Let’s be honest, mornings can be tough. The sound of the alarm clock often feels like a starting pistol for a race you didn’t sign up for. Between getting ready, finding matching socks, and facing the day, the dream of a delicious, sit-down breakfast can feel completely out of reach. Too often, we grab something bland and boring or, even worse, skip it altogether, leaving us running on fumes before we’ve even truly started. But what if you could change that narrative? What if you could wake up to a breakfast that feels like a decadent treat, one that was lovingly prepared and waiting just for you?
Enter the hero of our story: overnight oats. This isn’t just a breakfast; it’s a brilliant life hack. The concept is pure genius—you simply combine a few ingredients in a jar the night before, pop it in the fridge, and let time do all the work. While you sleep, the oats soften and absorb the liquid, transforming into a creamy, pudding-like porridge that’s ready to eat the second you open the fridge. It’s the ultimate grab-and-go meal that saves you time, stress, and the temptation of the drive-thru.
Now, imagine taking that perfect, convenient breakfast and elevating it to legendary status. We’re talking about stirring in a generous spoonful of that iconic, creamy, chocolate-hazelnut spread: Nutella. Suddenly, your sensible breakfast becomes a joyful indulgence. It’s the flavor of childhood nostalgia mixed with grown-up convenience, a combination so perfect it feels like a secret. Get ready to fall in love with your mornings again, because we’re about to show you five irresistible ways to make Nutella overnight oats your new favorite ritual.
1. The Timeless Classic
Before we dive into fancy twists and decadent additions, we must first pay our respects to the original. The Classic Nutella Overnight Oats is where the magic begins. This recipe is all about purity and simplicity, celebrating that unmistakable chocolate-hazelnut flavor in its most perfect form. It’s the comforting, reliable friend you can always count on to make your day better. There are no competing flavors here, just the creamy texture of the oats perfectly infused with the rich, sweet taste of Nutella. This is the foundational recipe that will become your go-to for a quick, foolproof, and utterly delicious start to your day.
To create this masterpiece, you’ll build your base with old-fashioned rolled oats, your milk of choice (dairy or plant-based both work wonderfully!), and a spoonful of chia seeds. The chia seeds are your secret weapon; they help absorb the liquid and create that thick, luxurious, pudding-like consistency. The star, of course, is a generous dollop of Nutella. The key is to stir everything together thoroughly the night before, ensuring the Nutella is swirled into every last oat. You’ll seal it up in a jar or container and let the refrigerator do its work overnight.
Pro-Tip & The Perfect Photo: For an easier mixing experience, try microwaving your Nutella for about 10-15 seconds. This softens it just enough to make it silky and easy to incorporate without any stubborn clumps. For the perfect photo, serve your classic oats in a clear glass mason jar. Before sealing it for the night, use a spoon to create a beautiful Nutella swirl against the inside of the glass. The next morning, top it with a single, perfect hazelnut or a light dusting of cocoa powder for a simple, elegant finish.
You Will Need:
- ½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- ½ cup milk of your choice
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1-2 tablespoons Nutella
- A pinch of salt
2. The Strawberry Nutella Cheesecake Dream
Imagine the best parts of a decadent cheesecake—the creamy filling, the sweet fruit topping, the indulgent flavor—all packed into a healthy, convenient breakfast jar. That’s exactly what you get with our Strawberry Nutella Cheesecake variation. This recipe takes the classic and transforms it into a flavor explosion that feels incredibly gourmet. The slight tang from the cream cheese or Greek yogurt beautifully cuts through the richness of the Nutella, while the fresh, juicy strawberries add a burst of brightness and color. It’s a breakfast that tastes like dessert, without any of the guilt.
The secret to achieving that „cheesecake” experience is adding a spoonful of plain Greek yogurt or whipped cream cheese to your base oat mixture. This addition not only provides a protein boost but also creates an unbelievably creamy and tangy foundation that mimics the flavor of a cheesecake filling. You’ll layer this mixture in a jar with fresh, sliced strawberries. As it sits overnight, the juices from the strawberries will mingle with the oats, creating pockets of fruity goodness. It’s a symphony of textures and flavors in every single spoonful.
Pro-Tip & The Perfect Photo: To really sell the cheesecake illusion, save a handful of crushed digestive biscuits or graham crackers to sprinkle on top just before serving. This adds a delightful buttery crunch that completes the experience. For a stunning visual, focus on creating distinct layers in a tall, clear glass. Start with a layer of the oat mixture, add a layer of tightly packed sliced strawberries pressed against the glass, another layer of oats, and top with more fresh strawberries and the graham cracker crumble. This layered look is incredibly photogenic and promises a delicious bite from top to bottom.
