German Chocolate Overnight Oats
These German Chocolate Overnight Oats are what dreams are made of! They’re creamy and chocolatey with coconut and pecans for all the flavors of German chocolate cake. They take 10 minutes to prep and make the perfect meal prep breakfast!
If you’ve followed along here for a while, you know that I love overnight oats. This is mostly due to the fact that I’m not a morning person, and I love breakfasts that I can prep ahead.
My coconut overnight oats and blueberry overnight oats have been my go-to recipes for years, but when I’m craving something rich and chocolatey, these German Chocolate Overnight Oats completely satisfy!
German chocolate cake and German chocolate brownies are my favorite, so I created this recipe with those flavors in mind.
These no cook oats have double chocolate flavor with both cocoa powder and mini dark chocolate chips, and they wouldn’t be German chocolate without coconut and pecans.
They’re surprisingly wholesome as they include whole grain rolled oats and chia seeds, and they’re dairy and gluten-free.
They take about 10 minutes to prep, and they’re ready for you in the morning so that you barely have to lift a finger to get breakfast on the table.
All mornings should start this way! 🙂
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Chocolate overnights combine the creaminess of oats with rich chocolate flavor, coconut and pecans!
- It’s an easy no-cook breakfast that takes 10 minutes to prep.
- This recipe is vegan and gluten-free, so it’s great for special diets.
- It can be easily customized with ingredients that you have on hand.
Recipe ingredients
- Oats. Rolled oats are best for this recipe as they provide a nice texture, but quick oats may be used if that’s all you have on hand. If you enjoy steel cut oats, be sure to see my recipe for overnight steel cut oats. They have a nice chewy texture!
- Cocoa powder. Use unsweetened cocoa powder to control the sweetness.
- Maple syrup. Substitute with your favorite sweetener.
- Chia seeds. 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.
- Almond milk. The almond milk may be substituted with your favorite milk.
- Coconut. I prefer using unsweetened shredded coconut to control the amount of sweetness, but sweetened shredded coconut may be substituted.
- Pecans. Sub with your favorite nuts as desired.
- Chocolate chips. Mini dark chocolate chips are completely optional.
See the recipe card below for the full list of ingredients and quantities.
How to make Chocolate Overnight Oats
This chocolate overnight oats recipe is creamy, rich and chocolatey, yet it’s surprisingly wholesome! It comes together in just 10 minutes, and the oats soften overnight in the refrigerator while you sleep.
Pro tip: The oats will be on the thicker side once they’ve absorbed the liquid. Add 1/4-1/2 cup more liquid to loosen them up before serving as desired.
See the recipe card below for full instructions.
- Combine the cocoa powder and maple syrup in a medium bowl until very smooth.
- Add the milk and whisk well to combine.
- Add the oats, chia seeds and coconut and whisk until incorporated.
- Cover and chill for a minimum of 3 hours or overnight until the oats have absorbed the liquid.
Recipe FAQs
For best results, use rolled oats as they absorb the liquid well and provide a nice creamy texture. Instant oats can become mushy, while steel cut oats have a much chewier texture.
If you prefer to use steel cut oats, see my recipe for overnight steel cut oats.
Chocolate overnight oats can be eaten warm or cold. To heat, simply place them in the microwave and heat at 30 second intervals, stirring after each, until the oats reach the desired temperature.
There are several great ways to add protein to these overnight oats. Add a scoop or two of your favorite protein powder, or 1/2 – 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt. They’re also great drizzled with your favorite nut butter.
Serving suggestions
There are a number of different ways to serve these rich, creamy chocolate overnight oats based on ingredients that you have on hand.
- Add 1/2 – 1 cup of plain Greek yogurt for a thick, creamy texture and added protein.
- Add a scoop or two of your favorite protein powder for additional protein.
- Top with fresh raspberries or sliced strawberries for a pop of color, flavor and added fiber.
- Swap out the coconut and pecans with peanut butter and sliced banana for a delicious twist.
Recipe 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.
More breakfast recipes you’ll love
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 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! ?