Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats

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This chocolate protein overnight oats recipe is an easy way to start your day off on the right foot! Full of protein, fiber, and good-for-you ingredients on top of chocolate chips, this chocolate overnight oats will keep you feeling full and satisfied. Make it ahead of time for an easy healthy breakfast on busy mornings.

What’s better than chocolate for breakfast? This chocolate protein powder overnight oats is full of chocolate flavor and mini chocolate chips! It’s like having dessert for breakfast! Even better, overnight oats with chocolate protein powder added means I get an extra boost of protein which keeps me feeling full longer.

An angled photo of three cups of chocolate protein overnight oats topped with mini chocolate chips.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This overnight oats recipe is a budget-friendly breakfast and only takes a few minutes to make. You simply take a couple of minutes to mix everything together, so it comes together in a blink of an eye, and rolled oats are a great budget-friendly ingredient.
It’s a healthy and nutritious way to start off the day! Between the rolled oats and chia seeds, you’ll have a nutrient-packed breakfast! Plus, the extra protein from the protein powder is an added bonus.
I love that there are mini chocolate chips stirred into the overnight oats. What’s not to love about that?

Ingredients You’ll Need

Ingredients needed to make chocolate protein overnight oats.

rolled oats — make sure you are using old-fashioned rolled oats. Instant oats and quick oats do not hold up as well, so I do not prefer the texture.
chia seeds — chia seeds come in both black and white seeds, but there is no difference in nutritional content. They’re also an excellent source of plant-based protein! When they absorb the milk, it helps thicken the overnight oats.
protein powder — I use 100% Whey Chocolate Protein use your favorite protein powder!
milk — you can use any milk of your choice, from cow’s milk to non-dairy milk. I personally prefer whole milk, but it’s up to you!
maple syrup — you can use maple syrup or honey to sweeten the chocolate overnight oats. Make sure you use real maple syrup and not pancake syrup.
yogurt — to help with the creaminess, the yogurt works together with the chia seeds to give the overnight oats a creamy texture. If you don’t have yogurt, applesauce or mashed bananas. You can use regular or plant-based yogurt.
mini chocolate chips — for more chocolate flavor, stir in mini chocolate chips. I prefer mini ones to regular ones so you can get more in each spoonful ;)

How to Make Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats

Set of two photos showing chocolate protein overnight oats added to the ingredients in the bowl and mixed.

In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, chia seeds, chocolate protein powder, milk, maple syrup, yogurt, and mini chocolate chips.
Stir well to combine.

Set of two photos showing chocolate protein overnight oats set in a bowl and portioned in a container.

Cover with a lid or plastic and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
When ready to eat, serve with toppings of choice, such as more chocolate chips, jam, berries, and nuts.

A spoonful of mini chocolate chips spooned over a container of chocolate protein overnight oats.

Recipe Tips and Notes

For more chocolate flavor, you can stir in a tablespoon of cocoa powder.
You can add a couple of spoonfuls of nut butter to the overnight oats to add extra protein and flavor. Peanut butter pairs wonderfully with chocolate.
Use good-quality chocolate chips!
For a grab-and-go breakfast or snack, mason jars are super handy. 16-ounce wide-mouth mason jars are great if you plan on adding toppings, so you don’t spill anything. I also LOVE a good weck jar.
Make sure you use a protein powder you like. Due to the neutral flavor of the overnight oats, if you don’t like your chocolate protein powder, the overnight oats will not mask the flavor.

A small cup of chocolate protein overnight oats with mini chocolate chips on top and scattered around.

Make Ahead Tips

Meal prep: store the overnight oats without any toppings in an airtight container for up to 5 days in the fridge.
Freezer: to freeze overnight oats, portion out the oats in small containers, then freeze! Thaw the overnight oats in the fridge for 6-8 hours/overnight before you’d like to eat them. You can store chocolate protein overnight oats in the freezer for up to 2 months.

What are overnight oats?

If you’ve never had overnight oats, they’re a no-cook method of making oatmeal! You make overnight oats by soaking rolled oats in some liquid overnight, so they become soft and digestible.

Can overnight oats be heated?

For sure! If you prefer a warm breakfast, you can microwave the overnight oats before eating.

Are overnight oats healthy?

I would consider overnight oats to be healthy as they’re rich in fiber, protein, and antioxidants. They also contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals!

Can you use steel-cut oats for overnight oats?

While you can use steel-cut oats, keep in mind that they will need to be soaked longer and will be dense and chewy in comparison. This recipe, in particular, uses rolled oats, so I recommend following the recipe if this is your first time making overnight oats.

Want more easy and delicious overnight oats recipes? Check out my round up of 15+ overnight oats recipe!