When you’re having one of those moments and all you want is chocolate and peanut butter, skip the gas station candy. Take five minutes on Sunday and prep a week’s worth of Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats instead.
These overnight oats are rich, creamy, and totally satisfy the biggest sweet tooth – without the guilt. Each jar is filled with whole grains, healthy fats, and protein, and the best part is you probably already have everything you need in your kitchen to make these peanut butter chocolate overnight oats right now.
Quick Look at This Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: None
- Total Time: 5 minutes (+ overnight soak)
- Servings: 1 (easy to scale for meal prep)
- Method: No-cook, overnight soak
- Flavor & Texture: Rich, chocolatey, creamy, dessert-like
Chocolate for Breakfast… or Anytime!
If you love Reese’s peanut butter cups or perk up any time someone mentions chocolate and peanut butter, this recipe is for you.
These chocolate peanut butter overnight oats taste like dessert, but they’re made with simple, wholesome ingredients that actually keep you full and satisfied. I love them as a make-ahead breakfast, but I’ve also enjoyed them as an afternoon snack and even at night when a sweet craving hits and I want something a little more nourishing than candy or cookies.
This is one of those recipes that checks all the boxes: it’s quick to make, uses pantry ingredients, and fits perfectly into a meal prep routine. You can prep a few jars on Sunday and have a sweet, healthy option ready to go whenever the craving strikes.
If you enjoy dessert-inspired overnight oats like I do, be sure to also check out Almond Joy Overnight Oats, Overnight Oats with Dates (turtle-inspired), Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oats (think Black Forest cake), Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats, and Brownie Batter Overnight Oats.
And if you want to learn how to build your own overnight oats combinations, my overnight oats guide walks you through the perfect formula so you can customize flavors using whatever you have on hand.
Enjoy!
Ingredient Notes
You’ll find the full ingredient list in the recipe card below. These notes will help you get the best flavor, texture, and consistency.
- Rolled oats (also called old-fashioned oats) are the best oats to use for overnight oats. Instant oats turn mushy, and steel-cut oats won’t soften enough without cooking.
- Cacao powder and cacao nibs give these oats a deep chocolate flavor while providing fiber, iron, flavonoids, and other nutrients. If you don’t have cacao powder, unsweetened cocoa powder works just fine.
- Chia seeds are my favorite superfood to add to overnight oats. They help create a creamy texture and add fiber, protein, and omega-3s.
- Unsweetened almond milk is what I most often use, but coconut milk or any non-dairy milk works well. You can also use dairy milk if that’s what you have.
- Natural Peanut butter adds richness, flavor, healthy fat, and protein. I recommend using natural peanut butter with peanuts as the only ingredient to avoid added oils and sweeteners.
- Pure maple syrup adds just enough sweetness to balance the chocolate. I like starting with less and adjusting in the morning.
Supplies
You can use any container with a lid, but my go-to is a 16-ounce wide-mouth mason jar. It’s perfect for portion control, easy to transport, and makes overnight oats truly grab-and-go. Plastic mason jar lids are especially convenient for everyday use.
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats {Step-by-Step}
- Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients. Add the rolled oats, cacao powder, and chia seeds to a 16-ounce mason jar. Stir until evenly combined.
- Step 2: Add the wet ingredients. Add the peanut butter, almond milk, vanilla extract, and maple syrup. Stir until everything is well mixed and chocolatey.
- Step 3: Refrigerate overnight. Cover tightly with a lid and refrigerate for 6–8 hours or overnight.
- Step 4: Adjust and enjoy. Remove the lid and give the oats a good stir. Stir in the maple syrup. If the oats are too thick, stir in a splash of milk until creamy.
- Step 5: Finish and serve. Sprinkle with cacao nibs and drizzle with extra peanut butter if desired. Enjoy straight from the jar or in a bowl.
Expert Tips & Variations
- To reduce fat and calories, swap the peanut butter for PB2 or powdered peanut butter. Use about 2 tablespoons of powdered peanut butter in place of regular peanut butter. You can also check out my overnight oats with PB2 recipe for inspiration.
- Peanut butter already adds protein, but if you want more, stir in a 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt, 1/4 cup cottage cheese, collagen powder, protein powder, hemp hearts, or other high-protein superfoods. You may need to add a little extra milk if the oats seem dry.
- You can also switch up the nut butter and use almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower butter for a different flavor.
Make-ahead tips
For weekly meal prep: Prepare jars on Sunday and store them in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
For freezing: You can assemble the dry ingredients in jars or freezer bags and freeze for up to 3 months. When ready to use, add milk and refrigerate overnight. My overnight oats freezer kit tutorial walks through this process step by step.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Equipment
- 1 16-ounce mason jar
- mason jar lids
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- ½ cup almond milk unsweetened (you can use any non-dairy or dairy milk)
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter natural
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 3 teaspoons pure maple syrup
- cacao nibs optional
Instructions
- Start by mixing the rolled oats, cacao, and chia seeds into a 16-ounce mason jar. Stir until evenly combined.
