This post may contain affiliate links. Read our privacy policy.

Chocolate baked oats are a fantastic way to turn your morning oats into something a bit more special without any fuss. Imagine all the goodness of oats and banana with rich cocoa, baked until soft and just lightly sweet.

It’s quick to make, with ingredients you likely have around, and it keeps well if you want to prep ahead or save some for later.

Recipe Info

This recipe is:

Chocolatey and cozy. The cocoa and cinnamon combo gives these oats a rich, comforting flavor without the extra calories.
Quick and easy to make. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this baked oats recipe is perfect for a fuss-free, delicious breakfast or snack.
A nutritious breakfast choice. Don’t let the word “chocolate” in the title fool you. It’s not a sweet dessert for a family gathering, but a wholesome, balanced meal to kickstart your day.

Making chocolate baked oats for the first time? Read the ingredients notes, step-by-step instructions, and tips. If you’re familiar with the recipe, feel free to jump to the recipe card.

Ingredients and Substitutes

Rolled oats. Use old-fashioned oats for the best texture; quick oats can work in a pinch.
Salt. Just a pinch to bring out the flavors.
Baking powder. Helps the oats rise and get fluffy.
Cocoa powder. Unsweetened; this gives the chocolate flavor its punch.
Cinnamon. Adds warmth and a little spice.
Brown sugar. For a touch of sweetness and moisture; you can swap with white sugar or a natural sweetener.
Milk. Any kind will do, dairy or plant-based. Skip the sugar if using a sweetened variety.
No-fat Greek yogurt. Adds moisture without extra fat. Regular yogurt works too.
Banana (ripe). Acts as a natural sweetener and binder. It’s thanks to the banana we can skip the oil and egg.
Vanilla extract (optional). For a little extra flavor depth, but it’s totally up to you.

Step-by-Step: How to Make Chocolate Baked Oats

Preheat the oven. Set your oven to 350°F (180°C) so it’s nice and ready when your oats are mixed.
Prep oats. Add half of the oats into a blender and blend into dust.

Blender crushed oats — Blend half the oats

Mix dry ingredients. In a medium bowl, combine the rolled oats (blended and whole), salt, baking powder, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and brown sugar. Give them a good stir to spread all those flavors evenly.

Adding the dry ingredients — Mix the blended and whole oats with salt,

Mixing the dry ingredients — Mix the blended and whole oats with salt,

Add wet ingredients. Pour in the milk, Greek yogurt, mashed banana, and vanilla extract (if using). Stir everything together until you have a smooth, chocolaty batter with no dry spots.

Adding the wet ingredients — Stir in the the milk, Greek yogurt, mashed

Mixing in the wet ingredients — Stir in the the milk, Greek yogurt, mashed

Grease your baking dish. Lightly coat your chosen baking dish—ramekins work great—with softened butter, oil, or non-stick spray to keep your baked oats from sticking.

Baking dish — Grease the baking dish or ramekins to

Greased baking dish — Grease the baking dish or ramekins to

Pour in the batter. Transfer your oat mixture into the greased dish, spreading it out evenly.

Batter in greased dish — Transfer the oat mixture into the

Adding chocolate chips — Transfer the oat mixture into the

Bake until set. Pop it into the oven and bake for about 25 minutes. Keep an eye for a firm, dry top. You can test doneness by inserting a toothpick—it should come out with just a few moist crumbs, no raw batter.
Cool slowly in the oven. Turn off the oven and crack the door open a bit (an oven mitt works perfectly as a doorstop). Let the oats hang out for 5 minutes to cool gently, which helps prevent a sunk center.

Freshly baked oats — Bake for about 25 minutes until firm and dry on top. Then, turn off the oven, leave the door slightly open, and let the oats cool for 5 minutes

Serve and enjoy! Dig in warm for cozy comfort or chill it in the fridge for a refreshing treat. Either way, it’s delicious!

Enjoying the content?

I’d love to connect with you on Instagram! I’m aiming for my first 10 followers, so every single follow counts. Not on Insta? No worries, thanks for stopping by!

Variations

Vegan

For a vegan twist:

swap out the no-fat Greek yogurt with an equal amount of plant-based yogurt—coconut, almond, or soy yogurt all work
use your favorite plant milk to keep things dairy-free
use a vegan sweetener if substituting brown sugar

These swap will keep your protein a bit lower than the original because plant yogurts usually have less protein than Greek yogurt.

Soft chocolate baked oats finished with whole oats and chocolate chips

Meal Prep

To meal prep your chocolate baked oats: quadruple the recipe and pour the batter into an 8-inch square pan lined with parchment paper. Bake as usual, then let it cool enough to handle.

Once cooled, remove from the pan and slice into 4 portions. Store each portion in the fridge for a quick grab-and-go breakfast or snack during the week.

Tips

Adjust the cocoa level. The recipe uses 1/2 tablespoon of cocoa powder, which hits a nice balance of chocolate flavor for me. But cocoa brands can vary a lot in intensity, so feel free to start with that amount and tweak it up to 1 tablespoon if you love your oats extra chocolatey.
Banana matters. Using a large, very ripe banana makes a huge difference — it sweetens naturally and keeps the oats moist and tender. If your banana is a bit underripe, you might want to add a bit more brown sugar.
Play with spices. Cinnamon is classic here, but don’t be shy to sprinkle in a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of espresso powder for a grown-up twist.
Cool with care. Letting the baked oats slowly cool in the oven with the door cracked avoids a sad, sunken middle. Patience here pays off with a better texture.

Storage

Chocolate baked oats can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. When you’re ready to enjoy, you can eat them straight from the fridge, warm them up by leaving at room temperature for 30 to 60 minutes, or even pop in the microwave for a quick warm-up. Dealer’s choice.

Chocolate baked oats topped with peanut butter and chocolate chips — Chocolate baked oats topped with rolled oats, chocolate chips, and peanut butter

Similar Recipes to Try

Looking for more? Check out the following recipes:

Overnight Oats 101. If you love oats but want a no-cook, grab-and-go breakfast, try this flexible overnight oats recipe for a fuss-free, customizable start to your day!
Chocolate Overnight Oats. If you love your mornings chocolatey but want something no-cook and ready by dawn, these rich and easy overnight oats are your new best friend. Give it a try!
Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats. Ready in minutes and packed with cozy, nostalgic flavors, this make-ahead breakfast pairs perfectly with chocolate baked oats for your morning oatmeal cravings. Check it out for an easy, tasty twist!