Nourishing Nutella-Flavoured Overnight Oats

Fibre-rich rolled oats, chia seeds, non-dairy milk, and homemade Nutella (substitute for store bought) combine to create these creamy, nourishing Nutella-flavoured overnight oats. A healthy breakfast recipe that is meant to be made ahead!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe:

Overnight oats are a dietitian-approved, make-ahead healthy breakfast recipe. Like these Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats and Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats, you basically mix all of the ingredients together and place them in the fridge overnight. Then in the morning, enjoy!

This recipe makes one serving, but you can double or triple the recipe for meal-prep purposes. Prep once, eat two to three times, right? It’s also gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan!

If you love Nutella or anything chocolate hazelnut, you’re just going to love the way this recipe tastes! Also, this is an overnight oats recipe made without yogurt. All you’ll need is oats, chia seeds, non-dairy milk, a sweetener, and Nutella or a Nutella-flavoured chocolate hazelnut spread.

Are Nutella-Flavoured Overnight Oats Healthy?

As a dietitian, you know I’m a fan of nutritious breakfast recipes with oats. This overnight oats recipe is no exception!

The ingredients used in this recipe are simple and nutritious, and the recipe offers us everything we need to build a balanced breakfast. The oats and chia seeds offer us fibre, the homemade nutella and chia seeds give us some healthy fats, and if you use a higher protein non-dairy milk like soy, you’re getting a good source of protein too.

You may even be wondering “are these overnight oats still healthy if I use store-bought Nutella?” and my answer is yes! Nutrition is very nuanced. Sure, while a tablespoon of Nutella may contain added sugars or oils, it also offers healthy fats which are important for satiety. And, all of the other ingredients in the recipe are very healthy for you.

What Type of Oats Should I Use?

For overnight oats, generally rolled oats are your best bet. Quick oats will work too, but these are smaller, thinner, and have more surface area to absorb liquid, meaning that there is more potential for the overnight oats to become soggy. If you want to learn more, I wrote an entire post on the differences between rolled oats vs. quick oats.

I do not recommend using steel cut oats for your overnight oats as this will not produce the creamy texture that we’re going for.

Chocolate Hazelnut Overnight Oats Ingredients:

Rolled Oats: These usually work best compared to quick-cooking or steel cut oats. If you have celiac or gluten-intolerance, use certified gluten-free oats.

Chia seeds: These absorb liquid, creating the creamy oatmeal consistency without cooking.

Non-dairy milk: Choose your fav, but unsweetened, unflavoured usually work best.

Vegan Nutella: Use my recipe for 3-ingredient homemade Nutella, or another Nutella or chocolate hazelnut spread.

Pure maple syrup: To add sweetness. Feel free to omit this!

How to Serve Overnight Oats:

You can eat overnight oats cold or hot, depending on your preference! Personally, I like to eat mine cold. This way I can just grab them out of the fridge in the morning and enjoy.

If you prefer to eat overnight oats warm, you can heat them up in the morning. Using your microwave and in a microwave-safe dish, heat oats for 45-60 seconds. Or using the stovetop, heat overnight oats in a small saucepan over medium heat.

As for toppings, I love to top mine with a little extra Nutella, some sliced bananas, and maybe a dollop of yogurt (use non-dairy if vegan). Some fresh berries and/or chopped up hazelnuts for crunch would also be delicious!

Suggested Substitutions:

For homemade Nutella: If you prefer not to make your own homemade Nutella, you can use store-bought Nutella or another chocolate-hazelnut spread. Keep in mind traditional Nutella is not vegan!

For maple syrup: Instead of pure maple syrup, you can use agave syrup for a vegan option or honey for a non-vegan option.

How to Store Overnight Oats:

Store overnight oats in an airtight container in the fridge. They last up to 3 days in the fridge but are best enjoyed after 24-48 hours. However, they are freezer friendly, too!

Connect with Hannah Magee, RD!

If you tried this recipe for Chocolate Hazelnut Overnight Oats or any of my recipes let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and rating below! Also, be sure to follow along on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook for more!