Brownie Batter Overnight Protein Oats
on Mar 13, 2017, Updated Jul 24, 2024
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Easy chocolate overnight protein oats that taste like brownie batter!
Incredibly delicious and the perfect healthy start to the day! Couldn’t be more perfect of a recipe.
—Caroline
Introduction
These brownie batter overnight oats are chocolate-packed, high in protein and make the perfect fuel on the go. These oats are extra thick, somewhere between cookie dough and brownie batter, though the consistency is easy to adjust.
Overnight oats make such a handy breakfast for busy mornings. They’re portable, adaptable to suit your dietary needs and preferences, can be eaten cold and take just minutes to prepare the night before.
Oatmeal lover? Try this chocolate version and get these Carrot Cake Overnight Protein Oats, Simple Creamy Banana Oatmeal and Baked Berry Protein Oatmeal on your list to try next.
Ingredients
The complete list of ingredients with measurements is located in the recipe card at the end of the post.
- Oats: Overnight oats are best made with rolled oats or large flake oats but you can also use quick oats. Do not use steel cut oats.
- Milk: You can use any plant-based milk you enjoy such as almond milk, oat milk or cashew milk. You can substitute water if needed but they’ll be creamier with milk.
- Protein Powder: This recipe calls for a pea protein vegan protein powder. Most vegan protein powders are made form pea protein, so you could use brands like Vega, Kaizen, Orgain, PVL, KOS or Naked Nutrition. Pea protein absorbs a lot of moisture so its best for a thick, chewy texture.
- Cocoa Powder: You can use cocoa powder, dark cocoa powder or raw cacao powder.
- Optional: I like to add vanilla and salt to enhance the flavour. Depending on the protein powder used, you may also want extra sweetener. You can use stevia for sugar-free, maple syrup or honey.
Variations & Add-Ins
- For more heathy fats and thickening, add 1-2 tbsp chia seeds, ground flax or hemp seeds (hemp seeds won’t thicken but flax and chia seeds will).
- Use half milk and half yogurt for an even thicker, creamier texture.
- Add 2-3 tbsp shredded coconut for chocolate coconut overnight oats.
- Powdered peanut butter works well for peanut butter flavour without overdoing the calories. You can swap half of the protein powder for peanut butter powder, or add 2-3 tbsp peanut butter powder plus some extra milk.
- Zucchini Chocolate Chip Oats: Add up to 1/2 cup finely grated zucchini and 1-2 tbsp cacao nibs or mini chocolate chips.
- Mocha Oats: Add 1 tsp espresso powder and/or replace 1/2 cup of the milk with coffee.
- Chocolate Orange Oats: Add 1 tsp orange zest.
- Other spices that work well are 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper or 1/4 tsp nutmeg.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Combine all of the ingredients in a sealable jar or any airtight container and shake or stir well.
The recipe calls for 3/4 cup milk, 1/2 cup rolled oats and 44 g of protein, which is one scoop of Vega protein but may be more than one scoop for other brands. For best results, use a digital scale to measure the ingredients.
Make sure you mix well until there are no clumps of cocoa powder, protein powder or oats remaining. Seal the container and place in the fridge overnight or at least for 4-6 hours.
In the morning, give the oats a stir and enjoy them straight from the container or transfer them to a bowl. You can eat them as is or with your choice of toppings.
Common toppings include fresh berries, sliced bananas, chopped nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and granola.
Topping Ideas
- Chocolate chips or cacao nibs.
- Sliced banana.
- Peanut butter, almond butter, or other nut or seed butter.
- Any nuts or seeds like walnuts, pecans, hemp seeds, pumpkin seeds.
- Fresh berries like sliced strawberries or raspberries.
- Chia seed jam.
- Coconut yogurt.
- Granola.
- Shredded coconut.
- Dried cherries, cranberries or raisins.
Recipe FAQs
The choice between milk and water for your overnight oats comes down to your taste and dietary needs. Milk provides a creamier, richer texture than water and adds nutrition. You can use any milk such as almond milk, soy milk or cashew milk.
