Alex and I are down in Singapore for 4th of July weekend. Whenever I take a trip, I always pack food to take with me– for several different reasons.
- I have food allergies. Avoiding them is not always possible in Asia
- I like to have healthy options, and know that the food I eat will leave me energized, and not weighted down. I like to have control over the ingredients in my food.
- The food I make just tastes better than options bought at convenience stops!
Here is one thing I put together before we took off to enjoy along the way:
Both the oats and chia absorb liquid from the yogurt overnight, leaving it a creamy, doughy consistency the next morning. Really, you don’t have to leave it overnight. An hour will do– but if you want it to be ready when you get up, or like to have something quick to grab as you’re rushing out the door (I can sympathize with that!), then making it the evening before is easy, and adding the finishing touches in the morning takes 2 minutes tops.
I love cookie dough! Cookie dough ice cream was the ultimate indulgence for me when I was younger. I remember the first time I had Ben and Jerry’s — it was cookie dough flavor. The carton I happened to pick up must have been a fluke- because it was about 75% cookie dough, 25% ultra rich ice cream. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. Then I read the nutrition facts —> not heaven!
This version of cookie dough bliss is much easier to enjoy, knowing that you’re getting a nice does of protein and fiber from the chia seeds, whole grain oats, and plain yogurt. It’s sweetened just with banana, and the only sugar it has is the minimal amount in the bit of dark chocolate. I use 85% dark chocolate, so the amount of sugar is negligible- meaning it’s totally fair game for breakfast, right? Besides, chocolate is a health food.
I actually start making “yogurt sundaes” a while back after I made the switch from processed fruit flavored yogurts to plain, natural yogurt. I needed a bit of something sweet in it to make the transition, so I started adding raisins, bananas, lightly sweetened cereal, and dark chocolate chips. Then I realized how good oats were in place of the cereal. Then I thought I would add chia to the mix, and that ended up being a great idea, because it thickens it up and makes it chewy. Yum!
I use frozen bananas. I like to eat my bananas green (unripe- and I’ll explain why in a post later this week!), so I cut them into quarters and freeze them so they are easy to use in smoothies and yogurt. The frozen bananas have an ice cream consistency on their own, adding to the dessert-appeal of this yogurt!
If you don’t like bananas, or aren’t used to plain yogurt, try adding blackstrap molasses. It has a very strong, sweet flavor, so a tiny bit (like 1/2 a teaspoon- a mere 7 calories!) really sweetens up the yogurt a lot. I used to add it more often when I wasn’t used to the tartness of plain yogurt, and now only do occasionally when I really want a sweet treat.
Cookie Dough {Overnight} Chia & Oats
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup plain yogurt (or greek yogurt)
- 3 tablespoons rolled oats (not instant!)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1/2 banana (I use frozen, but fresh will work too!)
- 2 teaspoons sunflower butter (or almond butter)
- 2 teaspoons dark chocolate chips (I use 85% dark)
- 1 teaspoon shredded unsweetened coconut
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- pinch sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon blackstrap molasses (optional)
Instructions
- Add oats, chia seeds, and yogurt to a bowl, and mix. Leave in the fridge for 1 hour to overnight.
- Add all the mix ins, stir, and enjoy!
That’s right 🙂 I love easy meals like this that taste more like dessert!
The cookie dough look really tasty and since it’s oats it is also healthy.
Yes, healthy is important! All the ingredients in here are good for you- just mixed magically so it tastes like dessert!
another dessert I can try at home now. =D
Let me know if you do try it!
Super yummy. I love this kind of a healthy food. Not so fatty and its good to our body.
Actually, it is pretty high in fat. But the good kind– the kind from seeds and dark chocolate 🙂 We need healthy fats.
Oh, I have tried overnight oats last weekend. I would love to try this. I hope I can find chia seeds in my city. What is the alternative if I can’t find one?
Overnight oats are a great summer option. Where do you live? When I first moved to Malaysia 4 years ago, I couldn’t find them, and had to bring them back with me when I visited the States. Now they are everywhere! You might find them somewhere if you ask around. They are getting really popular. If you can’t, I would just add another 2 tablespoons of oats. I don’t always add the chia, but I like to include them for the omega 3s!
Thanks for the reply! I live in the Philippines– further down south in Northern Mindanao. I use the oats instead.
The Philippines- I haven’t been there yet, but it’s high on my list! I hope you enjoy.
Ooh this looks so yummy and easy to make! Great tip about keeping banana’s in the freezer too, I hate eating them too ripe
I’m there with you! And here in the tropics, they are ripe in a day or two, and overripe a half a day later!
Your recipe is great for healthy conscious people and very easy to prepare. Cookie dough..you made it right.
Yes– healthy food can taste good! I really like preparing things like this for my friends who are junk food fanatics– showing them how good real, clean ingredients can taste!
This looks extremely yummy! Looking at this while fasting is making it even harder to focus 😀 Thanks for the ingredients, instructions and the notes.
Thanks 🙂 Maybe you could make breaking fast a little more interesting by trying my no-bake German Chocolate Cookie Bars– made predominately with dates!
WOw! it looks yummy! And oh, I guess I can never prepare for something like that for myself when I travel. hehehe
It takes less than 5 minutes– and think about how much better it is than eating something packaged at a convenience stop. I know a lot of people like airline food, but I completely refuse to eat it. I always take the time to pack healthy options! I feel so much better after traveling if I’ve taken care of my body along the way.
I want one! I could eat this on post workout.
Yes, it would be perfect after a workout! A great snack option.
Does cookie dough means that it needs to be baked?
I wonder if they can be kept overnight? Or does it have to be made fresh?