Overnight Protein Oats – Chocolate Peanut Butter

If you wake up hungry and short on time, this is the kind of breakfast that saves your morning. Chocolate peanut butter overnight oats are creamy, rich, and packed with protein, but take just a few minutes to prep the night before. You get the flavor of a dessert, the substance of a balanced meal, and zero morning effort.

It’s a simple formula that works for busy weekdays, post-workout recovery, or a sweet-but-smart weekend treat.

Overnight Protein Oats - Chocolate Peanut Butter

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Servings: 1 servings

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats)
• 1/2 cup milk of choice (dairy, almond, soy, or oat)
• 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt (or dairy-free yogurt)
• 1 scoop (about 25–30 g) chocolate or vanilla protein powder
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1–1.5 tablespoons natural peanut butter (or powdered peanut butter)
• 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt
• Optional mix-ins: 1 tablespoon chia seeds or ground flaxseed, mini chocolate chips, sliced banana (add in the morning)
• Optional toppings: chopped peanuts, cacao nibs, extra peanut butter, banana slices, a splash of milk

Method

 

1. Choose your container. A 12–16 oz jar or lidded container works best so you have room to stir and add toppings.
2. Mix the wet ingredients. Add milk, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, vanilla, and sweetener to the container. Stir until smooth. If your peanut butter is thick, microwave it 10–15 seconds first so it blends easily.
3. Add the dry ingredients. Stir in protein powder, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt until combined. Make sure there are no dry pockets—this prevents a chalky texture.
4. Add oats (and seeds if using). Fold in the oats and chia or flax. The mixture should look loose; it will thicken overnight as the oats and seeds absorb liquid.
5. Adjust the consistency. If it seems too thick already, add 1–2 tablespoons more milk. If very runny, add an extra teaspoon of chia seeds.
6. Refrigerate. Seal and chill for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight. The flavor deepens and the texture becomes creamy.
7. Serve. In the morning, give it a stir. Add a splash of milk if needed. Top with sliced banana, chopped peanuts, or a drizzle of peanut butter. Enjoy cold, or warm gently in the microwave in 20–30 second bursts, stirring in between.

What Makes This Special

This recipe hits that sweet spot between indulgent and practical. The cocoa and peanut butter deliver the classic candy-bar taste, while oats and Greek yogurt add staying power. Protein comes from a smart mix of yogurt and protein powder, so you feel full for hours without a sugar crash. The texture is thick and pudding-like, especially after a full night in the fridge.

Best of all, it’s flexible—easy to adapt for dairy-free, vegan, or different protein levels.

What You’ll Need

• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (not quick oats)
• 1/2 cup milk of choice (dairy, almond, soy, or oat)
• 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt (or dairy-free yogurt)
• 1 scoop (about 25–30 g) chocolate or vanilla protein powder
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1–1.5 tablespoons natural peanut butter (or powdered peanut butter)
• 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup or honey, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt
• Optional mix-ins: 1 tablespoon chia seeds or ground flaxseed, mini chocolate chips, sliced banana (add in the morning)
• Optional toppings: chopped peanuts, cacao nibs, extra peanut butter, banana slices, a splash of milk

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Choose your container. A 12–16 oz jar or lidded container works best so you have room to stir and add toppings.
2. Mix the wet ingredients. Add milk, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, vanilla, and sweetener to the container. Stir until smooth. If your peanut butter is thick, microwave it 10–15 seconds first so it blends easily.
3. Add the dry ingredients. Stir in protein powder, cocoa powder, and a pinch of salt until combined.

   Make sure there are no dry pockets—this prevents a chalky texture.

4. Add oats (and seeds if using). Fold in the oats and chia or flax. The mixture should look loose; it will thicken overnight as the oats and seeds absorb liquid.
5. Adjust the consistency. If it seems too thick already, add 1–2 tablespoons more milk. If very runny, add an extra teaspoon of chia seeds.
6. Refrigerate. Seal and chill for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight.

   The flavor deepens and the texture becomes creamy.

7. Serve. In the morning, give it a stir. Add a splash of milk if needed. Top with sliced banana, chopped peanuts, or a drizzle of peanut butter.

   Enjoy cold, or warm gently in the microwave in 20–30 second bursts, stirring in between.

How to Store

Keep your oats covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. The texture is best within the first 48 hours, especially if you used chia seeds, which keep thickening over time. Store toppings separately so nuts stay crunchy and fruit stays fresh.

If the oats thicken too much after a day or two, simply stir in a splash of milk to loosen them.

