Wake up to these delicious Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats! This crave-worthy recipe is a quick and easy twist on classic Overnight Oatmeal ... a delightful breakfast that you'll return to again and again!
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Ginnie's Take
Calling all peanut butter and chocolate lovers ... do I have a yummy breakfast for you! These Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats are one breakfast that's worth waking up early for! Peanut butter + chocolate is one of my all-time favorite flavors, and if I can enjoy that tasty combo at breakfast time, count me in.
Why You'll Love the Recipe
I could go on (and on) about why I love this recipe, but here are a few reason why you'll love these Overnight Oats with Chocolate and Peanut Butter, too:
- Tastes like a treat (the flavor reminds me of a Reece's Peanut Butter Cup!), but they're made with healthy ingredients.
- Quick + easy to prepare! This recipe is ready in minutes.
- Perfect for meal planning and easy to make ahead of time. Makes an excellent grab and go breakfast!
- Great for different diets ... the recipe is naturally vegetarian and gluten free, and it can easily be adapted for vegan and dairy free eaters, too.
- Ideal for picky eaters! Who doesn't love a classic PB + chocolate combo? Even your kids will gobble this easy breakfast up.
Okay, are you ready to dig in? Keep reading for all the delicious details!
Jump to:
Ingredients
This recipe uses simple, easy to find ingredients ... you probably already have most of them in your cupboard! Here's what you'll need:
- Peanut Butter - Of course you'll need peanut butter, and both regular and natural varieties will work just fine. I used smooth peanut butter here, but you could try crunchy if you prefer it.
- Cocoa - This refrigerator oatmeal recipe gets its intense chocolatey flavor from unsweetened cocoa powder (the kind you use for baking).
- Oats - Old-fashioned rolled oats are best for this recipe (versus instant and steel cut oats which absorb milk differently and don't work as well).
- Milk - Combining oats with milk gives them a surprisingly creamy texture! Choose your go-to milk, regular or plant based. I used my fave soy milk.
- Maple Syrup - Delicious maple syrup adds the ideal amount of sweetness to this lightly sweetened recipe. You can easily add more or less maple syrup to taste, if you prefer, or you may use honey, brown sugar, or other sweeteners instead.
- Chia Seeds - The addition of chia seeds gives these oats a nutritional boost, adding fiber, protein, and Omega-3 fatty acids. If you'd prefer to leave them out, just cut the milk down to ½-cup.
- Salt - Adding a pinch of salt brings out the other flavors and keeps things your oatmeal from tasting bland. I recommend using kosher salt.
- Topping - You'll top the finished oatmeal with more peanut butter and some chopped chocolate (I like to use a dark variety, like this Lindt chocolate).
Vegan / Dairy Free + Gluten Free Options
This delicious recipe is vegetarian, and can easily be made dairy free / vegan simply by using plant based milk, such as almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, coconut milk, etc. I prefer soy milk, which is thick, creamy, and has a neutral taste. Oats are naturally gluten free, although if you have an allergy, you should look for specifically-labeled GF oats to avoid cross-contamination.
You'll Also Need
You'll need a small jar (or bowl with a lid) to prepare and store the oats. Mason jars are my favorite, because they have a reusable lid and are easy to transport. I used some cute jam jars and they worked perfectly, however a standard 16-ounce mason jar (pint jar) or one of these 12-ounce jars would also work great.
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
This tasty Overnight Oatmeal couldn't be simpler to prepare! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Add ingredients to jar. Start by adding the oats, cocoa powder, milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, and a pinch of salt to a small jar (or bowl)
- Stir. Mix thoroughly until all the ingredients are well-combined.
- Mix in peanut butter. You can either swirl in the peanut butter, leaving pockets of chunks, or you can mix it in completely for a more uniform texture.
- Add toppings + refrigerate. Top with an extra dollop of peanut butter and some chopped chocolate, then refrigerate the oats overnight (or for at least four hours).
Wasn't that simple? This Peanut Butter Chocolate Overnight Oats recipe makes a single serving, however I usually make three or four jars at one time. That way breakfast is covered for the week. To make multiple servings, simply line up your jars on your counter. Then add your ingredients assembly line-style (first oats, then milk, etc.).
Tip: Overnight Oats have a thicker texture than the regular oatmeal. This makes them creamy, plus easy to transport. If you prefer a looser texture, simply stir a little extra milk (or yogurt) into the soaked oats just before serving.