You Will Need:
- The Classic recipe base
- 2 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt or whipped cream cheese
- ½ cup sliced fresh strawberries
- 1-2 crushed digestive biscuits or graham crackers (for topping)
3. The Toasted Hazelnut Crunch
For those who believe texture is just as important as taste, this one is for you. The Toasted Hazelnut Crunch variation is an homage to the „hazelnut” in Nutella, amplifying its nutty flavor and adding an incredibly satisfying crunch to every bite. Toasting the hazelnuts is a small step that makes a world of difference, releasing their natural oils and deepening their flavor from simply nutty to rich, fragrant, and almost buttery. This version is sophisticated, hearty, and provides a wonderful textural contrast to the smooth, creamy oats.
The process is simple but the result is profound. You’ll prepare your Classic Nutella Overnight Oats as usual. The magic happens right before you eat. In a dry skillet over medium heat, toast a small handful of chopped hazelnuts for 3-5 minutes, tossing frequently until they are golden brown and fragrant. The aroma alone will make your kitchen smell heavenly! Let them cool for a minute before generously sprinkling them over the top of your creamy oats, along with a few chocolate shavings for good measure.
Pro-Tip & The Perfect Photo: Don’t add the toasted nuts the night before! They will absorb moisture from the oats and become soft, defeating the purpose of creating that crunch. Always add them right before serving. For a truly beautiful photo, capture the moment you’re scattering the golden-brown, chopped hazelnuts over the top of the dark, rich oats. Use a shallow bowl instead of a jar to give you a wider canvas. Drizzle a little extra melted Nutella over the top in a zig-zag pattern, then add the nuts and a few whole, perfect hazelnuts for a rustic yet elegant presentation.
You Will Need:
- The Classic recipe base
- ¼ cup chopped hazelnuts
- Optional: Dark chocolate shavings for garnish
4. The Double Chocolate Brownie Batter
This is not a drill. I repeat, this is not a drill. For the die-hard chocoholics, we present the Double Chocolate Brownie Batter Overnight Oats. This is the most decadent, indulgent, and unapologetically chocolatey version on our list. It’s so rich and dessert-like, you’ll feel like you’re getting away with something. The flavor profile is exactly what it sounds like: a creamy, spoonable breakfast that tastes remarkably like licking the brownie batter spatula. It’s the perfect treat for a dreary Monday morning or anytime you need an extra dose of happiness.
To achieve this level of chocolate nirvana, you’ll enhance the base recipe with two key ingredients: unsweetened cocoa powder and a handful of mini chocolate chips. The cocoa powder deepens the chocolate flavor, adding a dark, rich complexity that balances the sweetness of the Nutella. The mini chocolate chips, stirred in the night before, soften slightly but still provide little pockets of intense chocolate flavor throughout the oats. It’s a chocolate lover’s dream come true.
Pro-Tip & The Perfect Photo: Use high-quality dark cocoa powder (like Dutch-processed) for the richest, smoothest, least bitter flavor. For the photo, showcase the deep, dark, rich color of the oats. Spoon the mixture into a dark, moody ceramic bowl. Create a small well in the center and fill it with a pool of melted Nutella. Sprinkle a few extra mini chocolate chips and a pinch of flaky sea salt on top to make the flavors pop and add visual appeal. The contrast between the dark oats, the glossy Nutella, and the white salt flakes is absolutely stunning.
You Will Need:
- The Classic recipe base
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons mini chocolate chips
- Optional: A pinch of flaky sea salt for garnish
5. The Salted Mocha Power Boost
For the person who needs their coffee and their breakfast all in one, the Salted Mocha Power Boost is your ultimate morning multitool. This sophisticated blend combines the rich flavors of chocolate, hazelnut, and coffee, finished with a surprising-yet-perfect pinch of flaky sea salt. The coffee adds a wonderful depth and a slight bitterness that cuts through the sweetness, while the salt enhances all the flavors, making the chocolate taste chocolatier and the hazelnut more pronounced. It’s a grown-up, energizing take on Nutella oats that will have you ready to conquer the day.
Creating this powerhouse breakfast couldn’t be easier. When you’re mixing your ingredients, simply substitute a portion of the milk with a shot of cooled espresso or an equal amount of very strong brewed coffee. The intensity is up to you—use more coffee for a stronger kick. Mix everything together with the oats, chia seeds, and Nutella, and let it meld overnight. The coffee will infuse every oat with its robust flavor, creating a beautifully balanced and complex breakfast.
Pro-Tip & The Perfect Photo: The quality of your coffee matters here, so use a brew you genuinely enjoy drinking. The finishing touch is crucial: sprinkle the flaky sea salt on top just before eating to preserve its texture and a clean, salty crunch. For your image, present this in a stylish coffee mug or a clear Irish coffee glass. After spooning in the oats, create a beautiful swirl on top with a dollop of whipped cream or yogurt, drizzle with a tiny bit of melted Nutella, and finish with a visible sprinkle of those beautiful, crystalline salt flakes. It looks as delicious and energizing as it tastes.
You Will Need:
- The Classic recipe base (but reduce milk to ¼ cup)
- ¼ cup cooled strong coffee or 1-2 shots of espresso
- Flaky sea salt for garnish