These chocolate overnight oats are made the night before so that they’re ready as soon as you wake up. They even travel well so they make a perfect, delicious breakfast on the go! A great recipe for kids to make (mostly) on their own. Easy to make gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan.
If you’ve got kids at home, I’m guessing the last few weeks have been pretty challenging. I feel like there’s never any time for anything and making breakfast is one of those things.
If my kid were a little older, I would absolutely delegate breakfast preparation in the form of overnight oats to him. One less thing for me to worry about, plus the little guy could learn about food preparation. Win win!
If you have kids old enough to measure ingredients, you can let them make themselves these chocolate overnight oats.
Then the next morning, they’re all taken care of. Or at least partially. 😉 My kid is like me and requires a big breakfast.
I like a bit of protein with my breakfast, like these homemade breakfast sausages.
This recipe is naturally sweetened with maple syrup or coconut sugar, if you prefer.
It’s also easy to make vegan. Just use whatever vegan yogurt and milk you like.
If you’ve never made overnight oats before, it’s important to use quick oats and rolled or traditional oats. The latter don’t get soft enough (at least for me, anyway). For me, it’s like eating cardboard.
These chocolate overnight oats, like all overnight oats, have a not-so-pretty consistency so I covered it up with lots of fruit and nuts. It’s totally unnecessary and I never take the time in real life to do this, but it definitely made them more filling.
For some more sweet breakfast treats, check out my Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies, Strawberry Green Smoothie or Granola Breakfast Tarts with Yogurt and Berries. This gluten-free breakfast casserole is also made overnight and looks great!
Chocolate Overnight Oats (gluten-free, vegan)
Ingredients
- 1 ripe banana mashed
- 2/3 cup (61 grams) quick oats (make sure to use GF oats, if needed)
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or coconut milk yogurt for vegan
- 2/3 cup milk or unsweetened almond milk for vegan more as needed
- 1/4 cup (29 grams) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup or coconut sugar more to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- pinch salt
- about 1/2 cup (70 grams) strawberries or whatever fruit you like cut into small pieces
Instructions
- Stir all ingredients, except for the strawberries, together. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Add extra milk as needed in the morning if you'd like less thick oats. Divide into two servings and stir in as many strawberries as you'd like and top with strawberries. Enjoy!
Notes
I usually serve this alongside some other source of protein like a couple hard boiled eggs. If this is all I'm going to have for breakfast I'd add a scoop of my favorite protein powder.
Comments & Reviews
Beagle says
I love this recipe so much!!!!!
Adriana says
I love overnight oats, they are so simple and ready when you are. I’ve always made them using milk kefir for some extra probiotics.
That carrot cake version sounds very tempting, carrot cake is one of my favorite desserts! I need to experiment with my oat flavorings a little more often!
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
Using kefir is a great idea… Maybe I’ll try that. I’ll be posting the carrot cake one soon 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
Teresa says
It’s been a brutal summer, hasn’t it? I have been keeping things simple in the kitchen for most of the summer, thanks to the heat. Luckily, summer produce doesn’t need much to make it delicious. Those overnight oats look great and I love something that can be prepped in the cool of the evening.
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
Yes it has been! And I completely agree, we’ve been keeping things simple too and it’s so nice that all this fresh produce doesn’t need any help being yummy 🙂 Thanks for leaving a comment! 🙂
janet @ the taste space says
Interesting. What is the texture like with the quick. Ook oats? I figured it would be really mushy. I have only ever made overnight oats with rolled oats. Have you tried it like that, too?
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
I guess you could say mushy, but I don’t use too much liquid so it turns out nice and thick and creamy. We’ve been enjoying it this way but I’ll give it a try with rolled oats next time. I haven’t tried it that way yet but I’ll give it a try 🙂
Sahar Aman says
Saw you were new on the FBC group and wanted to say hello and check out this chocolatey breakfast! This recipe sounds fab, pretty sure one serving won’t be enough for me 🙂
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
Thanks so much Sahar! 😉
Chrissie says
This recipe looks so delicious! I have young kids too and I bet they’d LOVE these! Definitely going to try 🙂
Aimee @ Simple Bites says
We’re huge oatmeal fans around here! And since strawberries are still in season…we’ll be giving this a try. Thanks!
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
Thanks for stopping by Aimee! Our strawberry season here in our town is so short, I’m so sad it’s over but I’m going to pick some up from the store to make this again 🙂
Homemade & Yummy says
Love overnight breakfasts….they make mornings much easier. Sounds great, all the ingredients are so healthy too!!
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
They really do make things easier! Thanks for stopping by!
Heather K says
Eeee! You’re back! This is a perfect summer breakfast. Now to catch up on the rest of your new recipes….
Charlotte Moore says
It sure looks yummy. I have never tried the overnight oatmeal. Now that it is hot weather also here in North GA it would be a good time to try.
Heidi @ Food Doodles says
I bet it’s cooking hot there!