Chunky Monkey Protein Overnight Oats (Print)

Indulgent cocoa-peanut-butter-banana overnight oats packed with protein for a satisfying breakfast.

# Components:

→ Oats Base

01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup unsweetened milk of choice (dairy or plant-based)
03 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or non-dairy yogurt
04 - 2 tablespoons chia seeds
05 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
06 - 1 scoop (approximately 30 grams) chocolate or vanilla protein powder
07 - 2 tablespoons pure maple syrup or honey
08 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
09 - Pinch of salt

→ Mix-ins & Toppings

10 - 1 medium ripe banana, sliced
11 - 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter, divided
12 - 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts
13 - 1 tablespoon mini chocolate chips (optional)

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl or large jar, combine oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, cocoa powder, protein powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt. Stir thoroughly until fully incorporated.
02 - Gently fold half the banana slices and 1 tablespoon peanut butter into the mixture.
03 - Cover the container and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight until the mixture reaches a thick and creamy consistency.
04 - In the morning, stir the oats thoroughly and add additional milk as needed to achieve your desired consistency.
05 - Divide the mixture between two bowls or jars. Top each serving with remaining banana slices, a drizzle of remaining peanut butter, walnuts, and chocolate chips.
06 - Enjoy the overnight oats chilled directly from the refrigerator.

# Chef Secrets:

01 -
  • No cooking required means you can prepare this while your coffee brews and have zero morning stress.
  • It actually tastes like chocolate peanut butter heaven, so you won't feel like you're eating something "healthy."
  • Twenty-four grams of protein per serving keeps you satisfied through afternoon meetings without the energy crash.
02 -
  • Don't skip the yogurt thinking milk alone will be enough—that Greek yogurt is what makes this taste creamy and luxurious instead of just thick oatmeal in a jar.
  • The cocoa powder must be unsweetened and good quality, because cheap cocoa will make this taste chalky and bitter instead of like the dessert breakfast it's meant to be.
  • If you're using vanilla protein powder, you only need half a teaspoon of vanilla extract instead of a full teaspoon, or you'll end up with an overly vanilla-forward flavor that drowns out the peanut butter.
03 -
  • Layer your ingredients instead of stirring everything together—put the wet ingredients on bottom, then oats, then chia seeds, then cocoa powder—because this prevents the cocoa from clumping and looks prettier when you open the jar.
  • If you're batch-making these for the week, add chocolate chips and walnuts on the morning you eat them instead of the night before, so they stay crunchy instead of getting soggy.
  • Keep extra peanut butter separate and add it fresh in the morning rather than mixing it in overnight—it stays more peanut-butter-y that way instead of melting into the oats.
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