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If you’re looking for a healthy breakfast that feels like dessert but actually fuels your body, this overnight oats with yogurt recipe checks every box. With cacao powder stirred in alongside chia seeds, you get a rich, creamy chocolate breakfast that satisfies your sweet tooth – while still delivering whole grains, healthy fats, lots of protein fiber and superfoods.
This Yogurt Overnight Oats also a true meal prep superstar. In less than 5 minutes, you can throw together a jar (or five) using inexpensive pantry ingredients and have breakfast ready all week.
Quick Look at the Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Chill Time: Overnight (at least 5 hours)
- Servings: 1 jar (easy to scale for the week)
- Method: No-cook, refrigerator
- Highlights: High protein, high fiber, creamy, filling, meal-prep friendly
Skip the Donut and Enjoy This Creamy Chocolate Breakfast Instead!
When I’m craving something sweet in the morning, I almost always turn to healthy overnight oats recipes. Many of the ones I share are inspired by my favorite desserts — like my Almond Joy Overnight Oats, Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats, or Brownie Batter Overnight Oats.
It’s basically dessert for breakfast… without the sugar crash.
But if you’re trying to keep overnight oats part of your weight loss goals, adding protein is essential. A jar that’s just oats and sweetener won’t keep you full very long.
Sometimes I stir in cottage cheese for extra protein like in these cottage cheese overnight oats.
Other times, Greek yogurt is my go-to — and that’s exactly what we’re using here.
Greek yogurt adds protein and gives these oats a creamy, cheesecake-like texture. The cacao powder gives it that rich chocolate flavor, but if you want a more basic version, you can always check out my Vanilla Overnight Oats and skip the chocolate entirely.
Regardless of whether you go chocolate or vanilla, this is one of those healthy prep-ahead breakfasts I can whip together in about 5 minutes on Sunday and enjoy all week.
Enjoy!
Ingredients
You’ll find exact measurements in the recipe card below. Here’s what you need and why each ingredient matters.
- Rolled Oats. Old-fashioned rolled oats are the only oats I recommend for overnight oats. Instant oats turn mushy, and steel-cut oats won’t soften properly without cooking. Rolled oats give you that perfect creamy-but-structured texture. Oats are naturally gluten-free, but if you have a gluten sensitivity, make sure the bag says certified gluten-free.
- Cacao Powder. This is what gives the oats their deep chocolate flavor. Cacao is slightly less processed than cocoa powder and brings a little bitterness – which is why we balance it with maple syrup later. It also adds fiber and antioxidants. If you’re not craving chocolate, you can leave it out.
- Chia Seeds. Chia seeds are one of my favorite superfoods in overnight oats. They add fiber, protein, and omega-3s – but more importantly, they help create that thick, pudding-like texture. Can you leave them out? Yes. Will the texture be as creamy? No. Without chia seeds, the oats tend to be softer and more “mushy” instead of thick and creamy.
- Vanilla Greek Yogurt. This is where the protein boost comes in. Greek yogurt gives you creaminess and that slight cheesecake flavor. I personally like thicker yogurts (Siggi’s is a great option) because they contain more protein and less sugar than many flavored yogurts. Always check the label – chocolate + flavored yogurt can turn into a sugar bomb quickly if you’re not paying attention.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk. I usually use non-dairy milk like almond or coconut milk because that’s what I keep on hand for smoothies. But any milk works – dairy, almond, coconut, cashew – your choice.
- Pure Maple Syrup. Because cacao powder and yogurt both have bold flavors, you’ll likely want a little sweetness. I recommend adding maple syrup in the morning so you can control exactly how sweet you want it.
- Cacao Nibs (Optional). These add crunch and extra chocolate flavor. You can also use chocolate chips if that’s what you have.
If you’re looking for the exact ingredients, superfoods, or supplies I use to make my overnight oats, be sure to check out my Amazon storefront. I’ve rounded up my favorite rolled oats, cacao powder, chia seeds, mason jars, protein powders, and other pantry staples that make meal prep simple and consistent. It’s all in one place so you can easily grab what you need and get started.
How to Make Overnight Oats with Yogurt (Chocolate Version)
Step 1: Mix the dry ingredients first. Add the rolled oats, cacao powder, and chia seeds to a 16-ounce mason jar and stir them together before adding any liquid. This step matters. Cacao powder loves to clump, and chia seeds can stick together if they hit liquid too quickly. Mixing the dry ingredients first ensures everything distributes evenly.
Step 2: Add the yogurt and milk. Add the Greek yogurt and almond milk. Stir really well, especially around the bottom of the jar where oats like to hide.The oats should be fully coated and sitting in enough liquid to hydrate overnight. If it looks too thick right away, add a splash more milk.
