I didn’t intend to post two chocolate + almond butter breakfast recipes in a row, but here we are, eating chocolate for breakfast again.
Don’t fight it.
Admittedly, I’ve been in a bit of a breakfast rut lately. I haven’t been waking up hungry in the mornings, and when I finally decide I’m ready for breakfast, nothing sounds particularly appealing to me.
I even ate a bowl of leftover pesto pasta salad for breakfast last week because it was literally the only thing in the house that sounded tasty at 9am. It was weird, but I kinda enjoyed it.
So, fueled by my need for, well, fuel, I decided to create a protein-packed breakfast that would keep me full and satisfied, even when I wasn’t in the mood for much of anything. Because despite my fluctuating appetite (nope, not pregnant, just a normal human being; remain calm) I still lead an active life and skipping breakfast just isn’t going to cut it.
So, here we go:
This overnight oats recipe is made with 8 simple ingredients and yields 1 serving of thick, creamy, chocolatey goodness that packs nearly 40g of protein…before you even add any extra toppings!
The secret, of course, is protein powder. This is the brand I’ve been loving lately (<— affiliate link) because it’s made from sprouted + fermented pea and rice protein, which is much easier to digest than your standard protein powder. The vanilla flavor also tastes great, which is an added bonus.
Ain’t nobody got time for a gritty, gross protein-powdery breakfast.
If you happen to have a favorite protein powder, feel free to use that here instead! I’m not being paid by that company to sell you protein powder, I just happen to love it! As always, I encourage you to do what works best for your body and your budget!
Other notable mentions are oats, chia seeds, almond butter, and, if you’re into it, some greek yogurt. If not, any non-dairy yogurt or milk of choice works equally well here (and just reduces the protein content by a few grams; no biggie). All of these ingredients work to add lots of protein, fiber, healthy fats, and essential nutrients into your breakfast bowl.
Then, just to make sure this bowl ‘o protein actually tastes good, we’re going to stir in some cocoa powder and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Stir it up right in the jar or bowl you’re planning to eat it out of, pop it in the fridge overnight, and in the morning you don’t even have to think about breakfast. Just grab your jar of overnight oats, top with fruit, granola, nut butter, or absolutely nothing at all, and dig in with a spoon.
If you wanted to make the chocolate sauce from this waffle recipe to drizzle on top, I wouldn’t be remotely mad at you. Actually, I would likely high five you, because chocolate is always the best topping for chocolate, amiright?
Of course I’m right.
Whether you’re stuck in a weird breakfast rut like I am, are looking for an extra filling and satisfying breakfast (thaaaaanks, protein!), or just can’t get enough of the combination of chocolate + almond butter, this breakfast is for you.
And, while I tend to just make a single serving at a time, feel free to double, quadruple, or do any other mathematical computations required to make a big batch to last you and your family all week. Trust me, you’ll be so glad you did.
If you make this recipe, let me know how it turns out! Leave a comment below, or take a picture and tag me on Instagram. I love seeing my recipes in your kitchen!
- 1/4 cup oats (old-fashioned or instant both work here)
- 3 Tablespoons vanilla protein powder of choice*
- 1 Tablespoon almond butter
- 1 Tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt**
- 1/4 cup milk of choice**
- optional: up to 1 Tablespoon maple syrup, to sweeten
- 1. Put all ingredients into a cereal bowl, 16-oz mason jar, or small container with a lid. Stir well to fully combine, then cover and let sit in the fridge overnight (or for at least 2 hours, and up to 4 days, before eating).
- 2. When ready to serve, top with fruit, granola, an extra drizzle of maple syrup, and more almond butter, if desired. Eat + enjoy!
- *If using an unsweetened/unflavored protein powder, consider adding a splash of vanilla and the full tablespoon of maple syrup, to ensure a pleasant flavor. Chocolate protein powder will work well here, too. I just tend to keep vanilla on hand since it's a little bit more versatile.
- **The Greek yogurt and milk can be substituted for a 1/2 cup of plain (not thick, greek-style) yogurt, canned coconut milk, or any non-dairy milk or yogurt option, if desired. If you find your overnight oats are too thick for your taste in the morning, just stir in another splash of milk.