High Protein Chocolate Overnight Oats

Turn your morning bowl into a high protein feast! These Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats take your standard oats and add Greek yogurt and protein powder for additional protein, chia seeds for fiber, and SunButter sunflower seed butter for healthy fats. It’s a combo that’s delicious and satiating!

*This post is sponsored by SunButter, a sunflower seed spread perfect for allergy-safe baking and cooking! Thanks for supporting the brands that keep Sunkissed Kitchen running.

High Protein Overnight Oats, Perfect for Prepping!

Protein is definitely the health-related buzz word of the year! More and more research is proving the importance of higher levels of protein in our diets.

Researchers are also recommending starting the day out with more protein. After an overnight fast, our muscles are in a catabolic state (meaning they are hungry, and they begin to break down). When we eat protein, our bodies get the amino acids needed to put muscles in a anabolic state (building state).

Further, it’s being shown that the body needs a bolus of at least 30 grams of protein to kick-start muscle protein synthesis. Eating smaller amounts of protein throughout the day is less beneficial.

So let’s super charge our oatmeal and start the day out feeling powerful!

If you are a chocolate lover, this is a good alternative to a savory breakfast once in a while. Cold oats are not only a convenient meal prep option, but also a great way to get picky kids to enjoy oatmeal!

These Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats are lower in carbs, higher in fiber, and pack in 31 grams of protein per serving!

Top a jar with fresh fruit, cacao nibs, or a drizzle of SunButter for a dessert-worthy breakfast!

I used Chocolate SunButter to up the chocoately goodness and add a creamy texture! Sunflower seeds are high in vitamin E and flavonoids, as well as being a good source of dietary fiber and protein.

It’s so good, I love to use it in both sweet and savory recipes! Its the perfect swap for peanut butter in any recipe.

Hop on over to SunButter’s website to see where it’s sold near you!

What You’ll Need:

• Greek Yogurt (I use nonfat and ensure it has at least 15 grams of protein per cup)
• Almond Milk (unsweetened, or use coconut milk, cashew milk, or hemp milk)
• Vanilla Extract
• Maple Syrup (or favorite sweetener, like honey or monk fruit sweetener)
• Cacao Powder (or natural cocoa powder)
• Whey Protein Isolate (or your favorite protein powder)
• Collagen Protein (optional, but I try to get some in every day!)
• Chocolate SunButter (or SunButter No Sugar Added)
• Rolled Oats (I use these glyphosate free oats)
• Chia Seeds
• Optional Toppings: Extra SunButter, raspberries, strawberries, bananas, nuts, seeds, coconut, cacao nibs or chocolate chips.

How to Make Chocolate Protein Overnight Oats

Step 1: In a large bowl, whisk together almond milk, Greek yogurt, vanilla, sweetener of choice, cacao powder, protein powders, and Chocolate SunButter.

Step 2: Add the oatmeal and chia seeds to the chocolate milk mixture, and whisk to combine.

Step 3: Allow the oat mixture to sit for about 10 minutes to absorb liquid. Stir again prior to packing the oats.

Step 4: Add the chocolate oats to individual mason jar or containers, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Oatmeal can be prepped and refrigerated for up to 5 days ahead of time.

How to Top Overnight Oats

No bowl (or jar in this case) of oatmeal is complete without toppings!

These chocolate overnight oats are delicious with:

• Berries, like strawberries and raspberries
• Bananas
• Cacao Nibs
• Walnuts, Pecans, or Almonds
• Sunflower Seeds, Pumpkin Seeds, and Hemp Seeds
• An extra dollop of Greek yogurt
• A DRIZZLE of SunButter or spoonful of Chocolate SunButter.

How to Store Leftover Overnight Oats

These jars are meant to be prepped ahead and enjoyed as a quick breakfast option!

After packing the oats in jars, refrigerate at least 1 hour prior to serving.

Store prepped chocolate protein overnight oats in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Top as desired when ready to enjoy!

FAQ and Variations

Protein Powders: I use an unsweetened/unflavored whey protein isolate. This is all protein, no carbs or fats. I prefer this because it only has 1 ingredient – whey protein.

You can use any protein powder you enjoy in this recipe. If using a flavored/sweetened protein, reduce or omit the sweetener.

I don’t suggest plant-based protein powders. They are lower quality proteins. If you use a plant based protein powder, they have additional ingredients that will bulk up the texture of these oats. Plus, studies are showing because of the amino acid makeup, you will need closer to 40 grams of protein to stimulate muscle protein synthesis.

Sweeteners: If you’d like to keep your breakfast sugar free, opt for a sweetener like monk fruit sweetener, allulose, or stevia drops.

You can also use honey or date syrup.

Omit sweetener if using a sweetened protein powder.

Nut/Seed Butter: If you don’t have SunButter, simply omit, or sub with almond butter, cashew butter, or even peanut butter.

Non-Dairy Milk: I recommend almond, cashew, coconut, or hemp, because these options are mostly protein and fat (low carb). Regular dairy milk works, and so do oat milk and soy milk, if these are a part of your diet.

Can I use steel cut oats? Yes, but it requires first cooking your steel cut oats. After they are cooked and cooled, add them to the mixture along with the chia seeds. Reduce the milk to 1/2 cup, and add additional to reach desired texture.

Other Chocolate Breakfast Recipes

• Chocolate Baked Oatmeal
• Chocolate Smoothie Bowl
• Java Chip Mocha Green Smoothie

I’d love to connect with you on social media! Find me on Facebook or Instagram where I post daily healthy eating and lifestyle inspiration!