Chocolate Overnight Oats: A Healthy Vegan and Gluten Free Breakfast Recipe

Whip up creamy Chocolate Overnight Oats with oat milk, cocoa, and chia seeds. It’s a healthy, gluten-free, and vegan breakfast that tastes like dessert.
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Creamy, chocolatey, and rich enough to taste like dessert, chocolate overnight oats are the perfect make-ahead breakfast for busy mornings. This simple recipe combines oats, chia seeds, tahini, and cocoa powder to create a delicious, protein-packed meal that’s vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free. With only ten minutes of prep and zero cooking, it’s an effortless way to start the day or perfect to enjoy as a mid-afternoon snack.

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Why Chocolate Overnight Oats Are a Breakfast Favorite

This healthy breakfast recipe transforms wholesome ingredients into a decadent, pudding-like breakfast. Rolled oats and chia seeds provide fiber and plant-based protein, while tahini adds creaminess and a subtle richness that pairs perfectly with chocolate. The cocoa powder brings a deep, satisfying flavor, and a drizzle of maple syrup balances it with just the right touch of sweetness.

The best part is how easy it is to prepare. Everything is mixed the night before, and by morning, the oats and chia seeds have absorbed the liquid to create a perfectly thick, creamy, healthy chocolate breakfast.

Ingredients for Chocolate Overnight Oats

ingredients to make the chocolate overnight oats Save
  • 1½ cups (350ml) oat milk
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) tahini
  • 2 tbsp (10g) cocoa powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2 tbsp (30ml) maple syrup
  • ½ tsp (3ml) vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (45g) rolled oats
  • 2 tbsp (24g) chia seeds

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How to Make Chocolate Overnight Oats

oat milk, tahini, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt in a glass mixing cup Save

1. Prepare the Chocolate Base

In a large mixing bowl or glass measuring cup, whisk together oat milk, tahini, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.

Whisk until smooth and fully combined.

For an ultra-creamy texture, blend the mixture in a blender until the cocoa is completely incorporated.

oats ans chia seeds in a jar Save

2. Combine the Oats and Chia Seeds

Divide ¼ cup (23g) rolled oats and 1 tbsp (12g) chia seeds between two jars or airtight containers.

Pour the chocolate liquid evenly into each container, stirring well to make sure the oats and chia seeds are submerged. Let the mixture rest for about 10 minutes, then stir again to prevent clumping as it begins to thicken.

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3. Chill Overnight

Cover the jars and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight. During this time, the oats soften and the chia seeds expand, creating a thick, creamy consistency similar to chocolate pudding.

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4. Serve and Enjoy

In the morning, the oats will be ready to eat straight from the fridge. Give them a quick stir, then top with your favorite additions, such as fresh fruit, coconut flakes, chocolate shavings, or a sprinkle of granola for crunch.

This healthy breakfast recipe makes two servings. And since the oats will stay fresh for up to four days in the refrigerator, this is the perfect healthy breakfast recipe for meal prep.

Why This Chocolate Oats Recipe Works So Well

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This vegan version of chocolate overnight oats strikes the perfect balance of convenience, taste, and nutrition. Every ingredient plays a role in creating the ideal texture and flavor:

  • Oat milk keeps it light and creamy while maintaining a nut-free base.
  • Tahini adds subtle richness and plant-based protein, blending seamlessly with chocolate.
  • Cocoa powder gives a deep chocolate flavor without added dairy or sugar.
  • Chia seeds act as a natural thickener, giving the oats a smooth, pudding-like consistency.
  • Maple syrup provides natural sweetness, making this a wholesome alternative to sugary cereals or pastries.

The result is a satisfying, chocolate-flavored breakfast that fuels the day with long-lasting energy.

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Flavor and Texture Notes

This chocolate oats recipe creates a creamy, luscious texture that feels indulgent while staying wholesome. The tahini lends a delicate nutty undertone to the cocoa, though the chocolate remains the star of the show. The oats soften perfectly overnight, while the chia seeds create a gentle thickness that makes every spoonful feel luxurious.

It’s naturally sweetened, subtly salty, and perfectly balanced; an ideal vegan breakfast for anyone who loves chocolate but wants something nourishing.

