Chocolate Oatmeal Recipe (Healthy, Gluten-Free)
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.This chocolate oatmeal recipe is a healthy hot breakfast that tastes just like a fudge brownie! It’s a decadent breakfast that is guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth. Super easy, gluten-free, and ready in just 15 minutes, this is how to start the day right!
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 Pie Oatmeal. The possibilities really are endless.
So why not make oatmeal that tastes like you’re eating a delicious, decadent chocolate brownie?
This is one of my favorite recipes to satisfy my chocolate craving in the morning: Dark Chocolate Oatmeal. I promise, it will become your favorite way to eat oatmeal for breakfast!
Latest Recipe Video!
How To Make Chocolate Oats
Ingredients
You just need a few basic ingredients to make these heart-healthy oats!
Gluten-free rolled oats: cooked with 1.5 cups of water. I like using rolled oats better than steel-cut oats or quick-cooking oats because it gives this special breakfast a nice creamy and hearty consistency.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: You can’t make chocolate oats without this!
Milk: I used low fat organic milk, but you can use any milk you like! Dairy-free milk options like light coconut milk, unsweetened almond milk, soy milk, or even oat milk will all taste great in this delicious recipe.
Chopped walnuts: For added texture and to give these chocolate oats that brownie feel.
Ground flax seed: For some healthy fats!
Sweetener – Optional: You don’t have to add sweetener, but you certainly can! Brown sugar, Honey, Coconut Sugar, or Maple Syrup would all give this creamy oatmeal a bit of sweetness.
Spices: A dash of cinnamon and a pinch of salt help bring out the chocolate flavor in this healthy chocolate oatmeal. You could also add a little bit of vanilla extract to bring out the sweetness even more.
Equipment Needed
- A small pot, if you choose to cook your oatmeal on the stovetop, I personally LOVE Green Pan.
- A fun, microwave safe bowl if you choose to cook your oatmeal in the microwave.
Instructions
Step 1: Cook the 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.
Step 2: Add the cocoa powder and cinnamon to the cooked oats while they are still hot.
Step 3: Stir until everything is fully combined, and your oats have a deep chocolatey color.
Step 4: Add the walnuts, and the 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)
Step 5: Add sweetener if using, and stir to combine.
Step 6: Stir in the flaxseeds, and heat again for 1-2 minutes until the oatmeal is the temperature you like!
Step 7: Serve this bowl of chocolate oatmeal warm, or with your favorite toppings!
What Makes This Chocolate Oatmeal Recipe Healthy?
This recipe only has about 300 calories, and 3g added sugar (0g added sugar if you choose not to use honey!) It also has 7g fiber and 12g protein per serving, which is guaranteed to keep you full. This is the kind of breakfast that will keep you feeling satisfied, so those mid morning snacks won’t be as much of a temptation! This recipe also has:
- Whole Grains: The oats in this recipe are rich in soluble fiber, B vitamins, iron and magnesium. They are also low-glycemic so can improve blood sugar control, and are heart-healthy too! And to make this recipe gluten-free, all you need to do is use gluten-free certified oats!
- Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder is the secret ingredient in this recipe. Rich in polyphenols and antioxidants, it’s amazing that such a nutritious ingredient can make this recipe taste like dessert!
- Healthy Fats: The walnuts in this recipe provide fiber, protein and healthy omega 3 fats!
Recipe FAQs
Are These Chocolate Oats Kid Friendly?
Absolutely! If your kids like chocolate milk, they likely will enjoy this chocolate oatmeal. If you want to make it more decadent (and like a “dessert for breakfast” treat), you can always top their bowls with just a few dark chocolate chips! When I do that my kids gobble this up!
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,” and omitting the walnuts, sweetener, salt, and reducing the amount of cocoa powder and cinnamon you use.
Is Oatmeal Healthier Than Cereal?
