Enjoy a delicious and nutritious breakfast with these easy chocolate hazelnut protein overnight oats, perfect for healthy meal prep and busy mornings.
This simple recipe is packed with flavor and protein, making it a great way to start your day. Each serving provides about 22 grams of protein. Discover the details and make your mornings a little smoother and a lot more delicious!
Table of Contents
- What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
- Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
- Time Needed From Start To Finish
- How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
- Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
- Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
- How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
Chocolate Hazelnut Protein Overnight Oats
- Total Time: 5-7 minutes active prep, plus chill time
- Yield: 1 serving 1x
Description
Enjoy a delicious and nutritious breakfast with these easy chocolate hazelnut protein overnight oats, perfect for healthy meal prep and busy mornings. This simple recipe is packed with flavor and protein, making it a great way to start your day. Each serving provides about 22 grams of protein. Discover the details and make your mornings a little smoother and a lot more delicious!
Ingredients
Instructions
1. 1. Combine Dry Ingredients in a Jar: In a small jar or container with a lid (a pint-sized Mason jar works perfectly), add the rolled oats, chocolate protein powder, unsweetened cocoa powder, chia seeds, and a pinch of salt. Stir these dry ingredients together thoroughly with a spoon to ensure they are well combined. This prevents clumps of protein powder or cocoa later on.
2. 2. Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the milk, hazelnut butter, maple syrup (if using), and vanilla extract into the jar with the dry ingredients.
3. 3. Mix Everything Together Well: Stir vigorously with a spoon, making sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the jar. You want to ensure the hazelnut butter is fully incorporated and there are no dry pockets of oats, protein powder, or cocoa powder. Continue stirring until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
4. 4. Secure the Lid: Place a tight-fitting lid on your jar or container. This is important to prevent the oats from drying out and to keep them fresh.
5. 5. Refrigerate Overnight: Place the sealed jar in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, but ideally overnight. This allows the oats and chia seeds to absorb the liquid, thicken, and become creamy. The flavors will also meld beautifully during this time.
6. 6. Check Consistency and Serve: In the morning, open the jar and give the oats a quick stir. If they seem too thick, you can add a splash more milk to reach your desired consistency. If they are too thin, you might have added too much liquid initially, but this is rare with these proportions.
7. 7. Add Toppings (Optional): Serve chilled, optionally topped with a sprinkle of chopped hazelnuts, a drizzle of extra hazelnut butter, a few chocolate chips, or fresh berries for added texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 5-7 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: breakfast
- Cuisine: american
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Protein: 22
Keywords: overnight oats, protein, chocolate, hazelnut, breakfast, meal prep, healthy, easy, no cook, oats
What You’ll Love About This Quick And Easy Recipe
This chocolate hazelnut protein overnight oats recipe is a true game-changer for anyone looking to simplify their morning routine without sacrificing taste or nutrition. It’s perfect for busy individuals, families with active schedules, or anyone who wants a healthy breakfast ready to grab and go. The beauty of overnight oats lies in their simplicity: no cooking required, just a bit of mixing the night before, and you wake up to a delicious meal. The combination of rich chocolate and nutty hazelnut flavors makes this feel like a treat, while the added protein keeps you full and energized throughout the morning. It’s an ideal solution for meal prepping healthy breakfasts for the week, ensuring you always have a wholesome option on hand, even on the most hectic days.
Everything You Need To Make This Recipe Without Stress
Gathering your ingredients for these chocolate hazelnut protein overnight oats is straightforward, and many items are likely already in your pantry. This recipe focuses on wholesome, accessible ingredients that come together to create a satisfying and flavorful breakfast. You won’t need any unusual or hard-to-find components, making it a stress-free addition to your meal prep rotation.
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (old-fashioned oats)
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy, like almond or soy)
- 1 scoop chocolate protein powder (whey or plant-based)
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon hazelnut butter
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (optional, for sweetness)
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
When selecting your ingredients, feel free to use your preferred type of milk. Almond milk or soy milk work wonderfully for a dairy-free option, while cow’s milk provides a creamier texture. For the protein powder, any chocolate-flavored whey or plant-based protein powder will do the trick; just choose one you enjoy the taste of. Hazelnut butter is key for that distinct hazelnut flavor, but if you can’t find it, a good quality almond butter can be a decent substitute, though the flavor profile will shift slightly. The maple syrup or honey is entirely optional and can be adjusted to your sweetness preference or omitted if your protein powder is already quite sweet. A small pinch of salt helps to enhance all the flavors, balancing the sweetness and chocolate notes.
Time Needed From Start To Finish
The fantastic thing about overnight oats is how little active time they require. Most of the “cooking” happens while you sleep!
Prep time: 5-7 minutes Chill time: At least 4 hours, or overnight Total time: 5-7 minutes active prep, plus chill time
This recipe is designed for maximum efficiency. You’ll spend just a few minutes in the evening mixing everything together, and then the refrigerator does all the hard work of thickening and blending the flavors. This makes it an ideal choice for busy mornings when every minute counts.
How To Make It Step By Step With Visual Cues
Making chocolate hazelnut protein overnight oats is incredibly simple, requiring just a few steps. Follow these instructions for a perfect, creamy breakfast every time.
