My first winter in grad school, the professors played a mean joke on us. Our classes started at 8 am three days a week and 7:30 am the other two. With the sun barely above the horizon, the temperatures weren’t much higher, and a thick fog rolled in every night with water droplets so big it almost felt like you took a second shower just by walking outside.
I started to dread my morning alarm clock, so to sleep in as long as possible and prolong the inevitable walk across campus, I began making my breakfast and lunch the night before. With enough papers to grade in the evenings, my meal prep as very basic and usually consisted of fruit and dry cereal, plus veggies and a sandwich, but every once in a while if I had an extra 5 minutes to spare, I mixed up overnight oats.
I usually kept things simple—milk, yogurt, cinnamon—but occasionally I threw in raisins to make them taste like my favorite oatmeal cookies or fresh fruit for a juicy twist. Although I may not have thought of them all with my brain so full of chemistry, the possibilities really were endless!
These Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats were one of my favorites. I just needed 5 standard pantry staples, nothing strange at all. And they’re so full of chocolate that they practically taste like a cross between hot chocolate and brownies!
For those of you who haven’t heard of overnight oats, they’re really easy to make. Simply add all of the ingredients to a jar or container with a lid, stir, cover, and let them chill overnight in the fridge. It’s a way to eat your oatmeal cold, but it still has the same soft texture as when you cook it on the stove. They’re great for the summer or breakfasts on the go!
I generally lean towards old-fashioned oats for these because I love their thick, hearty texture. Quick-cooking (aka minute or instant) oats will also work too, if that’s all you have in your pantry, but since we’re letting them sit for at least 8 hours (get as much beauty sleep as you can!), it isn’t necessary.
To boost the protein in these chocolaty oats, I turned to Greek yogurt. I’m not a fan of protein powder in my smoothies or overnight oats just yet. I haven’t quite gotten past its slightly grainy texture. Maybe someday! But for now, plain nonfat Greek yogurt adds the protein I want, as well as an irresistible creamy richness.
Since the yogurt alone won’t quite soften the oats all by itself, you’ll also add a tiny bit of milk. The mixture may look a little watery at first, but the oats act like little sponges while you sleep and soak up most of the moisture.
All of the chocolate flavor comes from cocoa powder. You’ll need 2 tablespoons, and if you’re a chocoholic like me, make sure they’re heaping! To balance it out, add a little sweetener, however much you need to make your taste buds happy.
Then in the morning, grab a spoon and enjoy!
| Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats | | Print |
- ¼ c (25g) old-fashioned oats (gluten-free if necessary)
- ½ c (120g) plain nonfat Greek yogurt
- ¼ c (60mL) nonfat milk
- 2 tbsp (10g) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2-3 tsp (9-14g) Truvia (or other sweetener), to taste
- Add all of the ingredients in the order that they’re listed to a mason jar or container with a tight-fitting lid. Stir to combine. Screw on the lid, and refrigerate the oats overnight or at least 8 hours.
Any milk and yogurt will work. However, most yogurts don’t contain the same amount of protein and thick creaminess as Greek yogurt.
{gluten-free, clean eating, low fat, low calorie, high protein}
More overnight oat recipes from other food bloggers…
♥ Flax and Blueberry Vanilla Overnight Oats by Pinch of Yum
♥ Peanut Butter Cup Overnight Oats by French Press
♥ Cinnamon Roll Overnight Oats by Crème de la Crumb
♥ Ambrosia Apple Pie Overnight Oats by The Sweet {Tooth} Life
this looks so chocolaty, that I bet it could make Charlie and oatmeal lover
That’s a huge compliment Heather — thank you! 🙂
Hot chocolate and fudgy brownies?! This might be the trick it takes to get me to love oatmeal. Sounds delicious!
Thanks Mischa! Chocolate does wonders, especially at breakfast time! 😉
I don’t think I could wait all night to dig into something like this…your will power must be at an all time high. YUM!
After your cute chocolate avocado pudding story, I’m sorely tempted to dig into these at 2 am too! 😉
i have my fudgy treat in the fridge now. i will enjoy it after my morning swim. amy, thank you so much for such a sweet, delectable recipe !
My pleasure Elina! I’m really excited to hear what you think!
wow x 10 ! best breakfast ever ! 🙂
Thanks Elina Louise! I’m so glad you enjoyed the oats! 🙂
I just whipped this up and it’s in the frig until tomorrow….I’m having a special treat for my 48 th birthday breakfast : ) A quick taste taste and they were yummy…. I used 1 tablespoon of maple syrup for the sweetener. Now….if I can just stay away from the frig ….!
Happy birthday Kimberly!! I hope you have a wonderful day full of fun and celebrating! 🙂
I had a 8am class one semester. I’m an early bird but it was the worst, especially with traffic. Forget breakfast, I drank mochas instead. This would have been better!
I would’ve traded you for those mochas — at least they would’ve warmed me up! 😉
These overnight oats look amazing!! I love overnight oats and need to try these asap! And I am so not a morning person. I can’t do 8am unless its sitting on the couch drinking coffee. Hehe. Pinned!!
Thanks for your sweet comment and pin Cyndi! I hear you on the coffee. It’s basically a necessity, even if I am a morning person! 😉
Just prepared this and popped it into the fridge! I’ve never been SO excited to get out of bed in the morning, can’t wait to try them!
I really hope you enjoyed them Pooja! I always think chocolate is a good reason to get out of bed in the morning. It’s one of the few things that motivates me! 😉
Okay DROOLING!!! Love me some mega-chocolatey overnight oats. Thanks for the link love!
You’re welcome Tiffany!! I’d totally trade you — chocolaty for cinnamon roll! 🙂
I’ve been on a major oatmeal kick lately… I think I see THIS in my future as a nice change-up!!
Yay!! I can’t wait to hear what you think!