- Then add the peanut butter, almond milk, and vanilla extract. Stir until everything is well mixed and chocolatey.
- Tightly place the lid on and refrigerate overnight, preferably 6 – 8 hours.
- Remove the lid and give the oats a good stir. Stir in the maple syrup. If the oats are too thick, stir in a splash of milk until creamy.
- If desired, sprinkle with cacao nibs and drizzle with extra peanut butter if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
Other Overnight Oats Recipes
- Strawberry Banana Overnight Oats
- Chocolate Overnight Oats with Yogurt
- Pumpkin Overnight Oats
- Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oats
- Vanilla Overnight Oats
- Chocolate Banana Overnight Oats
Check out all of my healthy oatmeal recipes. Or check out all of my healthy breakfast recipes.
Did you make this recipe?
If you tried these Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats, I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment and a 5-star rating below – it helps other readers find the recipe and feel confident trying it too.
Sara says
I saw so many unanswered questions so I thought I’d fill in some blanks:
-Do I cook them first?: No. They soak overnight in the liquid.
-What kind of oats do I use? Rolled or Old fashioned, they are basically the same thing
-Can I use steel cut? Yes, if you like crunchy, under-soaked oats.
-Can I use instant oats? Yes, if you like mushy, over-soaked oats.
-Can I use real peanut butter? Yes, you can use any type of nut butter you like.
-How can I sweeten this up? Try a few spoonfuls of vanilla yogurt. Or a few banana slices.
-Can I use regular milk? Yes.
-Can I warm them up? Yes, but try it cold first (it’s awesome, trust me) leave the jar on the counter for 10-20 mins to take the chill off.
You’re overnight oats base is equal parts oats and liquid. Endless add-ins.
Hope this helps!
Tammy Kresge says
Wow thanks!! I should hire you as my comment moderator! Obviously I could use one. Thanks so much!
Sara says
My pleasure! Great post, thank you!
Sara says
Doh! Can you change my you’re to your in my original comment? Can’t believe I let that one slip!
Mara says
I added in some Farmer’s Market pure pumpkin puree and that was really good as well!
Tammy Kresge says
YUM! That sounds amazing!
Kristy says
Loved this! Went to work and told everyone about it! Ooh can’t forget about the banana Nutella muffins! Bethany you for posting these amazing recipes!
Brooke says
Can you use real peanut butter instead of the powdered peanut butter? I researched PB2 and I found it does not have the best ingredients. The organic version is also really expensive. Could I just use real peanut butter instead? Thanks 🙂
diann keyser says
can i use steel cut instead?
Ashley Cluchie says
These have quickly become a favorite of mine! I eat them at least once a week. I needed a little extra sweetness so I added an extra teaspoon of pure maple syrup. Thank you so much for sharing your recipes and journey with us! I still have a long way to go in my weight loss journey but your recipes help me stay on track. I’ve also started crossfit and love it! You are an inspiration!
Carrie Nelson says
I made these last night and just tasted them. To me, these are so plain with virtually no flavor other than unsweetened chocolate and hint of peanut butter. There is no sweetness at all and I made it exactly as described. Sounded so good. I wonder how I could sweeten this up?
Tammy Kresge says
Hi Carrie, I sweeten mine with pure maple syrup. Did you add that?
Vicki says
I’m allergic to almonds, would regular milk be just as good?
Kaitlyn says
What do you mean by rolled oats? Are they cooked or not cooked? What brand do you buy?
Sharon S says
49 WW Points+?????!!!!!
Tammy Kresge says
No that is the carb count. This is a 9 point breakfast.
Sheryl says
I was wondering about heating this up before eating?!
Tammy Kresge says
I eat mine cold but you can certainly heat up in microwave or on stovetop if you like before eating.
Kelly Steinke says
I always warm them up for my husband, but I eat them cold or room temperature. They are all delicious!
Stephanie says
I was just going to ask where to get powdered peanut butter. Target? Thanks for the info. Can’t wait to try?
Suzanne says
If you cannot find them near you, the original brand is called PB2 google it you can buy it on-line.
Tracy says
They do sell the powdered peanut butter in a chocolate flavor as well. Target carries them both on the top shelf by the regular peanut butter.
Tarynn Playle says
I have never even heard of powdered peanut butter. Consider me intrigued! I will definitely be trying this because I LOVE peanut butter and chocolate too! Thanks for the recipe!
Traci Moore says
So do these never need to be cooked at all in the process? Do you eat them cold? If I prefer to eat them warm, should I heat them then add, peanuts, chic chips, the coconut or almonds on other recipes? I think I’m about to get hooked on these. They all look incredible.
Meg says
Can I use quick oats, or do they have to be the regular (old fashioned) kind?
Many Thanks!
Meg
Krystal says
You can use either.
Rebecca says
How do the oats cook?
Deb says
You don’t need to cook the oats, follow the recipe, put the jar in your fridge overnight, get up and stir them up and eat. Delicious and healthy.