Chocolate Mocha Overnight Oats: An Easy Coffee Breakfast Recipe

October 9, 2026

Love the combination of chocolate and coffee? These chocolate mocha overnight oats bring both flavors to an easy, make-ahead breakfast. Stir the ingredients together in the evening, refrigerate overnight, and wake up to a creamy breakfast with a coffee-inspired twist.

There’s no cooking required, and you can customize the sweetness, milk, and toppings to suit your taste.

Servings: 1
Prep time: 5 minutes
Chill time: At least 6 hours or overnight

Ingredients

½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
¼ cup brewed coffee, cooled
⅓ cup milk or your favorite dairy-free alternative
¼ cup plain Greek yogurt or a thick dairy-free yogurt
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1–2 teaspoons maple syrup, adjusted to taste
¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
A small pinch of salt
Optional toppings: sliced banana, chopped nuts, or chocolate shavings

How to make chocolate mocha overnight oats

Prepare the coffee. Brew your favorite coffee and let it cool. Measure out ¼ cup for the recipe.
Mix the cocoa. In a jar or covered container, whisk the cocoa powder with the coffee until mostly smooth. Stir in the milk, yogurt, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt.
Add the oats. Stir in the rolled oats, making sure they are evenly coated. Leave a little room in the container for stirring and toppings.
Refrigerate. Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
Finish and enjoy. Stir before serving. If the oats are thicker than you like, add a splash of milk. Taste and adjust the sweetness, then add your favorite toppings.

Choose a coffee you enjoy

A coffee with chocolatey or nutty tasting notes can complement the cocoa in this recipe. Those tasting notes describe the coffee’s flavor, not necessarily added ingredients. Start with a coffee you already love and experiment with the strength of your brew.

You can also use brewed decaf coffee if you prefer less caffeine. Decaf is not completely caffeine-free.

Easy ways to make it your own

Banana mocha: Top with sliced banana just before serving.
A little crunch: Add chopped walnuts or almonds in the morning.
Dairy-free: Use dairy-free milk and yogurt. The texture may vary depending on the yogurt you choose.
Less sweet: Start with 1 teaspoon of maple syrup and adjust after chilling.

Tips for the best texture

Old-fashioned rolled oats give this recipe a soft texture with a little bite. Quick oats tend to become softer, while steel-cut oats won’t soften the same way with these proportions and timing.

Keep the oats refrigerated until you’re ready to eat. For the best texture, enjoy them the next morning, and add fresh fruit or crunchy toppings just before serving.