Chocolate Oatmeal

Each bite of this chocolate oatmeal is rich and fudgy. A naturally vegan breakfast loaded with cocoa, maple syrup and nut butter.

Fudgy creamy oatmeal topped with banana slices, roasted hazelnuts and chocolate chips.

There is nothing quite as amazing as a large bowl of warm oats in the morning. It’s the one breakfast that fills me up and leaves me feeling energized. I think a big part of it has to do with the fact that I have learned ways to make them extra satisfying.

This bowl of chocolate oatmeal is exactly that. It’s chocolatey for all my chocolate lovers, rich in flavor and loaded with nutritious ingredients. Now let’s dive into this dreamy bowl of chocolate goodness.

This Chocolate Porridge Is

  • Rich, creamy and fudgy
  • With the hazelnuts it reminds me of Ferrero Rocher chocolate
  • Takes 10 minutes to prepare
  • Easy to make ahead or turn into overnight oats for grab and go breakfast
  • Perfectly creamy
  • Loaded with complex carbs, fiber, antioxidants and protein
Showing all 7 ingredients needed to make this bowl including cocoa powder, oats, milk, maple syrup, flaxseed and peanut butter.

Key Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Oats: We use both rolled and quick oats to make the perfect porridge consistency that’s just the right amount of thickness. Please feel free to use just rolled oats if desired or pulse 1/2 cup rolled oats to get homemade quick oats. Ensure gluten-free if following gluten-free diet.
  • Cocoa Powder: For a decadent and rich tasting chocolate oatmeal, use Dutch-processed cocoa powder. If you don’t have that, you can still use other cocoa powders, just make sure they are unsweetened.
  • Maple Syrup: Just for a touch of sweetness to balance the bitter flavors of the cocoa powder.
  • Nut Butter: To make this more budget-friendly, I used peanut butter. You can use a more neutral nut or seed butter as desired.
  • Unsweetened Plant-Based Milk: I used almond milk, but use your favorite milk as desired. Using a soy or pea-protein based milk can help increase the protein of this breakfast even more.
  • Salt: This is actually really important and helps to counter the bitterness of the chocolate and give it that right bite of flavor.
  • Hazelnuts: I consider this an optional ingredient, but I absolutely love this oatmeal with some crush roasted hazelnuts on top to give me those decadent flavor memories of enjoying Ferrero Rocher chocolates.

How to Make Chocolate Oatmeal

Roast some raw hazelnuts on a lined baking tray in the oven, then allow to cool. While the hazelnuts cool, cook your oatmeal. When the nuts have reached room temperature, roll them between your hands to remove the excess skins before using.

For the oats, add the remaining ingredients to a sauce pan and bring to a simmer, stirring regularly to help release the starches in the oats to help thicken it. After a few minutes, remove from the stove top and serve topped with fruit and the roasted hazelnuts.

Tips for the Perfect Bowl

  • Use Dutch-processed cocoa for best results. This specific processing neutralizes the acidity of the cocoa powder resulting in less bitterness and a richer color. You can read more about the differences from this article here.
  • Adjust the consistency of your oats to your preference. If you like it more loose cook for a little less time before it gets to thick. If it’s too thick, add a splash or more of milk to help loosen it up.
  • For the best fudgy consistency, don’t leave out the nut or seed butter. It really makes a difference in taste and texture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is chocolate oatmeal healthy?

These chocolate oats are prepared in a way where they taste like dessert, but contain a lot of wholesome ingredients. The first being oats, which provide a great amount of fiber and complex carbohydrate to fuel your day. Then there’s the nut butter and flaxseed to provide a little protein and healthy fats. We also have antioxidant-rich cocoa powder. These ingredients are combined to provide a lightly sweetened, but nutrient-rich breakfast.

Can you make this oatmeal without added sugar?

Absolutely! There are a number of ways you can naturally sweeten this bowl if you are trying to minimize your blood sugar intake. Some good options include mashed ripe banana, unsweetened apple sauce, or chopped or blended Medjool dates. Please note that opting for options like the banana or apple sauce may cause your oats to have a hint of those flavors in your oats.

How do I make my oatmeal the right texture?

The consistency of your oatmeal is impacted by a few things. The creaminess is impacted by stirring. If you stir frequently as your oats simmer, more starches from the oats are released and this gives you that perfect creamy texture. The thickness is a matter of liquid and time. I generally recommend cooking rolled oats for about 3-5 minutes as the low end provides a thinner consistency and 5 minutes tends to make it thicker. The longer your oats sit and cool, the thicker it will become.

Can this be made in advance?

Yes! Prepare and portion your cooled oats into airtight containers. They can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days and placed in the freezer for up to 1 month. To reheat, place in the microwave or back on the stovetop with a splash of plant based milk and reheat until loosened to your desired consistency.

Would this work as overnight oats?

Replace the flaxseeds with 2 tablespoons of chia seeds and reduce the milk to 1 1/2 cups of milk. Stir everything together and portion out into individual containers and allow to thicken overnight.

The Best Toppings for Your Breakfast Bowl

Feel free to top however you desire. I do have some suggestions to help compliment all the flavors in your oatmeal bowl. Pick and choose any of the following to help change it up.

  • Roasted Hazelnuts
  • Banana Slices
  • Raspberries
  • Strawberries
  • Dried Cherries
  • Coconut Flakes
  • Hemp Hearts
  • Nut or Seed Spreads
  • Granola
  • Dairy Free Chocolate Chips
  • Plant-Based Yogurt

More Oatmeal Bowls to Try

Side view of a bowl of oatmeal topped with banana, chocolate chips and roasted hazel nuts.
Print
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Close up of a bowl of fudgy chocolate oatmeal topped with banana, nut butter, chocolate chips and hazelnuts.

Chocolate Oatmeal

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  • Author: Catherine Perez
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 2 servings 1x
  • Category: Breakfast
  • Method: Stove Top
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

Each bite of this chocolate oatmeal is rich and fudgy. A naturally vegan breakfast loaded with cocoa, maple syrup and nut butter.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1/2 cup raw hazelnuts (optional)
  • 1/2 cup gluten-free rolled oats
  • 1/2 cup gluten-free quick oats
  • 1/4 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
  • 1 tbsp ground flaxseed
  • 1/41/2 tsp salt, based on preference
  • 2 tbsp nut or seed butter (I used peanut butter)
  • 23 tbsp maple syrup or organic brown sugar or coconut sugar (use what you like to sweeten)
  • 2 cups unsweetened almond milk

Serve With

  • Dairy-Free Dark Chocolate Chips
  • Fruit like banana or raspberries

Instructions

  1. Set oven to 350F. To a lined baking sheet add the hazelnuts and place in the oven to roast for 10-12 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool as you prep your oats.
  2. To a saucepan add your remaining oatmeal ingredients and bring to a low simmer, stirring regularly until the oats thicken to your liking, about 3-5 minutes.
  3. Remove the cooked oats from heat. Now, rub the hazelnuts between your palms to remove any excess skins that flake off. Portion your oats and top with chocolate chips, hazelnut and fruit for the ultimate experience.

Notes

The longer the oatmeal sits the thicker it will get. They will store in the fridge for up to 4 days. To reheat place the oats in the microwave or in a saucepan along with a splash of milk and reheat to help loosen them up until warmed through.

If you tried this recipe or any other recipe on the blog, then let me know what you thought in the comments below! And if you loved it, don’t forget to rate it too. Feel free to follow on Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok for the latest nutrition tips and recipe videos.

 Catherine

This post contains affiliate links which means I will make a small commission if you purchase from those links. I only recommend and share products that I know, trust and personally use myself!

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