German Chocolate Chia Overnight Oats
These German Chocolate Overnight Oats are a wholesome, protein-packed breakfast with the flavors of german chocolate cake. They’re the perfect grab ‘n go breakfast!
Thank you to everyone for the lovely birthday wishes last week! I took the week off and celebrated in style, so now I’m refreshed and ready to get back to work creating more recipes to share with you.
Last week I shared Hummingbird Cupcakes for my birthday which I adored, but that’s not actually my favorite birthday cake flavor. My all time favorite cake is german chocolate, so since I didn’t have it for my birthday last week, I decided to create these German Chocolate Overnight Oats to get my fix instead.
I’ve been more than ready to get back to a healthy diet after multiple birthday celebrations, and overnight oats are a great way to jump back in.
If you’ve followed along here for a while, you know that I love my overnight oats. The two most popular recipes happen to be my coconut overnight oats and blueberry overnight oats, so be sure and check those out!
Like all of my overnight oats recipes, I’ve made this version with non-dairy milk because it makes them ultra creamy.
Overnight oats are a delicious make-ahead breakfast that I make often because mornings are busy. I’ve also mentioned that I’m not a morning person, so I love waking up and having breakfast ready to go in the fridge.
There’s barely any effort involved in making overnight oats too — how does 10 minutes of prep sound?
How to make German Chocolate Overnight Oats
Place your oats, coconut, chia seeds, and cocoa powder in a large bowl.
Add the milk along with some maple syrup, and stir.
Cover with plastic wrap, pop in the fridge, and breakfast is ready for you in the morning!
Since these overnight oats are german chocolate cake inspired, topping them with toasted pecans is a must. I also topped them with toasted coconut flakes because the more coconut the better in my book, and some dairy-free mini chocolate chips are a fun but optional addition as well.
These German Chocolate Overnight Oats are so creamy and wholesome, and taste just like german chocolate cake. I think every day should start this way.
Recipe Notes:
- These oats were on a little on the thicker side so add more of the nutmilk to thin them out if desired.
- Toast the desired amount of pecan halves or pieces on a rimmed baking sheet at 350 degrees for 8-10 minutes or until fragrant and store in an airtight container at room temperature.
- If using coconut flakes, toast over medium low heat in a skillet. Watch them carefully as they burn quickly! Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
- You can find pre-toasted pecan pieces and coconut flakes at Trader Joe’s if you’d like to save time!
More make ahead breakfast recipes you’ll love:
Freezer breakfast sandwiches by Natasha’s Kitchen
Did you try this recipe? If so, be sure to leave a review below and tag me @flavorthemoments on Facebook and Instagram
German Chocolate Overnight Oats
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2.5 cups unsweetened almond milk sub with your favorite milk
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds see note 3
- 1/3 cup toasted pecan pieces
- Mini chocolate chips, additional coconut, for serving optional
Instructions
- Place the cocoa powder and maple syrup in a medium bowl and whisk until the cocoa powder is smooth. Add the almond milk and whisk to combine.3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, 2.5 cups unsweetened almond milk, 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
- Place the oats, shredded coconut and chia seeds to the wet ingredients and stir until incorporated.2 cups old fashioned rolled oats, 1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- Cover with plastic wrap and chill for a minimum of 3 hours or overnight until the oats have absorbed the liquid.
- Serve topped with pecans, and mini chocolate chips and additional coconut as desired. Enjoy!Mini chocolate chips, additional coconut, for serving
Notes
- Pro tip: The oats will be quite thick once they’ve absorbed the liquid. Add 1/4-1/2 cup more liquid to loosen them up before serving as desired.
- Toast the pecan pieces in a small skillet over medium heat for 5-8 minutes or until fragrant, tossing frequently. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
- I highly recommend chia seeds as they help thicken the oats and they provide a boost of fiber and nutrition. If you don’t have any on hand, decrease the amount of milk to 2 cups.
- Store chocolate overnight oats in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
Nutrition
Nutrition is estimated using a food database and is only intended to be used as a guideline for informational purposes.
