5 Minute Brownie Batter Overnight Oats

Name: 5 Minute Brownie Batter Overnight Oats
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 cup hemp milk (soy milk, or your fave plant-based milk!); 2 tablespoons cocoa powder; 1 tablespoon almond butter (sunflower seed for nut free!); 1 tablespoon maple syrup; 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract; ⅓ cup rolled oats; 2 tablespoons chia seeds (whole or ground); pinch of salt; 1 tablespoon mini dark chocolate chips; 1 tablespoon chopped walnuts

By Desiree Nielsen RD

4.86 from 14 ratings

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Dessert for breakfast? Sign me up! These nourishing brownie batter overnight oats have a rich, decadent cocoa flavour and creamy texture. They’ll keep you energized all morning long with a combination of soluble fibre-rich oats and chia seeds plus, each serving packs 20 grams of plant-based protein with no protein powder or Greek yogurt (they’re vegan!)

brownie batter overnight oats on spoon and jar — The most decadent, dessert-inspired overnight oats. Yep, still super nutritious!

It’s true that I’ve been on a bit of an overnight oats streak…and I’m a wee bit obsessed with dessert inspired flavours like my tiramisu overnight oats! But the best thing about them is how easy they are to customize, whether you want a high fibre steel cut overnight oats, a high protein overnight oats or you need a low FODMAP overnight oats option.

But the real reason I’m currently obsessed with these vegan overnight oats is that I can often forget to feed myself in the morning chaos and it’s just so nice to wake up to breakfast already made.

I used to wake up at 6AM every day in the beforetimes but now, I am literally dragging myself out of bed at 7AM. So getting both kids fed and out the door means that I like having a make-ahead breakfast sitting in the fridge for when I finally sit down and take a minute for myself.

As a dietitian, I’m not always great at following my own advice but committing to overnight oats is one example of me actually meal planning so I can be better nourished. And luckily, this is one of those plant-based recipes that is A) so easy you need very little motivation to make it happen and B) so delicious you’ll be happy to eat it again and again.

So, if you’re like me, go ahead…hit the snooze button…because you’ll have these delicious brownie batter overnight oats waiting for you when you wake up! They’re high in fibre, protein (20g!) and when made with hemp milk, totally low FODMAP for my folks with IBS.

Plus they’re kid approved…even my 7 year old loves them!

And if you’re looking for more low FODMAP recipes, be sure to check out my book, Good For Your Gut, which contains about 30 low FODMAP recipes along with a couple of chapters on IBS + low FODMAP living.

Raid your pantry for these 7 overnight oat ingredients!

I make enough overnight oats that I always have these basics on hand and I love that this is an affordable, flexible recipe so you can work around allergies, budget and make them your own!

brownie batter overnight oats ingredients in jars — If you want a higher protein breakfast without protein powder, I like hemp milk or soy milk here to add extra protein.

How to make these vegan brownie batter overnight oats

One of the best things about overnight oats is that they take just 5 minutes to prepare and then they’re ready to go when you are the next day!

hand pouring soy milk into bowl — Nut butters can resist mixing, so I like to start by whisking the almond butter with the maple syrup and vanilla to loosen it up and make it easier to incorporate.

hand whisking cocoa in bowl — Nut butters can resist mixing, so I like to start by whisking the almond butter with the maple syrup and vanilla to loosen it up and make it easier to incorporate.

Let’s talk sweeteners: I like the flavour of maple syrup but I know it’s pricey. You can absolutely sweeten with pure cane sugar if that’s what you have. 1 tablespoon of maple syrup will lead to an ‘unsweetened’ taste because cocoa is naturally bitter; 1 ½ – 2 tablespoons will make it sweeter. For cane sugar, start with 2 tsp and work your way up.

brownie batter overnight oats in jar — You can use quick oats in a pinch, but you’ll want to use ¼ cup less liquid.

hand stirring overnight oats in jar — You can use quick oats in a pinch, but you’ll want to use ¼ cup less liquid.

On the go? I just pop the mix-ins into a tiny container and leave them in the fridge beside the oats so I don’t forget them in the morning chaos. Or, you can totally add them the night before, but the walnuts lose some of their crunch.

Why these brownie batter overnight oats are so, so good for you

There’s a reason why overnight oats are a thing: they save you time, energy and overnight oats are loaded with health benefits. And these brownie batter overnight oats pack in a whopping 20 grams of plant-based protein without using protein powder!

The chia seeds and oats offer slow burn carbohydrates, healthy fats plus plenty of gut-soothing soluble fibre to help keep blood sugar balanced, and energy levels on an even keel. Oh, and cocoa is PACKED with antioxidants!!

gold spoon in jar of overnight oats — **Low FODMAP?** Choose hemp milk (low FODMAP) over soy milk (high FODMAP). **Allergic to almonds?** Opt for peanut butter or sunflower seed butter.

More easy vegan overnight oats and oatmeal recipes