Strawberry Chocolate Overnight Oats

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These creamy overnight oats combine fresh strawberries with chocolate for a Valentine’s breakfast that tastes like dessert but is actually nutritious — no cooking required, just mix and refrigerate.

Wake up to a ready-made breakfast that feels special without any morning effort.

Why You’ll Love It

  • Zero cooking — just stir and refrigerate
  • Prep in under 5 minutes
  • Tastes like chocolate-covered strawberries
  • Filling and nutritious
  • Portable for busy mornings
  • Easily customizable to your taste

Ingredients

For the overnight oats (serves 2):

  • 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
  • 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
  • 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt

For the strawberry layer:

  • 1 cup fresh strawberries, diced
  • 1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

For topping:

  • 1/4 cup fresh strawberries, sliced
  • 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
  • 2 tablespoons sliced almonds or chopped hazelnuts
  • Drizzle of chocolate syrup (optional)
  • Whipped cream (optional)

Steps

  1. Mix the base. In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, Greek yogurt, cocoa powder, maple syrup, chia seeds, vanilla, and salt until cocoa is fully dissolved and mixture is smooth.
  2. Add oats. Stir in rolled oats until evenly coated with the chocolate mixture.
  3. Prepare strawberries. In a small bowl, toss diced strawberries with sugar if using — this helps release their juices.
  4. Layer in jars. Divide half the oat mixture between two pint-sized mason jars or containers.
  5. Add strawberry layer. Spoon diced strawberries evenly over the oat layer in each jar.
  6. Top with remaining oats. Add the rest of the oat mixture on top of the strawberries.
  7. Cover and refrigerate. Seal jars with lids and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight (up to 5 days).
  8. Add toppings before serving. When ready to eat, top with fresh strawberry slices, chocolate chips, nuts, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup if desired.

Helpful Tips and Substitutions

Use old-fashioned oats. Quick oats get too mushy, and steel-cut oats don’t soften enough — old-fashioned rolled oats are the sweet spot.

Adjust the thickness. Like it thinner? Add a splash more milk in the morning — prefer it thicker? Use less milk or more yogurt in the base.

Make it dairy-free. Use almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk plus dairy-free yogurt — coconut yogurt adds extra richness.

Boost the protein. Stir in a scoop of chocolate protein powder or 2 tablespoons of nut butter for staying power.

Swap the sweetener. Agave, date syrup, or even a mashed ripe banana work in place of maple syrup.

Skip the cocoa. For plain strawberry overnight oats, omit the cocoa powder and add an extra tablespoon of maple syrup.

Frozen strawberries work. Use frozen berries straight from the bag — they’ll thaw overnight and create a jammy layer.

Serving Ideas

Eat straight from the jar for a grab-and-go breakfast.

Transfer to a pretty breakfast bowl and arrange toppings artfully for a Valentine’s morning presentation.

Warm in the microwave for 1-2 minutes if you prefer hot oatmeal — add toppings after heating.

Pack in an insulated container for breakfast at the office.

Serve alongside fresh fruit and coffee for a complete meal.

Top with a dollop of whipped cream for an extra-special touch.

Make-Ahead and Storage

Refrigerator: Overnight oats keep covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days — make a batch on Sunday for the whole week.

Best texture: Oats are best between 8 hours and 3 days — after that they get softer but are still safe to eat.

Add toppings fresh. Chocolate chips and nuts should be added just before eating to stay crunchy.

Strawberries: The mixed-in strawberries will soften and become jammy — that’s normal and delicious.

Freezing: Not recommended — frozen and thawed overnight oats become watery and lose their texture.

Meal prep tip: Make 5 jars at once by multiplying the recipe — store with lids tight and grab one each morning.

Breakfast That Feels Like a Treat

Strawberry chocolate overnight oats prove that healthy breakfast can also be something you actually look forward to eating.

The chocolate and strawberry combination is classic for good reason, and the creamy oat base makes it surprisingly filling.

Prep it the night before Valentine’s Day and wake up to breakfast already waiting in the fridge.

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