If you love the rich taste of chocolate and the fresh zing of citrus, these Chocolate Orange Overnight Oats will hit the spot. They’re creamy, satisfying, and take just minutes to prep the night before. In the morning, you’ve got a ready-made breakfast that feels a little indulgent but still fuels your day.

The flavor balance is bright and cozy at the same time, with real orange and cocoa shining through. Great for busy weekdays, meal prep, or a quick snack.

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What Makes This Recipe So Good

Close-up detail shot of Chocolate Orange Overnight Oats just after the morning stir, showing creamy

Fast prep: Five minutes at night, zero stress in the morning.
Classic flavor combo: Chocolate and orange taste like dessert but deliver steady energy.
Customizable: Easily adjust sweetness, texture, and toppings to fit your taste or diet.
Budget-friendly: Uses pantry staples you probably already have.
Great for meal prep: Makes multiple jars that keep for several days.

Shopping List

Old-fashioned rolled oats
Unsweetened cocoa powder (or cacao powder)
Chia seeds (optional, for thickness and extra fiber)
Milk of choice (dairy, almond, oat, soy, or coconut)
Plain or vanilla yogurt (dairy or dairy-free)
Orange zest (freshly grated)
Fresh orange juice (from the same orange, ideally)
Maple syrup or honey (or another sweetener)
Vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Dark chocolate chips or shaved dark chocolate (optional garnish)
Orange segments or extra zest for topping (optional)

How to Make It

Overhead final presentation of grab-and-go jars for meal prep: three glass jars filled with chocolat

Zest and juice the orange: Use a microplane to grate the outer peel for zest, avoiding the bitter white pith. Squeeze about 2–3 tablespoons of juice.
Mix the dry ingredients: In a bowl or jar, combine 1/2 cup rolled oats, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, and 1 teaspoon chia seeds.
Add a tiny pinch of salt to round out the flavors.
Whisk the wet ingredients: In a separate cup, stir together 1/2 cup milk, 1/4 cup yogurt, 1–2 teaspoons maple syrup, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, 1–2 teaspoons orange zest, and the orange juice.
Combine and stir well: Pour the wet mixture over the oats. Stir thoroughly so the cocoa dissolves and no dry pockets remain.
Adjust thickness: If it looks very thick, add a splash more milk. It should be pourable but not watery; the oats and chia will thicken overnight.
Chill: Cover the jar or bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight.
Serve: In the morning, stir and taste.
Add a drizzle of milk if needed. Top with dark chocolate shavings, extra orange zest, or orange segments for a bright finish.

How to Store

Refrigerator: Keep in airtight containers for up to 4 days. Stir before serving.
Make-ahead tip: Portion into individual jars for grab-and-go breakfasts.
Freezing: Not recommended; the texture turns mushy and the citrus can become dull.

Health Benefits

Steady energy: Rolled oats offer complex carbs and fiber for a slow, satisfying release of energy.
Vitamin C boost: Fresh orange zest and juice add vitamin C to support immune health and iron absorption.
Healthy fats and fiber: Chia seeds contribute omega-3s and extra fiber for fullness and digestion.
Protein options: Yogurt and milk add protein.
Use Greek yogurt for a bigger protein boost.
Lower sugar potential: You control the sweetener, so it can be as light or rich as you like.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Using quick oats: They can get gummy. Stick with old-fashioned rolled oats for the best texture.
Too much juice: Orange juice is tasty, but too much can make the oats sour or thin. Balance with milk.
Skipping the pinch of salt: A little salt sharpens the chocolate and orange flavors.
Not mixing enough: Cocoa clumps easily.
Stir thoroughly so it’s evenly distributed.
Adding crunchy toppings too soon: Add nuts or chocolate chips in the morning to keep their texture.

Recipe Variations

Protein-packed: Add 1 scoop chocolate or vanilla protein powder and a splash more milk to compensate.
Dairy-free: Use almond, oat, or soy milk and a dairy-free yogurt. Maple syrup works perfectly.
Nutty crunch: Top with toasted almonds, hazelnuts, or pistachios for texture and healthy fats.
Extra chocolatey: Stir in mini dark chocolate chips before chilling for a dessert-like feel.
Spiced citrus: Add a pinch of cinnamon or cardamom to warm up the flavors.
Lower sugar: Skip added sweetener and rely on vanilla and zest; add a few berries on top for natural sweetness.

FAQ

Can I use steel-cut oats?

Steel-cut oats won’t soften enough with this method. If you love their chew, par-cook them first or choose a quick-soak steel-cut recipe.

What kind of cocoa is best?

Unsweetened natural cocoa or cacao powder works well.

Dutch-process cocoa is also fine and gives a smoother, deeper chocolate flavor.

Can I make it without yogurt?

Yes. Replace the yogurt with more milk and add 1–2 teaspoons chia seeds for creaminess, or stir in a bit of nut butter.

How sweet should it be?

Start with 1–2 teaspoons of maple syrup or honey, then adjust in the morning. The orange and chocolate flavor shines with moderate sweetness.

Will the orange make it bitter?

Use only the bright outer zest and avoid the white pith.

This gives fresh citrus flavor without bitterness.

Wrapping Up

Chocolate Orange Overnight Oats are simple, bright, and deeply satisfying. With a few pantry staples and a fresh orange, you can prep breakfast for days. Keep the base recipe, then tweak the sweetness, texture, and toppings to suit your mood.

It’s an easy win for busy mornings and a delicious way to start the day.