Chocolate Overnight Oats
Whether you're heading out early, working from home, or just not in the mood to cook in the morning, these oats are the perfect grab-and-go option.
Equipment
- Mason jar or airtight container
- Spoon or small whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Refrigerator
- Optional: Small bowl (for toppings)
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 –2 teaspoons maple syrup or to taste
- ½ cup milk of choice almond, oat, dairy, etc.
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
Optional Add-Ins & Toppings:
- 2 –3 tablespoons Greek yogurt for creaminess and protein
- A few chocolate chips or cacao nibs
- Sliced banana or berries
- Nut butter drizzle peanut, almond, or hazelnut spread
- Shredded coconut or chopped nuts
Instructions
Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients
- Set out your rolled oats, chia seeds, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, milk, and salt.
- Grab any optional add-ins you plan to use, like yogurt or nut butter.
- Pro Tip: Give your cocoa powder a quick stir or sift to break up any clumps—it makes mixing easier later!
Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients to Your Jar
- In a mason jar or any sealable container, add:
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- A pinch of salt
- Give it a gentle shake or stir to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.
Step 3: Pour in Wet Ingredients
- Add the wet ingredients to the jar:
- ½ cup milk of choice
- 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup (adjust to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- If you’re adding Greek yogurt or protein powder, now’s the time to stir that in too.
- Pro Tip: Stir thoroughly until all dry bits are incorporated and no cocoa powder clumps remain—especially near the bottom.
Step 4: Seal and Chill
- Tightly seal the jar or container with a lid.
- Place it in the refrigerator and let it chill for at least 4 hours, but ideally overnight.
- Pro Tip: Overnight chilling lets the oats and chia seeds fully absorb the liquid, creating that creamy, pudding-like texture.
Step 5: Add Toppings and Enjoy
- In the morning, give your oats a quick stir.
- Add any toppings you like: sliced banana, berries, chocolate chips, nut butter, or coconut flakes.
- Eat straight from the jar or transfer to a bowl if you're feeling fancy.
- Pro Tip: If the oats feel too thick, stir in a splash of milk to loosen them up before serving.
Notes
Nutritional Value (approximate, per serving)
- Calories: ~250–300 kcal
- Protein: ~7–10g
- Carbs: ~35–40g
- Fat: ~8–10g
- Fiber: ~8g
- Sugar: ~6–10g