37 Comments on “German Chocolate Chia Overnight Oats”
This sounds amazing, nutritious and soooo delicious! I just ordered some of the items from Amazon, and they will arrive in two days. It sounds like the recipe will make two or three servings. What is your take on that?
Thanks for posting. I am now a follower of Flavor the Moments. You have great articles, recipes and stunning photographs. Thank you!
Hi Annie! Thanks so much for following along and I hope you love the recipes here! This recipe will give you a good 4-6 servings — the oats are actually quite filling. I hope you enjoy them!
My mom’s favorite ice cream flavor growing up was always german chocolate cake, so I’m loving this overnight oat version! Looks so creamy and absolutely delicious – want!
I’ve never had german chocolate cake ice cream — now that’s something I need to try! 🙂
Thanks so much Juliana and I hope you had a great weekend!
Wow, this looks incredible. And weirdly, I just bought chia seeds for the first time because everyone I know who is health conscious is eating them, but didn’t know what to do with them except sprinkle them on my regular cereal.
Will definitely be trying this. I’m vegan too, so it’s perfect!!
And gorgeous photos.
Overnight oats are my favorite way to use chia seeds, then there are smoothies and chia pudding! Thanks so much and I hope you enjoy the oats! 🙂
What a fun way to eat oats! Now only if my oats looked this delicious! 😉
Thank you Manali!
GENIUS!! What an awesome way to get the flavors of a sweet treat while still being mindful of food choices. I love this recipe, so clever! I think it would be a great afternoon snack! #client
Thank you so much Emily! 🙂
These ooooooooats! I love all-things German Chocolate, and this looks like the perfect healthful breakfast to get back (and stay!) on track. Just beautiful!
Thanks so much Julia!
I love it when a healthy breakfast tastes like dessert! And I bet the nuts and coconut shreds give a great textural contrast to the oatmeal…crunchy, creamy yumminess!
You’re so right about the nuts and coconut giving this a great texture — they really make it extra special. Thank you Casey!
Chocolate + chia+ overnight oats = all things nice. YUM! I LOVE German chocolates and I am also loving this pretty, delicious and healthy breakfast. I can have this protein packed breakfast any morning.
This is all things nice — I love that description! Thank you Anu and I hope you had a lovely weekend!
German chocolate is my weakness too! I love it so much and would happily jump out of bed for these oats in the morning. I also just picked up a carton of the Silk protein milk and it’s pretty tasty! Crazy how much protein is in one cup too. Between that, the oats and the chia seeds, this is one hearty and filling breakfast!
Thanks so much Sarah! Its truly amazing how much protein is in this nutmilk — it’s so perfect for these oats! And I’ve been excited to get out of bed for this breakfast. ?
I have to say that this is a classic breakfast meal. Rich in nutrition and balanced. But the problem with me is I only eat steelcut oats. So I am wondering how should I use this recipe.
I love steel cut oats too Balvinder, but sadly I haven’t found a way to make overnight oats with steel cut oats. ?
Overnight oats are one of my favorite breakfasts, too. I’m actually eating some as I type–but they’re (depressingly) not german chocolate cake flavored. I’m trying yours tomorrow for sure! Glad you had a relaxing birthday week 🙂
Thanks Kelsie and I hope you get your German chocolate overnight oats soon!
Yessss! What a great flavor idea for overnight oats! Now that the weather is getting warmer I’ve started to think about making them again! I LOVE this combo! And so glad to hear you had a great birthday week!!
Thanks Ashley!! It’s been freezing here so I heated these up for a half minute or so in the microwave and loved them! I’ll go back to eating them cold when it warms up. ?
I’m loving this healthy but still indulgent breakfast Marcie! So easy and packed with so many good things!
Thanks Ashley! I love that I’m getting my cake fix for breakfast!
So glad you had a good birthday celebration, Marcie! And I’m loving these overnight oats. Such a good idea to take your favorite cake flavor and combine it into a healthier breakfast. This is such a pretty dish and I’m wishing I could dig into this right now!
Thanks Gayle! Now I don’t feel like I missed out on German chocolate cake last week! ?