One of the best moments you can experience in a kitchen is when you’re hungry and you try to throw some random ingredients together to create a meal and that meal actually turns out to be a delicious masterpiece that changes the way you prepare food forever.

The day I made these oats was one of those moments.

If you follow me on Instagram you will know that I love a good bowl of oats in the morning. However, the problem with oats is that they have to be cooked. But if you’re waking up at 6 in the morning to be ready to start the day at 8 you don’t really have the time to stand over a simmering pot for 15 minutes before proceeding to eat for another 15 minutes not to mention the additional 10 minutes of ingredient prepping before you actually start cooking. So… what do you do? The answer is quite simple. You prepare it the day before. But here’s where it gets exciting: no cooking is involved. Magic.

Before you go to bed, you pour your dry oats into a bowl, add enough milk, water or both to completely cover them, add whatever else you wanna add (protein powder, cinnamon, dried fruit, seeds, nuts etc) and stick it in the fridge overnight. The next morning you add whatever fresh fruit you want and more milk for your preferred oatmeal consistency. Done. You’ve got creamy tasty oats that took 5 minutes to prepare.

I’ve been doing this for the longest time and my usual recipe for overnight oats is raw oats, dairy free milk, water, dried cranberries, cinnamon, and a grated apple. When berries are in season, it’s a simple mix of oats, dairy free milk, water, and cinnamon topped the next day with fresh berries. Now don’t get me wrong these are both very delicious but when berries went out of season and I didn’t feel like an apple one day, I had to be a little creative and the result… revolutionary!

This chocolate, berry overnight oatmeal is the BEST overnight oats you will ever have. EVER! I am not exaggerating. It’s perfectly sweetened with dried cranberries and a drizzle of sweet molasses both of which wonderfully complement the dark cocoa flavours. Then the oats are topped with tart yet sweet frozen blueberries and cashew yoghurt for the acidity to cut through that chocolate richness. Then the cherry on top: cacao nibs to bring in an amazing crunch and variety to the smooth, naturally creamy texture of oats and further enhance the general chocolate flavour of the entire meal. Add some coconut chips for control and you’ve got yourself the most perfect balance of flavours, textures, and tastes. Game. Changer!

These oats kind of remind me of a black forest cake. It’s like eating dessert for breakfast but it’s actually healthy! That’s a win if I ever saw one. If you can’t already tell by now, I’m incredibly excited about this. Please make it!

Bonus! Make these oats in a jar and you can eat on the go!

Chocolate Berry Overnight Oats

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup quick oats (you could use rolled oats but will result in a less creamy texture)
• 1 scoop of your favourite protein powder
• 1 heaped tsp cacao powder
• 1/4 cup dried cranberries
• pinch of salt
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 cup dairy free milk
• sweet molasses to taste (optional)

Topping

• small handful frozen blueberries
• a few tablespoons cashew yoghurt (use any dairy-free yoghurt of your choice)
• 1 tbsp raw cacao nibs
• 1 tbsp toasted coconut flakes
• more dairy free milk (optional for consistency preferences)

method

• Before you go to bed throw the oats, protein powder, cacao powder, dried cranberries, and salt in a bowl or jar and stir till well combined. Then add the water, milk, and sweet molasses and stir. Put it in the fridge overnight.
• The next morning add more milk to suit your oat consistency preference. Then top with the frozen blueberries, yoghurt, cacao nibs and coconut chips.

Serves one.

Mind you it’s a pretty big portion and if you’re not used to eating big breakfasts you probably won’t finish it but it will keep you full forever.