If you’d like to reduce the calories or don’t have milk on hand, water works well too though it won’t provide the creaminess and flavour of milk.
You can also use half milk and half yogurt for an even creamier texture.
Overnight oats and traditional cooked oatmeal are both healthy breakfast options, and the choice between them depends on your preference.
In terms of health, both overnight oats and oatmeal can be nutritious choices. It’s more about your personal preferences, time constraints, and how you like to enjoy your oats. Some people prefer the convenience and texture of overnight oats, while others enjoy the warmth and cooking process of traditional oatmeal. You can make either option healthier by choosing nutritious toppings and limiting added sugars.
Both overnight oats and oatmeal start with oats as the main ingredient. Oats are a nutritious whole grain that is rich in fiber, particularly beta-glucans, which can help lower cholesterol levels and promote heart health. They also provide essential vitamins and minerals like magnesium, iron, and B vitamins.
You can use any protein powder you enjoy but I really like pea protein powder for this recipe. Most plant-based protein powders are made from pea protein so you can just check the label.
Pea protein is a plant-based protein derived from yellow peas. It’s known for its high protein content and excellent amino acid profile but I like it for it’s texture and consistency in oatmeal.
I also like blended plant-based protein powders that may have a blend of proteins like pea, rice, hemp, soy and others. These blends provide a wider range of amino acids.
You can use chocolate, vanilla, peanut butter, mocha or any other flavour you think would work well in chocolate oats. Note that if you use unsweetened or plain protein, you’ll need to add sweetener to the recipe.
You can make your overnight oats in any container you want by my go-to is mason jars. Glass food storage containers are also a good choice, or just use a bowl and cover it in the fridge overnight. I like mason jars or glass containers if I’m taking them to-go in the morning.
You can also get these super cute, reusable silicone sleeves for mason jars for extra durability and to use like a coffee jacket if you want to take something hot in your jar.
Raw cacao is made by cold-pressing unroasted cocoa beans whereas cocoa powder has been roasted at high-temperatures.
Unfortunately, roasting cacao at high-temperatures lowers the nutritional value so to reap the amazing health benefits of chocolate, it’s cacao powder that that you’re after.
I use both cacao powder and cocoa powder but I do like using cacao where I can.
High in antioxidants, cacao has been show to lower insulin resistance, protect your nervous system, lower blood pressure, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, fight free radicals, support a sense of well-being and provide important minerals like magnesium iron, calcium and zinc.
It’s the obvious choice but it’s also more expensive. Use it if you like but both raw cacao powder and cocoa powder work just fine in this recipe.
Recipe Notes
- This recipe comes out very thick with a doughy consistency. If you prefer more of a traditional oatmeal consistency, increase the almond milk to 1 cup.
- For sweetness, it depends on the protein powder used as some are sweeter than others. You may not need to add sweetener. Sweeten to taste with a pinch or stevia, a few drops liquid stevia or 2-3 tsp maple syrup or other liquid sweetener.
- Some readers have had issues with their oats being “soupy”. If you follow the recipe amounts as listed, these come out very thick with a batter-like consistency. For best results, please follow the recipe and measure your ingredients using a kitchen scale.
Storing Instructions
- Store overnight notes in an airtight container like a mason jar or Weck jar in the fridge for 3-4 days.
- While they may technically last a bit longer, the texture and flavor can deteriorate over time. It’s best to make only as much as you can consume within this timeframe.
- Overnight oats are typically enjoyed cold but they can be reheated in the microwave or in a small pot on the stovetop.
Brownie Batter Overnight Protein Oats
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rolled oats, 50 g
- 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 scoop vegan chocolate or vanilla protein powder, (44 g Vega Performance Protein recommended)
- 2 tbsp 14 g cocoa powder or raw cacao powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
- 1 packet stevia or stevia drops to taste, optional*
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a glass container or bowl and mix well with a spoon. Make sure everything is mixed in and there are no dry clumps.
