Overnight Oats with Cacao Nibs and Berries

I really enjoy oatmeal but I don’t feel like sitting down to a warm bowl of porridge in the middle of summer. So I started trying overnight oats, and I have to say, they are just as good! This recipe for overnight oats with cacao nibs and berries is the first overnight oatmeal recipe I am sharing with you, but it won’t be the last.

I’ve been experimenting a lot, and while there are many excellent combinations of ingredients, I’ve settled here on a mixture of oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, cacao nibs, and maple syrup, with a good handful of berries to top it off. I find I’m hungry soon after eating oats if I don’t have enough protein to go with them, and I feel the Greek yogurt and chia seeds satisfy this need.

Additions and Substitutions

Overnight oats are very customizable, as long as you keep the ratio of dry to wet ingredients more or less the same. You can use whatever kind of milk you like, and you can experiment with flavored yogurt. Ground flaxseeds and peanut butter are ingredients I’ve used before with good results.

For this recipe, you can replace the cacao nibs with mini chocolate chips if you like. Cacao nibs are less processed than chocolate and don’t have any added sugar, so they might not be for everyone. I love bitter dark chocolate so I enjoy cacao nibs here; I feel the maple syrup and berries are all the sweetness I need. You can also use honey instead of maple syrup if you prefer, or add more if you like your oats on the sweeter side. As is, these oats are not super sweet, which is how I prefer them.

For the topping, just about anything goes! You can use frozen berries if you like; the raspberries I used were frozen and I just stuck them in the microwave for 10 seconds or so before adding them to my oats. Add your favorite fruit and nuts, or for a more decadent bowl, top with chocolate chips or a crumbled cookie. If you’d like a little more sweetness, you can drizzle over some maple syrup or honey.

How to Serve Overnight Oats

These oats can sit in the fridge for up to 5 days if needed; just keep in mind that they will soften more the longer they sit. I think they are best on the first or second day because I like there to still be a bit of texture.

When you’re ready to eat your oats, all you have to do is add your toppings! I would also recommend a good stir, just in case some heavier ingredients have sunk to the bottom.

How to Make Overnight Oats with Cacao Nibs and Berries

Combine Wet Ingredients

You can make your oats in a jar or in a bowl; I use a bowl since I don’t have an appropriately sized jar. Add the milk, Greek yogurt, vanilla, and honey, and whisk well to combine. You want to ensure there are no yogurt lumps.

Add Dry Ingredients

Add the cacao nibs, chia seeds, oats, and a pinch of salt and stir until combined.

Refrigerate

Cover your oats (I cover my bowl with plastic wrap) and store in the fridge overnight, or for up to 5 days. I do think the texture is better on the first and second days as the oats continue to soften as they sit.

Serve

Enjoy your overnight oats with your choice of berries and whatever else you like, such as an extra sprinkle of cacao nibs or a drizzle of maple syrup. Make sure to stir before eating as sometimes heavier ingredients sink to the problem (I don’t generally find this to be an issue with this particular recipe, but I think it’s a good habit to get into anyway).

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Overnight Oats with Cacao Nibs and Berries

This is THE way to enjoy oatmeal during summer!

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Rest Time 8 hours hours

Total Time 8 hours hours 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup milk any kind
• 1/3 cup Greek yogurt plain or vanilla
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
• 1 tablespoon cacao nibs or mini chocolate chips
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 3/4 cup rolled oats see note
• Salt a pinch
• 1/2 cup berries any kind, to serve

Instructions

• In a mason jar or serving bowl, whisk together the milk, Greek yogurt, vanilla, and maple syrup until well combined.
• Stir in the cacao nibs, chia seeds, oats, and a pinch of salt.
• Cover and place in refrigerater overnight, or for up to 5 days.
• When ready to eat, top with your choice of berries and extra cacao nibs if you like. Make sure to give a good stir before enjoying.

Notes

1. Although these oats are safe to keep in the fridge for up to 5 days, they do continue to soften the longer they sit. For this reason, I feel they are best enjoyed on the first or second day, but feel free to experiment.
2. You can use quick oats if you want, though they have a tendency to get mushy pretty quickly. But maybe that’s something you want, in which case, go ahead!

Did you make this recipe? If so, follow @theflavorvortex on Instagram and post a picture using #theflavorvortex as I would love to see it!