Can I use cocoa powder in overnight oats?

Yes. Stir unsweetened cocoa into the oats and milk before soaking so it dissolves evenly. Add a little extra milk if the mixture looks too thick.

How many calories are in peanut butter cup overnight oats?

About 630 calories per serving, with 24g protein and 14g fibre, based on this recipe's toppings.

Can I use a different nut butter?

Almond or cashew butter both work, though it will no longer taste like a peanut butter cup. It will still taste like a good idea.

DessertsContinental

Peanut Butter Cup

Tastes exactly like the candy but with actual nutrition. The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is universally loved for good reason. Perfect for satisfying candy cravings, post-workout fuel, or when you want dessert for breakfast without guilt.

Time: 365 min
Method: Layer
Serves: 1
Energy: 630 kcal
Protein: 24 g

Go to the method

Bowl of peanut butter cup overnight oats topped with peanut butter, cocoa powder and chocolate chips

Method

Step 1: Mix cocoa powder into your DIY Oats base.
Step 2: Spread peanut butter on top and sprinkle chocolate chips over everything.
Step 3: The layers mimic a peanut butter cup's structure.
Step 4: The cocoa-infused oats act as the chocolate shell while the peanut butter creates that signature filling.
Step 5: This is rich, indulgent, and surprisingly nutritious.

Notes from the Department

Candy-inspired

Nutrition

1 serving

630 cal | 24g protein | 14g fiber

2 servings

1260 cal | 48g protein | 28g fiber

Estimates. Not medical advice.

Why it works

The structure is borrowed straight from the sweet. Cocoa mixed into the base turns the oats into the chocolate shell. Peanut butter spread on top becomes the filling. Chocolate chips scattered over everything are the extra bit of chocolate nobody asked for and everybody wants. Because the layers stay separate, every spoonful is slightly different, which is the point.

Make it yours

If your peanut butter is too stiff to spread, warm the jar for a few seconds or stir in a drop of milk. Unsweetened cocoa keeps it from getting too sugary; the chips bring enough sweetness. A pinch of salt on the peanut butter layer makes the whole thing taste more like the real thing. If you do not have a DIY Oats jar, soak rolled oats, milk, chia seeds and a few almonds overnight, then stir the cocoa in.

Serving ideas

Eat it cold for a firm, fudgy texture. Or dig straight to the bottom and pull up all three layers at once, which is the recommended procedure.

Storage

It holds well in the fridge for a day. The peanut butter firms up slightly, which only helps the illusion.

Questions people ask

Can I use cocoa powder in overnight oats?: Yes. Stir unsweetened cocoa into the oats and milk before soaking so it dissolves evenly. Add a little extra milk if the mixture looks too thick.
How many calories are in peanut butter cup overnight oats?: About 630 calories per serving, with 24g protein and 14g fibre, based on this recipe's toppings.
Can I use a different nut butter?: Almond or cashew butter both work, though it will no longer taste like a peanut butter cup. It will still taste like a good idea.