Brownie Batter Overnight Oats
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Published May 16, 2016, Updated Aug 22, 2023
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Treat yourself to these chocolate brownie batter overnight oats. They taste like brownies and are topped with walnuts, chocolate chips and a peanut butter drizzle.
What if I told you that you could eat chocolate for breakfast and keep it healthy? Would you think that I was joking or that you were in some sort of dreamland? Well, today my friend your dreams are becoming a reality because I’m making it happen with these brownie batter overnight oats.
If you’ve been reading EBF for awhile you’ll know that throughout the summer months I’m all about overnight oats. They’re cool, creamy and so easy. I love that I can whip up a batch before bed and wake up to a healthy and delicious breakfast without having to cook anything.
I’ve shared a bunch of dessert inspired overnight oat combos (like peanut butter cup overnight oats and chocolate banana overnight oats), but I think this brownie batter version is the most decadent.
Seriously, if you’re a brownie lover get excited because this combo is delicious and it was made for you!
Ingredients Needed for Brownie Overnight Oats
- old fashioned rolled oats – rolled oats are the best for overnight oats. Instant/quick oats and steel cut oats don’t work the same because they don’t absorb liquid like rolled oats do.
- almond milk – I like using unsweetened vanilla almond milk, but any type of milk will work
- protein powder – I use a plant-based chocolate protein powder that is sweetened with stevia, but you can use your favorite protein powder
- cocoa powder – this gives the oats their rich chocolate flavor and dark color
- maple syrup – pure maple syrup is the perfect natural sweetener to use because it’s liquid so it blends in nicely with the oat mixture and I personally love the flavor. Honey or another natural liquid sweetener will work here. If you want to reduce the sugar in this recipe, feel free to use a sugar alternative like stevia or monk fruit
- vanilla
- sea salt – a pinch of sea salt is the perfect flavor enhancer and brings out the nutty flavor of the oats
- chocolate chips – I like using Lily’s dark chocolate chips because they’re sugar-free and low in carbs
- chopped walnuts – brownies are so good topped with walnuts and I love the crunch they add to these overnight oats
- peanut butter – I love peanut butter on these oats, but any nut butter that you enjoy would work for this recipe
How Long Do Overnight Oats Need to Soak?
Given the name, you’d assume overnight oats need to soak overnight, but you can actually make them in 2-4 hours if you’re in a rush. While it does take some time for the oats to absorb the liquid, they don’t necessarily have to be soaked overnight. I recommend at least 8 hours for true overnight oats, but there have been mornings where I decide I want overnight oats for breakfast even though I didn’t prep them the night before. When this happens I’ll make them the morning of and let the oats soak for just 2-4 hours. With this quick soak, they’re not as soft as overnight oats that have soaked longer and they’re a bit more liquidy, but they’re still delicious.
Can You Eat Overnight Oats Hot?
Short answer, yes! You can definitely warm up overnight oats, but the whole point of overnight oats is to eat them cold like muesli. Even if you think cold oats sound strange, I recommend giving it shot before you write them off. Of course, if you simply can’t do the cold oats you can always heat them up. Just pop the overnights oats in your microwave, cooking in 30 second increments until the oats are warm throughout and enjoy.
After letting your overnight oats soak overnight (or at least a few hours), take the oats out of the fridge and top with banana slices and cacao nibs.
While enjoying these you’ll feel like you’re being naughty by eating chocolate for breakfast (and you kind of are because there are chocolate chips involved) BUT the healthy stuff totally outweighs the chocolate. Plus chocolate does have some health benefits of its own. <– I’m all about the antioxidants… especially those from chocolate and wine. 🙂
More Oatmeal Recipes to Try:
- Baked Oatmeal Cups
- Berry Baked Oatmeal Bars
- Easy Protein Balls
- Baked Oatmeal Recipes
- Protein Oatmeal
- 3 Minute Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal
If you make these brownie batter overnight oats please be sure to leave a comment and star rating below. Your feedback is super helpful for the EBF team and other readers who are thinking about making the recipe.
If you enjoyed this recipe, please consider leaving a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below.
Brownie Batter Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 2 scoops (50 grams) protein powder, vanilla or chocolate
- 2 cups unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- pinch of sea salt
- 2 Tablespoons chocolate chips, I use Lily’s dark chocolate chips
- 2 Tablespoons chopped walnuts
- 1 Tablespoon peanut butter, optional
Instructions
- Add oats, protein powder, almond milk, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla and sea salt into a bowl or jar. Stir well to combine, until all the protein powder has dissolved. Seal container with a lid and place in the fridge overnight.
- Take the container out of the fridge the next morning and stir the mixture. You'll notice that the oats soak up a lot of the liquid so you may want to add a little more almond milk before serving.
- Portion overnight oats into two containers, top each with chocolate chips, chopped walnuts and peanut butter, if using. Enjoy.
Video
Notes
- If you want to keep this recipe gluten-free and vegan, be sure to get gluten-free oats, vegan protein powder and vegan chocolate chips.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I just found my new favorite overnight oats recipe! I’ve tried SO many overnight oats recipe as I’ve been eating them almost daily for years for breakfast and this is by far my favorite. I was really worried it would taste like protein powder – something I HATE in overnight oats and was so surprised that it doesn’t at all! It seriously tastes like brownie batter. At first I thought it was too liquidy and that I would reduce the milk next time but by the time I finished the bowl I realized how much I love the recipe exactly as written because it gives it more of that brownie batter consistency. I did sub in mini chocolate chips and sliced almonds as it was what I had on hand. What a yummy and healthy way to get my chocolate fix!
AHH YAY! I am excited to hear that this recipe is such a hit, Jenny. Thank you so much for sharing your review + star rating, it means so much to me!
These were so good. Both my husband and I loved them. I used chocolate protein powder and chocolate almond milk because I had some already opened that I wanted to use and I also used Lily’s chocolate chips.
WOO! These are some of my favorite, Vicky. I am so glad you are loving them. Thank you for sharing your review & star rating, it means so much to me!
Can I use this recipe with the exact same measurements but blend these? If so do the measurements change?
Yes! Ingredients + measurements should stay the same, if it seems too thick, you might want to add some more liquid. Hope you enjoy this recipe!
I have made many of your overnight oats and these are my favorite! They smell and taste exactly like a brownie! I’ve never been so excited to eat breakfast!
YUMM! These are so good and I am so excited to hear that you are loving this recipe, Brennan! Thanks so much for your review & star rating, I really appreciate it!
So good!!! Very nice recipe. I tried it the first time 2 days ago, but I messed up the measurements and put too much of some ingredients. It still turned out very good, but more sweet and now I made it again, with the right amount of everything haha. If you’re making this, don’t skip the peanut butter, it makes a change.
Thank you so much for your recipe!
AH YAY! I am so happy that you are enjoying this recipe, Denisa. Yes, the peanut butter adds a special touch for sure. Thank you for sharing your review & star rating, I so appreciate it!
I just had these for breakfast this morning! They are so delicious! Can’t wait to make them again for tomorrow. The pb, walnuts and mini chips add just the right texture!
YUM! One of my favorite ways to start the day is with these overnight oats. I am so glad you are enjoying them as well, Melissa. Thank you so much for coming back and sharing your review & star rating, I so appreciate it!
These are delicious!!! Used chocolate vegan protein powder, and topped with a scoop of almond butter and vanilla Greek yogurt. Excellent!!!
Hi April – Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review and rating! I’m so glad you enjoyed this recipe.