Generally, yes, oatmeal is much healthier than cereal because it’s lower-glycemic, rich in fiber and protein and keeps you fuller longer. Studies have shown that people who eat oatmeal have better appetite control than people who eat cereal. There are a handful of healthy cereals for breakfast that are more comparable to oatmeal, but most of the cereal at the grocery store are definitely less healthy than oatmeal!
What Is The Healthiest Type of Oatmeal?
Honestly, all oats are really healthy for you – they’re a great choice for breakfast. There are 5 different types of oats you can get at the grocery store, and they differ based on how processed they are. The 5 types of oats are: oat groats, oat bran, steel cut oats, rolled oats and instant oats (quick oats).
Rolled oats, which take just a little bit longer than instant oats to cook, are a nice balance between minimal processing and a great texture + a short cooking time. They are also one of the best breakfasts for toddlers and kids.
Rolled oats are mild in flavor and has a creamy consistency when mixed with milk and fruit. They digest slowly, which means they provide long-lasting energy, but they still cook up soft without much time.
Quick oats are the least “healthy” because they are higher glycemic than the other types of oats listed above. They won’t keep you full as long either.
Oatmeal Toppings
Oatmeal can be creamy and delicious on it’s own, but you can top it with all kinds of ingredients to make it taste even better. Here are some of my favorite toppings:
- Nuts (Peanuts, Almonds, Cashews, etc.)
- Peanut Butter (or any nut butter you like!)
- Dark chocolate chips
- Sea Salt
- Banana Slices
- Fresh Blueberries or Strawberries
- A low-sugar Granola
- Seeds (hemp seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin or sunflower seeds)
Expert Tips
- To ensure this chocolate oatmeal is gluten-free friendly: Use gluten-free certified oats for this oatmeal recipe. Avoid instant oatmeal, since it’s higher glycemic and most instant oatmeals in packets have added sugars. You can use steel cut oats, but if you do I recommend cooking them on the stovetop or the Instant Pot because they turn out much better that way!
- Remaining Oats Storage: Store the remaining unprepared oats in an airtight container in a cool, dark spot in your pantry for up to 12 months.
- Double This Recipe: You can easily cook a double batch of these chocolate oats in the microwave, just be sure to use a larger glass container to cook them in. You can also use the stovetop to cook a large batch!
- Don’t Over-Water: Be mindful of your water to oats ratio, too much will make the oats too mushy.
- Make It Vegan: To make this breakfast vegan, use a plant based non-dairy milk and omit the honey (or use maple syrup).
- Optional toppings include: Nuts (Peanuts, Almonds, Cashews, etc.), Peanut Butter (or any nut butter you like), Dark chocolate chips, Sea Salt, Banana Slices, Fresh Blueberries or Strawberries, A low-sugar Granola like this one, Seeds (hemp seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin or sunflower seeds)
More Healthy Breakfast and Oatmeal Recipes!
- Vegan Breakfast Cookies
- Skinny Maple Granola
- Protein Baked Oats
- Baked Oats Without Banana
- Bananas And Cream Oatmeal
- Masala Oats
- Tiramisu Overnight Oats
- Matcha Overnight Oats
- Chocolate Chip Baked Oats
- Oat Flour Pancakes
- High Protein Overnight Oats
- Spicy Oatmeal Recipe
- Strawberries and Cream Oatmeal
- Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
- Vegetarian Breakfast Ideas
LOVE THIS RECIPE? Please leave a 5-star rating 🌟 in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page!
You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious, healthy, family-friendly food, and if you have any questions, I’m here to help!
🎥 Watch How to Make It
Gluten-Free Chocolate Oatmeal
This gluten-free chocolate oatmeal recipe is a healthy hot breakfast that tastes just like a fudge brownie! Healthy, easy, and ready in just 15 minutes, this is how to start the day right!
Servings: 1 serving
Calories: 293.5kcal
Ingredients
- ½ cup gluten-free rolled oats
- 1½ cups water
- 1 tsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ cup low-fat organic milk or any unsweetened, plant based milk
- 1 Tbsp chopped walnuts
- 1 Tbsp ground flax seed
- ½ tsp maple syrup, honey, coconut sugar, or brown sugar (optional)
- 1 pinch salt
Instructions
- Cook the oats with 1.5 cups of water and the pinch of salt until the oats are fluffy and all the water has disappeared (I do this by cooking it for 2 minutes in the microwave, stirring, and cooking it for 2 more minutes, and then letting it sit for another 5 minutes.)
