Breakfast or dessert? These creamy blended mint chocolate overnight oats are so light and refreshing you may just have them for both!
Not quite a peppermint patty but close! This recipe has all the creamy goodness of my Creamy Blended Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats, with a minty blast instead of peanut butter. And wow, what a difference that makes! These mint chocolate overnight oats are light and refreshing, jolting your senses into high gear. Enjoy them either as a caffeine-free morning pick-me-up or a sweet treat you can feel good about eating. You can’t go wrong!
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Why you’ll love this recipe
- Intensely refreshing: The scent of peppermint boosts mental clarity, alertness, and concentration. Blending it with the soothing coolness of overnight oats takes it to the next level.
- Packed with nutrients: Mint chocolate overnight oats are high in fiber, protein, and antioxidants, making them a healthy choice.
- So easy to make: With only 5 minutes of hands-on prep, this recipe fits perfectly into your busy life.
Ingredients
- Unsweetened almond milk (or other unsweetened nondairy milk): Thinner than other types of nondairy milk, almond milk helps give these overnight oats a light, almost frothy texture. No need to make a special trip to the store if you already have other nondairy milk on hand—any unsweetened plant milk will work as a substitute.
- Old-fashioned (rolled) oats: These are the thin, flat type of oats. “Quick” oats are a fine substitute. Steel-cut oats, however, will not work in this recipe. Oats are known for their heart-healthy benefits and help you feel full longer, thanks to their fiber content.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: Cocoa powder is surprisingly healthy. It is a good source of polyphenols, which are antioxidants that can help manage cholesterol and blood sugar levels.
- Medjool dates: Don’t be put off by their prune-like appearance. These flavor bombs are bursting with intense, caramel-like sweetness, making them an amazing sugar substitute. Look for pitted dates to save time. If using whole dates, make sure to remove the pits before blending.
- Chia seeds: These help thicken the overnight oats and give them their creamy, pudding-like texture. Chia seeds also add fiber, protein, and antioxidants.
- Ground flaxseed: Flaxseeds help thicken the overnight oats. They contain omega-3s, which have a number of health benefits, including lowering blood pressure and supporting cognition.
- Vanilla extract: A small amount adds a touch of mellow sweetness. Note that vanilla extract contains a small amount of alcohol, so omit it if you are avoiding alcohol completely.
- Peppermint extract: Be sure to use peppermint extract (found in the spice section of most grocery stores), not peppermint oil or peppermint essential oil. They are not interchangeable: only peppermint extract is designed for food consumption. Peppermint extract delivers a highly concentrated peppermint flavor. Be careful when adding it—you’ll only need 2 drops! Like vanilla extract, most peppermint extract contains a trace amount of alcohol.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
- Step 1: Add all of the overnight oats ingredients to a high-speed blender.
- Step 2: Blend until smooth and creamy. It’s okay if you still see some specks of oats after blending—the consistency will vary based on your blender. Taste and adjust for flavor to suit your preferences by adding another Medjool date, more cocoa powder, and/or another drop of peppermint extract.
- Step 3: Pour the mixture into a medium bowl or individual serving containers. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Step 4: In the morning, serve the individual portions in bowls or glasses. Enjoy plain or garnish with your favorite toppings, such as banana slices, mint leaves, vegan yogurt, chocolate chips, and/or cacao nibs.
Substitutions
- Any nondairy milk may be substituted for the soy milk.
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of maple syrup may be substituted for the Medjool dates.
Variation
If you’re short on time or want to cut down on cleanup, skip the blender and just throw all the ingredients into a large bowl, stir well, cover, and refrigerate overnight. The taste will not be affected but the texture will be heartier and “chewier,” thanks to the whole oats and Medjool date chunks.
Equipment
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
- High-speed blender
- Medium bowl (or individual serving containers)
Storage
Mint chocolate overnight oats will keep well in the fridge for about 4 days.
Related
Looking for other breakfast inspiration? Try these recipes:
Mint Chocolate Overnight Oats
Breakfast or dessert? These creamy blended mint chocolate overnight oats are so light and refreshing you may just have them for both!
Equipment
- cutting board
- sharp knife
- high-speed blender
- medium bowl (or individual serving containers)
Ingredients
Overnight oats ingredients
- 1½ cups unsweetened almond milk or other nondairy milk
- 1 cup old-fashioned (rolled) oats
- 1½ tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 to 2 Medjool dates pitted and roughly chopped (I prefer 2, but start with 1 if you're especially mindful of sugar intake)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 to 3 drops peppermint extract (see Note; peppermint extract has a very strong flavor—start with just 2 drops and taste; some may find the third drop is overpowering)
Toppings (optional)
- banana slices
- mint leaves
- vegan yogurt
- chocolate chips
- cacao nibs
Instructions
- Add all of the overnight oats ingredients to a high-speed blender.
- Blend until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Depending on your blender, some specks of oats may still be visible in the mixture after blending. This is okay.
- Taste and adjust the flavor to suit your preferences by adding another Medjool date, more cocoa powder, and/or another drop of peppermint extract.
- Pour the blender’s contents into a medium bowl or individual serving containers.
- Cover the bowl or serving containers and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning, serve the individual portions in bowls or glasses. Enjoy plain or garnished with any of the optional toppings.
Notes
- Make sure you are using peppermint extract (found in the baking or spice section of your grocery store), not peppermint oil or peppermint essential oil. They are not interchangeable. Peppermint extract is designed for food consumption; essential oils are not.
- Food-safe peppermint extract and vanilla extract typically contain small amounts of alcohol. If you are avoiding alcohol altogether, skip this recipe and/or omit those ingredients. You’ll lose the mint flavor but the overnight oats will still taste like chocolate pudding.
- Any nondairy milk may be substituted for the almond milk.
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of maple syrup may be substituted for the Medjool dates.
- Mint chocolate overnight oats will keep well in the fridge for about 4 days.
