Rich and creamy chocolate protein overnight oats taste like dessert but fuel you like breakfast. Perfect for busy mornings when you want something quick, chocolatey, and satisfying.

Chocolate protein overnight oats in a clear rectangular container, topped with chocolate chips, placed on a countertop.

These overnight oats are rich, chocolatey, and packed with protein to keep you full and focused; no blender or fancy ingredients required.

As a dietitian, one thing I will never apologize for is how much I love chocolate. But eating a slice of chocolate cake isn’t the best idea first thing in the morning. These chocolate protein overnight oats make it easy to get my chocolate fix while also fueling my body for a busy morning.

And if you’re into chocolate first thing in the morning, you need to give my cookies and cream overnight oats and tiramisu overnight oats a try too!

These double chocolate oats are easy to make the night before, and this recipe makes enough for two servings, each with 20 grams of protein.

If you struggle to eat a lot in the mornings, but want to hit your protein goals, this is the perfect overnight oatmeal recipe to try.

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These decadent chocolate overnight oats with protein powder hit that sweet spot between indulgent and balanced. They’re ideal for mornings when you’re juggling early meetings, school drop-offs, and everything in between.

High in protein with 20 grams per serving to help curb mid-morning cravings and give you long-lasting energy.
A balanced breakfast with 20 grams of protein, complex carbohydrates, 5 grams of fiber, and plenty of healthy fats from chia seeds and peanut butter.
A chocolate-lover’s dream breakfast with cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and chocolate
Make-ahead friendly, so mornings feel a little more doable. This recipe is best eaten within 3 days of making it, but I’ve stretched it out to 4 or 5, and they’re still delicious.

As a registered dietitian, I’m always aiming for breakfasts that strike a balance between protein and fiber, and these oats are it.

With just over 300 calories per serving, they’re a good choice if your morning appetite isn’t very big or if you’re pairing it with something savory like a slice of avocado and cottage cheese toast for the perfect sweet and savory meal.

Key Ingredients

Ingredients for chocolate protein overnight oats arranged on a countertop.

Check out the full ingredient list in the recipe card, but take note of these key ingredients that can make or break this recipe:

Milk: The type of milk you use will change the nutrition of this recipe. I usually use fat-free ultra-filtered milk, which has a super creamy texture, less sugar, and more protein than traditional milk. Use any type of dairy or plant-based milk you prefer. For an even more intense chocolate flavor, you could even use chocolate milk!
Greek yogurt: Plain, non-fat Greek yogurt is ideal for this recipe. It’s plenty sweet without any added sugars in the yogurt. You could use higher-fat yogurt if you want it to be more satisfying.
Oats: Rolled old-fashioned oats give this chocolate overnight oatmeal the perfect chewy texture. If you use instant oats, it will be less dense, but it can still be used. Skip the steel-cut oats for this one.
Chocolate protein powder: Using protein powder adds between 10 and 20 grams of protein in each serving, depending on which type you use. I like using Ascent Chocolate Whey or Optimum Nutrition milk chocolate for this one. You can use a plant-based protein powder like Orgain vegan protein powder, too!
Cocoa powder: Any unsweetened cocoa powder will work for this recipe, but Dutch cocoa powder will have the most intense chocolatey flavor.

Equipment needed

I love that these oats don’t need any special equipment; all you need is a regular mason jar or a glass food container. However, I really love my 10-ounce glass jars with lids for oats, since they’re perfect for individual servings and even come with a marker to write the flavor and date on the lids!

How to make high-protein chocolate overnight oats

Chocolate protein overnight oats mixed with Greek yogurt being prepared in a clear rectangular container

Chocolate protein overnight oats being prepared in a clear rectangular container

Add all the ingredients to a mason jar or lidded container. Stir (or shake!) until everything is well combined.

Cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours.

Enjoy straight from the jar or top with a few extra chocolate chips before serving.

Watch how to make chocolate protein overnight oats

How to make this recipe even easier

Use a single serving jar to mix (12 to 16 ounces is ideal).
Mix up two or three jars at once to save time all week.
No Greek yogurt? Sub in blended cottage cheese or skip it and use extra milk for a thinner texture.

You can adjust the sweetness of this based on your personal preference, especially if the protein powder you’re using is sweetened (or isn’t!).

If you use a vanilla or flavored and sweetened yogurt instead of plain, it will add extra sweetness as well, so you may want to skip the added maple syrup if you’re using that.

I love making a batch of these oats on a Sunday night so I can start my week with a high-protein sweet breakfast ready to grab and head out the door with!

Variations and Substitutions

Nut-free: Use sunflower seed butter instead of peanut butter.
Dairy-free: Swap in coconut yogurt and almond or oat milk and use a plant-based protein powder.
No chia seeds: You can leave the chia seeds out of this one or swap them for a tablespoon of ground flaxseed if you’re not a fan of the chia texture but want the boost of healthy fats and protein.
Make it mocha: Stir in a pinch of espresso powder for an extra-rich mocha vibe.
No protein powder: Skip the protein powder and eat these oats as is or add a tablespoon of hemp seed powder or extra Greek yogurt for a bit more protein.
Change the toppings: top with chopped peanuts, coconut flakes, espresso powder, cinnamon, or extra peanut butter.

Storing and reheating leftovers

Store these chocolatey overnight oats in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can stretch them out to 4-5 days, but the texture and flavor will start to change a bit at that point.

I think these oats are best eaten cold, but you absolutely can warm them up if you prefer warm oats instead. Just pop the container in the microwave for 30 to 60 seconds, stirring in between.

What to serve with chocolate overnight oats

These oats are a whole, balanced breakfast on their own (paired with a cup of coffee!), but if you want to enjoy a smaller portion or need more calories in your meal, enjoy these oats with:

Fruit, including apple slices, raspberries (on the side or mixed in), blueberries, peaches, or strawberries
A hard-boiled egg
A slice of turkey bacon

FAQs

How can I add more protein to oatmeal, without protein powder?

There are tons of ways to add protein to oats (hot or overnight) without relying on protein powder, including nuts, seeds, Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and more.

What is the best protein powder to add to overnight oats?

Whey protein often has the best flavor and texture, but plant based protein powders work well, too! If you’re not sure of the flavor, just start with a quarter of a scoop and go up from there!

How many days can you keep overnight oats in the refrigerator?

This particular recipe is best if eaten within three days, but can be stretched out to 4 or 5 without sacrificing too much flavor or texture.

Recipe

📖 Recipe