- Add the cocoa powder and cinnamon to the cooked oats while they are still hot.
- Stir until everything is fully combined, and your oats have a deep chocolatey color.
- Add the walnuts, and the 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)
- Add the honey and stir to combine.
- Stir in the flaxseeds, and heat again for 1-2 minutes until the oatmeal is the temperature you like!
Notes
- To ensure this chocolate oatmeal is gluten-free friendly: Use gluten-free certified oats for this oatmeal recipe. Avoid instant oatmeal, since it’s higher glycemic and most instant oatmeals in packets have added sugars. You can use steel cut oats, but if you do I recommend cooking them on the stovetop or the Instant Pot because they turn out much better that way!
- Remaining Oats Storage: Store the remaining unprepared oats in an airtight container in a cool, dark spot in your pantry for up to 12 months.
- Double This Recipe: You can easily cook a double batch of these chocolate oats in the microwave, just be sure to use a larger glass container to cook them in. You can also use the stovetop to cook a large batch!
- Don’t Over-Water: Be mindful of your water to oats ratio, too much will make the oats too mushy.
- Make It Vegan: To make this breakfast vegan, use a plant based non-dairy milk and omit the honey (or use maple syrup).
- Optional toppings include: Nuts (Peanuts, Almonds, Cashews, etc.), Peanut Butter (or any nut butter you like), Dark chocolate chips, Sea Salt, Banana Slices, Fresh Blueberries or Strawberries, A low-sugar Granola like this one, Seeds (hemp seeds, chia seeds, pumpkin or sunflower seeds)
Nutrition
Calories: 293.5kcal | Protein: 12.1g | Fat: 11.6g | Saturated Fat: 1.6g | Cholesterol: 6mg | Sodium: 209mg | Potassium: 242mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 10g
Looks really yummy. I think kids would love it. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! Enjoy!
Looks delicious. Tomorrow’s breakfast menu is decided! 🙂
Woohoo!! Enjoy Karina! 🙂
I JUST CAME ACROSS YOUR PAGE TODAY AND AM SO GLAD I DID. I CAN’T WAIT TO MAKE BROWNIE OATMEAL TOMORROW FOR BREAKFAST. i HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT IDEAS BUT THIS HAS ME DROOLING. AND I AM LOOKING AT OTHER RECIPES AND EXCITED TO EAT HEALTHY …
Oh great! Thanks for commenting Patti, it’s so nice to “meet” you! Let me know how you like this recipe when you try it at home!
That’s great! I’m not really a good cook, but I try my best for my family. Whenever I see such recipes, I’m thrilled 🙂 Thank you for helpful Nutritional Info
That’s wonderful Dragana! Hope you and your family like this recipe!
Tried it this morning and I loved it!
The unsweetened cocoa I powder gave it a chocolatey taste, and I could actually taste cinnamon, yumm
Woohoo! I’m so glad you liked this recipe! This is one of my morning staples too 🙂
This looks great- can’t wait to try it! If anyone else out there has a child like mine who refuses all forms of milk, I make my daughter oatmeal using only milk as the liquid without any water and she actually loves it. Also, anyone with thoughts on substituting the walnuts for something else that would add texture and nutty-ish ness? My daughter is allergic to walnuts (and peanuts, and pecans, and we’re figuring out the rest of the tree nuts right now with an allergist). Thoughts on a seed or something like that that would work?
Thanks Abby! That’s a great tip about the milk btw! 🙂 Regarding a non-nut walnut substitution — you could try sunflower seeds! Or even whole flax seeds. I’m not sure how the sunflower seeds would taste with the chocolate flavor but it’s worth a shot. Hope that helps!
