Chocolate Oatmeal Recipe (Healthy, Gluten-Free)

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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 Spice 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

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