Overnight Chocolate Oats with 3 Easy Flavor Varieties
My morning usually starts with a bang, children clamoring their way into my room ready to face the day and find breakfast. I tend to stay up too late, and the morning finds me dragging.
I always wanted to be that mom who gets up before her kids. Starting the to do list, getting breakfast on the table and enjoying my coffee in quiet before the kids wake. But, instead my kids are usually dragging me out of bed begging for breakfast while I’m begging for just 5 more minutes.
I don’t cook big breakfasts. My kids are way too hungry to wait by the time they drag me downstairs, and I’m still half asleep as I start dishing out breakfast requests. Breakfast is all about speed and ease in our house.
By the time I finish feeding and cleaning up after 6 kids, and helping the littlest ones get ready for the day, my big kids have finished their chores and are ready for the school day. In the hustle, many mornings I realize at nearly lunchtime that I’ve forgotten to feed myself. I know this isn’t a healthy lifestyle. It’s important that I get a good breakfast to face my day so I love making overnight oatmeal a few times a week to get ahead of the rush.
Since I’m not firing on all cylinders most mornings at breakfast time I thought Overnight Oats would be the perfect breakfast for me. I created 3 variations of Chocolate Overnight Oats that I can prepare in the evening for easy grabbing at breakfast time the next day. If I make several jars at once and I am set for breakfast all week! Preparing overnight oats the night before is the perfect shortcut to a nutritious breakfast and it makes my usually hectic morning easier!Actually, I have to make about a dozen at a time because my crew quickly discovered how yummy Chocolate Overnight Oats taste!
Grab several 1/2 pint mason jars and stock your refrigerator with delicious Chocolate Overnight Oats! Here’s how:
Chocolate Overnight Oats
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup quick cooking or old-fashioned oats
- 1 serving size or packet of your favorite instant breakfast or protein powder. I used Carnation Breakfast Essentials® Powder Drink Mix in Chocolate.
Directions:
Mix one cup of milk and one cup of oats in a bowl.
Add one serving size scoop (or packet) of chocolate flavored protein or breakfast drink mix.
Evenly divide the Chocolate Overnight Oats into 3 half pint mason jars.
Now, choose one of the following flavors to top off your Chocolate Overnight Oats jar, and follow the directions below.
Mocha Caramel Chocolate Overnight Oats
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon caramel syrup
- 1 to 2 tablespoons coffee
Directions:
Pour 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee into the chocolate oatmeal and stir gently. I use 1 tablespoon when my kids want this flavor, but 2 when I make it for myself.
Mix a tablespoon of caramel syrup into the plain yogurt.
Top the mocha chocolate oatmeal with the caramel yogurt. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
Strawberries & Chocolate Overnight Oats
- sliced strawberries
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
Directions:
Top the chocolate oatmeal with sliced strawberries.
Add 1/4 cup yogurt on top of the strawberries.
Top with more sliced strawberries, cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats
- sliced banana
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
Directions:
Mix 1 tablespoon peanut butter into 1/4 cup plain yogurt.
Top the chocolate oats with sliced banana.
Top the banana layer with the peanut butter yogurt. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
The following morning open your refrigerator and choose a delicious flavor to start your day!
This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #CarnationSweepstakes #BetterBreakfast #CollectiveBias
Oat’s are one of my favorite breakfasts. I’ve never thought of adding chocolate, that looks amazing! The jars are so perfect. I can’t wait to try this!!!! Thanks!
I have never made overnight oats. I think if I made them with chocolate I would have some more takers in my house!
I love recipes like this that make it easier to get a healthy breakfast in the morning. Looks really delicious!
I have never tried overnight oats, this looks like something I could do and not mess up! I love the jars too, thanks for sharing
I have never made overnight oats. I need to try these recipes because – CHOCOLATE!! Also the jars look so cute. I bet the kids would enjoy these too.
I feel you on the mornings! Making a healthy, energy-building breakfast the night before is so smart and these look yummy! Especially the chocolate and strawberries!
Traci
I’ve been meaning to try overnight oats and keep forgetting about it. I’ll have to give this a try and maybe I’ll be able to get the kids to eat some too, since it has chocolate and all.