This post may contain affiliate links.
Chocolate, coconut, and almond come together in this simple, 5 minute prep breakfast recipe that you can make ahead and have breakfast ready on the go. Almond Joy Overnight Oats are a hearty and healthy way to start your day!
Coconut, almonds and chocolate, oh my!
Overnight Oats are by far one of my favorite breakfasts. They make rushed mornings a breeze because they are ready to grab and go in the morning.
You can make enough jars for the whole week in less than 15 minutes. Nothing compares to the convenience. When you are on the go, having to do one more thing is not always going to happen, but when you are hungry, you are hungry. Gotta eat!
I am quite the coconut fanatic. I was always a fan of Almond Joy bars. The gooey coconut surrounded by rich dark chocolate and topped with an almond was the perfect combination. Now that I have my own version of the bars (link to Almond Joy Bars), I decided it was time to take Almond Joy to the breakfast table.
Why You Will Love These Almond Joy Overnight Oats:
- They taste like a treat. Who doesn't want a candy bar inspired breakfast that also fuels you for the day? These almond joy oats are the perfect nutritious breakfast that also tastes amazing. Chocolate coconut lovers will LOVE these!
- You can prep a whole week's breakfast in just minutes. The absolute best part about overnight oatmeal is how quick and easy it is to prep them. Just a few minutes at the beginning of the week will have your breakfast (or snack!) ready when you wake up in the morning or need a little fuel in your day.
- Easy to modify to meet your dietary needs. Overnight oats are so simple to modify. Use dairy free or regular milk, use gluten free oats, sweeten with your favorite sweetener. Lots of options!
Recipe Ingredients:
- rolled oats: regular or gluten free, for gluten free just make sure the package says "certified gluten free." Some people like to use steel cut oats but that is not recommended. They are a bit too chewy even after a couple of days soaking.
- milk: whatever you choose! I typically use chocolate almond milk or whole milk in this almond joy overnight oats recipe. The chocolate milk is a whole new level if you have it! But whatever you prefer, use it!
- cocoa powder: unsweetened, regular or dark cocoa works well
- sliced almonds: you can toast these for extra flavor. Just add to a skillet heated to medium on the stove and toast, stirring regularly for about 3 minutes
- shredded coconut: I use unsweetened but sweetened will work in this recipe. Just adjust the sweetness by lessening the amount of maple syrup or sweetener you use.
- vanilla extract: extract over imitation vanilla if possible for optimal flavor
- maple syrup: my preferred sweetener but you can use what you have on hand--honey, maple, agave, regular sugar, etc. Sweeten to your taste and perhaps add it at the very end to prevent over sweetening.
- almond extract: just a VERY small amount. A little goes a very long way. Add just a drop to a spoon and then add and stir so you don't overdo it. You can always add more if preferred.
- sea salt: a dash of sea salt
How to make this recipe:
The best part about overnight oats? Stir, seal, chill.
Stir all of the ingredients together in a container you can seal shut and pop in the fridge for at least 4 hours. Done! That is for real all it takes to make your almond joy oats.
Possible Add-Ins:
These coconut and chocolate filled oats are great as they are but here are some other ingredients you can add if desired:
- chia seeds
- ground flax
- protein powder
- fresh berries (add at the time of serving)
- chocolate chips
- sliced bananas (again, wait until serving)
- coconut yogurt (for extra thick and creamy oats)
- almond butter
- coconut butter
Almond Joy Oatmeal Recipe Notes:
- If your oats are too thick in before serving, add an extra splash of milk. Sometimes the oats soak up a LOT of the milk and this causes the mixture to become too thick and somewhat dry. No worries, just add an extra splash or two of milk and stir.
- Wait to sweeten your oats until serving. The most common issue people have with overnight oatmeal is that it is too sweet or not sweet enough. Wait until you serve to add the sweetener so you can taste and adjust to your liking. Start with half the amount and add more as desired.
- Toast your coconut and almonds for the BEST oats! If you have a few extra minutes, toast the sliced almonds and coconut. The flavor will be all that more amazing. You can easily do this in a skillet on the stove. Heat a skillet to medium and add the ingredients. Stir regularly for 3-4 minutes or until lightly brown and fragrant.
