Start your morning with dessert! This creamy vegan chocolate oatmeal has a short, simple and nutritious ingredient list with so much decadent chocolate flavor. Top it with your favorite fruit or creamy nut butter for a dish that's both decadent and healthy!

Don't be fooled by the indulgent name - this chocolate oatmeal recipe is packed with simple, wholesome ingredients! This vegan breakfast is a staple in our household, especially on busy mornings.
My kids request this for breakfast all the time, not just because of its rich chocolate flavor, but because it feels like they’re getting a treat first thing in the morning. Little do they know, it’s also incredibly filling and packed with nutrients to keep them energized throughout their day.
One of the best parts? It’s so quick and easy to make. Using quick-cooking oats ensures that breakfast is ready in just minutes, making it ideal for hectic school mornings. Whether I’m rushing out the door or just want to serve something wholesome without much effort, this oatmeal is always a win.
The chocolatey flavor comes from cocoa powder, which gives the dish its indulgent taste without the need for processed ingredients. Paired with a touch of maple syrup, it strikes the perfect balance of sweetness while remaining a healthy choice. It’s a breakfast that satisfies both kids and adults alike!
Why You'll Love this Vegan Chocolate Oatmeal
- Quick and Easy- ready in minutes
- Kid-Friendly - a filling, nutritious breakfast that feels like a treat
- Customizable - endless topping possibilities to suit your taste
- Vegan and Gluten-Free
Two Secrets to Perfect Chocolate Oatmeal
The biggest trick for creamy, delicious oatmeal is using quick-cooking oats. They cook faster and result in a smoother, creamier texture compared to regular rolled oats. If you opt for old-fashioned oats, note that the cooking time will be slightly longer.
Another key to achieving that luscious, chocolatey flavor is using cocoa powder balanced with a touch of maple syrup for sweetness. Feel free to adjust the sweetness to your preference. Vanilla extract enhances the cocoa flavor, making the oatmeal taste like dessert.
Ingredients
This easy chocolate oatmeal uses just a few simple ingredients:
- Filtered water - feel free to use almond milk or any other non-dairy milk for added creaminess and nutrients, but water works just fine and is typically what I use.
- Quick oats - I buy certified gluten-free oats from the grocery store
- Maple syrup
- Unsweetened cocoa powder (or unsweetened cacao powder)
- Salt
- Vanilla extract
- Optional: Hu chocolate gems (vegan and refined sugar-free), hemp seeds, flaxseeds, chia seeds, fresh or frozen berries and any nut or seed butter.
See the recipe card at the bottom of the post for quantities.
How to Make this Vegan Chocolate Oatmeal
1. Bring water to a rolling boil.
2. Add the oats, maple syrup, cocoa powder and salt. Whisk or stir well until the water is mostly absorbed and the oatmeal is smooth and creamy (about 10 minutes). Add the chocolate gems (if using) and stir them in until they melt from the heat of the oats.
3. Turn off the burner and add vanilla extract.
4. Serve into 4 bowls. Add any toppings you wish! My kids enjoy almond butter, berries, hemp and chia "sprinkles" and vegan butter. They'll also stir in a dash of cold almond milk to help it cool down faster.
Watch this 15-second clip of me making it on Instagram!
Toppings: The Fun Part!
One of the best ways to make this simple chocolate oatmeal a little more exciting is to add toppings. Kids love dressing their bowl with their favorite toppings, too! A few of our favorites:
- Strawberries (or this strawberry compote), blueberries or other fresh fruit like ripe banana slices
- Pecans
- Melted coconut butter
- A drizzle of almond butter or creamy peanut butter
- Vegan butter
- A splash of almond milk
- Homemade granola or crushed nuts
- Hemp seeds, flaxseeds or chia seeds - these infuse healthy fats and plant-based protein into the oatmeal
- Vegan dark chocolate chips
I like to set out a couple options and let the kids decorate their own bowls. Customizing it themselves makes them feel ownership over it and I have found that they are likely to eat more when they feel that way.
Storage and Reheating
This oatmeal reheats beautifully. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. Reheat on the stovetop with a splash of liquid (water or milk) to bring it back to a creamy consistency.
I'll often make a double batch to meal prep for the following morning!
Nutritional Benefits of Chocolate Oatmeal (Yes, Really!)
Oats
I love getting natural, sustainable energy from oats. They're full of soluble fiber, and they’re higher in protein and healthful fats than most other whole grains. They're a perfect breakfast because they keep you full longer and give you a wonderful energy boost naturally! I use quick-cooking oats as a base in so many of my recipes. I always keep some in the pantry!
Cocoa
The health benefits of chocolate come from antioxidants called flavanols found in cocoa solids (as opposed to cocoa butter). Consumed in large amounts, studies have shown that flavanols in chocolate may:
- Lower high blood pressure and decrease levels of bad cholesterol leading to decreased risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke
- Promote lung health and protect against asthma
- Decrease the risk of diabetes and even several types of cancer
- Benefit the brain and preserve cognitive abilities to lower the risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease
- Improve your mood and feelings of pleasure
- Benefit the vascular system by reducing the risk of blood clots and increasing blood flow in the arteries and the heart
More Breakfast Inspiration
Try these chocolate or oatmeal-based recipes next:
This delicious breakfast is vegan, gluten-free, peanut-free and soy-free. It's naturally sweetened with maple syrup, making it refined sugar-free as well. It’s perfect for any chocolate lover to enjoy morning after morning!
Print
Easy Creamy Vegan Chocolate Oatmeal
- Total Time: 12 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Start your morning with dessert! This creamy vegan chocolate oatmeal has a short, simple and nutritious ingredient list with so much decadent chocolate flavor. Top it with your favorite fruit or creamy nut butter for a dish that's both decadent and healthy!
Ingredients
- 3 cups filtered water
- 1.5 cups quick-cooking gluten free oats
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (or cacao powder)
- Pinch of salt
- ½ teaspoons vanilla extract (at end with burner off)
- Optional: 1 small handful Hu Chocolate gems (vegan and refined sugar-free)
Instructions
- Bring water to a rolling boil.
- Add the oats, maple syrup, cocoa powder and salt. Whisk or stir well until the water is mostly absorbed and the oatmeal is smooth and creamy (about 10 minutes). Add the chocolate gems (if using) and stir them in until they melt from the heat of the oats.
- Turn off the burner and add vanilla extract.
- Serve into 4 bowls. Add any toppings you wish! My kids enjoy almond butter, berries, hemp and chia "sprinkles" and vegan butter. They'll also stir in a dash of cold almond milk to help it cool down faster.
Notes
My favorite brand of cocoa powder for the very best chocolate flavor is Whole Foods 365 brand. It is a vibrant rich dark brown color which indicates that it has a strong chocolate flavor. When I have used other brands it has not tasted as good to me and my children even notice if I run out of the one we like!
- Prep Time: 2
- Cook Time: 10
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Stovetop
Teryn says
VERY DELICIOUS! If you are someone like me who looks to minimize sugar than I think half the sugar she suggests is enough
Elaine Gordon says
Thank you so much, Teryn! So happy you enjoyed it so much! I usually am making this recipe with my kids in mind and with them the sweeter the better lol. But you are right you could definitely cut back on the maple syrup bit if you are trying to minimize your sugar intake... and it would still be delicious 🙂