It’s Sunday which means extra couch time, catching up on some a lot of laundry, and planning our meals for the week. Am I the only one that enjoys spending the morning with a cup of coffee, a couple of cookbooks, Pinterest recipes, and my grocery list? Admittedly, I enjoy our weekly Mariano’s trip gathering everything we need for the week – though it might be because I start the each trip with a visit to the smoothie bar.
I’ve noticed I spend most of my coffee/grocery list time thinking of easy to grab, WW Point-friendly, and creative breakfasts to eat during the week. You can only eat so many Cheerios before you start to get a little bored. I wrote about some delicious breakfast sandwiches here but sometimes I find myself craving something a little more sweet than savory. When it comes to sweet breakfast choices that leave you feeling full, overnight oats are at the top of the list. I have no idea why it took me so long to make these a staple in my house, considering that there are a million different ways to cater them to your taste.
My new favorite OO’s recipe comes from Ashlyn from ‘A Dancer’s Plate’. Her recipe for Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats tastes like a healthier but just as tasty version of the famous Ben and Jerry’s flavor. The only way I can describe these oats and give them justice is a cross between ice cream and a parfait. The banana + peanut butter + coconut + chocolate combo is like eating dessert for breakfast with zero guilt. I swear I had these every morning for a week straight. You can find this very simple recipe and find more of Ashlyn’s delicious ideas here.
The best thing about Overnight Oats is how little preparation – if any – they take. Mix up a few ingredients, pop your container in the fridge, and add whatever flavors/toppings/proteins you’re feeling the next morning. This is what makes them so simple to customize. Ashlyn’s idea for Chunky Monkey OO’s gave me the idea to start playing around with other flavors that I like. A few ingredients I had on hand gave me the idea to replicate my favorite dessert – chocolate covered strawberries.
After a little unsweetened cocoa powder, some Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter, and a few dark chocolate chips, these OO’s were absolutely decadent. Top with some strawberries and they are ready to go. I always make sure to pack OO’s in a small mason jar or plastic container so I can throw in my bag and take to the office. You can find my recipe for the Chocolate Covered Strawberry OO’s below, but it’s so simple to experiment with your favorite flavors. All you need is your oats and dairy or non-dairy milk base to sit overnight. If you decide to add anything in powder form (cocoa, protein, collagen, etc.), flax, or seeds mix those in the night before as well. Yogurt, butter/nut spreads, fruits, and toppings can be mixed in the next morning.
What other flavors do you enjoy?
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Overnight Oats
*Yields 2 servings – 9 WW Smart Points per Serving
1 cup quick oats
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
2 tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup vanilla greek yogurt
2 tbs Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter
1 packet Stevia
2 tbs dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup sliced strawberries
-Combine oats, almond milk, and cocoa powder in a small container. Refrigerate overnight.
-Mix in greek yogurt, chocolate hazelnut butter, and Stevia in the morning.
-Top with chocolate chips and strawberries. Enjoy!