Almond Joy Overnight Oats

🥣 Easy Breakfast

Almond Joy Overnight Oats with Cacao Nibs

No-cook. High-protein. Tastes like dessert. Made with local Panama cacao.

Prep

5 mins

Chill

6+ hrs

Servings

1 jar

This easy breakfast is delicious and so easy to make! I replace chocolate chips with raw cacao nibs from Cacao Las Minas (she ships!), making it even healthier.

It tastes like you're eating an Almond Joy candy bar for breakfast—but you're actually getting 20+ grams of protein and all the nutrition that comes with it. Make a batch on Sunday and you've got grab-and-go breakfasts for the whole week.

Why This Recipe

It's genuinely easy. Mix, chill, eat. No cooking, no thinking, no excuses. You can make 4 jars in 15 minutes on Sunday and be done with breakfast planning for the week.

It's a health upgrade disguised as dessert. High protein, slow-digesting carbs, healthy fats from coconut and almonds. You feel satisfied for hours, not snacking by 10 AM.

The cacao nib swap is the game-changer. Raw cacao nibs from Cacao Las Minas are unfermented, packed with antioxidants, and deliver a more sophisticated chocolate flavor than candy-style chips. They're healthier and taste better.

It's perfect for expat life. Meal prep means less cooking in the heat, less stress, and something actually good waiting in your fridge when the day gets crazy.

About the Local Ingredients

🫘 Raw Cacao Nibs (Cacao Las Minas)

This is where you make the upgrade. Instead of standard chocolate chips, use raw cacao nibs from Cacao Las Minas. They're unfermented cacao pieces with a deeper, more complex flavor and serious antioxidant power. She ships, so you can order them even if you're not in Panama. The slight bitterness pairs perfectly with the almond extract and sweetness from the oats.

🌾 Old Fashioned Rolled Oats

Only old fashioned oats work here. Not quick cook, not steel cut. Old fashioned oats soak up moisture overnight without getting mushy. They're the foundation of the creamy texture that makes this recipe work.

🥛 Greek Yogurt

Nonfat Greek yogurt is key to getting 20+ grams of protein without added weight. Full-fat works too if you prefer a richer texture. The yogurt is what makes these oats creamy instead of just wet.

🥥 Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

Unsweetened is important—you don't need added sugar here. The cacao nibs and almond extract deliver all the flavor. Coconut adds texture and tropical depth.

🥜 Almond Extract

This tiny amount of almond extract is what ties the whole thing together and makes it actually taste like an Almond Joy. It's essential—don't skip it.

Pro Tips

Make it a batch. Prep 3–4 jars on Sunday morning. They last up to 4 days in the fridge. One grab-and-go breakfast for every day of the week.
Don't rush the soak time. Six hours minimum, but 12–24 hours is better. The longer they sit, the creamier they get. The oats need time to absorb the liquid and soften.
Use the right container. Mason jars with lids are ideal. You can grab them straight from the fridge and eat at your desk or in the car (though a proper spoon helps).
Cold or warm—your choice. Eat straight from the fridge for a refreshing breakfast, or microwave for 20–30 seconds to warm through. Both are delicious.
Stir before eating. The oats settle and compress as they chill. A quick stir brings everything back together and adds air.
Customize the milk. Dairy, almond, oat, coconut—use whatever milk you prefer. Coconut cream would be even richer (but add a bit more liquid to balance).

Recipe

Ingredients

1/2 cup old fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
1/2 cup milk (regular or nondairy)
1/2 tablespoon raw cacao nibs
1/2 tablespoon unsweetened coconut flakes
1/2 tablespoon slivered almonds
1/4 teaspoon almond extract

Instructions

Add all ingredients to a mason jar or overnight oat container and stir well until combined.
Cover and refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours, but ideally 12–24 hours. This gives the oats time to fully absorb the liquid and develop the perfect creamy texture.
Remove from the fridge and eat straight away or microwave for 20–30 seconds to warm through. Stir before eating and enjoy!