Overnight Oatmeal FAQs:
When the overnight oats trend hit, it was all the rage to scoop your breakfast out of a ball jar. Heck, I still do. But don’t go out and buy cute little jars just yet. If you have a bowl that you can seal, then you are in perfect shape.
Don’t feel like you have to buy anything extra to make your oatmeal in, bowls can be great as well. I have seen lots of people use the end of a peanut butter jar even!
I have had readers comment or reach out saying they don’t want to eat cold oats. No one says you have to–promise! Pop them in the microwave in the morning and you are all set! Love them chilled? Great, you just get to eat them about a minute sooner!
I typically make 3 or so days worth at a time. 3-5 days is the range that they will last and certain ingredients in different flavors impact this. Banana Bread overnight oats are typically not good after 2 or 3 days due to the mashed banana but this chocolate peanut butter overnight oats recipe is good a few days longer. Just keep fruit out of your oats until serving and that should typically help.
I prefer rolled oats in mine. I find that they soak up the milk perfectly and are nice and soft after sitting overnight. I have seen others suggest steel cut oats for their overnight oats recipe but that is NOT for me. They are too hard and chewy for me. I have found that steel cut oats are best for me I the Instant Pot. (Check out these Banana Bread Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats!)
Other Overnight Oats Recipes:
- Coconut Cream Pie Overnight Oats
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Overnight Oats
- Nutella Overnight Oats
- Greek Yogurt Peanut Butter Oatmeal
- Blueberry Muffin Overnight Oats
- Easy Overnight Oats Recipes
- Banana Bread Overnight Oats
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for all the latest!
*Photos updated Dec. 20, 2018.
Almond Joy Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats regular or gluten free
- ½ cup milk of choice
- 2 tsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 T sliced almonds
- 2 T shredded coconut
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1-2 teaspoon maple syrup or preferred sweetener
- 1 drop of almond extract
- dash of sea salt
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients into a jar or container that can be sealed.
- Stir well and seal.
- Store in the refrigerator overnight.
- Serve cold or warm up in the microwave to serve hot.
- Optional garnish: mini dark chocolate chips.
Notes
- Almond extract can be super strong. I advise putting the smallest amount possible or it can be a bit too much.
- If your oats are too thick in before serving, add an extra splash of milk. Sometimes the oats soak up a LOT of the milk and this causes the mixture to become too thick and somewhat dry. No worries, just add an extra splash or two of milk and stir.
- Wait to sweeten your oats until serving. The most common issue people have with overnight oatmeal is that it is too sweet or not sweet enough. Wait until you serve to add the sweetener so you can taste and adjust to your liking. Start with half the amount and add more as desired.
- Toast your coconut and almonds for the BEST oats! If you have a few extra minutes, toast the sliced almonds and coconut. The flavor will be all that more amazing. You can easily do this in a skillet on the stove. Heat a skillet to medium and add the ingredients. Stir regularly for 3-4 minutes or until lightly brown and fragrant.
Nutrition
Shop This Post:
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Amanda C says
If I make 5 jars for the entire week on Sunday night, will they still be just as good on Friday morning?
Lorie says
The overnight oats like this one without fruit in them have been fine for me 3-5 days later even. As long as you don't put anything like banana in them you should be good!
Millie says
I tried these with the steel cut oats and found that they just didn't soften enough-even after 3 days in the fridge, even with cooking for 10 minutes on the stove in the morning. The taste was very good though, so I'm looking forward to trying it again with rolled old-fashioned oats and seeing if those will soften.
Lorie says
Hi Millie, thanks for the feedback! I don’t care for the steel cut oats in these either but some people love the chewiness. Definitely go with the rolled!
Cathy says
I have tried 4 of Lorie's overnight oats recipes now. Though this is good, for me personally, it's a little too much chocolate in the morning. That said, I confess that I am a woman who is NOT addicted to chocolate. Yes--I said it! I am in the minority of the female gender, I know!! Who doesn't want more chocolate? But Lorie's picture was just too appealing not to give it a go! If you are new to Overnight Oats, start with Lorie's Banana Bread Overnight Oats. Tomorrow morning will be my second serving if it. Too Good!!
Lorie says
Amen, Cathy! The Banana Bread oats are where it's at! And I so get it, chocolate in the morning can be a bit much. Sometimes I have this one as an afternoon snack!