Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats is a scrumptious and healthy breakfast full of hearty oats, healthy fats and plant protein. The perfect meal prep recipe to make at the beginning of the week and enjoy for days. Vegan and gluten free friendly.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Feels like you are eating candy for breakfast – but much better for you!
- Perfect make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings.
- A personal favorite among kids and adults alike!
Ingredients You Will Need
This chocolate peanut butter overnight oats recipe requires minimal ingredients, many of which are probably already in your pantry and fridge. We will need:
- quick oats – I used quick oats for their quick soaking ability. Old fashioned oats will need a minimum of 4 hours and if you want to use steel-cut oats, follow the ratio in this Steel Cut Overnight Oats Recipe. Make sure to use gluten-free oats, if a dietary concern.
- cacao powder – raw cacao powder or unsweetened cocoa powder will both work. I like cacao powder for it’s higher antioxidant content, but use whichever you have on hand.
- chia seeds – for texture, fiber and healthy omega-3’s! The chia seeds also help to absorb any excess moisture.
- cashew milk – I used cashew milk, but you can use coconut milk, almond milk, oat milk, soy milk or or your favorite non-dairy milk. Plant-based milk keeps it vegan, but regular dairy milk can also be used.
- creamy peanut butter – use an all natural peanut butter where peanuts are the only ingredient, or peanuts and sea salt, if you choose to use a salted peanut butter. Almond butter, cashew butter or any seed butter can be used instead if you need another alternative.
- pure maple syrup – maple syrup adds a gentle, flavorful sweetness and keeps it vegan.
- vanilla extract – use pure vanilla extract, or even the recently popular vanilla bean paste.
- mini chocolate chips – optional, but the chocolate chips give it double the chocolate flavor and add a subtle crunch. Save some extra for the topping!
Find the full detailed instructions with measurements in the recipe card below, at the end of this post.
How to Make Overnight Oats
One of my favorite things to do on Sunday night is prep this peanut butter chocolate overnight oats recipe. This way, breakfast is ready for hectic mornings during the week. Here’s how to do it:
Combine Oat Mixture
Place the oats, cocoa powder and chia seeds in a 16 oz mason jar (or larger). Add the milk, peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract and chocolate chips (if using).
Stir all the ingredients together with a spoon or seal the jar with a tight fitting lid and shake until well mixed.
Note: Rather than using a mason jar, you can also stir everything together in a large mixing bowl and cover tightly with a lid, or plastic wrap.
Chill in the Fridge
Place the oat mixture in the fridge for at least 2 hours, or overnight. If using old-fashioned oats, chill for at least 4 hours and for steel cut oats, chill for at least 8 hours.
Serve
When ready to serve, divide the chocolate peanut butter oats into a small jar or bowl.
Enjoy cold, or warm as desired (see below). Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Enjoy Warm or Cold
I like to think of these chocolate peanut butter overnight oats a quick grab-and-go breakfast you can enjoy cold, right from the fridge.
But if cold overnight oats isn’t your thing, warm the oats in 30-second increments in the microwave or in a small saucepan (add a splash of milk or water) on the stove until warmed through. Delightful and delicious breakfast!
Get Creative with Toppings
What I love most about overnight oat recipes is the numerous different toppings you can add to make it like a new breakfast each morning. Some of my favorites include:
- Extra chocolate chips
- Warm peanut butter
- Chopped peanut butter cup – when I want a little more indulgence!
- Salted peanuts – extra crunch factor!
- Ripe banana slices
- Fresh berries
How to Store
Overnight oats will keep in an airtight container or mason jar in the fridge for 5 days.
The oat mixture will thicken after 2-3 days, so you may need to add a splash of milk when ready to enjoy.
Recipe Tips & Notes:
Ratio is key. The trick to making overnight oats with the best consistency is the ratio of oats-to-liquid. For every cup of quick oats, I add 1 1/4 cups plant-based milk and 1.5 tablespoons chia seeds. This keeps it the perfect scoopable, creamy texture, without too much liquid.
Give it a good stir. Make sure the oats are thoroughly mixed to get all the good stuff in every bite.
Customize it. Make these overnight oats as nourishing and hearty as you’d like. Add more super seeds, like flax seeds or hemp seeds, up the protein content with protein powder or make it sugar-free by omitting the liquid sweetened and chocolate chips.
Double the recipe. Make a large batch of overnight oats to have plenty of oats for the next morning, and the rest of the week.
More Overnight Oat Recipes You’ll Love:
If you make this Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats recipe, be sure to leave a comment and star rating on the blog! I love hearing from you, and it helps others learn more about the recipe too. Xx Ashley
Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1 cup quick oats, gluten-free as needed
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder, or unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 ½ tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 ¼ cups cashew milk, or milk of your choice
- 3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter, the one with just peanuts
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips, optional
Instructions
- Combine: Using a 16 ounce jar (or larger) place all ingredients in jar, starting with oats, cocoa powder and chia seeds. Then add milk, peanut, maple syrup, vanilla extract and chocolate chips (if using). Stir ingredients using large spoon or seal jar with tight lid and shake until mixed. You can also stir everything into a medium sized bowl and cover tightly with lid.
- Chill: Place in fridge for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
- Serve: Divide into 2 jars or bowls. Enjoy cold, or warm as desired. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy!
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