The meal prep recipe that will be on rotation every week, these High-Protein Chocolate Overnight Oats are a rich, chocolatey way to give your morning a boost. With 20 grams of protein (at a minimum!) and delicious chocolate flavor, this overnight oats recipe works just as well for breakfast as it does a grab-and-go snack.
A Quick Look At The Recipe
- ⏲️Ready In: 10 Minutes Prep
- 👪Serves: 3
- 🍽 Calories and Protein: 241 kcals and 20 grams of protein
- 📋 Main Ingredients: Gluten-free rolled oats, collagen powder, cacao powder, dairy-free milk, and maple syrup.
- 📖 Dietary Notes: Dairy-free and gluten-free.
- ⭐ Why You'll Love It: A breakfast go-to, these protein-packed overnight oats have a rich chocolate flavor and tons of fuel.
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Overnight protein oats have been a staple in my house for years, as I find meal prep breakfast recipes the easiest way to make our mornings run smoothly. However, since my middle kid will only eat things in chocolate flavor, this particular recipe gets made the most.
It’s easy (just 5 ingredients), delicious, and a great way to sneak some extra protein into your kids’ (or your own!) diet.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, overnight protein oats are a meal I use a lot with my clients as they’re the best way to kick off your morning and actually enjoy what you eat, which is the whole premise of my Strong and Sweet protein guide that brings dessert-like snacks with over 17 grams of protein.
Jump To
- A Quick Look At The Recipe
- 💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients and Substitutions
- Flavor Variations
- How To Make High-Protein Chocolate Overnight Oats
- Expert Tips To Make It
- How To Store Them
- Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats FAQs
- More High-Protein Overnight Oat Recipes
- High-Protein Chocolate Overnight Oats
💭Why You'll Love This Recipe
Easy: You only need 5 ingredients and 5 minutes to whip this chocolate protein overnight oats recipe.
Versatile: There are so many ways to adjust the taste and texture of these chocolate overnight oats that it makes it great for days you want a bit of a switch up.
Meal prep: Since they have XX grams of protein, they work well as a mini snack or a protein breakfast that is made ahead of time to save you minutes in the kitchen.
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Collagen powder: This is what I use the most with my kids, as high-quality collagen powder is an insanely clean source of protein and mixes well into everything (check out these collagen powder recipes)
- Protein powder instead: Know that you can substitute it with protein powder, but you’ll need to adjust the liquid a bit. Add more liquid if using a vegan protein powder, as they absorb the most. Whey protein powder will absorb similarly to collagen powder (learn more about how to choose protein powder). I've personally switched to beef protein powder, which can be used too.
- regular oats: Use certified gluten-free oats as needed. You’ll also want to make sure to use rolled oats, not quick oats, for a better texture. Learn more about types of oats.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Flavor Variations
When it comes to making overnight protein oats, there are lots of ways you can vary the taste. For this chocolate version, we use some of the variations below.
Toppings: Adding a dollop of Greek yogurt (dairy-free for us), toasted pecans, or shredded coconut is a go-to.
Nut butter: Swirling in some peanut or almond butter to the oats makes them crave-worthy.
Chocolate protein overnight oats with yogurt: Scale the liquid back by 1-2 tablespoons and mix in some regular or dairy-free Greek yogurt for a creamier texture and a bump up in protein.
How To Make High-Protein Chocolate Overnight Oats
Step 1: Combine the oats, collagen powder, and cacao powder in a bowl.
Step 2: Add the maple syrup and dairy-free milk into the bowl and mix well until soaked.
Step 3: Sprinkle on any toppings, then cover the dish and pop it in the fridge overnight.
Expert Tips To Make It
You can either keep the chocolate protein overnight oats in a large container and portion them when you need them. Or use these cute mini overnight oats jars and portion them before you store them so that you can grab them easily.
To make the overnight oats creamier: If you dislike the “chewy” texture that comes with oats, add in ⅓ cup Greek yogurt (or dairy-free Greek yogurt) to the mixture and scale back on the milk a bit. This thickens the overnight oats, boosts the protein, and gives a creamier, richer texture. Either that or make blended overnight oats.
To thicken the oats: If you find that the base recipe is a bit watery (which it is, as my kids like the chewy factor), add in 1.5 tablespoons of chia seeds to the mixture and a splash more dairy-free milk. Chia seeds absorb liquid and will help thicken the overall texture.
How To Store Them
Overnight protein oats stay fresh in the fridge in a sealed container or jars for about 4 days. You’ll want to give them a quick stir to freshen them up before you enjoy them. They taste best if you eat them within 48 hours.
Do not freeze overnight oats as they get mushy when thawed.
Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats FAQs
Most often, overnight oats recipes are enjoyed cold. You can, however, warm them up in the microwave if you wish. Take care not to burn them, though. If you’re heating them on the stove, you’ll need to add a splash of dairy-free milk to them.
Yes, you can put protein powder in overnight oat;s however, keep in mind that all protein powders absorb liquid differently, so you may need to adjust the milk slightly depending on whether you’re using whey, vegan, beef, or collagen to get the texture you like.
Yes, you can eat overnight oats every day, especially when paired with a quality protein source. Overnight protein oats are a balanced, nutrient-dense breakfast that keeps you full and energized.
Though you can freeze overnight oats, the texture upon thawing changes, and they won't be as creamy or thick. For this reason, they're best enjoyed just chilled.
More High-Protein Overnight Oat Recipes
If you tried this Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it goes!
High-Protein Chocolate Overnight Oats
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups Regular oats gluten-free as needed
- ⅓ cup Collagen powder
- 1 tablespoon Collagen powder yes you want both
- 2.5 tablespoons Cacao powder
- 3 tablespoons Maple syrup
- ⅔ cup Dairy-free milk
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the rolled oats, collagen powder, and cacao powder. Mix well making sure there's no clumps.
- Add in the dairy-free milk and maple syrup.
- Stir well until everything is coated.
- Portion the overnight protein oats into jars or wrap plastic wrap around the bowl. Pop in the fridge to chill for a minimum of four hours, though, overnight is best.
- When ready, remove the protein oats from the fridge, top with any of your favorite toppings and enjoy!
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Nutrition
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