- Cover and place in the fridge overnight or for at least 4-6 hours.
- When ready to eat, stir and enjoy as is or with toppings like sliced banana or strawberries, peanut butter, yogurt, nuts or seeds, or anything else you enjoy.
Yum!!! These were so easy and soooo good! I used flax milk since that was what I had and they came out awesome. Definitely going to make these again, as well as some of the variations. So easy to grab and go 🙂
Proportions seem to be off. I followed the recipe exasctly and have soupy oats after they chilled overnight. The flavor also isn’t quite brownie – more cocoa powder. Decent base to start with but will tweak quite a bit at next try.
If you followed the proportions in the recipe exactly, I’m not sure how they could be soupy!? Did you use the full serving of protein powder (44 g) as I’ve listed in the recipe? And the full 2 tbsp of cocoa powder and 1/3 cup oats? When I make these, they’re always very thick. Apologies if they didn’t work for you!
Hi there,
For the extra toppings like carrots / walnuts / bananas / pineapple, must it be added the night before or only just before you eat the oats in the morning?
Thanks
It’s up to you, there’s no right or wrong way really. I like to add everything the night before so I can grab it and go but if you prefer you can add the toppings in the morning. I kind of like them soaked in the liquid overnight so they’re a bit softer. For sure add the carrots the night before though.
Had to heat mine in the microwave because it was literal soup in the morning. What the heck? Still tastes good but I guess I’ll need to adjust for eating on the go.
That’s weird, it should be super thick! Mine comes over very, very thick and dough-like every time. Did you double check the amounts you used?
Hi, thank you for your explanation with regard to cocoa powder versus cacao powder. I am not saying that I disagree in any way however my confusion is because I live in Canada and as a bi-lingual country (English & French) all of our products have the English & French on the labels. I know short story long I’m finally getting to my point, cocoa powder in french is spelled cacao powder. Crazy eh? So how will I know if I’m getting the really great cacao powder that the beans have been cold-pressed versus the hot temperature ? Anything you can do to provide enlightenment would be greatly appreciated!
Sincerely
Lea
I guess if it’s a bi-lingual label and both French and English sides say cacao instead of cocoa and cacao, then you’re good to go! Cacao is more expensive than cocoa powder, so that should tell you you’re buying cacao right there! Cacao sometimes also says “raw cacao powder” or “raw cacao” and can be found in the health food section or natural food section rather than with baking products. Depending on where you shop, you may need to go to a specialty or natural food store to find cacao. I’m in Canada too!
I’ve never made overnight oats but I decided to quickly give this a shot, ,can never go wrong with brownie batter in the description. all I can say is AMAZING! I question how this recipe could possibly be healthy. Highly recommend! Thank you!!
Haha, I question how a lot of the food I eat is healthy! I’m glad you enjoyed them. Now that you’ve made overnight oats, you can get into all kinds of delicious varieties!! Thanks for your comment.
Made this tonight for breakfast tomorrow. Was very easy to make. I’m using honey instead of stevia and used 2 tsp. Also used vegan chocolate shakeology as my protein powder add-in. Will add coconut flakes tomorrow morning and a few mini chocolate chips. Looks really good.
Tried it and loved it 🙂 Just adapted the recipe slighty 🙂 and it delicious… Thank you
So happy you liked it!
How long will this last in the fridge? I made mine for work and forgot it at home.
They’re fine for a couple days. Enjoy!
How much of the powered Peanut Butter do you add so you can taste it?
I usually use 2 servings worth, so 4 tbsp otherwise it’s not enough PB flavour for me. You’ll have to add more liquid as well. 🙂
Hey , i want to try this for my breakfast, looks amazing
What makes it brown ?
So I use peanut butter , oats , banana , seeds , anything else ?
Thankyou in advance xx
The cocoa powder makes it brown. Use the ingredients listed in the recipe and you should be good to go!! Enjoy!
These are MY kind of overnight oats! The thicker, the better! 😉