Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats takes a classic flavor combination and turns it into a rich, decadent breakfast recipe that’s made with clean wholesome ingredients. So, you can enjoy it guilt-free. Add this recipe into your meal prep rotation for a quick and easy healthy breakfast all week.

I don’t have a big sweet tooth, but I have a weakness for chocolate and peanut butter.

However, it would be impossible for me to maintain any weight loss if I gave into my chocolate peanut butter cravings all the time, so I am always working on healthier alternatives. Some of my favorites include these chocolate peanut butter energy bites, chocolate peanut butter smoothie, chocolate peanut butter breakfast bars, and now this creamy, delicious recipe for chocolate peanut butter overnight oats.

Reasons you’ll love this recipe

Taste like dessert – If you love Reese’s peanut butter cups or perk up when someone mentions chocolate and peanut butter, then this is the recipe for you.
Pantry ingredients – This overnight oats recipe comes together in less than 5 minutes with simple ingredients you most likely have in your kitchen.
Wholesome and healthy – Made with fiber-rich oats, superfoods, and is naturally gluten-free and dairy-free.
Meal prep – When you need sweet yet healthy meal prep breakfast recipes, you can put chocolate peanut butter overnight oatmeal on the meal plan.

Ingredients

Rolled oats – these are also called old-fashioned oats or thick-cut oats. You can find them in the grocery store’s cereal aisle or look in the bulk section if you want to purchase a smaller amount.

Cacao Powder and nibs – this superfood gives the overnight oats a deep chocolate flavor while providing flavonoids, protein, fiber, iron, and other nutrients. Feel free to use unsweetened cocoa powder if you don’t have cacao powder.

Chia seeds – this is my favorite superfood to use in overnight oats recipes. Not only does it help create a creamy texture, but chia seeds add protein, fiber, and omega-3’s to each jar.

Unsweetened coconut milk – You can also use almond milk or any non-dairy milk to keep this chocolate peanut butter overnight oats recipe vegan. However, you can use dairy milk too.

Peanut butter – Many name-brand peanut butter recipes include high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oils. So, to keep this recipe clean, I recommend using organic natural peanut butter. The only ingredient on the label should be peanuts.

Pure vanilla extract – this adds extra flavor.

Maple syrup – this overnight oats recipe needs a little extra in the sweet department so I use pure maple syrup. I recommend starting with two teaspoons and then in the morning give it a taste, and if you need more sweetness, stir in the rest of the maple syrup.

a bowl of creamy chocolate overnight oats with peanut butter drizzled on top and sprinkled with cacao nibs

FAQs

Can I use steel cut oats or instant oats?

In my experience, no. Steel-cut oats take a longer time to process and will result in crunchy oatmeal. Instant oats process too quickly and will be a jar of mush in the morning.

Rolled oats are perfect for overnight oatmeal recipes. They process overnight in the milk resulting in a creamy pudding-like texture that still has some chew.

How long do overnight oats need to soak?

In overnight oats recipes, the oats process by sitting in the liquid – there’s no cooking involved. So, for the oats to get that creamy consistency and texture, they should soak for at least 6 hours – but I prefer to do a total of 8 hours.

How much liquid should I use in overnight oats?

The formula I use when I make overnight oats is 1:1 rolled oats to liquid. One serving is ½ cup rolled oats and ½ cup of milk.

There needs to be enough liquid to cover the oats completely.

How do you sweeten overnight oats?

Overnight oats can be sweetened using your favorite sweetener. For a clean, healthier option, I recommend pure maple syrup or honey. Depending on the recipe, 1-3 teaspoons is usually enough of this sweetener.

You can also use coconut sugar, agave, stevia, monk fruit, or any other sweetener. I suggest starting with the smallest amount and then add in more if you need to.

If you have more questions then check out the How to Make Overnight Oats guide I put together.

Cooking Tips

You can use powdered peanut butter to reduce the fat and calories. When I first published this recipe back in 2014, I made it with PB2. However, I don’t purchase powdered peanut butter anymore, so I updated the recipe with natural peanut butter. If you want to use PB2, then swap in two tablespoons for the natural peanut butter in this recipe.

You can add more protein. Peanut butter adds a good amount of protein to this oatmeal recipe. But, if you want extra protein, then stir in a tablespoon of greek yogurt. You can also stir in collagen powder, protein powder, hemp hearts, or other superfoods. You might need to pour in additional milk if the oats seem dry.

Switch up the nut butter – you can also use almond butter, cashew butter, or even sunflower butter.

Use a different container – 16-ounce mason jars are my favorite container for overnight oats because they are portioned-controlled and portable. As long as you cover the oats in liquid, you can use any container with a lid.

Supplies

16-ounce mason jars
Mason jar lids

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

step by step collage showing how to make peanut butter chocolate overnight oats

It’s so easy to prepare one or more jars of this chocolate peanut butter overnight oatmeal.
Start by mixing the rolled oats, cacao, and chia seeds into a 16-ounce mason jar.
Then add the peanut butter, coconut milk, vanilla extract, and pure maple syrup.
Tightly place the lid on and refrigerate overnight, preferably 6 – 8 hours.
Remove the lid and give the oats a couple of stirs. Give the oats a taste and if you need more sweetness, stir in the rest of the maple syrup. The oats might be a little thick, so if you want to loosen them up, stir in a splash of milk until you get a creamy texture.
Drizzle with the rest of the peanut butter.

Keep in mind that the longer the oats sit in the refrigerator, the thicker they will be. Just add in 1-2 teaspoons of milk to bring them back to a creamy pudding consistency.

creamy pudding-like overnight oats with chocolate and peanut butter.

How to Store the Recipe

To meal prep

You can prepare jars of peanut butter chocolate overnight oats on Sunday and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

To freeze

You can assemble the dry ingredients into baggies or jars and freeze them for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to put onto the meal plan, place the ingredients into a mason jar (if not already), add the milk and refrigerator. Check out this overnight oats freezer kit tutorial for more information.