Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats – Wake up to a yummy breakfast with our peanut butter chocolate overnight oats recipe! It’s delicious, and easy to make in advance. (Gluten-Free, Vegan)

I’m a total breakfast person. I’ve always been an early riser, and my kids are old enough now that I can squeeze in a quick workout and my morning routine before they’re up for the day, so I’m always ready for breakfast early!

One of my go-to healthy breakfast ideas is overnight oats. We’ve got LOTS of flavors we’ve shared over the years, but these chocolate peanut butter overnight oats are my latest favorite. With their creamy texture, simple ingredient list, and speedy prep, they’re an awesome grab-and-go, make-ahead option when time is tight. I love that they taste like a happy treat in the morning or give me an energy boost for an afternoon snack.

Here’s all you need to get started on this healthy chocolate peanut butter overnight oats recipe…

Here’s What You Need To Make Healthy Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats Recipe:

• Rolled Oats (Gluten-Free, As Needed!). I find rolled oats are the perfect texture for overnight oats. I love them!
• Chia Seeds. These magic little gems puff and gel when they’re exposed to liquid. Besides adding healthy fat, fiber, and protein, they’ll also help thicken your chocolate peanut butter overnight oats to a gloriously creamy texture.
• Drippy Natural Peanut Butter. I like the kind that’s just peanuts or just peanuts and salt. It’s easiest to mix in here and has a nice flavor! (Feel free to use almond butter, another nut butter or a seed butter if you prefer!)
• Unsweetened Cocoa Powder. Dark unsweetened cocoa powder (sometimes labeled Dutch-processed or alkalized cocoa powder) will give you a darker color and more prominent chocolate taste. If you don’t have it or like it, feel free to use regular unsweetened cocoa powder or even raw cacao powder.
• Pure Maple Syrup. This adds a little natural sweetness. I love it here with the chocolate and peanut butter. You’re welcome to swap in some honey or you can play with an alternative sweetener, like monkfruit or stevia. (I don’t use these last two, so you’ll need to trust your tastebuds to find the right amount!)
• Vanilla & Salt. These add a gorgeous, balanced flavor. Both are essential for me!
• Your Favorite Milk. We’re dairy-free, so we most often make our overnight oats with dairy-free milk, like almond milk. Cashew milk, oat milk, dairy-milk, soy milk, and coconut milk all work. Basically, use whatever you drink!
• Yummy Toppings For The Morning. More on this in a minute! IMO, it’s ALL about the toppings!

How To Make Peanut Butter Chocolate Overnight Oats, Step By Step:

1. In a bowl, combine peanut butter, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt. Whisk to combine (the mixture will be thick.)
2. Add chia seeds & rolled oats to the chocolate peanut butter mixture.
3. Drizzle in the milk and stir until well combined. (No large chunks of cocoa powder or peanut butter should remain. A few small pieces of peanut butter are fine!)
4. Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to thicken slightly, then stir again. (This will help prevent the chia seeds from settling in a clump or falling all to the bottom.)
5. Transfer the mixture to a bowl or jar and cover with a lid or some plastic wrap/reusable food wrap. 
6. Refrigerate at least 30 minutes, up to overnight.
7. When you’re ready to serve them, give the oats a stir and garnish with your favorite toppings.
8. Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats will stay fresh in the refrigerator 2-3 days for the best texture, but can keep up to 4-5 days. 
9. To serve the oats warm, heat in a pan on the stovetop with a drizzle of milk over medium heat, or in a bowl in the microwave for 60-90 seconds with a drizzle of milk, as needed. 

Yummy Toppings For Chocolate PB Overnight Oats:

• MORE PEANUT BUTTER! My favorite topping is a drizzle of peanut butter. I like having some that’s less mixed in on top, to complement the peanut butter stirred into the oats mixture.
• SLICED BANANAS. Bananas + peanut butter + chocolate are best friends, so adding a few slices of banana in the morning is one of my favorites. You can also absolutely stir in a few slices while it chills overnight if you want a more pronounced banana flavor.
• CHOPPED PEANUTS. I love the contrast of crunchy peanuts + creamy overnight oatmeal. It’s delightful!
• CACAO NIBS. Similarly, cacao nibs add a tasty crunch. They’re unsweetened, so a light touch usually works best.
• MINI CHOCOLATE CHIPS. Or, go big with a few mini chocolate chips. This always feels fun and special.
• FRESH BERRIES. I love berries + chocolate together. Finish your chocolate peanut butter overnight oats off with a few raspberries or strawberries in the morning for a fresh twist!
• A TINY PINCH OF FLAKY SEA SALT. Just a few flakes of sea salt can add such incredible flavor to peanut butter + chocolate!

FAQ + Tips For The Best Peanut Butter Chocolate Overnight Oats

Do You Eat Overnight Oats Cold Or Warm? It’s up to you! Most folks eat overnight oats cold (like museli or almost like a rice pudding), but you can absolutely warm them up if eating them cold weirds you out! In the morning, pour the oats into a microwave-safe bowl and heat 60-90 seconds or until the oats are plump and steaming. (You may want to add an extra splash of milk!)

Can I Make These With Yogurt? Our chocolate peanut butter overnight oats are made with no yogurt, but if you love the tang that yogurt gives or need the extra protein, feel free to use half milk and half yogurt! Plain Greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt works well.

Gluten-Free? Be Sure To Use Certified Gluten-Free Oats! Oats themselves don’t contain wheat gluten, but they’re often processed or farmed in ways that cause cross-contact or cross-contamination. If you have Celiac, a wheat allergy, or gluten sensitivity, you’ll do best if you only use certified gluten-free oats. We love Bob’s Red Mill, Thrive Market, Nature’s Path, Trader Joe’s, or One Degree brands.

Can I Use Steel-Cut Oats or Quick Oats Instead? I find that rolled oats strike the perfect texture for overnight oats. (Quick oats get too soft, while steel-cut stay too hard & chewy)

How Long Do Overnight Oats Last In The Fridge? Most overnight oats last well 2-3 days in the refrigerator for the best texture, but can last up to 4-5 days. They will continue to soften and thicken as time passes, so you may need to add a drizzle of milk before serving.

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