Craving something sweet and chocolatey, yet secretly nourishing for breakfast? These creamy chocolate protein overnight oats come together in just 5 minutes and pack nearly 40g of protein to keep you full and energized all morning!
We're all about oatmeal for breakfast-whether it's making oatmeal protein pancakes, vegan banana oatmeal muffins, or vegan baked oats. These chocolate protein overnight oats are just as delicious, but much simpler to prep and can be refrigerated for days!
While I love treating myself to almond milk French toast or vegan protein waffles on the weekend, busy weekdays call for something quick. That's why I love these chocolate protein overnight oats. They're incredibly convenient and perfect to grab and enjoy during my morning commute!
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💚Why you will love chocolate protein overnight oats
- A no-cook, refreshing breakfast that's perfect for warmer days
- Packed with fiber and nearly 40g of protein to keep you full and energized
- Quick to prep and great for busy mornings on the go
- Stays fresh for days in the fridge and can even be frozen for later!
🌾What you will need
- Oats - Rolled or quick oats both work well. Rolled oats give a chewier texture, while quick oats make it smoother and creamier. To keep this recipe gluten-free, just be sure to use certified gluten-free oats.
- Protein powder - Any type of protein powder will do, whether it's plant-based or whey.
- I'm using Orgain's chocolate plant protein and find that it works great in overnight oats.
- Flavors that work best include vanilla, chocolate, or unflavored.
- Cocoa powder - Adds that rich chocolatey flavor! If you're already using a chocolate protein powder, feel free to reduce the amount to suit your taste.
- Milk - Both dairy and non-dairy milk work just fine.
- Chia seeds - Totally optional, but they help thicken the oats and add fiber. If skipping, just reduce the milk by about ¼ cup. You can also check out my overnight oats without chia seeds.
- Maple syrup - Can be swapped with honey, agave, or even sugar-free syrup. If your protein powder is already sweet, you might not need much-or any-at all.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Make it without protein powder
You can make high-protein overnight oats without protein powder with a few simple tweaks:
- Milk - Use low-fat milk, soy milk, or even a pre-made protein shake for an added protein boost.
- Greek yogurt - Reduce the milk to ½ cup and add ⅓ cup of Greek yogurt (dairy or plant-based) to increase the creaminess and protein content.
- Hemp seeds - Mix in 2-3 tablespoon of hemp seeds for an extra dose of plant-based protein and healthy fats.
- High protein toppings - Top it off with peanut butter, banana protein granola, or seeds of choice.
This version of overnight oats delivers a solid 20-30g of protein, without the need for protein powder!
✨Flavor variations and add-ins
- Chocolate banana - Mash ½ banana and mix it into the oats along with the other ingredients for a naturally sweet, creamy texture.
- Chocolate peanut butter - Stir in 1-2 tablespoon of peanut butter or peanut butter powder (like PB2) for a rich, nutty flavor boost.
- Double chocolate - For chocolate lovers, mix in 1-2 tablespoon of your favorite chocolate chips for an extra indulgent touch.
- Mocha - Add a tablespoon of instant coffee for a caffeine boost!
- Extra high protein - Reduce the milk to ½ cup and add ⅓ cup of Greek yogurt (dairy or plant-based) for an even higher protein-packed breakfast.
🔪How to make chocolate protein overnight oats
Step 1: In a bowl/glass jar/container, add all dry ingredients. Stir to mix. (I like using 16-oz wide-mouth mason jars for easy mixing.)
Step 2: Add wet ingredients and stir to combine.
💡Tip
Make sure the oats are thoroughly mixed into the liquid, ensuring there are no dry spots, especially along the sides and bottom edges of the jar.
Step 3: Allow to soak overnight or at least 4 hours, refrigerated.
Step 4: When ready to serve, give the chocolate protein overnight oats a stir. Add desired toppings and dig in!
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🍌Topping ideas
For the best texture and freshness, it's recommended to add toppings just before serving, especially fruits and anything crunchy like granola or nuts. Here are some delicious options to try:
- Fruits - Sliced bananas, fresh or frozen berries, chopped dates, or raisins add natural sweetness and a pop of flavor.
- Chopped nuts - Walnuts, hazelnuts, or pecans bring a satisfying crunch and healthy fats.
- Nut butter - A drizzle of peanut butter, cashew butter, or coconut almond butter to add richness!
- Chocolate chips or cacao nibs
- Coconut flakes or desiccated coconut
- Whipped cream - Top it off with a dollop of regular or plant-based whipped cream to make it more dessert-like!
❄️Meal prep and storing suggestions
Batch prep - Easily make more servings by multiplying the ingredients. You can mix everything in one large container or portion out into individual jars or storage containers for grab-and-go convenience.
Refrigerating - Store overnight oats in the fridge for up to 4 days.
Freezing - Overnight oats freeze well for up to 2 months. Divide into single servings using glass jars or souper cubes, then thaw overnight in the fridge when ready to enjoy.
Serving - Give your oats a quick stir and add more milk to thin, if needed. Enjoy them chilled, or warm them in the microwave (1-2 minutes) or on the stovetop, stirring often to avoid burning. Finish with your favorite toppings and dig in!
?Commonly asked questions
Quick or instant oats can be used to make overnight oats. However, they will soften more easily and create a smoother, creamier texture. If you prefer a chewier bite, rolled oats are a better choice.
Yes, overnight oats can be made with water. However, the texture will be less creamy and rich. You can stir in a tablespoon of nut butter or about ¼ cup of yogurt to compensate.
Whey is a great way to add extra protein to your overnight oats. Since it can thin the mixture, reduce the amount of milk added by about ¼ cup, for a better consistency.
🍽️More make-ahead breakfasts
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📖 Recipe
Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats or quick oats (use gluten-free if needed)*
- 1 cup soy milk or another kind of milk
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder (30g)**
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons chia seeds
- 1-2 tablespoon maple syrup or another liquid sweetener (see notes)***
Instructions
- In a bowl/glass jar/container, add all dry ingredients. Stir to mix.
- Add wet ingredients and stir to combine. Ensure that there are no dry pockets of protein powder, especially towards the bottom edges of the glass jar.
- Allow to soak overnight or at least 4 hours, refrigerated.
- When ready to serve, give overnight oats a stir. Add desired toppings and dig in!
Notes
- Serving overnight oats warm - Warm them in the microwave (1-2 minutes) or on the stovetop, stirring often to avoid burning.
- Only add toppings when ready to enjoy - This is especially true for fruits and crunchy toppings, such as granola, nuts, and seeds, to maintain their freshness.
- Meal prepping overnight oats - Multiply the ingredients to make a larger batch. They can be refrigerated for up to 4 days, and frozen for 3 months.
Save this recipe!
Email yourself a link to this page and come back later.
Also get a FREE high-protein vegan recipe eBook + weekly new recipes! Unsubscribe anytime.
Nutrition
Nutrition info calculated is just a rough estimate and is provided as a courtesy. Bear in mind that value will vary based on variables like specific brand or type of product used. To obtain the most accurate representation, it is highly recommended that you calculate it on your own with the actual amount and type of ingredient used.
Nancy says
It turned out very delicious. I love your breakfast recipes!