These Nutella Overnight Oats taste like dessert for breakfast but with the ease, creamy texture, and nutrition of meal prep oats. In just 5 minutes, you'll stir together rolled oats, milk, cocoa, and creamy hazelnut spread, then let the fridge do the work overnight. By morning, you've got a rich, chocolatey grab-and-go breakfast that's perfect for busy weekdays, kids, or anyone who loves Nutella.
Why I Love Nutella Oats
I often struggle with breakfast. It's not that I don't like to eat first thing in the morning, it's just I often lack the energy to make something healthy and tasty. That is why I LOVE meal prep breakfasts like overnight oats. I'll make a big batch on Sunday evening, store them in single serving size mason jars, and enjoy them all throughout the week. Here's why I love this Nutella overnight oats recipe:
- Simple grocery store ingredients
- It is super simple to prepare this recipe
- Nutella oatmeal is great for meal prep
- There are tons of fun toppings for this breakfast Nutella recipe
- Make-ahead breakfasts, like our Mini Egg Bites with Broccoli and Cheddar, Homemade Cinnamon Granola or Strawberry Drop Biscuits, make busy weekday mornings stress-free.
Jump to:
Ingredients that Matter
This recipe calls for pantry staples you likely already have on hand. Here are the ingredients you'll need for this recipe:
- Nutella. I'm all for whole ingredients, but sometimes I lean on convenience products like a creamy hazelnut spread. I view it as a special treat! You can also find a variety of chocolate hazelnut spreads or chocolate nut spreads if you don't want to use Nutella (we really like the Cocoa Almond Spread from Trader Joe's).
- Rolled Oats. Use old-fashioned rolled oats when making overnight oats. They'll keep their texture better than quick-cooking oats. Rolled oats are ideal, but you can use quick oats for softer overnight oats. Avoid steel-cut oats, since they don't absorb enough liquid to soften overnight.
- Milk. This recipe is not dairy-free because Nutella contains milk. You can certainly use lower fat milk or even plant-based milk such as oat milk, soy milk, or almond milk. You can also use yogurt for a thicker base. Whichever liquid you choose, it adds its own flavor and creamy texture to the oats.
- Cocoa Powder. I add a bit of cocoa powder to really amp up the chocolate flavor of these overnight oats.
- Flaxseeds. Add some flaxseeds (or chia seeds, if preferred) for the fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Plus, ground flaxseeds will help thicken the oats as they sit overnight in the refrigerator.
- Salt. A small pinch of salt helps bring out the chocolate flavor in these oats.
- Granola (toppings). While this ingredient is technically optional, I like to add garnishes like fresh fruit and granola (try using our Peanut Butter Granola).
- Maple Syrup or Honey (optional). If you like a sweeter breakfast, you can add some maple syrup or honey to the oat mixture.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to prepare Nutella Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are so simple to make! Here I'll show you my favorite way to make them, along with some tips for success:
Stir together the milk (or your choice of liquid, like oat milk, soy milk, or almond milk), cocoa powder and Nutella in a mixing bowl until well combined. I recommend microwaving this mixture until just barely warm as it'll make the cocoa powder easier to mix into the milk. You really only need 15-30 seconds in the microwave to get the milk warm enough for the cocoa powder to dissolve properly. Technically this step is optional, but I think the cocoa powder and chocolate nut spread mixes easier into warm milk.
Add the rolled oats, ground flaxseeds and salt to the milk mixture.
Stir the oats into the milk mixture until well coated. This mixture should be quite soupy.
Transfer the mixture to small mason jars (the ones shown in this photo are 1 cup each). Be sure to press the oats down so they are submerged in the milk mixture. Cover with a lid and refrigerate at least 6 hours or overnight.
Hint: I recommend topping the overnight oats with a mixture of Nutella and milk after the oats rest overnight. Mixing Nutella with a splash of warm milk creates a smoother blend and creamier texture to spoon over the oats.
Substitutions
This recipe is gluten-free, but it contains milk products. The oats and flaxseeds help make this a healthy Nutella breakfast recipe, and you can adjust how much chocolate spread you add if you are concerned about the added sugar.
Here are some suggested substitutions you can make based on your dietary restrictions of flavor preferences:
- Rolled Oats - If you want to keep this recipe gluten-free, be sure to purchase rolled oats labeled gluten-free. Do not assume all oats are naturally GF.
- Nutella - We don't use a lot of Nutella in our household, but we love enjoying it when we have some in our pantry. Be sure to store it in the pantry and not the refrigerator. We stir a small spoonful into morning oatmeal or farina. You can swap in any kind of creamy chocolate nut butter that you prefer.
- Milk - Use your preferred milk, including whole, low-fat or skim. You can also use a plant-based milk such as soy milk, oat milk, or almond milk, but note that Nutella is not dairy-free.
- Flaxseeds - Feel free to increase the amount of flaxseeds you add to each portion (1 ½ teaspoons works well for my GI, but you may prefer more). You can certainly use chia seeds, if you prefer.
- Yogurt - Did you know you can make overnight oatmeal with yogurt? For this recipe try using 1 cup of plain yogurt (regular or Greek-strained) instead of the milk. Overnight oats with yogurt make for a thicker, richer consistency.
