The ultimate make-ahead breakfast recipe, chocolate peanut butter overnight oats soak in the fridge to be perfect come morning.

Drizzling peanut butter over the top of chocolate peanut butter overnight oats.

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We love a good, quick breakfast in my house. With two busy boys approaching their teen years, and my husband and I both working, there is always somewhere for us to be rushing to! Grab and go options like my Strawberry Oatmeal Yogurt Muffins and Ham and Cheese Baked Egg Cups only get us so far. Overnight oats is a favorite of ours, as it’s filling and delicious but takes no time in the morning when you need the break. My Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats is one that we continuously come back to, though you can customize overnight oats in lots of ways!

Why You’ll Love These Overnight Oats

All the prep work is done the night before, or days in advance!
You can eat it at home, or take it with you on-the-go.
It’s a fantastic source of fiber and iron.
Easy to enjoy by kids and adults like!

Ingredients

Milk: I use low-fat milk, but you could make this with any nondairy alternative, like almond milk or coconut milk.
Yogurt: You could use vanilla flavored if it’s all you have, but I like to use plain yogurt. Use Greek yogurt to up the protein, or a nondairy yogurt for a vegan option.
Banana: Acts as a natural sweetener and full of vitamins and nutrients.
Peanut butter: Packed full of protein and naturally sweet and creamy, I like to use natural peanut butter for my oats.
Cocoa powder: Rich, chocolate flavor that pairs well with peanut butter, cocoa powder is also full of antioxidants.
Cinnamon: Adds just a bit of spice to balance out the flavors.
Vanilla: Vanilla helps to enhance the flavors around it.
Old fashioned oats: Also called rolled oats, they are full of fiber, iron, and magnesium. They soak to become a soft and chewy texture.
Flax seed meal: Doesn’t add anything in flavor, but they add a ton of nutrients like omega 3 fatty acids.

Easy Substitutions

This dish can easily be made vegan by using dairy-free milk and yogurt, and it’s already gluten-free!
While I love to add in flax seed meal for the omega 3s, you can use other mix-ins instead, like chia seeds or protein powder.
I think the banana does enough to make it sweet, but if you like it sweeter, you can use honey or maple syrup.

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Step 1. Add your milk and yogurt to a large bowl or measuring cup.

Spilling mashed banana out of a small glass dish into a large measuring bowl.

Step 2. Then add in the mashed banana.

Step 3. Whisk until fully combined.

Pouring melted peanut butter into milk mixture in measuring bowl.

Step 4. Melt your peanut butter in a separate cup or bowl, then add to the milk mixture.

Adding cocoa powder to a large measuring cup with milk mixture.

Step 5. Next stir in the cocoa powder, cinnamon, and vanilla.

Step 6. Followed by the flax seed meal.

Adding old fashioned oats to chocolatey milk mixture.

Step 7. Finish by adding your rolled oats.

Mixing overnight oats ingredients together in large measuring cup.

Step 8. Stir until everything is evenly mixed and all ingredients are incorporated.

Chocolate peanut butter overnight oats in a mason jar topped with drizzled peanut butter and mini chocolate chips.

Divvy the mixture out into separate cups, or keep it in one bowl and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, take it out, and enjoy your chocolate peanut butter overnight oats!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are overnight oats good for weight loss?

Meal prep is a great way to help you with weight loss goals, and eating foods that are high in protein will keep you feeling full for longer, helping you cut calories. Overnight oats with peanut butter (which has that protein) can help you with these goals!

Is it OK to eat oatmeal everyday?

Yes! Oatmeal is a great healthy breakfast or snack to maintain a strong diet.

Are overnight oats better with milk or water?

Milk adds a creaminess that makes the oats more enjoyable to eat, in my opinion.

More Breakfast Recipes

Did you try this recipe and like it? The next time you make it, snap a picture and share it to your socials! Tag @thelemonbowl and #thelemonbowl so we can admire and share your dish.

The best part about my chocolate peanut butter overnight oats is that I can prep a big batch on Sunday and my boys or I can just scoop out a serving each morning, and you could make it that easy, too!

Your spoon is waiting.