If you are craving a sweet yet wholesome breakfast – make these chocolate overnight oats. Flax seeds, cashews, and oats provide a good amount of proteins and healthy fats, and unsweetened cacao is a powerful antioxidant. Lightly sweetened with banana and just a touch of dates, this makes a very indulgent breakfast.
That is to say, I don’t have anything against sweet breakfasts as long as they are well balanced with high-quality proteins and fats.
The balancing part, however, comes with practice. So I created this wholesome chocolate overnight oats recipe so you can get a better idea of how to turn a sweet yummy treat into a healthy meal!
Here are some ingredients to choose from if you want to create your own balanced breakfast:
Quality fats:
- nuts
- seeds (especially flax and hemp)
- coconut oil, yogurt, milk, and flour
- chia and basil seeds
Proteins:
- fermented tofu
- whole grains
- flax and hemp seeds again!
- unsweetened full-fat Greek yogurt if you eat dairy
For sweetness use berries, banana, dates (in moderation), pumpkin, rhubarb, watermelon. Protein and fats are a priority here, while we strive to keep the sweet ingredients to the minimum, just to add a sweet “nuance” to the dish.
“Black forest” healthy chocolate overnight oats:
Ingredients for 2 servings:
- 40 gr (⅓ cup) cashews
- 20 gr (4 small/ 2 large) dates
- 70 gr (5 tbsp) coconut milk
- 20 gr (2 tbsp) flax seeds
- 14 grams (2 tbsp) high quality unsweetened cocoa powder
- 70 gr frozen banana (about ½ large banana)
- ⅔ cups old-fashioned oats
- dry or fresh (or both!) sour cherries, for garnish
Method:
*Make these chocolate overnight oats 12 – 48 hours ahead.
- To make these chocolate overnight oats start by soaking cashews and dates in hot water for 10 minutes. In a separate bowl, mix flax seeds with ¼ cup (60 ml) water and let steep for 10 min, stirring occasionally.
- Place banana, coconut milk, and cocoa powder in the blender. Add flax with the water it’s been steeping in. Add drained dates and cashews. Blend on high until fully smooth (depending on your blender, it might take anywhere from 30 seconds to 3-4 minutes.)
- Stop the blender, add ½ cup (125 ml) water, and blend again. Give it a taste, and add a couple more slices of banana if your taste buds are demanding more sweetness (however, try to go with the suggested amount of banana so your taste buds can start adjusting to gentler sweetness).
- In a jar or tupperware, mix the cocoa mixture with oats. Cover and leave in the fridge overnight (and up to 48 hours). In the morning, garnish with dry or fresh (or both!) cherries and your favorite nuts and enjoy!
More ideas for delicious healthy breakfasts:
Knowing that you use my recipes makes me so happy! If you end up making these chocolate overnight oats or any other recipes, please tag me @olesia.guts so I can see your creations!
Ingredients
- 40 gr (⅓ cup) cashews
- 20 gr (4 small/ 2 large) dates
- 70 gr (5 tbsp) coconut milk
- 20 gr (2 tbsp) flax seeds
- 14 grams (2 tbsp) high quality unsweetened cocoa powder
- 70 gr frozen banana (about ½ large banana)
- 60 gr (⅔ cups) old-fashioned oats
- dry or fresh (or both!) sour cherries, for garnish
Instructions
- Soak your cashews and dates in hot water for 10 minutes. In a separate bowl, mix flax seeds with ¼ cup (60 ml) water and let steep for 10 min, stirring occasionally.
- Place banana, coconut milk, and cocoa powder in the blender. Add flax with the water it’s been steeping in. Add drained dates and cashews. Blend on high until fully smooth (depending on your blender, it might take anywhere from 30 seconds to 3-4 minutes.)
- Stop the blender, add ½ cup (125 ml) water, and blend again. Give it a taste, and add a couple more slices of banana if your taste buds are demanding more sweetness (however, try to go with the suggested amount of banana so your taste buds can start adjusting to gentler sweetness).
- In a jar or tupperware, mix the cocoa mixture with oats. Cover with a lid and let sit in the fridge overnight (and up to 48 hours). In the morning, garnish with dry or fresh (or both!) cherries and favorite nuts and enjoy!