Toppings for Overnight Oats
Enjoy overnight oats with Nutella right out of the refrigerator, or add some fun toppings. I like to top mine with fresh berries like blueberries, raspberries or strawberries for a boost to vitamins and minerals. Or I add granola like our Peanut Butter Granola or Homemade Cinnamon Granola.
If you want to keep this breakfast even healthier, try adding nuts like chopped pecans, walnuts or hazelnuts (while these are the nuts in Nutella, note that hazelnuts may be a bit bitter).
Variations
Consider the following variations to this recipe:
- Banana Nutella Oats - Mash a ripe banana into the oat mixture for natural sweetness and extra fiber.
- Nutella Protein Oats - Stir in a scoop of chocolate or vanilla protein powder before refrigerating for a more filling start to your day.
- Peanut Butter Nutella Oats - Swap in half of the Nutella with peanut butter or almond butter for a nutty twist.
- Mocha Nutella Oats - Add about 1 teaspoon instant coffee or espresso powder for a chocolate-mocha flavor.
- Quick-Oats Version - For a softer, more porridge or pudding-like texture, use quick oats or fast cooking oats instead of rolled oats.
Storage
Overnight oats are great for meal prep! We love the convenience of grab-and-go oatmeal for those busy mornings. We frequently rotate between this chocolate overnight oats along with our Cinnamon Overnight Oats or Overnight Oats with Coconut Milk.
This recipe makes enough for 2 (1-cup) mason jars. To make more servings simply scale the recipe as desired and enjoy throughout the week. If you don't have mason jars, you can also store the overnight oatmeal in a large airtight container, and scoop out a portion in the morning.
Nutella oatmeal will last in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. Just be sure to keep them covered while in the refrigerator so they don't dry up or absorb the scent of your fridge.
I do not recommend freezing overnight oats.
Adam's Pro Tip
If you don't like cold overnight oats, you can warm them up in the microwave. Cover and microwave on high for about 30-60 seconds, stirring halfway through, until hot. This will make more of a Nutella porridge. I prefer my overnight oats cold right out of the fridge, but you could also set them on the counter to come to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Be sure to return them to the refrigerator after no more than 2 hours on the counter.
FAQ
You can store overnight oats in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days. The oats may continue to soften the longer they sit in the refrigerator.
Yes, using yogurt in overnight oats works very well. Note that only using yogurt will make for much thicker overnight oats. You can also use half yogurt and half milk to make overnight oatmeal.
Nutella is not dairy-free as it contains milk products.
Overnight oats are best with rolled oats, however you can use quick oats for a more porridge or pudding-like texture. Steel-cut oats tend to be too dense for overnight oats.
Dairy or plant-based milks work best. Try cow's milk, oat milk, soy milk, or almond milk.
It is best to make overnight oats less sweet and then add more sweeteners before serving. You can adjust the sweetness with additional sweeteners like Nutella, honey, or maple syrup.
Yes, overnight oats provide fiber, vitamins, and minerals from the oats and seeds. Nutella adds sweetness and flavor, but you can balance it with healthy toppings like fruit, nuts, or yogurt.
More Breakfast Recipes
Looking for more breakfast recipes like this? Try these:
Dinner Ideas
Need some inspiration for dinner tonight? Try these recipes:
Print
Recipe
Nutella Overnight Oats
- Total Time: 6 hours
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
Description
These Nutella Overnight Oats taste like dessert for breakfast but with the ease and nutrition of meal prep oats. In just 5 minutes, you'll stir together rolled oats, milk, cocoa, and creamy hazelnut spread, then let the fridge do the work overnight. By morning, you've got a rich, chocolatey grab-and-go breakfast that's perfect for busy weekdays, kids, or anyone who loves Nutella.
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk (plus 2 tsp. for the topping)
- 3 Tbsp, Nutella, divided
- 1 tsp. cocoa powder
- 1 Tbsp. maple syrup (optional) *see note
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 Tbsp. ground flaxseed (or chia seeds)
- 1 pinch table salt
- granola, berries, banana slices for serving
Instructions
- Whisk together 1 cup milk, 2 tablespoons Nutella, cocoa powder and maple syrup (if using) in a large mixing bowl. If the cocoa powder and Nutella are not incorporating well into the milk, try microwaving the mixture briefly, about 30 seconds, to warm the milk. This will help the cocoa powder dissolve. Be sure the milk mixture is smooth before proceeding.
- Add to the milk mixture the oats, flaxseeds and salt and stir well to combine. Transfer the mixture to two 1-cup mason jars or an airtight container. Be sure to press the oats down so they are submerged in the milk mixture. Cover with a tight lid and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- When ready to serve, stir together the remaining 1 tablespoon Nutella with the 2 teaspoons of milk until the mixture is loosened, then drizzle over the Nutella overnight oatmeal. Serve garnished with granola, berries or banana slices.
Notes
- Overnight oats may be stored in the refrigerator for up to 4-5 days.
- This recipe makes enough for 2 (1-cup) portions of overnight oats. Scale up the recipe as written to increase the portions.
- Maple Syrup is optional if you like a sweeter breakfast.
- You can make this recipe with any type of milk you prefer, including reduced fat, skim or even plant-based milks.
- This recipe is not dairy-free as Nutella and most chocolate nut butters contain milk.
- Try serving with your favorite granola (try our Homemade Cinnamon Granola or our Peanut Butter Granola recipes).
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: American
Ruthie says
The oats themselves are not too sweet but that chocolate topping made these so special. These are so good!