Start your day with a delicious blend of rich coffee and creamy chocolate in these delicious mocha overnight oats. This no-fuss breakfast combines bold flavours from espresso and cocoa with the wholesome goodness of rolled oats, chia seeds, and your favourite milk. Simply mix, soak overnight, and enjoy this café-inspired breakfast on the go – perfect for busy mornings!
Topped with fresh bananas and chopped nuts, this easy breakfast recipe offers an energising meal that feels like dessert yet fuels you like a champion. Every bite is a blend of tender, creamy oats in a rich coffee-chocolate flavour, and added crunch from the chia seeds and chopped nuts.
Table of contents
- What makes these mocha overnight oats so good
- Ingredients for mocha overnight oats
- How to make mocha overnight oats
- What products can I use for overnight oats?
- Can I use instant coffee powder instead of regular coffee/espresso?
- Can I make overnight oats without chia seeds?
- How long can they last?
- Can I make this vegan?
- Is it possible to heat overnight oats?
- More breakfast recipes
What makes these mocha overnight oats so good
- A dessert-like breakfast: Who doesn’t love starting the day with a dessert-like treat? The marriage of rich coffee and chocolate creates a decadent mocha flavour that feels like a dessert yet totally healthy. It’s like enjoying your favourite café drink and a wholesome meal in one!
- Packed with nutrients: The oats are a great source of fibre, chia seeds add protein and omega-3, coffee gives you a natural energy boost, and the cocoa is rich in antioxidants and boosts heart health. It’s a balanced meal that keeps you full and focused all morning!
- Effortless preparation: Just like my easy overnight oats recipe and the pumpkin pie version, overnight oats are my go-to breakfast whenever I want to save time in the mornings. Just throw everything together and let the fridge work its magic. No cooking, no hassle – just pure convenience!
Ingredients for mocha overnight oats
- Rolled oats: I use old fashioned rolled oats for all my overnight oats recipes as these will become tender after soaking overnight. I wouldn’t recommend using instant oats as these will become mushy.
- Chia seeds: These soak up liquid well and help thicken the oats mixture overnight, giving it a deliciously creamy, pudding-like texture. They also give an extra nutrition boost as they are rich in fibre, omega-3, protein, and antioxidants!
- Your choice of milk: I used full fat milk for this recipe, but plant-based like oat milk works perfectly fine.
- Sweetener: I added a tiny amount of maple syrup to combat the bitterness from the espresso and cocoa.
- Espresso: You’ll need 1 shot of espresso per serving. If you’re using regular brewed coffee, add about 1 tbsp per serving.
- Cocoa: I added 1 tbsp cocoa powder. Adjust the amount depending on your taste preference.
- Your favourite toppings: I added in fresh banana slices and chopped almonds to complement the mocha flavour. You can also add in chocolate chips and nut butter!
How to make mocha overnight oats
- Mix dry ingredients – In a jar or a bowl, combine rolled oats, chia seeds, and cocoa powder..
- Add wet ingredients – Pour in milk, espresso, and maple syrup. Give everything a mix to combine well.
- Refrigerate – Cover the jar or bowl, and place in the fridge. Let it sit overnight (or at least 4-6 hours) to allow the oats to absorb the liquid.
- Serve – The next morning, stir the oats. If it’s too thick, you can add a splash of milk. Top with your favourite toppings like chocolate chips, nuts, nut butter, or fruits.
What products can I use for overnight oats?
For overnight oats, I like to use jars with airtight lids for easy storage overnight. You can also use bowls with a cover. The jar I used is a 10oz glass jar with bamboo lid, which fits perfectly well with the amount of oats and toppings for this recipe. You can also use these glass jars for any storage like coffee beans, candies, nuts, etc.
See product link: 10oz Glass Jars with Bamboo Lids
Can I use instant coffee powder instead of regular coffee/espresso?
Yes, absolutely! To replace the espresso with instant coffee powder, dissolve 1-1.5 teaspoons of instant coffee powder in a small amount of hot water before adding it into the oats mixture.
Can I make overnight oats without chia seeds?
Yes, chia seeds are optional, but they help thicken the oats. If you skip them, your oats will be slightly thinner, so you can reduce the amount of liquid as you mix the ingredients together.
How long can they last?
Overnight oats can be kept for up to 5 days if stored in an airtight container or a jar in the refrigerator, making them a convenient meal prep option.
Can I make this vegan?
Absolutely! Simply switch up the milk with plant-based milk (such as almond, soy, or oat milk). The rest of the ingredients in this recipe are all vegan.
Is it possible to heat overnight oats?
Yes, if you prefer a warm breakfast, you can heat the oats in the microwave for 1-2 minutes or on the stovetop before adding in toppings. Add a splash of milk if it becomes too thick.
Whether you’re a coffee lover, a chocolate lover, or just someone looking for a delicious and easy breakfast, your mornings just got a whole lot sweeter with these mocha overnight oats. They are the ultimate balance of indulgence and nutrition, promising you a fulfilling meal to kickstart the day!
More breakfast recipes
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Mocha Overnight Oats
Equipment
- 10oz glass jar with bamboo lid (see product link in Notes below)
Ingredients
- ¼ cup rolled oats (see product link in Notes below)
- ½ cup milk
- 1 tbsp chia seeds (see product link in Notes below)
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 shot espresso
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- ½ banana sliced (optional topping)
- chopped almonds (optional topping)
Instructions
- Mix dry ingredients – In a jar or a bowl, combine rolled oats, chia seeds, and cocoa powder.
- Add wet ingredients – Pour in milk, espresso, and maple syrup. Give everything a mix to combine well.
- Refrigerate – Cover the jar or bowl, and place in the fridge. Let it sit overnight (or at least 4-6 hours) to allow the oats to absorb the liquid.
- Serve – The next morning, stir the oats. If it’s too thick, you can add a splash of milk. Top with your favourite toppings like chocolate chips, nuts, nut butter, or fruits.