Enjoy chocolate for breakfast! These Chocolate and Banana Overnight Oats are a decadent, guilt-free way to jump-start, and power up your day.

I know overnight oats had their time in the spotlight, but I think we should think twice before letting them go like an out of style fad. They are quick to assemble and make chaotic mornings easier. Pre-portioning them makes them easy for kids to grab and eat before heading off in the morings, and if you put them in some cute little glasses, it adds an easy layer of elevation to your morning. Anytime I can elevate our at home dining experience in an easy way, I take advantage of it.

Ingredients

• 2 C Oats
• 2 C Oat Milk – or any other milk of your choosing
• 1/4 C Cocoa Powder
• Pinch of salt
• 1 Banana, Mashed
• Additional Sweetener (Optional)
• Banana, Toasted Pecans, Toasted Coconut, Cocoa Nibs, etc. Anything of your choosing for garnish

Instructions

1. Combine Oats, Cocoa Powder and salt, stirring to evenly coat the oats in cocoa and eliminate any clumps.
2. Stir in Oat Milk until fully combined.
3. Stir in Mashed Banana and any additional sweetener (honey, brown sugar, maple syrup) of your choosing. I find the banana adds enough sweetness, I didn’t want to add more.
4. This is where you can either pre-portion the oats for the morning, or leave in a large bowl and allow to set overnight.
5. Top with any desired garnishes and enjoy!

The Secret to Overnight Oats…

Overnight Oats aren’t hard, and there are tons of variations available, the secret to being able to create your own recipe on the fly is to understand that at their core, overnight oats are a 1:1 ratio of oats to liquid and to add flavors, mix-ins and toppings from there. Be aware when mixing in chia seeds, they also absorb liquid and will require adjusting your liquid to dry ingredient ratios.