Chocolate-loaded Brownie Batter Overnight Oats are so rich and delicious, it’s like eating dessert for breakfast!
Try our other popular overnight oat recipes next: Pumpkin Overnight Oats, Peanut Butter Overnight Oats, or Peach Overnight Oats.
Brownie Batter Overnight Oats
Overnight oats was one of my staple meals in college — extra chocolatey and packed with protein! With all the studying and running from one class to the next a filling breakfast was a must.
Now I make these for my kiddos, and they love them. I mean what kid doesn’t love chocolate for breakfast?!
Brownie Batter Overnight Oats Ingredients
- Almond butter adds flavor and nutrition to these oats, and ensures these oats are filling and satiating. As far as almond butter goes, I recommend an almond butter you enjoy eating straight from the jar. We love using one that is slow–roasted and lightly salted with loads of flavor.
- Chocolate almond milk is what we prefer, but plain chocolate milk works as well (but is slightly higher in calories). Using plain (vanilla) milk also works, but the oats do taste less fudgy overall.
- Old-fashioned oats will give the best results; steel-cut oats do not soften enough, and quick oats absorb too much liquid and becoming mushy.
- Maple syrup is my favorite sweetener to add to overnight oats. Depending on how sweet you like your breakfast, you can scale this amount up or down. I’d recommend at least 1 tablespoon and up to 2 tablespoons for a sweeter breakfast. Liquid stevia can be used in place of maple syrup for a natural zero-calorie sweetener. If using liquid stevia, start with 1/4 teaspoon and scale up from there to the desired sweetness.
- Vanilla adds a nice flavor to the oats. It’s not entirely necessary, so don’t worry if you don’t have any to add.
- Salt helps to intensify flavors and balance all the ingredients.
- Special Dark® Cocoa Powder contributes the deep and intense chocolate flavor to these oats. I highly recommend using a Dutch-process cocoa powder as opposed to a plain (natural) cocoa powder. Any Dutch cocoa powder will work, but Hershey’s Special Dark cocoa powder is readily available at most grocery stores (photo below).
- Greek yogurt yields a great flavor profile that you’ll like, and vanilla flavored gives you Brownie Batter Overnight Oats that you’ll love. Our favorite yogurt to use is Honey Vanilla Greek yogurt (made by Greek Gods®; photo below).
Toppings
Overnight oats are delicious without any toppings, so don’t feel like you need to add something before eating these.
That said, if you’re feeling like something extra, we love a sprinkle of chocolate chips and even a swirl of almond butter as a topping. For these pictures I did break up a brownie protein bar which was a fun, but it’s not a necessary topping for Brownie Batter Overnight Oats.
Brownie Batter Overnight Oats notes
- Overnight oats are meant to be eaten cold in the morning. As they soak overnight, they become soft, luscious, and creamy. That said, if you prefer them warm, you can certainly warm them up in the morning either on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Choose your serving size. This recipe makes one large serving for a big (and filling) breakfast. If you’re looking for a lighter breakfast or a snack option, just eat half of the recipe and save the other half for later.
Quick Tip
Just because these are called overnight oats, that doesn’t mean you have to let them chill overnight. You can make “overnight” oats in the morning to enjoy. I actually prefer them this way! Nowadays, I usually make them first thing when I wake up, then I go work out and enjoy them post workout. (So they’ve sat about 30-45 minutes — very similar to muesli!).
More healthy breakfast options
- Parfait with fruit, yogurt, and granola
- Healthy Banana Bread with Greek yogurt
- No Bake Energy Bites filled with healthful ingredients
- Healthy Blueberry Muffins with Greek yogurt
- Healthy Breakfast Cookies reader favorite recipe!
Brownie Batter Overnight Oats
Equipment
- small bowl
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon almond butter see note 1
- 1/3 cup honey vanilla Greek yogurt
- 2/3 cup chocolate almond milk see note 2
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 2 tablespoons Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Tiny pinch salt
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup see note 3
- Mini dark chocolate chips optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl, jar, or plastic container, combine the almond butter, Greek yogurt, chocolate milk, old fashioned oats, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, salt, and maple syrup.
- Stir until all ingredients are well incorporated (see note 4). Taste the mixture and add any additional maple syrup if desired.
- Cover the container and refrigerate overnight or until sufficiently cooled and thickened. Sometimes I make them in the morning, get ready, and then go eat themโthey are great after 30 minutes in the fridge.
- Once ready to serve, top oats with miniature chocolate chips if desired.
Video
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Brownie oats is such a great idea! Love that I can have chocolate for breakfast ๐ This looks delicious!
Whoa whoa whoa – brownie batter in oatmeal?! How did I never think of this?! This looks so insanely delicious!! Can’t wait to try it!
Omigosh these oats-you’re insane! LOOOVE your insanity. Brownie batter in oats is like….WHOAAA
You totally just convinced me to give overnight oats another shot. This looks absolutely amazing, Chelsea! Dessert for breakfast, but in healthy form, has me sold. Can’t wait to try this out!
oh wow- what a great idea! love this. overnight oats are the best!
So I’m seriously allowed to eat this and call it breakfast?!? Sweet!
I love this! I’ve only ever made overnight oats with yogurt but since I’m trying to cut out dairy, I haven’t had them in forever! I want some!
A secretly healthy breakfast since it has oats…I am in!
Chelsea, you just mix together, refrigerate, and eat them? No cooking…….. it’s like a granola? Wow….that’s an awesome breakfast on the go!!!!!
Right! That’s the awesome thing about overnight oats! The oats get soft overnight from the milk and yogurt and also get more flavorful from the other additions. It’s my favorite breakfast on the go! I lived on overnight oats in college ๐
Looks really great!