Chocolate Oatmeal

This recipe for chocolate oatmeal is a quick and easy breakfast that comes together in less than 10 minutes! Made without dairy or refined sugar, it can be enjoyed hot or overnight oats style, and is completely vegan, gluten free,and dairy free! 

Chocolate Oatmeal

Have you ever added cocoa powder to oatmeal? It’s like having chocolate for dessert! Here is why you’ll love this chocolate oatmeal recipe-

• Dessert for breakfast. These chocolate oats are your excuse to have dessert for breakfast! They are smooth, creamy, and full of chocolate flavor.
• Healthy and filling. Even though there is chocolate in its name, it IS healthy! The cocoa powder is unsweetened and only a tablespoon of maple syrup is used to sweeten it- Nothing refined!
• Ready in 5 minutes. For such a decadent-looking breakfast, it all comes together in under 10 minutes.
• Vegan, gluten free, refined sugar free AND dairy free. Regardless of what diet you follow, this breakfast covers all the bases.

I’ve always been someone who needs a sweet breakfast and this healthy chocolate oatmeal tick all the boxes.

What ingredients are in chocolate oats?

• Oats– Quick cooking oats are preferred, as they cook in less than two minutes and are packed with wholegrains. If you prefer a thicker texture, rolled oats or steel cut oats can also be used. We used gluten free quick oats, to be certified gluten free!
• Salt– Just a pinch to balance out all the other ingredients.
• Brewed vanilla tea OR water– Using vanilla tea instead of water gives the oatmeal an even more delicious flavor and hints of vanilla throughout. Of course, water can also be used. For the best brewed tea, we love using a glass infuser flask for this.
• Plant based milk– Unsweetened almond milk, soy milk, oat milk, or any dairy free milk of choice.
• Cocoa powder– Unsweetened and raw cocoa powder. Be sure to use a good quality cocoa powder for a richer chocolate flavor.
• Maple syrup– Adds some natural sweetness.
• Chocolate chips– Optional, but highly recommended to add some vegan chocolate chips.

How to make this chocolate oatmeal recipe

In a small saucepan, combine your oats, vanilla tea (or water), and plant based milk and bring it to a simmer. Once it has thickened, add the cocoa powder and maple syrup and mix until combined. Remove from the heat and serve immediately.

Can I enjoy this overnight style?

If you’d like to make this overnight style, you can skip the cooking process. Instead, make the following changes-

To make- In a bowl, add the oats and plant based milk and refrigerate, covered, overnight. The next morning, add the cocoa powder, maple syrup, and chocolate chips, and enjoy immediately. If your oats are too thick, add some extra milk.

Storing and make-ahead tips

• To store: Keep these warm for hours by storing them in a flask or heatproof container. We often make this breakfast early in the morning and store it in a Fressko Camino cup which keeps it warm for HOURS!
• To make ahead: Meal prep these oats by batch cooking enough for the week and store them in single serving container. When ready to eat, simply microwave for 1-2 minutes, adding more milk as needed.

What to serve with chocolate oatmeal

• Nut or seed butter– Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, or tahini.
• Fresh or frozen fruit– Sliced banana, blueberries, strawberries, or raspberries.
• Dried fruit, nuts, and seeds- Dates, raisins, peanuts, walnuts, cashews, or shredded coconut flakes.

Tools needed to make this recipe

• Fressko reusable coffee cup– To store the hot oatmeal in and keeps it hot for hours- Perfect for prepping early in the morning and having it when I’m comfortable in the office several hours later.
• Fressko Flask– Brews any tea perfectly every single time.
• Non-stick saucepan– No one wants oatmeal sticking to the pan.

More breakfast recipes to try

• Avocado toast
• Banana oatmeal smoothie
• Mango banana smoothie
• Breakfast smoothie
• Green protein smoothie