High Protein Mocha Overnight Oats Recipe
If you want a breakfast that’s ready when you are and actually keeps you going, these mocha overnight oats are a great option. They’re creamy, chocolatey, and made with coffee or cold brew for a little boost in the morning. Everything gets mixed together the night before, so all you have to do is grab it from the fridge and go. It’s an easy, no-cook breakfast that works especially well on busy mornings or warmer days when you don’t want anything hot.
When I was working full time and running the gym, overnight oats were something I made all the time because I needed something quick that would still feel filling and worth eating. I’ve made a lot of variations over the years, and this mocha version is one I kept coming back to. It’s simple, balanced, and easy to prep ahead, which makes it a really reliable option when mornings feel rushed.
If you like these mocha overnight oats, there are a few other easy breakfast options I make on repeat. The peach overnight oats and overnight oats with yogurt are great if you want to switch up the flavors, and the high protein oatmeal four ways gives you a few different options depending on what you’re in the mood for. If you want something even quicker, the high protein chocolate smoothie is a great option since you don’t have to prep it in advance.
Ingredient spotlight
A few ingredients here make a big difference in the texture and flavor.
- Rolled oats – Rolled oats, sometimes called old-fashioned oats, work best for overnight oats. They soften overnight but still keep a good texture. Quick oats will work in a pinch, but the texture will be softer.
- Chia seeds – Chia seeds help thicken the oats as they sit. If you don’t love the texture, you can leave them out and reduce the milk slightly so the oats don’t get too watery. You can also grind the chia seeds or use ground chia, sometimes labeled as chia protein, so they blend in completely.
- Coffee or cold brew – Use brewed coffee that has cooled or cold brew. If your cold brew is a concentrate, be sure to dilute it with a little water so the flavor isn’t too strong.
- Protein powder – Chocolate protein powder works best here to enhance the mocha flavor. Use one you enjoy, since the taste will come through. If you’re using a plant-based protein powder, you may need to add a little extra milk to get the right consistency.
Step by step instructions
Start by combining the oats, coffee, dairy free milk, chia seeds and cacao powder in a jar. Stir well until fully combined. Let rest in the fridge overnight. The next day the mixture will be thick like this. This is what you want. The morning of, add the protein powder and stir well. You may notice that the mixture is very thick and hard to stir. If that is the case, add more milk (1 tablespoon at a time) until it is easy to stir in. Serve cold.
Top tips
- Add protein powder in the morning (optional) – For the best texture, you can wait to add the protein powder until the morning, especially if prepping multiple days. Some protein powders can get a little off in texture after sitting. If yours works well, you can mix it in ahead of time.
- Store for up to 4–5 days – These keep well in the fridge for up to 4 days, or up to 5 days max.
- Use a jar with a tight-fitting lid – A sealed container helps keep everything fresh. Large mouth mason jar or a weck jar work really well and are easy to store.
- Want to add protein without protein powder? Replace 1/2 cup of the dairy free milk with greek yogurt or mix in 3 tablespoons hemp hearts to the oat mixture.
Mocha Overnight Oats (High Protein & Easy)
Guided Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 3/4 cup brewed coffee (or cold brew)
- 1/2 cup dairy free milk
- 1 tbsp cacao powder
- 1 serving vegan chocolate protein powder
- 1/4 cup dairy free milk (optional)
Instructions
- In a large mouth mason jar or weck jar, combine all the ingredients except for the protein powder.1/4 cup rolled oats, 1 tbsp chia seeds, 3/4 cup brewed coffee (or cold brew), 1/2 cup dairy free milk, 1 tbsp cacao powder
- Let this mixture sit in the fridge at least 4 hours but up to 5 days.
- The morning of, add in the protein powder and stir well.1 serving vegan chocolate protein powder
- If the mixture needs more liquid add up to 1/4 cup of dairy free milk until you get your desired consistency.1/4 cup dairy free milk (optional)
Recipe Notes
Overnight oats can thicken as they sit. If they’re too thick, stir in 1–2 tablespoons of milk. If they’re too thin, add a spoonful of nut butter or a bit more oats to help thicken. Store in the fridge in a well sealed container for up to 5 days. I like to wait to add the protein powder until the day of, but if you have one you like, you can add it when making the oats, making your mornings even easier.
Nutrition Information
Topping Ideas
Toppings aren’t necessary, but they make these a little more fun and help switch things up.
Some of my favorites for this recipe:
- toasted coconut flakes
- cacao nibs or mini chocolate chips
- sliced banana or strawberries
- a drizzle of almond butter
I really liked this mocha taste. I added chopped up almonds, homemade granola and strawberries for sweetness to break the bitter coffee taste. I will try this one again!