Variations
Like to experiment when cooking? Here are some easy ways to change this Chocolate Peanut Butter Oats recipe up:
- Bananas and Other Fruits - Sliced bananas or other fruits (like apples or strawberries) would make a super tasty addition! I'd recommend adding the bananas just before serving, that way they won't turn brown.
- Chocolate Chips - Swap out the chopped chocolate for chocolate chips. You could also stir extra chips into the oats mixture for a more intense / sweeter cookie dough flavor.
- Nut Free - Have a nut allergy? Simply swap the peanut butter for almond butter or your fave nut butter.
- No Chia - If you prefer to skip the chia seeds, then cut the milk back to ½ cup.
- Other Toppings + Mix-ins - Feel free to get creative with other toppings. Try peanuts or another nut (almonds, pecans, or walnuts would also be delish). Swap out the maple syrup for honey or brown sugar. Top the finished recipe with crunchy coconut chips or Homemade Granola.
- Yogurt - Want to make this recipe extra creamy? Substitute ⅓ cup plain yogurt and ⅓ cup + 3 tablespoons milk (instead of the ⅔ cup called for in the recipe). If you'd prefer to use Greek yogurt, stir in enough milk (or water) to give it the consistency of regular, plain yogurt.
- Vegan - As mentioned above, you can easily make this recipe vegan / dairy free by including your fave plant based milk. I used soy milk, but almond, coconut, oat, etc. will all work great.
Storage
Store these Peanut Butter Cup Overnight Oats in an airtight jar or covered bowl in your refrigerator. They will stay fresh and taste best when eaten within three to four days.
Related Recipes
Looking for more chocolate peanut butter recipes? You'll love my Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt (with chocolate chips) and my No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Tart! Searching for more refrigerator oatmeal recipes? Try one of these flavors next:
- The Basics - If you're looking for a go-to refrigerator oatmeal recipe that's super versatile, check out my Basic Overnight Oats recipe! Or for extra creamy oats, try my Overnight Oats with Yogurt.
- Sweet Tooth - Have a sweet tooth? You'll love these Almond Joy Overnight Oats!
- Berry Lover - Can't get enough berries? Make my popular Strawberry Overnight Oats, Raspberry Overnight Oats, Blueberry Overnight Oats, and Blackberry Overnight Oats recipes.
- Peachy - If you're a peach lover, add these Peach Overnight Oats to your breakfast menu.
- Tropical Flavor - For a taste of the tropics, give these Mango Overnight Oats, Pineapple Overnight Oats, and Banana Overnight Oats recipes a try!
- Fall Fan - For irresistible autumn flavors, my Apple Overnight Oats, Pumpkin Overnight Oats, and Cranberry Orange Overnight Oats recipes can't be missed.
Craving more oats ideas? You'll love these Baked Oatmeal, Easy Granola, and Breakfast Parfait recipes, too!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Overnight oats are raw rolled oats that have been soaked in liquid (milk, yogurt, or water) overnight or until they're softened. It's a no cook method for making oatmeal. Check out our guide How to Make Overnight Oats for more tips, variations, and topping ideas!
Overnight Oats will stay fresh and taste best when eaten within three to four days. Make sure to add perishable toppings (like fruit) just before serving for the freshest and tastiest results.
You can eat Overnight Oats hot or cold, although they are usually eaten cold right from the refrigerator. If you prefer, you can gently warm them in your microwave before serving.
Yes, Overnight Oats should be refrigerated once all the ingredients have been mixed together.
If your Overnight Oats didn't work, you probably didn't use enough liquid. Try adding a little extra milk or water. For more flavor, don't forget to add a pinch of salt and some maple syrup for sweetness.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Ingredients
For Oats:
- ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- pinch kosher salt
- ⅔ cup milk
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
For Topping:
- 1 tablespoon chopped dark chocolate
- 1 teaspoon peanut butter
Equipment
- Small Jar
Instructions
- Mix together oats, cocoa powder, chia seeds, maple syrup, and salt in a small jar (or bowl).
- Add milk, then stir well to combine all ingredients.
- Swirl in peanut, leaving some small chunks (or mix in completely, if preferred).
- Top oats with chopped chocolate and teaspoon peanut butter. Cover jar (or bowl), then refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours.
- Serve cold (or warm gently in microwave). Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
