By Wendy Stoltz / Last Modified On January 15, 2023

Wholesome, healthy, and delicious – these Chocolate Overnight Oats using oats, milk, and rich cocoa will be a new favorite breakfast option in your house.

You are going to love how easy this chocolate overnight oats recipe is.

If you love quick gluten free breakfast you’ll love my Strawberries and Cream Overnight Oats. Looking for more overnight oat recipes? Try my Blueberry Overnight Oats.

Chocolate Overnight Oats

Overnight oats have been popular for a few years now. There are so many variations and it's such a simple recipe that many people are adding overnight oats, like these chocolate overnight oats, to their breakfast routine.

There are only six ingredients needed to make these chocolate overnight oats.

Ingredients in Chocolate Overnight Oats

All you need to make chocolate overnight oats are just a few simple ingredients.

Oats: Overnight oats can be made with old-fashioned rolled oats or quick oats (for creamier and smoother oats). Be sure that your oats are gluten free.

Cocoa: Unsweetened cocoa adds depth and richness.

Chia Seeds: Chia seeds help to thicken the overnight oats and add some extra fiber and nutrients.

Milk: You can use your milk of choice. We like to use vanilla almond milk or regular milk in ours.

Sweetener: We use maple syrup, but you can use honey, sugar, or your sweeter or sugar free sweetener of choice.

Vanilla extract: A touch of vanilla rounds out the flavors.

You can always add peppermint extract or almond extract in place of the vanilla extract for a special twist.

Can you warm up chocolate overnight oats?

Yes, you can warm up chocolate overnight oats. They are delicious cold or warm.

How long can you leave chocolate overnight oats in the fridge?

Chocolate overnight oats stay good in the refrigerator for 4-5 days. If the liquid starts to separate from the oats, give it a quick stir before enjoying.

Are Quaker Oats Gluten Free

Yes and no. Quaker started offering a line of gluten free oats. Oats are naturally gluten-free but can be cross-contaminated with gluten-containing grains, such as barley, rye and wheat, during processing.

Check the label for the Quaker oats you are considering and make sure it's labeled gluten free and doesn't have a disclaimer about possible contamination during processing.

How to make Chocolate Overnight Oats

You can make these chocolate overnight oats in a jar, container, or a bowl. We like to use a glass jar with a lid.

1. Add oats to a glass jar.
2. Add milk of choice and stir until combined.
3. Add chia seeds, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
4. Stir until well combined.
5. Add cocoa.
6. Mix everything together with a spoon until combined. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight.

You can enjoy these chocolate overnight oats recipe cold or heat it for a warm and comforting breakfast.

Can you add flaxseed overnight oats?

Yes, you can add flaxseeds or flaxseed meal to overnight oats for extra fiber. Just a note that if you use flaxseed meal it may thicken the oats further.

You can add an extra tablespoon or two of milk to help thin it out.

Overnight oats without chia seeds

If you're looking to make overnight oats with chia seeds, you can use flaxseed meal to thicken the overnight oats. Simply swap out the chia seed with ground flaxseed, also known as flaxseed meal.

Which oats are best for overnight oats?

Rolled oats are best for overnight oats. We like to use GF Harvest Rolled Oats. For a smoother, creamier texture you can use quick oats. For a chewy texture you can use steel cut oats.

If you eat gluten free make sure your oats are certified gluten free.

Do you have a favorite way to enjoy overnight oats? Please let us know in the comments below.

Looking for more overnight oats recipes? Try these Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats next.

Did you make these chocolate overnight oats? Leave a starred rating and a comment below letting us know what you thought.