Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats with Banana and Strawberries

After a grueling high-intensity cardio workout I usually crave a hearty breakfast loaded with protein, and fruit.

Oatmeal is a great way to start your day. It stabilizes blood sugar, lowers cholesterol and contains an abundance of antioxidants, fiber, vitamins and minerals. When you don’t feel like cooking, overnight oats is a great grab-and-go meal.

While stuck in quarantine I created a delicious healthy recipe to satisfy your sweet tooth. This decadent oatmeal has all of my favorite flavor combinations: chocolate - strawberry, peanut butter - banana, and vanilla with a cinnamon swirl.

Ingredients:

*125 ml / 1/2 cup plain rolled oats (I used Quaker oats)

*1/8 teaspoon cinnamon 

*1 tablespoon brown sugar  (you can also use organic coconut sugar, honey or Stevia to taste)

*125 ml almond milk or milk of your choice

*1 drop/dash of good quality non-artificial vanilla extract (I used Usumacinta Natural Mexican Vanilla because it has a rich creamy flavor with no bitterness or harsh aftertaste. If you bake a lot I highly recommend it) Note: If you do not have high quality vanilla omit it from the recipe as it may overpower the chocolate.

*Dark chocolate chips (I used semi-sweet mini chips)

*1/2 banana 

* 3 medium strawberries (if you do not like banana or strawberries add whatever fruit you prefer - blueberries, mango, raspberries, apple etc)

* 2 tablespoons of peanut butter (you can also use other nut butters: almond, cashew, walnut, hazelnut etc)

*2 teaspoons all-natural cocoa powder (I used Hershey’s)

*Granola

Note: I used a small jar but you can also use a clear drinking glass.

Prep:

*Slice or dice your fruit. I prefer small chunks because they are easy to scoop out and you get a few pieces in each bite. 

*Measure oats.

*Pour oats into a bowl and add almond milk, cinnamon, vanilla extract (optional), brown sugar and cocoa powder. Toss in a few chocolate chips and mix well. The oats will absorb the excess liquid and soften overnight.

*Melt peanut butter in the microwave for 1 minute or until it becomes liquidy and easy to drizzle.

Directions:

1. In a small jar add 2-3 spoons of oatmeal and layer the banana, strawberry, chocolate chips, and granola. Drizzle with peanut butter.

2. Scoop in more oatmeal until the jar is filled halfway.

3. Add another layer of fruit, chocolate chips, granola and peanut butter.

4. Fill jar with more oatmeal (almost to the top) and layer more fruit chocolate and peanut butter.

5. Garnish with granola.

6. Cover and place in the fridge overnight. If the lid does not fit on the jar, cover with parchment paper to prevent sticking and place a rubber band around it.  

Servings: 1
Course: Breakfast, lunch, snack or dessert
Keeps in the fridge for 2-3 days