Make these quick and easy chocolate chip overnight oats for a decadent and healthy breakfast! These oats take less than 5 minutes to make and are high in fiber and protein, sure to keep you full for hours!
Overnight oats are my classic breakfast go-to and I have a few favorite recipes, from PB&J to blueberry almond to pumpkin pie (oh my!), to caramelized banana & peanut butter (YUM!).
But there’s something to be said about having chocolate and chocolate chips for breakfast – it feels a little rebellious (dessert for breakfast vibes, anyone?!), but oh-so-right at the same time. And these chocolate chip overnight oats are exactly that – overnight oats with a fun, chocolate-y twist. Plus they’re creamy with a fun crunch from the chocolate chips, so you don’t get texture fatigue.
Ingredients
- Rolled (old-fashioned) oats: Oats are packed with fiber, prebiotics, and resistant starch, which all do wonders for your digestion.
- Chia seeds: These little seeds are a nutritional powerhouse! 2 tablespoons of chia seeds provide 11 grams of fiber, 4 grams of protein, and omega-3 fatty acids.
- Cocoa powder: Cocoa is packed with fiber (1 tablespoon of cocoa has 2 grams of fiber!) and antioxidants like polyphenols.
- Milk of choice: I use unsweetened vanilla almond milk because I prefer the vanilla flavor without added sugars, but choose your favorite preferred milk.
- Greek yogurt: Packed with protein to keep you full for hours after breakfast is over.
- Maple syrup (or honey): The recipe calls for just enough to add a little bit of sweetness, but you can add more/less based on your taste preferences.
- Chocolate chips: This is where you can add whatever chocolate chips sound good to you! If you’re a peanut butter chocolate chip fan or love white chocolate chips, feel free to swap those in! I personally prefer mini chocolate chips because I like getting a little bit of crunch with each bite, but you DO YOU!
How to Make Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats
Making chocolate chip overnight oats is pretty similar to my process of making any overnight oats, except that cocoa powder and chocolate chips are involved. Combine oats, chia seeds, cocoa powder, almond milk, Greek yogurt, and maple syrup in a jar or other airtight container. Mix well to make sure the mixture is well-combined. Stir in chocolate chips.
Store the overnight oats mixture in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 2 hours. Enjoy! If you like a sweeter taste, feel free to add more maple syrup. Don’t have maple syrup? You can swap in honey!
Are overnight oats good for you?
Overnight oats are a healthy breakfast. These overnight oats are packed with heart-healthy fiber and protein to keep you satiated and full.
Plus, oats also contain prebiotics and resistant starch, which are good for your gut. Prebiotics play an important role in gut health because they feed the good gut bacteria, or probiotics. Resistant starch is a starch that escapes digestion, and may lower blood cholesterol, triglycerides, and post-prandial blood sugars.
What oats to use for overnight oats?
I recommend using old-fashioned rolled oats for overnight oats. I find the texture of steel-cut oats too hard, and instant oats too mushy, so rolled oats are just right.
How long do overnight oats need to sit?
I recommend storing overnight oats in the fridge overnight to allow them adequate time to sit. Of course, if you want a speedier process, 2 hours is just fine!
How long can overnight oats stay in the fridge?
Overnight oats can stay in the fridge for 3-4 days. That’s what makes them a great meal prep option for breakfast. You can make multiple batches at once and eat them throughout the week. If you’re doing this, I highly recommend adding the toppings each day rather than all at once to keep them fresh.
Do you heat up overnight oats?
You definitely can heat up overnight oats! I personally enjoy them cold, but if you’re a fan of warm oats, feel free to heat them up in a microwave or in a sauce pot in the morning or whenever you’re ready to eat.
If you made this recipe, I’d love to see your creation! Don’t forget to snap a picture and tag me @thebalancedbite on Instagram. Follow along on Pinterest and Facebook for more healthy & tasty recipes!
More Healthy Overnight Oats Recipes:
- 12 Easy Overnight Oats Recipes
- Caramelized Banana & Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Overnight Oats
- Blueberry Almond Overnight Oats
- Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats
- Cranberry Sauce Overnight Oats
Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 2 teaspoons cocoa powder
- 1⅓ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice)
- 7 ounces plain Greek yogurt (about ⅔ cup)
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- Combine oats, chia seeds, almond milk, Greek yogurt, and maple syrup in a jar or airtight container. Mix together. Stir in chocolate chips.
- Store overnight or for at least 2 hours in refrigerator.
- Enjoy!
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Chase Mazur says
Big chocolate chips and extra maple syrup for this guy! The chocolate flavor really shines in this recipe.