The Story
I’ve always had a complicated relationship with time management. It’s like no matter how hard I try, there’s this magical force that makes five minutes somehow turn into an hour—and not in the good “I was having fun” kind of way. More like the “I got distracted watching dog videos, and now I have 15 minutes to finish everything I was supposed to do today” kind of way. You know how some people are naturally organized and always on top of things? Yeah, that’s not me.
Take mornings, for example. I always plan to get up early, have a calm breakfast, and maybe even get a head start on my day. But what usually happens is that I hit snooze one too many times, suddenly realize I’ve overslept, and end up racing out the door with, like, half a piece of toast. One time I was so late, I didn’t even have time for breakfast—I just grabbed a spoonful of peanut butter and called it good.
But here’s the thing: I’ve found a way to outsmart my lack of time management, at least when it comes to breakfast. Enter: overnight oats. They’re basically my lifesaver. It’s like breakfast that prepares itself while I sleep, and I get to wake up feeling like I’ve got my life together, even if just for a moment. And because I can’t just leave things simple, I like to make my overnight oats extra special—cue these peanut butter chocolate overnight oats. They’re rich, creamy, and they taste like dessert for breakfast, which is a win in my book. Plus, I can make a whole batch ahead of time, so even if I’m running late (again), I’ve got something delicious waiting for me in the fridge.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup old-fashioned oats
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds (optional for extra texture)
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup milk (dairy or any non-dairy option)
- 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate
Instructions:
1. Mix the Ingredients:
In a mason jar or a small bowl, combine the oats, peanut butter, cocoa powder, chia seeds (if using), maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir in the milk and Greek yogurt until everything is well combined.
2. Add the Chocolate:
Fold in the chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate. This gives you little pockets of melty chocolate goodness when you dig in.
3. Refrigerate Overnight:
Cover the jar or bowl and refrigerate overnight (or at least for 4 hours). The oats will soften and soak up all the flavors, creating a creamy, delicious breakfast.
4. Enjoy:
In the morning, give the oats a good stir and top with a drizzle of extra peanut butter, sliced bananas, or a few more chocolate chips if you’re feeling fancy.
Tips:
- If you like a thicker consistency, you can reduce the milk slightly or add an extra tablespoon of chia seeds.
- These oats will last for up to 3 days in the fridge, so feel free to make a big batch and have breakfast ready to go for the whole week.
- For an added crunch, sprinkle some crushed nuts or granola on top just before eating!
Enjoy,
Lauren