Step 3: Refrigerate.Cover and refrigerate for at least 5 hours — overnight is ideal. During this time, the oats soften and the chia seeds thicken everything into that creamy consistency.
Step 4: Sweeten and adjust. In the morning, stir in 1–2 teaspoons of maple syrup and taste. Add more if needed. If the oats are thick (which is normal), stir in a splash of milk until you reach your desired consistency.
Step 5: Add toppings. Sprinkle cacao nibs, nuts, or fruit on top just before eating so they stay crunchy.
Variations (So You Never Get Bored)
One of the best parts about yogurt overnight oats is how easy they are to customize. Here are some options:
Expert Tips
- Choose your yogurt wisely. Plain Greek yogurt keeps sugar lower. Flavored yogurt can work, but read the label carefully.
- Boost protein even more. Stir in 1–2 tablespoons of protein powder or collagen with the dry ingredients. Use unflavored if possible so you control sweetness. Add extra milk if needed since powders thicken the mixture.
- Yes, you can skip chia seeds. But the texture will change. It will be softer and less pudding-like.
- If it’s too thick, just add milk. Overnight oats naturally thicken – especially if meal prepping for several days. Stir in milk to loosen.
- Prefer it warm? Microwave for 20–30 seconds. Short bursts work best so the yogurt texture stays smooth.
Make-Ahead Tips
For the Week. Prepare multiple jars on Sunday and refrigerate for up to 5 days. The oats will thicken over time – just stir in milk before eating.
For the Freezer. Assemble the dry ingredients into freezer bags or jars and freeze for up to 6 months. When ready, add yogurt and milk the night before and refrigerate.
More Overnight Oats Recipes
If you love overnight oats with yogurt, you must try these recipes!
See all of my healthy oatmeal recipes.
Overnight Oats with Yogurt (Chocolatey + Protein and Fiber)
If you’re looking for a healthy breakfast that feels like dessert but actually fuels your body, this overnight oats with yogurt recipe checks every box. With cacao powder stirred in alongside chia seeds, you get a rich, creamy chocolate breakfast that satisfies your sweet tooth – while still delivering whole grains, healthy fats, lots of protein fiber and superfoods.
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Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: overnight oats with greek yogurt, overnight oats with yogurt, yogurt overnight oats
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 1 person
Calories: 262kcal
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 2 tablespoons vanilla Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1-2 teaspoon pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon cacao nibs optional
Instructions
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Mix the rolled oats, cacao, and chia seeds into a 16-ounce mason jar. Give it a couple of stirs until the cacao powder is mixed with the other ingredients.
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Add the Vanilla Greek Yogurt and unsweetened almond milk and stir until chocolatey and the oats are covered in liquid.
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Tightly place the lid on and refrigerate overnight, preferably for 6 – 8 hours.
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Remove the lid, add the pure maple syrup and give the oats a couple of stirs. Give the oats a taste and stir more maple syrup if you need more sweetness. The oats might be a little thick, so if you want to loosen them up, stir in a splash of milk until you get a creamy texture.
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Sprinkle with cacao nibs and serve.
Notes
Meal prep for the week. You can make this chocolate overnight oats recipe with Greek yogurt up to 5 days ahead of time. Assemble the ingredients into mason jars and place them in the fridge. Keep in mind that the longer the oatmeal sits, the thicker it will get, so you’ll likely need to add a few splashes of milk to get that creamy consistency.
For the freezer. Assemble the dry ingredients into freezer bags and freeze for up to 6 months. The night before, dump the ingredients into a mason jar and add the liquid. Give it a couple of stirs, tightly place the lid on, and put it into the refrigerator. In the morning, stir the maple syrup and extra liquid if needed.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 262kcal | Carbohydrates: 42g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 1mg | Sodium: 176mg | Potassium: 281mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 0.1mg | Calcium: 211mg | Iron: 3mg
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If you tried this Overnight Oats with Yogurt recipe, I would truly love to hear what you think. Leave a comment below and give it a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating if you enjoyed it – it helps other readers find the recipe and gives them confidence to try it too.
And if you made your own twist (added peanut butter, fruit, extra protein, or something totally different), tell me what you did! I always love seeing how you make these recipes your own.
About Tammy Overhoff
Hi, I’m Tammy Overhoff, a busy mom, wife, and entrepreneur. I am the owner, author, and recipe developer here at Organize Yourself Skinny. Since 2011 Organize Yourself Skinny has become a trusted resource for clean eating recipes to meal prep, reviews, and lifestyle hacks to help you fit healthy habits and routines into your busy schedule. Check out my online shop Reset & Flourish for all of my eBooks, Guides, and Bundles!
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