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I have transformed the "regular bowl of oatmeal" into the most decadent tasting breakfast thanks to my Healthy Chocolate Oatmeal recipe! It's so easy to make, ready in just 15 minutes, and is the perfect recipe for adults and kids alike. I promise, it's so delicious that it will get any picky eater to love oatmeal.
It's no secret that I love my morning oatmeal, and I'm always looking for ways to spice it up to make my breakfasts more interesting and fun. I also like using oatmeal as a base to recreate some of my favorite sweet treats like banana bread oatmeal and pumpkin spice oatmeal. The possibilities really are endless.
When my kids got tired of oatmeal, I decided to try to make oatmeal that tasted like their favorite dessert at the time - chocolate. Thanks to my secret ingredient combination, I'm happy to share that this recipe was a total success. Not only does it satisfy my sweet tooth but my kids love it too!
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🥘 Ingredients
I keep it simple with just a few basic ingredients to make this heart-healthy chocolate oatmeal! Here's what you'll need:
Gluten Free Rolled Oats: I cook these with 1.5 cups of water. I like using rolled oats better than steel-cut oats or quick-cooking oats because it gives this breakfast a nice creamy and hearty consistency. I also like using gluten-free certified rolled oats because they're guaranteed to not have any cross-contamination, but you can use regular rolled oats too.
Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Make sure you're choosing the unsweetened variety with just one ingredient (cocoa powder). Hot chocolate mix or sweetened cocoa will make this recipe way too sweet and it won't be as healthy.
Milk: I used low fat organic milk, but I have also made this with non-dairy milk and it turns out great!
Mix-Ins: I like to add in chopped walnuts and ground flaxseed for a slight nutty flavor, added texture and healthy fats.
Optional Sweetener: While it's not essential, I find it really enhances the flavor and makes it more kid-friendly. Just a drizzle of maple syrup goes a long way, you don't need much.
Spices: A dash of cinnamon and a pinch of salt help bring out the chocolate flavor in my healthy chocolate oatmeal. Sometimes I also add a little bit of vanilla extract to bring out the sweetness even more.
Swaps
Milk: I have tested this recipe with dairy-free milk options like coconut milk, unsweetened almond milk, soy milk, and oat milk, and they all taste delicious in this dish.
Sweetener: Sometimes I switch it up with brown sugar, honey, or coconut sugar, they all work perfectly in this recipe.
🔪 How To Make
Making my Healthy Chocolate Oatmeal is always a joy, especially knowing how excited my kids are for breakfast! Here's how I make it:
Cook Oats: I first cook my oats with 1.5 cups of water until the oats are fluffy and all the water has disappeared. The best way to do this is cook the oats for 2 minutes in the microwave, then stir oats, then cook again for 2 more minutes.
Add Spices: I like to add the cocoa powder and cinnamon to the cooked oats while they are still hot, I find they "melt" into the oatmeal better that way.
Combine: I stir until everything is fully combined, and my oats have a deep chocolatey color.
Add Nuts: Then I add the walnuts, milk (you can add as much milk as you like - I use about 1/2 a cup to give the oats a nice creamy consistency), and sweetener if using, and stir to combine.
Add Flaxseeds: I stir in the flaxseeds, and heat again for 1-2 minutes until the oatmeal is hot! I typically like super hot oatmeal but you can heat it for less time if you want just warm oats.
Serve: I always serve this bowl of chocolate oatmeal warm, and with additional toppings if I'm in the mood for it! (See my suggestions below on topping ideas for these oats).
📖 Variations
I love how versatile this healthy chocolate oatmeal recipe is! Depending on my mood, I can switch things up with different flavors to keep it exciting. Here are a few of my favorite variations to make it even more delicious.
Peanut Butter Chocolate Oatmeal: I love stirring in a tablespoon of peanut butter while cooking, it makes it so creamy and adds a nutty twist. My pumpkin seed butter also takes it to the next level.
Mocha Oatmeal: When I need an extra kick, I add a teaspoon of instant coffee to the mix. It turns my chocolate oatmeal into a rich, mocha-flavored breakfast treat.
Berry Chocolate Oatmeal: Sometimes I toss in a handful of berries while it's cooking. The juicy bursts of fruit with the chocolate are absolutely amazing.
🍽 Serving Suggestions
I like starting my day with my healthy oatmeal, it is creamy and delicious on its own, but I love adding toppings to take it to the next level.
Toppings I Love
I like to mix it up with a variety of delicious options. Some of my favorites are nuts like almonds, peanuts, or cashews, a dollop of Vegan Nutella, or a sprinkle of dark chocolate chips. I also love adding a pinch of sea salt, my low-sugar granola for crunch, or seeds like hemp, chia, pumpkin, or sunflower seeds to pack in extra nutrients.
How I Enjoy It
I usually enjoy this recipe for breakfast alongside my favorite breakfast fruit salad and a warm cup of tea. On days when I feel like treating myself, I pair it with my homemade honey latte, it's the perfect cozy combo.
🧊 Storage Directions
Refrigeration: Let the oats cool and transfer them to an airtight container. I typically store them in the fridge for up to 2 days.
Freezing: I personally don't like the consistency of oats when frozen and reheated - I find that they become mushy. So I don't recommend freezing this recipe.
Reheating: Reheat in the microwave until warmed through.
❓Recipe FAQs
What can I do if my oatmeal is too thick or too runny?
If my oatmeal turns out too thick, I just add a splash of warm water, milk, or plant-based milk and stir until it's the perfect consistency. If it's too runny, I let it cook a bit longer over low heat, stirring often, or I'll mix in something like nut butter or protein powder to help thicken it up.
Can I modify this recipe for toddlers or babies?
Absolutely! For young toddlers (age 1-4 years), I recommend omitting the walnuts and using nut butter instead (assuming your child doesn't have any nut allergies), and reducing the amount of cocoa powder, cinnamon, salt, and sweetener you use.
For babies aged 6-12 months, I recommend grinding up rolled oats in the food processor and cooking it the same way you'd cook whole oats - just to make it easier for little ones to "chew," using breastmilk or formula instead of regular milk or plant-based milk, omitting the walnuts, sweetener, and salt, and reducing the amount of cocoa powder and cinnamon you use.
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