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This chocolate Protein Oats Recipe is a great pre-made breakfast to wake up to. Protein oats are gluten-free and low in calories, but still super satisfying because of the high protein content. They're sure to keep you full and satisfied all morning.
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I love a good bowl of oatmeal in the morning to wake up to. The best way to eat it? With protein! Plus, these protein oats have plenty of long-lasting energy from the protein powder, almond milk, and flax meal or chia seeds.
With only 5 ingredients to shop for, I love how convenient this healthy oatmeal breakfast is! You’ll find yourself craving the luxuriously smooth, chocolate protein oats and their subtle warmth and sweetness from the cinnamon.
If you're on the hunt for more high protein breakfast recipes, try this high protein breakfast sandwich or my Greek yogurt scrambled eggs next!
Why I Love This Chocolate Protein Oats Recipe
- Easy meal prep. This protein oats recipe is also an easy meal prep option for anyone seeking a high protein breakfast with no eggs.
- Fast and easy to make. On days when I need to get out the door quickly, having these overnight protein oats as a grab-and-go breakfast makes my morning a breeze!
- Versatile and customizable. I love experimenting with different nut butters and protein flavors to keep my protein breakfast ideas fresh and exciting.
Ingredients
- Gluten-Free Rolled Oats: My favorite is Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Rolled Oats for this recipe. They cook faster than steel-cut oats but are a little chunkier than quick or minute oats and they have the best texture. You can use regular rolled oats if you don't need them to be gluten-free.
- Chocolate Protein Powder: The best protein powders are higher in protein (20 grams or more) and lower in carbohydrates. Ideally, they have no added sugar. I like plant-based Garden of Life (gluten and dairy free) for this high protein chocolate oatmeal but any protein powder that agrees with you and that you like will work. Protein powder is very individual and you will have to try different brands and flavors to find one you enjoy! My other favorite protein powder brands include: Active Stacks Beef Protein, Legion Whey Protein, Legion Plant-Based, Orgain, 1st Phorm, and Premier Protein.
- Flax Meal or Chia Seeds: Flax and chia seed add great fiber content and also make the oatmeal thicker and creamier. Plus, once you have a bag of flax meal or chia seeds around, you can use them in lots of other baking recipes, too (like my Healthy Carrot Apple Flax Muffins, for example!).
- Cinnamon: For a subtle sweetness. You can use pumpkin pie spice or nutmeg, too.
- Unsweetened Almond Milk: Be sure to look for a non-dairy milk that doesn’t have added sugar. I used almond, but you could also use a different nut or soy milk instead.
See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.
Variations & Dietary Modifications
- To Make Vegan Oats: Use a plant-based protein powder for an easy high protein vegan breakfast.
- Vary the Protein Flavor: Vanilla protein powder, strawberry flavor, or even plain protein powder all work great for this protein oats recipe.
- Add Fresh or Frozen Fruit: Blueberries and strawberries pair well with chocolate, but you can add any of your favorite fruits.
- Add Nut Butter: Peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, sunflower seed butter, and tahini are all delicious. I'd suggest adding just 1 tablespoon so you don't go overboard on calories.
- Add Cottage Cheese: Adding cottage cheese brings in even more protein and makes your oats taste a little like cheesecake! It’s a great high protein breakfast with no eggs.
How To Make High Protein Oatmeal
If you’re wondering how to make protein oats, it’s so simple!
Step 1: Assemble. Add the oats to a jar or container.
Step 2: Add Ingredients. Add the chocolate protein powder, flax meal or chia seeds, and cinnamon to the oats.
Step 3: Add the Milk. Add the unsweetened almond milk to the jars or container.
Step 4: Stir and Store. Stir the ingredients together in the mason jar, cover, and store until you're ready to serve.
Step 5: Serve. To enjoy warm, microwave the protein oats when you're ready to eat them, stirring in more milk as needed. You can also eat them cold straight from the refrigerator as overnight oats for the next day.
Serving Suggestions
These protein oats are a great breakfast treat and I love them as a snack or dessert, too.
- When I’m really hungry or have just done intermittent fasting, I’ll sometimes make protein oats with this crockpot egg omelet for a breakfast that feels like a feast!
- I’ve also served these for a delicious and nutritious family brunch along with this butternut squash hash and low calorie protein pancakes.
- If I’m really in a chocolatey mood, I will meal prep high protein oats and save them in the fridge alongside my chocolate protein chia pudding and then alternate which I have for breakfast throughout the week! They’re both great with a strawberry Greek yogurt smoothie too.
Expert Tips
- Overnight Oats Thickness: Everyone has their own preference for thickness and texture when it comes to overnight oats! If you want them thicker, reduce the milk by 1 tablespoon. For thinner oats, increase the milk by 1-2 tablespoons.
- Adding Sweetener: Just a little bit of honey, maple syrup, or a few chopped dates gives this recipe plenty of sweetness, although I generally leave it out.
- If You Don’t Like Using Protein Powder: Adding cottage cheese, hemp hearts, and a tablespoon of peanut butter is an alternative way to get protein without the powder.
- Storing: You can keep overnight oats in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. They will get more thick and a bit softer the longer they sit.
Recipe FAQs
I don't recommend it. Collagen is not a complete protein and is missing the important amino acid leucine which aids in muscle protein synthesis. Collagen is great for hair, nails and joints, but it is not helpful when the goal is maintaining or building muscle mass and/or changing body composition.
Yes! You can definitely meal prep this recipe as overnight oats with milk and let it soak overnight in a mason jar. You might also try my Protein Overnight Oats Recipe!
Either! They are great straight from the fridge or warmed up in the microwave for a minute or so, so eat them whichever way you prefer. In the summer, I usually go with cold, and in the winter I like to heat them up.
More Protein Oatmeal Recipes
If you tried this protein oats recipe or any other recipe on my website, please please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how you go in the 📝 comments below.
Chocolate High Protein Oatmeal
Ingredients
- ½ cup Gluten Free Rolled Oats
- ⅓ cup Chocolate protein powder
- 1 tablespoon Flax Meal or chia seeds
- ½ teaspoon Cinnamon
- ¾ cup Unsweetened Almond Milk or as much milk as you need to thicken
Instructions
For Instant Oats:
- Place all ingredients except milk in a mason jar or plastic bag. When ready to eat, add milk, stir, and heat for 1:30 to 2:00 minutes in the microwave. Top with fresh fruit if you wish.
For Overnight Oats:
- Place all ingredients in a mason jar. Stir the ingredients together, cover and place in the refrigerator overnight. Eat the next day. Fruit can be added the night before or day of.
Notes
- Visit my Amazon shop for more products I used for this recipe and recommend to my nutrition clients.
- Enjoy hot or cold. This protein oats recipe is great straight from the fridge or warmed up in the microwave for a minute or so, so eat them whichever way you prefer.
- Adjust the thickness: If you want your protein oatmeal a bit thicker, reduce the milk by 1 tablespoon. For thinner oats, increase the milk by 1-2 tablespoons.
- Store: You can keep your oats in the fridge for up to 5 days in an airtight container. They will get more thick and a bit softer the longer they sit.
Nutrition
1/2 tablespoon cinnamon? That seems like a lot, should it be 1/2 teaspoon?
Yes! Thanks for the catch. It's been updated.
How would you do this using greek yogurt in combination with almond milk? Greek yogurt would add some more protein to the mix!
If I were to do that, I'd do 1/2 cup Greek yogurt then add 1/2 cup of milk and see what the consistency is like. You can always add more milk depending on how you like it.