These snickers overnight oats are the best way to start your day. Dessert for breakfast? YES PLEASE! It’s the perfect make-ahead breakfast made with nourishing ingredients keeping you full for longer! It’s suitable for vegans and anyone who wants to have chocolate for breakfast!
A couple of years ago I would have looked at this recipe and thought something along the lines of: “there’s no way that is healthy” or “too many calories for breakfast”. See – I was in a destructive mindset where I thought that breakfast needed to be small so that I could “save my calories for later”. I used to have a small breakfast and then feel the need to eat something an hour or two later. I was HUNGRY.
This is such an easy pattern to fall into. Somewhere along the way, I realised that if I eat a hearty, satiating breakfast – I would last a lot longer before being hungry again. So, if you currently have the same thoughts about breakfast as I used to – I urge you to give these snickers overnight oats a go. You may be surprised at what you find.
And while, yes, all the layers may look a bit daunting – this is actually a very nourishing breakfast packed with protein, fibre and healthy fats which guarantees not only fullness but pure JOY too.
What are overnight oats?
Simply put: overnight oats are oats you make ahead of time and leave to soak overnight instead of cooking in the morning. This makes it perfect for days when you have little time in the morning to prepare breakfast.
Now, you don’t necessarily have to leave them overnight, a couple of hours in the fridge will be enough. So if you want cold oats for dinner or dessert you can definitely do that. You don’t have to cook the oats, they absorb the liquid they’re in making them soft and easy to digest. If you’re feeling wary about not cooking oats, go read this article: Does Overnight Oats Need To Be Cooked?
Overnight oats are a great breakfast to meal prep for a few days, ensuring that you have a nutritious breakfast every day. After all, breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
What are Snickers?
Snickers is a popular chocolate bar consisting of a nougat layer topped with caramel and peanuts and dipped in milk chocolate. They’re absolutely delicious, is what they are.
A chocolate bar may not be the most nutritious of breakfasts, but by taking the flavours of the classic chocolate bar and turning them into healthier elements – it’s possible to have a snickers-inspired breakfast that taste like dessert.
- The oatmeal base acts as the “nougat” element, it’s simply oats and milk or water and you can even add some vanilla protein powder!
- For the “caramel” we’re using peanut butter and a touch of sweetener and milk.
- The “chocolate” is replicated by making a healthy chocolate ganache from cocoa, sweetener and milk.
- This is all topped off with some peanuts for a lovely crunch!
Ingredients
You will only need seven ingredients!
You can find the actual measurements in the printable recipe card below.
- Oats: You can use rolled oats or quick oats, however, rolled oats are less processed and in return, more nutrient-dense.
- Liquid: You can use milk or water or a combination of the two.
- Vanilla Protein Powder: This is optional, but highly recommended. It adds flavour and of course a good amount of protein! You can use a vegan protein powder if you want. If not used, either add more oats or some chia seeds to thicken or use less liquid.
- Peanut Butter: Smooth or crunchy will be good, I recommend using peanut butter made from just peanuts (no added sugar or palm oil).
- Liquid Sweetener: You can use Maple Syrup, Agave, Honey or Sugar-free syrup.
- Cocoa Powder: Make sure to use unsweetened cocoa or raw cacao powder.
- Peanuts: I like to use salted, roasted peanuts but you can use any type of nut.
Step-by-step instructions
These overnight oats are not only easy to make, but I find it quite an enjoyable experience (I’m weird like that). There’s something very satisfying about making breakfast the night before, you just feel like you have your life together! It also makes waking up much, much easier when you know you have a delicious dessert (um, I mean breakfast) waiting for you.
Step 1: Make your oats. Simply combine your oats, liquid and protein powder.
Step 2: Make your “caramel”. Combine the peanut butter, sweetener and milk to make a thickened peanut caramel.
Step 3: Make your chocolate layer. Combine cocoa, sweetener and milk.
Step 4: Spread your peanut caramel onto your oats.
Step 5: Spread your chocolate sauce onto your peanut butter layer.
Step 6: Top with peanuts. (You can do this now, or in the morning).
Step 7: Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
Top Tips:
- The oat mixture should be quite thick, there shouldn’t be too much excess liquid (see video). If you’re skipping the protein powder, add some extra oats or chia seeds. The mixture may be a bit runnier than if using protein powder, but it will thicken within a few hours.
- Make double or triple the recipe to make enough for a few days.
- Add a tablespoon of thick yoghurt to make the oats even creamier!
- If you’re using quick oats, reduce the amount of liquid you’re using.
How to store
Store in mason jars or lunchboxes and take them on the go.
If making these overnight oats in a bowl, cover with some plastic wrap or cover the bowl with a plate.
Frequently asked questions
Despite the name, you don’t have to necessarily soak them overnight. They only need to soak for 3 hours.
Not everyone likes cold oats, I get it. So yes, you can heat the oats in the microwave. I would recommend soaking the oats without the toppings and then adding them once you’ve heated your oats.
Yes, just use a vegan protein powder and plant-based milk.
More healthy breakfasts you need to try
Hey! If you make this recipe, I would love it if you could leave me some feedback and a rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ in the comment section at the bottom of the page! Also let me know on Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest! I can’t wait to hear your thoughts and see your photos!
Healthy Snickers Overnight Oats
Equipment
- Bowl or Mason Jar
- Fork
- Small mixing bowl
Ingredients
Overnight Oats
- ½ cup Oats (50g)
- 1 cup Water or Milk or a combination
- ¼ cup Vanilla Protein Powder (30g) see notes for substitution
Peanut Caramel
- 1 tbsp Peanut Butter
- ½ tbsp Liquid Sweetener (maple syrup, honey, sugar-free syrup)
- 1 tbsp Milk
Chocolate Layer
- 1 tbsp Cocoa Powder
- ½ tbsp Liquid Sweetener (maple syrup, honey, sugar-free syrup)
- 1 tbsp Milk
- Small handful peanuts
Instructions
- Add your oats, milk and protein powder to a bowl or mason jar and mix with a fork.
- Combine your ingredients for the peanut caramel in a small bowl. Spread this onto your oats.
- Combine your ingredients for the chocolate layer in a small bowl. Spread this onto your peanut caramel.
- Top with some peanuts.
- Cover your bowl or jar and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.
Video
Notes
- This recipe can be one large portion or two smaller portions. Make double or triple the recipe to make enough for a few days.
- The oat mixture should be quite thick, there shouldn’t be too much excess liquid (see video).
- If you’re skipping the protein powder, add 1/4 cup extra oats or 2 tbsp chia seeds. The mixture may be a bit runnier than if using protein powder, but it will thicken within a few hours.
- Use a vegan protein powder and plant-based milk to make them vegan.
- Add a tablespoon of thick yoghurt to make the oats even creamier!
- If you’re using quick oats, reduce the amount of liquid you’re using.
- Store in mason jars or lunchboxes and take them on the go.
- If making these overnight oats in a bowl, cover with some plastic wrap or cover the bowl with a plate.
- You can heat the oats in the microwave if you prefer warm oats. I would recommend soaking the oats without the toppings and then adding them once you’ve heated your oats.
