Your morning coffee and breakfast all rolled into one – plus: chocolate! This Mocha Overnight Oatmeal is the perfect grab and go breakfast.
COFFEE.
Is that not the most wonderful word/thing ever invented? (Are words “invented”? I don’t even know, but roll with me here). Chocolate may be a close second, but still — COFFEE.
Few things get me as excited as my morning coffee. As I’ve mentioned before, our weekend mornings usually start with one of us whispering “coffee, coffee, coffee” in the other person’s ear — the best “sweet nothings” I could ever hear. Honestly.
….I think I have a [coffee] problem.
And I thought my addiction was bad before our Italy vacation — oh no — we are now on a whooooole new level. I seriously dream about shots of espresso/cappuccinos all day long and ways that I can incorporate espresso/coffee flavor into just about everything I eat.
No, Leah, espresso hummus is NOT a good idea.
But you know what IS a good idea? Adding espresso to your overnight oats… along with chocolate. (There’s always room for chocolate ♥)
This is the perfect breakfast for a hectic weekday morning, especially during the HOT summer. I mean, just think about it: you’ve got your filling, nutritious breakfast (hello, oats!) and your much needed jolt of caffeine just chilling in the fridge (pun intended – ha!), waiting for you to grab and go.
Iced coffee and breakfast all wrapped into one perfect little package — what more could you ask for on a manic Monday?
Plus: CHOCOLATE FOR BREAKFAST!
With just a few moments of prep the night before, and maybe a little more if you don’t have any leftover espresso on hand (I always save ours when the husband makes an extra pot and it’s too late in the day for caffeine for me) you can have the most perfect little breakfast treat patiently waiting for you the next morning.
Just throw everything into a mason jar, put the lid on, shake, shake, shake, and you can just grab and go on your way out the door the next day. So easy and so delish!
And my little pro-tip: make a enough for a few days all at once! I actually discovered that this mocha overnight oatmeal gets even better if it sits for a full 24 hours to a couple days – the flavors just keep on developing and getting deeper and richer. Ah-mazing!
I know you’re thinking: “Leah, this sounds FANTASTIC, but one hiccup. I don’t have a fancy schmancy espresso maker.”
Either do we! We make stove stove espresso with our Moka pot (which miiiiight be our most prized possession. As in, if there’s a fire, someone is grabbing the Moka pot. Forget the photographs, cameras, computers — but the Moka pot? That’s coming with.) — I highly recommend that you get one if you are a coffee/espresso fanatic like yours truly. They’re pretty cheap and make the most amazing espresso!
BUT if you aren’t a regular espresso drinker (say what?!) and don’t want to invest just for the sake of overnight oatmeal, you can certainly use instant espresso (← even if typing that just made me die inside a little) or use double brewed/double strength coffee. Either will work just fine in a pinch!
If you are not like me not in a rush, you can really jazz up these oats with lots of yummy toppings. Pretty much anything goes! The other day (on the weekend — ain’t nobody got time on a rushed Wednesday morning) I loaded my mocha overnight oats with coconut flakes, walnuts, and an extra sprinkle of mini chocolate chips and ohmygosh….
Just ohmygosh.
♥
Caffeine jolt? Check. Chocolate? Check. Oats? Check.
That right there, is one perfect morning, my friends.
- 1 cup certified gluten-free rolled oats
- 1 cup almond milk (or other milk of choice)
- ½ cup (2 shots) espresso
- 1 Tablespoon cocoa powder
- 2 Tablespoons honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
- 2 Tablespoons mini chocolate chips
- Brew espresso and allow to cool.
- In a pint-sized or larger mason jar, combine all ingredients, attach lid tightly and shake VERY well.
- Place in refrigerator overnight, or at least 8 hours.
- Open, and enjoy!
What a neat idea! I’ve never had anything like this before. But what a treat to wake up to! YUM!
