These healthy chocolate overnight oats combine the two best meals of the day, for one unforgettably delicious dessert or filling breakfast treat!

Breakfast chocolate overnight oats

Thick, fudgy, and ultra rich, this recipe will remind you of unbaked brownie batter.

Yet at the same time, it is packed with over ten grams of protein!

I first published the original chocolate overnight oats recipe close to a decade ago, and it has inspired countless others to create their own versions of the surprisingly nutritious morning meal.

Chocolate overnight oatmeal gives chocolate lovers like me a great excuse to eat chocolate for breakfast and still feel healthy.

In other words, this is basically my perfect breakfast.

Want more chocolate for breakfast? Make Chocolate Banana Bread

Chocolate overnight oats health benefits

Thanks in large part to the heart healthy oats and antioxidant rich cocoa powder, the recipe is packed with whole grains and nutrition.

It can be high fiber, high in iron and calcium, very high in manganese, and a good source of both vitamin B12 and vitamin E.

Depending on the specific ingredients you choose, the healthy chocolate overnight oats may also be low sugar or sugar free, cholesterol free, and low saturated fat.

The banana version offers a good source of potassium. And the entire recipe can contain under 250 calories with over ten grams of protein.

Ingredients

The recipe calls for rolled oats, cocoa powder, a pinch of salt, chocolate chips, sweetener, yogurt or banana, milk of choice, optional chia seeds and nut butter.

Cocoa powder – You can use regular unsweetened cocoa powder or Dutch cocoa powder. Or use hot chocolate mix and garnish each bowl with mini marshmallows to create hot cocoa oatmeal.

Want high protein chocolate overnight oats? Go with your favorite chocolate protein powder instead of the cocoa powder.

Chocolate chips – I like to throw in an optional few teaspoons of large or mini chocolate chips for added chocolate flavor and texture.

Alternatively, you may use a finely chopped chocolate bar in place of the chips.

Yogurt or banana – This ingredient adds thickness and creaminess, as well as extra nutrition, to the breakfast recipe.

For vegan chocolate overnight oats, choose dairy free yogurt or an equal amount of mashed banana or roasted mashed sweet potato instead.

Milk – Almost any milk is fine, including plant based almond milk, oat milk, soy milk, or canned coconut milk.

If you prefer to double the yogurt and skip the milk, this option is fine as well.

Salt – A pinch of salt adds depth of flavor to chocolate recipes. I recommend including just an eighth teaspoon for heightened chocolate flavor.

If you are on a low sodium diet or normally prepare salt free oatmeal, you can try leaving it out to see which way you like better.

Sweetener – Add sweetness to your chocolate brownie oatmeal with your family’s go to all purpose sweetener.

I am partial to pure maple syrup. Sugar or brown sugar, coconut sugar, honey, agave, or xylitol or stevia for a sugar free breakfast work too.

What type of oats do you use for overnight oatmeal

I recommend thick or old fashioned rolled oats for the best texture. Feel free to opt for either Scottish oats or Irish oats.

However, quick oats and instant oats also both work if they are all you have on hand.

If you experiment with steel cut oats, please let me know how it goes.

For gluten free overnight oats, look for certified gluten free oats at the grocery store. Or swap out the oats for an equal measurement of rolled quinoa flakes.

Readers also love this Brownie Baked Oatmeal

Easy chocolate overnight oats recipe video

Above, watch the step by step video.

You can actually make the entire chocolate recipe in less time than it takes to watch this twenty five second video.

Talk about fast food!

Toppings for chocolate oats in a jar

To thicken the texture and add protein, calcium, iron, B vitamins and minerals, stir a spoonful of superfood chia seeds in with the yogurt.

As a chocolate peanut butter cup lover, I often also stir in a tablespoon of peanut butter. Or add a spoonful of melted coconut oil for richness.

Fresh fruit makes a wonderful topping to overnight oats. Try fresh raspberries, cherries, strawberries, sliced bananas, or blueberries.

Other add ins or toppings you may wish to try include raisins, shredded coconut, hemp seeds, mini chocolate chips, or a drizzle of chocolate syrup or almond butter.

Or create dessert oatmeal with Banana Ice Cream or Coconut Ice Cream.

How to make overnight chocolate oatmeal

This chocolate brownie flavored recipe comes together with just a few simple steps.

Start by layering all of the ingredients into a mason jar or lidded container.

You can either add the yogurt now or wait until the next day.

Screw the lid on very tightly, and shake well.

Place the jar in the refrigerator, and refrigerate overnight or for at least six hours.

The next morning, simply unscrew the lid and garnish with chocolate chips and fresh berries or banana if you wish.

Then serve with a spoon and enjoy.

If you prefer hot overnight oats, heat them up in a microwave safe dish or transfer to a small saucepan and heat on the stove top.

Possibly out of laziness, I like eating my chocolate oats straight from the fridge, whether in cold weather or warm.

Tips for leftovers and making larger servings

Those who are feeding a family or meal prepping for the week can easily take the oats from a single serving recipe to one that yields a more substantial amount.

Simply double, triple, or quadruple all of the ingredients and stir everything together in a mixing bowl.

Then distribute the chocolate oats evenly into mason jars, covered bowls, or storage meal prep containers.

Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to five days. Or store in the freezer and thaw before reheating and serving.

The recipe was adapted from these Overnight Oats and my Chocolate Baked Oats.

Healthy Dessert Oatmeal Recipes

Tiramisu Overnight Oats

Chocolate Oatmeal Fudge Bars

Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Or this Peanut Butter Oatmeal

Oatmeal Muffins

Deep Dish Cookie Pie

Banana Oatmeal Cookies

Chickpea Cookie Dough Dip

Vegan Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies

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