These Tiramisu Overnight Oats are the oats of your dreams! Creamy chocolate espresso oats topped with a thin layer of your favorite nutritious yogurt and a generous dusting of cocoa powder and cocoa nibs. You won't believe how much this nutritious breakfast tastes like the real thing!
Make-ahead breakfast recipes are my absolute favorite. They're really easy to throw together before the work week starts and ensures I always have something healthy to eat. If you're an overnight oats lover like me, you have to try these Protein Overnight Oats, Overnight Oats with Frozen Fruit, and Overnight Oats without Milk. Or check out my full collection of Tasty Vegetarian and Vegan Breakfast recipes.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- It's healthy dessert for breakfast. Who doesn't love enjoying a healthy breakfast recipe that also tastes like one of your favorite desserts! They're lightly sweetened with unrefined sugar, packed with dietary fiber, healthy fats, protein and a boost of anti-oxidants. What more could you ask for?!
- Perfect for coffee lovers. If you look forward to a morning cup of coffee or espresso every morning, combine the two with these delicious tiramisu overnight oats. They're rich, chocolate-y, and made flavorful with a shot of espresso.
- Made with simple ingredients. Despite the decadence, these tiramisu overnight oats are made with just 8 simple ingredients, including the irresistible creamy topping and dusting of cocoa powder. You may even have everything you need on hand right now!
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Milk - Any unsweetened milk of choice. I typically use unsweetened plant-based milks like oat milk, coconut milk, soy milk or almond milk. You can also use dairy milks, if desired! If you're out of milk, try my Overnight Oats recipe without Milk.
- Cocoa - A mix of unsweetened cocoa powder and cocoa nibs are the source of the rich chocolate flavor.
- Oats - I recommend using old-fashioned rolled oats. If you are gluten intolerant or sensitive to gluten, make sure to purchase gluten-free certified rolled oats. If the bag does not have a gluten-free certification, it is possible the oats are cross contaminated with gluten proteins from wheat and may not be safe for gluten-free diets.
- Espresso - In order to achieve the best, concentrated coffee flavor, I highly recommend using freshly brewed espresso. If you don't own an espresso machine, replace the espresso with ¼ cup of strongly brewed coffee or cold brew. It won't be as strong of a coffee flavor, but it is the next best choice!
- Yogurt - Traditionally, tiramisu is topped with a layer of mascarpone cream made from mascarpone cheese, whipping cream, and sugar. For a healthy tiramisu suitable for breakfast, I swapped this heavy cream with a thin and creamy yogurt layer. Feel free to use your favorite yogurt - greek yogurt, vanilla yogurt, plain yogurt, or any plant-based yogurt of choice like coconut yogurt or soy yogurt.
Step by Step Instructions
- Mix together the base ingredients. In a mason jar or a storage container with a tight fitting lid, add the plant based milk, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, espresso shot, and cocoa nibs and mix them well.
- Refrigerate overnight. Tightly cover the oats, then place in the fridge to sit overnight, or for a minimum of 5 hours.
- Top the oats. The next morning, remove the oats from the fridge and transfer them to a serving bowl or glass jar. Stir well to ensure all the flavors in the oat base are combined, and taste. Add an additional tablespoon of maple syrup if needed to sweeten, then layer on ¼ cup of unsweetened yogurt on top of the jar. Sprinkle with extra cocoa powder and cocoa nibs on top.
Storing and Reheating Instructions
These tiramisu oats will keep in the fridge for up to 4 days. For best results, store in an airtight container - if the oats are exposed to air in the fridge the excess moisture that keeps them creamy will dry out and make the oats dry.
How to heat overnight oats: Overnight oats are typically enjoyed cold straight from the refrigerator, making them a convenient breakfast choice for early mornings and busy work weeks. If you prefer to enjoy your tiramisu oats warm, place the desired portion of oats in a microwave safe dish and heat until warm. Once warm, add the layer of yogurt and cocoa powder on top of the oats to taste and enjoy!
Time Saving Hacks
If you're planning on taking these tiramisu overnight oats with you to the office throughout the week, double or triple the recipe and portion it into 4 or 6 individual containers, such as 16 ounce mason jars. You can even top with yogurt and cocoa powder in advance to make this a true grab and go delicious breakfast recipe to keep you nourished and energized the entire week.
FAQs
Quick oats aren't necessarily bad in overnight oats, but they aren't my first choice. Quick oats are much softer and create a less textured breakfast. If you enjoy your oats extra soft and creamy, use quick oats or instant oats. If you prefer your oats a bit more chewy, go with old-fashioned rolled oats.
The time spent overnight in the fridge allows the oats to soften, meld the flavors together and absorb the liquid. If the oats don't sit long enough, they will be liquid-y, not creamy and the oats will be extra chewy. If you don't have time to let the oats sit overnight, refrigerate them for at least 5 hours to give them enough time to soften.
Nope! Although a glass mason jar is one of the most popular choices for overnight oats, it isn't at all necessary. You can mix the overnight oats in a plastic Tupperware or any container of choice. If your jar or container doesn't have a tight fitting lid, tightly cover the container with plastic wrap or similar reusable wrap.
Tips for Success
- Make sure the oats are fully submerged in the liquid before storing. If they aren't well mixed before you stick them in the fridge, they won't properly absorb the liquid and will remain un-soaked and very chewy. Take a bit of extra time to make sure everything is well combined and pressed into the liquid before storing.
Related Recipes
- Protein Overnight Oats
- Overnight Oats with Frozen Fruit
- Overnight Flaxseed Pudding
- Overnight Oats without milk
If you make this recipe, I would absolutely love for you to leave a rating and review. I absolutely love connecting with you!
Quick Tiramisu Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1 cup Plant based milk
- 2 tbsp Cocoa Powder plus more for topping
- 1 tbsp Maple Syrup if you prefer sweeter, use 2 tbsp
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- ¼ cup Espresso about 2 ounces or 2 shots
- 1 cup Old Fashion Oats
- 2 tbsp Cocoa Nibs plus more for topping
- ½ cup Plain or Vanilla Yogurt DF
Instructions
- Using a mason jar or a container with a lid, add the plant based milk, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, espresso and cocoa nibs and mix them well. Be sure the oat are fully submerged in the liquid.
- Place in the fridge and allow them to sit overnight or at least 5 hours.
- Remove the oats from the fridge and add them to a bowl or glass. Layer a small amount of yogurt (approx ¼ cup) on top of the oats to cause a layered effect.
- Option to sprinkle extra cocoa powder and cocoa nibs on top.
Made this last night to have before the gym this morning & OMG was it good! Definitely adding to my regular breakfast routine!
Thank you!!!!