A treat indeed! And a lifesaver for those of us that are always rushing around in the morning (**points to self**)
You have just hacked my weekday breakfast! I love this overnight oatmeal creation, and oh I might just be able to find the time for some chocolate chips on a Wednesday morning….
We don’t drink a ton of coffee at our house at the moment (I went through an addiction when I returned from Italy and had to wean myself off it) but a good coffee pot is on my list of things for the new house for sure!
I cannot wait to make these for breakfast tomorrow morning! I’ll be thinking of you while I am eating my delicious mocha creation! Thanks Leah!
Oh Amy, a good coffee pot is a MUST! If you’ve never used a Moka pot, you’ve gotta try it/get one. Life changing!! I’m so impressed that you were able to wean yourself off after your trip. Teach me your secrets!!! haha. Hope you love this as much as I do. It has absolutely SAVED me many, many times.
Wow! Sounds amazing!! But not sure it can beat the last DELICIOUS leftover slice GF key lime pie with a cappuccino for breakfast….
I bet they’re in CLOSE competition for the best breakfast ever. Hope you’re enjoying the leftovers!! Will have to make another super soon 🙂
I love making a big batch of oatmeal on the weekends to last me throughout the week. But this recipe is even better because I can prepare it overnight. Love the mocha flavor!
So smart, Ashley!
This looks delicious! I have to try this tomorrow. It’s a great alternative to the traditional cup of coffee.
High-fives for breakfast + coffee in one easy breakfast item!
This is so awesome! I love overnight oats, but have never thought to make a mocha version. Coffee and breakfast together – perfect!! Thanks for linking up with our Fabulous Foodie Fridays party! xx
It’s a life saver on busy mornings! Plus its just about the most delicious breakfast ever 🙂
Ok, I know what I’ll be having for breakfast this weekend – awesome!! #FFF
Hope you like it, Malinda. Can’t beat an easy, all-in-one breakfast!
I am alllll about getting as much coffee into my body first thing in the morning so this looks perfect!!
I’m so with you, Laura! Coffee is my lifeline
I have not tried the overnight oats business yet, but I think I could be convinced to try it IMMEDIATELY with the addition of coffee. Umm… I knew we were meant to be friends, Leah. I believe you’re familiar with my love for coffee. Maybe we should start a side blog called LL&Co… LynnLeahCoffeeObsessed. Yep. It would be so glorious.
hahaha. LOVE that idea. Seriously. Let’s make it happen 😉
I have to confess I am not a coffee drinker and I just don’t get what all the fuss is about however when it comes to chocolate – oh yes. I am going to try this minus the coffee maybe I will do a sort of double chocolate version. Yum. Great idea for breakky on the go.
Double chocolate sounds FANTASTIC!
Hi Leah
This looks amazing! I haven’t tried overnight granola YET! BUT, I think I’m going to try this recipe of yours! I was just wondering how much instant espresso powder to water I would need if I wasn’t using real espresso?
Thanks
Naomi you will LOVE these! As far as the espresso powder, follow the directions on the package (I’m not sure which brand you’re using and they can vary!) to make sure you have 1/2 cup total of espresso liquid.
Thank you so much, Leah! I just followed the directions on the package and it turned out amazing! I can’t wait to try a different flavour of overnight oats as I am totally hooked:)
Oh, I’m SO glad you loved them, Naomi! A few of my other favorites are Fresh April Flour’s Pumpkin Overnight Oats (http://freshaprilflours.com/2015/10/14/pumpkin-overnight-oats/) and I also have a PB&J version on my blog, too! I think you’ll love those as well 🙂
I am planning to make Lynn’s recipe next:) PB&J sounds great!
Can you use steel cut oats instead of rolled oats for this? Would the proportions have to be changed?
You could absolutely used steel cut oats, but know that the texture will be VERY different, and you’ll probably want to let it soak for at least 36 hours. It takes a long time for the steel cut oats to get soft using this method (probably more like 3-4 days of soaking) so you’ll have a crunchy oat breakfast instead of soft oatmeal. Hope this helps!