Dark Chocolate Overnight Oats
Me and Livia first become obsessed with MUSH overnight oats after grabbing them as quick meals during our freshman year of college, and we were instantly hooked on the chocolate flavor. Even though we quickly branched out and fell in love with flavors like peanut butter and apple cinnamon, we always end up coming back to chocolate because realistically, we’ll always love chocolate. What makes overnight oats so appealing for college students, and honestly anyone, is that they’re affordable, healthy, quick, and easy to grab on busy mornings. But over time, constantly buying them can definitely add up, which is why we created a copycat version that tastes just like MUSH’s classic chocolate flavor while making way more for a fraction of the cost!
The Secret Ingredient
If secret ingredient that really makes this next level is one you probably wouldn’t expect, dates. They blend right into the oats, adding natural sweetness and a rich, almost caramel like flavor that makes everything taste more like chocolate than plain oatmeal. You don’t really notice them on their own, but they always add that perfect level of sweetness!
They are also perfect for meal prep. Make a batch once and you’ve got an easy, grab and go breakfast ready for days! Just store it in the fridge and you’re set for up to 10 days! It’s one of those recipes that makes busy mornings so much easier while still feeling cozy and homemade!
Why I Measure in Grams (and You Might Want To, Too)
If you’ve ever made the same recipe twice and gotten two totally different results, the measuring method is often the reason.
Professional bakeries almost always measure by weight, not volume. Measuring cups leave room for inconsistency—especially with ingredients that pack differently depending on how you scoop or pour them. A scale removes all of that guesswork.
One of the biggest offenders is sugar. Different sugars (and even the same sugar measured by different people) can vary wildly in volume, but 100 grams is always 100 grams. Measuring by weight gives you repeatable, bakery-consistent results and cuts down on extra dishes at the same time.
A food scale is one of the best (and most affordable) investments you can make for your kitchen if you love baking and want your recipes to turn out exactly the same every time.
Ingredients To Prepare
Before baking, take a few minutes to gather the ingredients below and to ensure that they are sweet, convenient, and perfectly chocolatey!
Once you have all of the ingredients ready to go, you’re officially set up for Dark Chocolate Overnight Oats success. I always recommend measuring everything out ahead of time so the process is smoother, and you can focus on making the best overnight oats possible!
Dark Chocolate Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups rolled oats
- 1 ½ cups almond milk
- Pinch of salt
- 5 pitted medjool dates
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract optional
Method
- Add the almond milk, pitted dates, cocoa powder, salt, and vanilla extract (if using) to a food processor or high-speed blender. Blend until completely smooth and creamy, making sure no date pieces remain.
- Divide the rolled oats evenly into 3–4 airtight containers for meal prep, or place all of the oats into one large container.
- Pour the blended chocolate date mixture evenly over the oats (or pour all of it over the oats if using one container). Stir well to fully coat and combine.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight, until the oats have softened and thickened.
- Stir before serving and enjoy cold. Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 5–7 days for best freshness.
Nutrition
Private Notes
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