I feel like I have been posting a lot of breakfast recipes lately, and a lot of veggie related recipes as well. Today we’re breaking suite with the veggie theme to mix things up a little, but sticking with the breakfast option. Though to be fair, this tasty little number could easily be served as a dessert or snack any time of the day!
When I wrote down the recipe for my Overnight oat and chia seed pudding, I almost didn’t publish it – would people really care about another everyday oat dish? But it’s turned out to be one of my most popular posts to date, so I’m here to share with you another version – it sounds slightly naughty but is full of healthy fats and antioxidant-rich raw cacao. And it tastes amazing – rich, creamy and chocolatey!
I’ve made it quite similar to the original version, but feel free to experiment here. Some of my favorite ways to jazz the mixture up a little are
- Mash a tablespoon of natural peanut butter in with the bananas
- Stir through 1/4 cup of frozen cherries or raspberries
- Add 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom spice
- Add 2 Tbsp of freshly squeezed orange juice and a little orange zest
This dish can be served hot or cold, and I’ve put instructions for both ways below. The easiest way to make it is to double or triple the recipe and pour into small jars for a quick and easy portable breakfast option in the mornings, but it can also be served hot so that you can still enjoy it on those chilly winter mornings.
Overnight chocolate chia oat pudding
Notes: to make this grain/gluten free, simply replace with rolled oats with an extra 1/4 cup of chia seeds
1 small, ripe banana
2 Tbsp raw cacao powder
2 Tbsp sweetner (raw honey, coconut sugar, maple syrup), optional
2 Tbsp water
1/2 cup rolled oats
3 Tbsp chia seeds
1.5 cups full-fat coconut milk
In a bowl, mash the banana with the cacao, sweetner if using, and water until it forms a smooth paste.
Stir in the oats and chia seeds, and then the milk, stirring continuously.
Place in the fridge overnight either in the bowl or in individual jars.
To serve it warm, add to a saucepan in the morning and heat over low to medium heat around 5 minutes. You may need to add some extra liquid at this point to thin a little if the porride is to thick.
Serve topped with berries, coconut cream/yoghurt and chopped nuts.
Serves 2
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For more overnight oaty and chia-y goodness, be sure to check out my Overnight Oat and Chia Breakfast Pudding recipe
And for a complete guide on how to make creamy, wholesome wholegrain porridge check out the Perfect Porridge step-by-step guide and printable chart
This is like the perfect power breakfast D, can’t wait to try it!
Ooohh there’s nothing I like better than oatmeal for breakfast! Especially those versions which feel like dessert! These puddings look like the best thing on Earth oh yum! And I wouldn’t die from a heatstroke attempting to eat them, WIN WIN.
I’m sure this does taste amazing. Love having chocolate for breakfast, and I’ll never get tired of breakfast recipes, especially when they provide more ways to use chia seeds.
Can I use steel cut oats instead?
Hi Megan, yes you can, but you will need to use less milk – around half the amount if using steel cut oats. The porridge will be chewier and have more texture using this method, but still very tasty! Enjoy :)
love it! just tried this recipe, but just a little concerned that the coconut milk will be fattening. what are your thoughts on this? are there any lower-fat alternatives to try?
Hi Hannah, sorry for the delay in replying I missed your comment! So glad you liked the pudding :) There has been a lot of research coming out over the past few years that shows that fats do not actually make you fat (ie gain weight) and rather they have many benefits such as hair and skin health, assisting your body to absorb essential nutrients, and helping you feel satisfied and fuller for longer. If you are worried about the coconut milk itself, you could use other milks, or mix it half-and-half with water, I just prefer the creamy taste of full-fat coconut milk myself :)
Just had this for breakfast, super yummy and wholesome. :) thanks for sharing
Thanks so much Emma, so glad you liked it :)
What kind of cacao is this and where can I find this in California stores?
Hi Jen, it is raw cacao powder (I’ve just updated the recipe to reflect this) and you should be able to find it at a Wholefoods or Trader Joes
I cannot wait to make this! Looks amazing and very healthy :)
http://www.ontothenextpaige.ca
Thanks Amanda, hope you like it :)
couldn’t you just put all ingredients in a nutri-bullet, blend on put in bowls????
Hi Cheryl, yes you could blend all the ingredients together, though then end result would be more similar to a smoothie than overnight oats.
The dishes look amazing and I am looking forward to making them, however I am a little confused regarding the full fat coconut milk. Is this the canned milk or the carton milk?
Thank you in advance for your reply.
Thank you Liane – glad to have you here :) I use canned coconut milk, however you could use the carton variety. The carton variety is usually a little more watered down so it would just mean that it’s not as creamy, but it would still be nice.
Amazing. But, the question suggests itself. May I… Isnt it adviced to soak rolled/groats oats overnight in acid soaking mediums such as raw apple cider vinegar/lemon juice/ natural bioactive yogurt or kefir/kombucha etc. To diactivate phytic acids,lectins and other anti-nutrients and enzyme inhibitors? Then rinse it after soaking well and cook it the way you want. Ill defenitely give a try to your recepie but is it safe from digestive perspective? Thank you for any feedback you can give. Regards.
Hi vl, great question. There is actually a lot of conflicting thoughts on this issue, and inconclusive studies, so I don’t have a definitive answer for you sorry. My thoughts = Soaking the oats overnight (in any liquid) will help to break down the resistant starches, which will make them more digestible. As they are already partially broken down, I don’t use acidulated water to soak them. If I am cooking a completely whole grain, such as quinoa or freekah however, I will do this, and rinse before cooking.
Also, with anything, it depends a lot on the individual – some people can digest grains more easily than others. If you personally struggle with digesting grains, you can go a step further and sprout, and/or ferment them. I have a little more about this here – http://tohercore.com/fermented-sourdough-oats/ Hope this helps :)
Made this… was amazing.. the pudding is thick,creamy and taste as if it is naughty. Had this for breakfast and dessert hehe
Thank you so much Jacquelyn – it’s definitely a breakfast and/or dessert (or both ;) dish hehe! Thanks for taking the time to let me know you enjoyed it, it’s always always lovely to hear :) x
What can I use instead of banana? Really just can’t stand the taste! Thanks!
Hi Kat! You could try using apple puree instead if you like. Otherwise, I’d just leave it out altogether and add a little extra honey :)
This looks delicious. I’m going to make it tonight. I’m thinking of adding the freshly squeezed orange juice for a little extra zing. Thanks for sharing.
That sounds lovely! You’ll have to let me know how it turns out :)