The ultimate make-ahead breakfast recipe, refrigerator oats are soaked overnight in a chocolate peanut butter yogurt mixture.
My boys both love oatmeal and it makes me so happy. Not only because they’re both into the same breakfast at the same time but because oatmeal is one of the most nutritious ways to start the day – whether you’re a kid or an adult!
I have a confession to make: my kids think flax seed meal is brown sugar. My dirty secret? I store it in an air-tight container, out of the packaging, and sprinkle it on top of everything from cereal to oatmeal to yogurt.
While they typically love my 90 second microwave oatmeal, now that we are heading into the warmer months I will be transitioning into refrigerator oats served chilled.
The best part about refrigerator oatmeal is that I can prep a big batch on Sunday and just scoop it out each morning when I need it. To start, you simply whisk together plain, unsweetened yogurt with milk, melted peanut butter, cocoa powder, cinnamon and vanilla. A ripe, mashed banana adds sweetness with the benefits of fiber.
Speaking of fiber, I fold in old fashioned oats and flax seed meal which then soak overnight in the yogurt mixture. In as little as 60 minutes, the oats begin to absorb the liquid and soften which is why this recipe requires no cooking!
Of course, the best part about overnight oats is that you can garnish them however you wish in the morning. Some days we just add banana slices and blueberries, other days we get crazy with more melted peanut butter and chocolate chips. The world is your oyster.
Your spoon is waiting.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 2 cups low fat milk or milk of choice
- 1 ½ cups plain whole milk yogurt
- 1 ripe banana mashed
- ¼ cup creamy natural peanut butter melted
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups Bob’s Red Mill organic old fashioned oats
- ¼ cup flax seed meal
- melted peanut butter and chocolate chips optional garnish to serve
Instructions
- In a large bowl, whisk together milk, yogurt, mashed banana, melted peanut butter, cocoa powder, cinnamon and vanilla. Stir in oats and flax seed to incorporate.
- Divide mixture between four glass jars or keep in bowl and refrigerator overnight. Garnish to serve with additional melted peanut butter or chocolate chips if you wish.
Chef’s Notes
Nutrition
Disclosure: I am honored to be in a long term partnership with Bob’s Red Mill. Thank you for supporting the brands that make The Lemon Bowl possible. All thoughts are my own.
Want more healthy breakfast recipes? Check out my Pinterest board!
Kimberly Baxter
WOW this looks and sounds so delicious!
Liz DellaCroce
It’s so good! I hope you love it!
Liren | Kitchen Confidante
I just made a batch of overnight oats — tomorrow I’m going to have to make this one!!
Liz DellaCroce
I hope you love it!
Kari - Get Inspired Everyday!
Wow, I’m pretty sure oatmeal has never looked so good! Crazily enough, I’ve still never made overnight oats, but I really need to start, especially since these look so decadent!
Liz DellaCroce
You must try it Kari!
Meredith
What a delicious sounding overnight oatmeal recipe! And I LOVE how you add ground flax seed to your littles’ food and they think it is brown sugar!!!
Liz DellaCroce
ahahah right? I hope this lasts awhile haha.
ChihYu
Totally love the flavor combination and it’s so easy and simple to make too. Thanks for sharing !
Liz DellaCroce
So easy! Enjoy!
Nicole | What She Ate
This looks magical. I love overnight oats, but don’t eat them often enough. I’ve never had yogurt in them before which I have to try next time! Thanks for sharing!
Liz DellaCroce
I really like how the yogurt gives it a little tang!
Cookin Canuck
You can’t beat a healthy breakfast that comes together in 10 minutes. Loving this idea for my whole family!
Liz DellaCroce
You really can’t right? xoxox
Sarah Newman
This would have been my dream breakfast as a kid! (And way healthier than the sugary cereals I used to eat everyday!). Love how your kids think flax seeds are brown sugar!! LOL *genius*
Liz DellaCroce
Yes totally!! hahah
Jersey Girl Cooks
This looks like one decadent dessert!
Liz DellaCroce
Sure does doesn’t it??
Tina
Ha! Imagine their surprise when your kids get to college and they ask for some brown sugar! I’m going to need to try that trick at home too.
Liz DellaCroce
Isn’t that so funny!!
Megan Stevens
Just wow. PB is the ULTIMATE comfort food. This looks so yummy!!
Liz DellaCroce
Really nothing better am I right?
Katie Walsh Beck
Ok overnight oatmeal is something I do all the time. It is quick to prep before bed and great to grab on my way into the office in the morning. I have never tried with chocolate or peanut butter, but this sounds like breakfast plus a treat! Amazing :)
Liz DellaCroce
YES!! So smart!!
Katie Walsh Beck
Ok – overnight oats is hands-down, one of my favorites. It is quick and simple to prep before bed and great to grab on my way out the door to the office in the morning. I have never had it with chocolate or peanut butter and this sounds amazing!
Carol Little R.H. @studiobotanica
LOVE your story re the Flax Seed in container. Priceless! You are a brilliant mom!
I do make overnight oats.. but have never made with peanut butter chocolate chip decadence!!
Liz DellaCroce
haha isn’t that funny?? :)
Katrina
First, I just LOVE your blog and all the pics! Second, this recipe!! Wow, Pinned and can’t wait to make it for my kids.
Liz DellaCroce
Aww thank you so much!!!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish
Oh. My. Goodness. This looks incredible! Fridge oatmeal is already awesome but with the chocolate chips and peanut butter topping, swoon! So yummy!
Liz DellaCroce
Really so good!! Enjoy!
Karen @ Seasonal Cravings
I think my 14 year old would figure out about that flax trick but I may try it anyway! These look so decadent – not much is better than peanut butter and chocolate!
Liz DellaCroce
hahahah try it!! :)
Lindsey Dietz
OMG, your flax seed use cracks me up. But it’s also genius! This looks DELISH!
Liz DellaCroce
hahahah right?
Jean
Such perfect combo of flavors! You can never go wrong with chocolate and peanut butter.
Liz DellaCroce
Couldn’t agree more!
linda spiker
What a great idea! I have never seen anything like this before!
Liz DellaCroce
Let me know how you like it!
Joni Gomes
This is peanut butter and chocolate breakfast dreams come true!
Liz DellaCroce
I hope you love it!
Tessa the Domestic Diva
Looks like taste perfection!! What a wonderful combo, and I like the idea of the overnight soak too!!
Liz DellaCroce
YES!! So so good and easy!
Jennifer V
I can’t wait to try this! I love anything that helps my mornings go smoother.
Liz DellaCroce
I hope you love it!!
Riddhima Nair
Thanks for the recipe, it looks so yummy:) :)
Liz DellaCroce
Let me know what you think!