These Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats combine cinnamon, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, and maple syrup into one tasty bowl of oats!
It's a chocolate chip overnight oats kind of morning! Can we all just agree that chocolate for breakfast is always a good idea? Good, glad we are on the same page. Whether it's in a smoothie or pancakes or overnight oats, adding a little chocolate never hurts. These days, I try to eat a variety of breakfast foods. Most commonly I eat eggs for breakfast, but I also find myself craving something a bit lighter some mornings, like overnight oats. This recipes combines cinnamon with chocolate chips for a sweet yet still good-for-you breakfast.
The best part about this breakfast is that it's a make-ahead recipe, meaning when you're running around in the morning, you don't have to think about what you're going to eat for breakfast because it's already made for you. MAJOR WIN. When you finish doing the dishes from dinner the night before, simply prepare these oats, stick 'em in the refrigerator and you'll be good to go in the morning.
HOW TO PREPARE OVERNIGHT OATS
Overnight oats may just be the easiest breakfast recipes to prepare. Well, other than smoothies. No... no I'd say they're equally as easy. First, let's go over what you need in order to make these oats.
Old fashioned oats: In order to make overnight oats, you're going to need... OATS! What a shock. My favorite oats are old fashioned oats, otherwise known as rolled oats. These tend to work a lot better than steel cut oats, though you can use those if you're in a pinch.
Milk: Using milk as the liquid provides more flavor than water. Almond milk tends to be my milk of choice, but to be honest, ANY milk will work, so just use whatever you have on hand.
Sweetener: Yes, most old fashioned oats recipes will call for some sort of sweetener. This recipe in particular uses maple syrup because it mixes well with cinnamon and chocolate. Other sweeteners you could use include honey, cane sugar or stevia.
Jars: Once everything is mixed together, you're going to want to put the mixture into cute jars, right? Right.
EASY CHOCOLATE CHIP OVERNIGHT OATS RECIPE
As I mentioned, overnight oats may just be the easiest recipe to prepare ahead of time. Here are the exact ingredients you'll need in order to make these chocolate chip overnight oats.
- old fashioned oats
- milk
- maple syrup
- cinnamon
- cocoa powder
- chocolate chips
- fruit for topping
Other things you could add if you really want to take these oats to the next level include but are not limited to: chia seeds, hemp seeds, yogurt, and/or vanilla extract.
*This post was originally published in 2015 but has since been updated with new photos. Don't worry, it's still the same, great recipe!
MORE OVERNIGHT OATS RECIPES
Cinnamon Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup almond milk or milk of choice
- 1-2 tablespoon organic maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoon chocolate chips dairy free for vegan option
- 1 banana optional
Instructions
- Place all ingredients EXCEPT the banana in a bowl or mason jar and stir.
- Place in refrigerator overnight or for at least 6 hours. Before eating: slice the banana and place it on top of the oats.
- Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Michaela says
I’ve made this 3 times now. It’s my go to overnight oat recipe. I love the blend of cinnamon and cocoa.
Erin says
That's great to hear! Glad it's become a staple for you.
Manuel says
One of the easiest and healthiest ideas!
Thank you.
Amanda says
As a fellow currently planning my wedding bride, let me just say that the whole give a gift when you first *ask* someone to be your bridesmaid is a pretty new thing, and I think it should totally be your call. If you want to do a creative ask involving a gift, go for it! If you don't, don't. The one thing that *isn't* optional is getting a gift to give to every member of your bridal party the day of your wedding (or at the rehearsal dinner) as a thank you for being in the wedding.
Whitney Carney says
I would be completely happy if I was your bridesmaid and you gave me these oats. Just sayin'. 🙂
Dani @ DaniCaliforniaCooks says
This would be perfect if I'm craving sweets when I wake up - just get that craving out of the way in the AM with these oats!
Kaylin @ Enticing Healthy Eating says
You know, I need to try more overnight oats. I'm already ridiculously addicted to oatmeal for breakfast, I need to surprise myself one morning and try overnight oats. Here's to spontaneity! Anyways, as for the bridesmaid gifts: I did actually get my bridesmaids a small basket of 4 things each when I asked them. But I wanted to get them things they would use. Each gift basket contained a small scented body wash, small candle, some red and pink sprinkles, and a rose gold bracelet with a small arrow on it as a charm. I wanted to get them useful things, not just something they would put away in a drawer and forget about using some day. They all loved them! And I really did well on my budget, I even broke down the costs of each of the items on my blog post I wrote about my bridesmaid gift boxes on my blog. Good luck with more wedding planning!