Oh my! I was so sick of my daily morning oats routine that I was ready to give it up until I decided to look for something to make taste different. This is simply fantastic. I fell in love with oats again 🙂
Awwww that is so great to hear Senna!! I love oats but I definitely need to mix things up every now and then. So happy this recipe did the trick for you! 🙂
Tried this today 🙂 It was delicious!!! I didn’t have stevia on hand so I used organic sugar. Not the healthiest option but ya use what ya got lol.
Yaay! I’m so glad you liked it! And you know, organic sugar isn’t the worst thing – as long as you use it in moderation (e.g. 1-2 tsp is totally fine!) 🙂
This looks absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to try it!
Thank you so much! 🙂 I’m sure you will love it!
Thanks Anjali for a great recipe!
I made it for my husband and I last Saturday morning and he enjoyed it so much that we had it again for breakfast on Sunday! I used almond milk and a little maple syrup rather than stevia. Really like the walnuts in it. I have only just started reading your blog and find it very interesting and inspiring and it is great to find someone else with a passion for healthy eating and a desire to encourage other people in that too. I have just started my own blog on this subject too (five star fuel).
Hi Carol!! Thank you so much – it’s so nice to “meet” you! 🙂 I’m so glad you and your husband loved this recipe – I seriously eat it all the time – I can’t get enough of it! Love your substitutions too – thanks again!
This recipe is both healthy and delicious and includes some of my favorite foods: cocoa(chocolate) and oatmeal, it is very good with honey added also.Thank you for giving me some ideas for a breakfast :).
Have a nice day,
Adon.
Thanks Adon!! I’m sure you will love this recipe – and yes!! It tastes great with honey added as well 🙂 Hope you have a great day too!
This is seriously the most delicious-sounding oatmeal I’ve ever heard of!! I am also an oatmeal lover and I love, love, love your ideas for different flavors that sound so yummy and still healthy. I cannot wait to give this a try. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe 🙂
Thank you so much!! I cannot wait to hear how you like this recipe – given your love for oatmeal – I am sure you will love it! 🙂
I just made this for breakfast–yum! I’d never used Stevia before–where has that been all my life? I actually think next time I’d back off to one packet. And I think I will try adding some instant espresso powder, too, just to see what happens. What a great way to get all of the goodness of chocolate without all the badness of chocolate.
Yay! I’m so glad you liked this recipe Terri! And yeah – I love stevia – it’s the only sweetener I’ll use because it’s natural. Love the idea of adding instant espresso powder – I will have to try that next time!
OMG yummy!!!
Thanks Trina!! I’m sure you’ll love this recipe!
LOVED ur falafel recipe 🙂
quick question why do you use organic and not regular milk?
Thanks Priti! To your question – I like using organic milk vs. regular milk for a few reasons. 1) I think it tastes better 🙂 2) non-organic milk often comes from cows who have received a genetically-engineered hormone called Recombinant Bovine Growth Hormone (rBGH), and the milk from those cows likely contains hormones and other things you probably don’t want in your milk and 3) I believe cows on organic farms are treated better than regular dairy farm cows (but I don’t have any facts to back this up, it’s just what I’ve heard). So for all of those reasons, I prefer to buy organic (it’s basically the same rationale that I use when I buy organic produce – it is grown naturally, isn’t genetically modified, and doesn’t have pesticides or chemicals on it). Hope that helps!
OMG! Going to try this now!!! You had me at chocolate brownies and I have been looking for a way to add fun flavor to oatmeal without the unnecessary calories and fat. Luckily I have cocoa powder and truvia. No nuts (I ate my almonds last night as a snack) and instead of cow’s milk, I’ll be using almond milk. . . .
excited to try this!
So I tired this, with truvia, no nuts, and almond milk. It was pretty good! Definitely better than my usual oatmeal!
Woohoo! I’m so glad to hear that Brock!
Haha – that’s awesome – and I promise this will taste just like a chocolate brownie! Almond milk will be delicious in this as well – let me know how you ended up liking it! 🙂