made from cocoa, or my healthier magic shell.

    FAQS

    How long can overnight oats remain unrefrigerated?

    Prepared oats should be chilled to prevent the growth of bacteria, so don't eat the oats if they are left at room temperature for more than two hours.

    Are overnight oats still healthy?

    Overnight oats made with rolled oats and quick oats are exceptionally healthy with high fiber and protein, a essential vitamins and minerals including copper, iron and zinc. Overnight oats are especially healthy for your gut.

    Why does everyone eat overnight oats?

    Oats that are soaked for a time are easier to digest because the fluid breaks down natural starch. In addition, eating soaked oats is convenient since they can be prepared the night before, and are ready to go for breakfast.

    Other Overnight Oats Recipes

    • overnight oats with frozen berries in a jar
      Overnight Oats with Frozen Fruit
    • stirring glaze on to cinnamon overnight oats
      Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats with Yogurt
    • chocolate chip overnight oats on a spoon
      Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats
    • apple cinnamon overnight oats in a jar.
      Apple Cinnamon Overnight Oats

    If you tried this chocolate overnight oats recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!

    📖 Recipe

    chocolate overnight oats in a bowl and on a spoon

    Chocolate Overnight Oats with Cocoa

    Created by Dee Dine
    Easy chocolate overnight oats with cocoa are a fast whole grain breakfast with oats. Use rolled oats or quick oats, and mix them up in 5 minutes. These chocolate overnight oats are full of fiber and protein thanks to rolled oats, chia seeds, and yogurt. The perfect make ahead breakfast and a healthy weight loss option.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe SaveSaved! Rate Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1
    Calories 272 kcal

    Equipment

    • Measuring cups & spoons
    • strainer
    • Container with a cover

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup rolled oats (40g)
    • ½ cup dairy free milk (118ml)
    • 2 tablespoon yogurt
    • ½ tablespoon chia seeds
    • 1 teaspoon lemon juice*
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions
     

    • Rinse rolled oats in the strainer by pouring water through them. The brief rinse will remove the dust coating on the flakes that can taste sour.
    • Add all basic overnight oats ingredients to a jar, including rinse rolled oats, stir with a spoon to break up clumps.
      ½ cup rolled oats (40g), ½ cup dairy free milk (118ml), 2 tablespoon yogurt, ½ tablespoon chia seeds, 1 teaspoon lemon juice*, 1 tablespoon maple syrup
    • Cover the mixture and chill overnight or at least two hours.
    • Add in unsweetened cocoa and taste-test. Add more sweetener if necessary, and any further mix-ins such as chocolate chips. Stir and eat right away, or cover and store.
      1 tablespoon cocoa powder

    Video

    Notes

    *Supports digestion & weight loss. The addition of lemon juice ensures these oats are easy to digest and support weight loss by allowing the oats to help you feel full for hours and avoid unhealthy snacking.
    How long can overnight oats remain unrefrigerated? Prepared oats should be chilled to prevent the growth of bacteria, so don't eat the oats if they are left at room temperature for more than two hours.
    Refrigerated. Overnight oats last about three days covered and in the refrigerator.
    Make Ahead. Since oats last three days, it's easy to make ahead three days of breakfasts to be ready to grab and go. You can chill it in a covered jar like a mason jar, and bring it to work or school. Prepared oats should be chilled however, so don't eat them if they are left at room temperature for more than two hours.
    Freeze. Technically prepared overnight oats can be frozen and thawed, but since it takes the same amount of time to make them fresh and chill, it's better if possible to just make them fresh.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 272kcalCarbohydrates: 50gProtein: 13gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 37mgPotassium: 399mgFiber: 8gSugar: 16gVitamin A: 6IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 167mgIron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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    About Dee

    Hey! I'm Dee Dine, and on my blog, I share healthy recipes with wholesome ingredients. I'm also a chocolate and ginger enthusiast, animal lover, an avid blender juicer, and am probably making no bake brownies in my Washington DC kitchen right now. Read about me → »

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    a spoonful of overnight oats
    dee dine

    I'm Dee! Welcome to GSG! Eating healthier and lighter, with plenty of fruits and veggies, can be delicious, especially when chocolate and desserts are involved. Here you'll find wholesome recipes that everyone will love. About Dee →

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