Customization Ideas for a Healthy Chocolate Breakfast

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This base recipe is versatile and can be customized for different tastes:

  • Add fruit: Sliced strawberries, raspberries, or bananas enhance the chocolate flavor.
  • Boost protein: Mix in a spoonful of hemp seeds or plant-based protein powder.
  • Make it extra creamy: Stir in a splash of coconut cream or an extra spoon of tahini before serving.
  • Add crunch: Top with cacao nibs, toasted coconut, or granola.
  • Create dessert-style oats: Layer with non-dairy yogurt and a drizzle of chocolate sauce for a parfait.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips

These chocolate overnight oats are perfect for meal prepping. Store in sealed jars or containers for up to four days in the fridge. They can be eaten cold, straight from the jar, or warmed gently on the stove with a splash of oat milk for a cozy, pudding-like breakfast.

Since the oats and chia continue to absorb liquid over time, add a spoonful of oat milk before serving if the texture becomes too thick.

Nutritional Benefits for this Vegan Breakfast

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Every serving of this healthy breakfast recipe is packed with plant-based protein, fiber, and healthy fats:

  • Oats support sustained energy and digestion.

  • Tahini adds calcium, iron, and protein without any nuts.

  • Chia seeds provide omega-3 fatty acids and additional fiber.

  • Cocoa powder offers antioxidants and rich flavor with minimal calories.

This breakfast or snack is both satisfying and energizing, keeping hunger at bay without feeling heavy.

Tips for Perfect Chocolate Overnight Oats

  • Blend the liquid ingredients if a smoother texture is preferred.

  • Stir twice before chilling. Once to mix and again after 5-10 minutes to prevent chia from clumping.

  • Use high-quality cocoa powder for the richest chocolate flavor.

  • Don’t skip the salt. It enhances the sweetness and brings depth to the chocolate.

Easy Chocolate Overnight Oats for a Healthy Vegan Breakfast

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These easy chocolate overnight oats turn a few pantry staples into a nourishing, plant-based breakfast that feels indulgent yet wholesome. The combination of oats, chia seeds, and tahini provides lasting energy, while cocoa powder adds that deep chocolate flavor that makes mornings feel special. Naturally sweetened with maple syrup and completely free from gluten, dairy, soy, and nuts, this recipe is as inclusive as it is delicious. Prepared in just minutes and ready to enjoy straight from the fridge, these vegan chocolate overnight oats make healthy eating effortless. One creamy, chocolate-filled spoonful at a time.

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Chocolate Overnight Oats

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Prep 17 minutes
Chill Time 8 hours
Total 8 hours 17 minutes
Categories: vegan, nut free, gluten free, soy free, breakfast, snack
Makes: 2 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings 2
Course Breakfast, Dessert, side

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups/350ml oat milk
  • 2 tbsp/30ml tahini
  • 2 tbsp/10g coco powder
  • Pinch salt
  • 2 tbsp/30ml maple syrup
  • 1/2 tsp/3ml vanilla extract
  • ½ cup/45g rolled oats
  • 2 tbsp/24g chia seeds

Method

  1. In a mixing glass or bowl, combine oat milk, tahini, maple syrup, coco powder, vanilla extract, and salt. Whisk to blend. Alternatively mix in a blender until smooth.
  2. Use 1 cup/240ml or larger jars or sealable containers. To each container, add ¼ cup/23g rolled oats and 1 tbsp/12g chia seeds.
  3. Distribute the liquid evenly between containers. Stir well. Set aside for 10 minutes to thicken slightly. Stir once starting to thicken to redistribute the oats and seeds.
  4. Cover and set in the fridge for at least 8 hours or overnight. Store for up to 4 days.
  5. Serve with fruit, chocolate shavings, toasted nuts, or granola.

Notes

Texture/taste Notes: An easy overnight oats with extra protein from tahini and chia seeds and deep chocolate flavor that will make breakfast taste like dessert. A sweet version of the make-ahead protein and fiber rich breakfast that is almost like a chocolate pudding. Easy to pull together in 10 minutes and prep up to 4 days in advance.
Tahini: Chocolate and vanilla mask most of the flavor of tahini in this recipe. For a more pronounced tahini flavor and extra protein, increase to 3 or 4 tbsp/45-60ml. Or replace with almond, peanut, or hazelnut butter – these will also have a more noticeable flavor.

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