Arman @ thebigmansworld says
ooooo oatmeal!! Lol, I swear ages ago you told me you didn't like oats so glad the tastebuds have changed! These look so good and I'm digging the chocolate and cinnamon combo!
Erin says
Well.. I like overnight oats but I dislike oatmeal. It makes no sense. Warm oats--I just can't.
Amanda @ .running with spoons. says
Definitely agree that chocolate for breakfast is never a bad idea! And I don't think enough people realize how much better chocolate gets with a hint of cinnamon. Match made in heaven, I tell ya.
Brie @ Lean, Clean, & Brie says
Chocolate for breakfast?! I am all over it! Especially when I can make it the night before and it is ready for me in the morning 🙂
Ang @ Nutty for Life says
I've been craving overnight oats recently, because I usually eat them cold. I should whip up a batch asap (prob of this recipe! haha). Although my mom might be devastated she won't get her AM smoothie.
I totally feel ya on the bridesmaid gift front. You're already spending beaucoup (big word alert) $$ on the wedding itself, and I mean .. are they really going to use the gift you give them or is it just going to go to waste? I guess the only caveat is that they're spending money on you too for the shower & the bachelorette party, so I think some people see that as a sort of thank you gift. But if anything I would give that at the actual day of the wedding, not as an asking gift. I think a cute card is sufficient.
I had no idea I even had an opinion about this until now.
Erin says
HAHAH you crack me up. I like your advice and I'm glad to see your opinionated side shine through. Thanks for the input lady.
Katalina @ Peas and Peonies says
This looks like a very fancy, delicious and yet healthy breakfast. Love it!
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape says
I simply sent my bridesmaids a handwritten card asking them if they would like to be my bridesmaid and what they meant to me - I don't think they expected anything more! Then I gave them a necklace each the day before the wedding to wear on the wedding day. Sometimes the small things rather than the big things are more meaningful 🙂
Jen @ Chase the Red Grape says
But I must also add in the UK the bridal party are expected to pay for everything regarding their bridesmaids - dress, hair etc....
Erin says
That's great advice! I think you're right... I'm not sure bridesmaids expect a gift when they are being asked, I do think it's nice though BUT I like the card idea. I'm definitely on board with that.
Chris says
I've been needing a new overnight oat recipe because I'm getting tired of the ones I have. So, thanks! As far as gifts, I gave my groomsmen custom/thoughtful gifts. (I thought they were thoughtful at least.) I mean yes, they were/are my good friends and would've said yes regardless, but think about it. They (your bridesmaids) are spending money on a dress, shoes, hair/makeup, all that stuff and it is for you. From that standpoint I wanted to show my appreciation with a thoughtful gift. My gifts weren't super elaborate, but they were unique. My two cents. =)
Erin says
Did you get them a gift to ask them, or just as a wedding gift? I completely understand what you are saying though.
Chris says
Oh... did I misunderstand the whole thing?? Ha! I got them as a wedding gift... like post wedding. Definitely not to ask them... I don't think a gift is necessary just to ask!
Jessica @ Nutritioulicious says
I guess I really need to try this chocolate for breakfast thing everyone's doing! As for bridesmaids gifts, personally I think asking them with a nice card is enough and then giving them a gift the wedding weekend is more significant. That's what I did and that's what I remember my friends doing when i was a bridesmaid for them. And whichever way you go, it def doesn't need to be monogrammed!
Erin says
That's what I'm leaning toward.. thanks for your input! Oh, and chocolate for breakfast is a must! 😉
sassygirl says
I'd add a tsp. of chia seeds
to this yummy OOIAJar!!
🙂
Christine@ Apple of My Eye says
Love the chocolate chip and cinnamon combo! Thought I must admit, I'm really just not a fan of overnight oats. For me, they're one of those things you keep WANTING to like, but the texture just throws me off.
And monogrammed things? I'm the complete opposite 😉 . I love getting unique and customized gifts for people and I'm not ashamed to say that lots of monogramming will be happening haha!
Erin says
HAHA we can agree to disagree on monogramming 😉 And I'm weird about oat texture... I like overnight oats but dislike oatmeal. It's strange.
The Healthy Apple says
Love the idea of chocolate for breakfast. Those bananas on top look AMAZING!!
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat says
Overnight oats are the best! Plus, preparing them the night before means one less thing to do in the a.m.
Erin says
YES that's the whole reason why I like them 🙂
Heather @Fit n Cookies says
Mmm! I eat oats a lot, actually way more infrequent than I used to, but still a lot. I haven't tried adding chocolate powder to them before. I used to add chocolate protein powder which was good! I will be giving this one a try!
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I actually always make this flavor combo! I just had them yesterday! Chocolate and cinnamon....just so good!