Health Benefits

• High in protein: Greek yogurt and protein powder can bring the total to 25–35 grams per serving, supporting muscle repair and steady energy.
• Smart carbs: Rolled oats provide complex carbohydrates and soluble fiber, which help stabilize blood sugar and keep you full.
• Healthy fats: Peanut butter adds monounsaturated fats that support heart health and satiety.
• Fiber boost: Chia or flax seeds increase fiber and add omega-3s if you choose to include them.
• Micronutrients: Cocoa powder offers flavonoids, while peanuts contribute vitamin E, magnesium, and potassium.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Using quick oats or steel-cut oats. Quick oats can turn mushy, and steel-cut oats won’t soften enough. Old-fashioned rolled oats give the best texture.
• Skipping the pinch of salt. A tiny bit of salt makes the chocolate and peanut butter flavors pop.
• Not mixing the protein powder well. Dry clumps lead to a gritty bite. Whisk or stir thoroughly before adding oats, or shake in a jar with a tight lid.
• Over-sweetening. Protein powder and peanut butter can already add sweetness.

  Start with less sweetener and adjust later.

• Adding fresh fruit too early. Bananas can brown and berries can get soggy overnight. Add fruit in the morning for the best texture.
• Ignoring consistency. Oats vary in absorption. If it looks cement-thick in the morning, loosen it with milk.

  If it’s soupy at night, add a teaspoon of chia seeds.

Alternatives

• Dairy-free/vegan: Use almond, soy, or oat milk; swap Greek yogurt for a thick dairy-free yogurt; and choose a plant-based protein powder. Sweeten with maple syrup or agave.
• Nut-free: Replace peanut butter with sunflower seed butter or tahini. Top with pumpkin seeds instead of peanuts.
• Lower calorie: Use powdered peanut butter, nonfat Greek yogurt, and a low-calorie sweetener.

  Add extra cocoa for flavor without many calories.

• Higher calorie/bulking: Use whole milk, full-fat yogurt, regular peanut butter, and add extras like granola, chocolate chips, or sliced banana.
• No protein powder: Increase Greek yogurt to 1/2 cup and add 1 tablespoon chia seeds. You’ll still get a good protein boost with a natural ingredient list.
• Flavor twists: Mocha (add 1 teaspoon instant espresso), Salted Caramel (use caramel protein powder and a pinch of flaky salt), or Almond Joy (swap peanut butter for almond butter and add shredded coconut).

FAQ

Can I make this without yogurt?

Yes. Use extra milk to replace the yogurt—start with an additional 1/4 cup and add more if needed.

The texture will be looser, so consider adding 1 teaspoon chia seeds to thicken.

What protein powder works best?

Whey blends smoothly and gives a creamy texture. Plant-based powders work too but can be thicker or grainier, so add a splash more milk. Chocolate or vanilla flavors both complement the cocoa and peanut butter.

Do I have to refrigerate overnight?

Four hours is usually enough, but overnight gives the best texture and taste.

If you’re in a rush, use a little less oats and more chia seeds to speed up thickening.

Can I heat overnight oats?

Yes. Microwave in short bursts, stirring between each, until warm. Add a splash of milk to prevent it from drying out.

The chocolate-peanut butter flavor is great warm, almost like breakfast pudding.

How much protein is in one serving?

It depends on your ingredients. With 1 scoop of protein powder (25–30 g), 1/3 cup Greek yogurt, and milk, you’ll typically get around 25–35 grams of protein per serving.

Will it be too sweet?

Not if you start small. Protein powders vary in sweetness.

Use 1 teaspoon of maple syrup or honey at first, taste in the morning, and add more only if needed.

Can I prep multiple jars at once?

Absolutely. Make 3–4 jars for the week. Keep mix-ins like nuts and fruit separate and add them right before eating for the best texture.

Is peanut butter the only nut butter that works?

No.

Almond butter, cashew butter, and sunflower seed butter all work. Choose unsweetened varieties so you control the sweetness.

What if my oats are too thin or too thick?

If too thin in the morning, stir in 1–2 teaspoons chia seeds and let sit 5–10 minutes. If too thick, loosen with milk, a little at a time, until it’s creamy.

Can I add collagen instead of protein powder?

Yes.

Collagen mixes easily and is flavor-neutral. You may want to keep the cocoa powder and peanut butter amounts the same to maintain that rich chocolate taste.

Final Thoughts

Overnight Protein Oats—Chocolate Peanut Butter is a make-ahead breakfast that feels like a treat but fuels your day. It’s quick to prep, budget-friendly, and endlessly customizable.

Keep the base the same, tweak the texture and sweetness to your taste, and play with toppings. With a few minutes of prep at night, you wake up to a creamy, protein-packed bowl that’s ready when you are.