- Combine Dry Ingredients in a Jar: In a small jar or container with a lid (a pint-sized Mason jar works perfectly), add the rolled oats, chocolate protein powder, unsweetened cocoa powder, chia seeds, and a pinch of salt. Stir these dry ingredients together thoroughly with a spoon to ensure they are well combined. This prevents clumps of protein powder or cocoa later on.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the milk, hazelnut butter, maple syrup (if using), and vanilla extract into the jar with the dry ingredients.
- Mix Everything Together Well: Stir vigorously with a spoon, making sure to scrape the bottom and sides of the jar. You want to ensure the hazelnut butter is fully incorporated and there are no dry pockets of oats, protein powder, or cocoa powder. Continue stirring until the mixture is smooth and uniform.
- Secure the Lid: Place a tight-fitting lid on your jar or container. This is important to prevent the oats from drying out and to keep them fresh.
- Refrigerate Overnight: Place the sealed jar in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, but ideally overnight. This allows the oats and chia seeds to absorb the liquid, thicken, and become creamy. The flavors will also meld beautifully during this time.
- Check Consistency and Serve: In the morning, open the jar and give the oats a quick stir. If they seem too thick, you can add a splash more milk to reach your desired consistency. If they are too thin, you might have added too much liquid initially, but this is rare with these proportions.
- Add Toppings (Optional): Serve chilled, optionally topped with a sprinkle of chopped hazelnuts, a drizzle of extra hazelnut butter, a few chocolate chips, or fresh berries for added texture and flavor.
Easy Variations And Serving Ideas That Fit Real Life
These chocolate hazelnut protein overnight oats are fantastic as is, but they also lend themselves beautifully to various customizations and serving ideas to keep things interesting and cater to different preferences.
For a richer chocolate experience, you could stir in a few mini chocolate chips before chilling, or melt a small amount of dark chocolate and swirl it in just before serving. If you’re not a fan of hazelnut, feel free to swap the hazelnut butter for almond butter, cashew butter, or even peanut butter for a different flavor profile. Just be aware that the protein content might vary slightly with different nut butters. To boost the fiber and nutrient content, consider adding a tablespoon of ground flaxseed along with the chia seeds.
When serving, these oats are incredibly versatile. They are perfect for a quick breakfast on the go – just grab the jar from the fridge and head out the door. For a more leisurely breakfast, spoon them into a bowl and get creative with toppings. A sprinkle of chopped toasted hazelnuts adds a lovely crunch and enhances the hazelnut flavor. Fresh raspberries or sliced bananas pair wonderfully with chocolate and add a touch of natural sweetness and freshness. A dollop of Greek yogurt on top can add even more protein and a tangy contrast. If you’re serving this to kids, a few extra chocolate chips or a fun sprinkle can make it an exciting and healthy breakfast option they’ll look forward to. You can also layer the oats with fruit or yogurt in a clear glass for an attractive parfait-style breakfast.
Common Slip-Ups And How To Avoid Them
Even with a simple recipe like overnight oats, there are a few common mistakes that can prevent you from achieving the perfect texture and flavor. Being aware of these can help you avoid them.
One frequent issue is oats that are too dry or too liquidy. This usually comes down to the liquid-to-oat ratio. Make sure to accurately measure your milk and oats. If your oats are consistently too dry, your protein powder might be extra absorbent, so try adding an extra splash of milk when mixing, or a little more in the morning. If they are too liquidy, ensure your chia seeds are fresh and active, as they are key thickeners. Using instant oats instead of rolled oats can also lead to a mushier, less satisfying texture, so stick to old-fashioned rolled oats for the best results.
Another common slip-up is clumpy protein powder or cocoa. This often happens if you don’t mix the dry ingredients thoroughly before adding the liquids, or if you don’t stir well enough after adding everything. To avoid this, always combine all dry ingredients first, breaking up any lumps, then add the wet ingredients and stir vigorously until everything is completely smooth and uniform.
Forgetting to chill long enough is another mistake. While 4 hours can work in a pinch, overnight chilling (8+ hours) truly allows the oats to soften completely, the chia seeds to swell, and the flavors to fully meld. Rushing this step will result in a less creamy and flavorful breakfast. Plan ahead to give your oats ample time in the refrigerator.
Finally, not using a tight-fitting lid can lead to dry oats or absorption of refrigerator odors. Always use a jar or container with a secure lid to keep your overnight oats fresh and moist.
How To Store It And Make It Ahead Without Ruining Texture
One of the greatest advantages of overnight oats is their suitability for meal prepping. You can easily make several servings at once to enjoy throughout the week, ensuring a healthy breakfast is always at your fingertips.
To store your chocolate hazelnut protein overnight oats, simply keep them in their sealed jars or airtight containers in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh and delicious for up to 3-4 days. The texture typically holds up very well, becoming even creamier over time as the oats continue to absorb the liquid.
When making them ahead, consider preparing individual portions in separate jars. This makes grabbing a quick breakfast even easier. If you plan to add fresh fruit like bananas, it’s often best to add them in the morning just before serving, as they
FAQs
- Can I make these ahead? Yes—prep ahead, refrigerate, then serve when ready.
- How long do leftovers last? Store covered in the fridge for 3–4 days for best texture.
- Can I adjust sweetness? Yes—add more or less sweetener to taste.
- Can I change the fruit? Yes—swap strawberries for blueberries, raspberries, or sliced banana.
