Name: Vegan Almond Joy Overnight Oats
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 185 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup rolled oats (*); 1/2 cup unsweetened non-dairy milk; 1 tablespoon chia seeds; 2 tablespoons canned coconut milk; 1/2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder; 1/2 tablespoon pure maple syrup; 1 tablespoon unsweetened shredded coconut (topping); 1 tablespoon almonds (chopped, topping); 1 tablespoon dairy free chocolate chips (optional, topping, melted)

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Your favorite candy bar turned into a healthy and delicious breakfast! Made with mostly whole food ingredients to recreate the delicious combination of coconut, almonds and chocolate that make up Almond Joys. Make your morning more joyful!

Too cheesy? I can't help it — these really are a joy! I loved Almond Joys growing up but haven't had one since going vegan. However, now I can enjoy the taste again every morning if I want to!

These overnight oats are the perfect make-ahead breakfast when you're on the go. If you know me, you know I'm a huge fan of meal prepping. Just check out the Health My Lifestyle Meal Planner to see what I mean! It saves me so much time and energy by having healthy meals at my fingertips that are easy to meal prep.

What are overnight oats?

They're just a fancy way of saying overnight oatmeal, or meal prepped oatmeal. They provide so much convenience because you can prep them the night before or even several days in advance. And the best part? No cooking necessary!

All you do is mix it up in a sealable container and store it in the refrigerator for at least a few hours. It softens up enough during that time that you don't need to heat it. However, you totally can if cold oats aren't your jam.

What type of oats are best for overnight oats?

The best oats for overnight oats are rolled oats, also known as old fashion oats. Rolled oats have been steamed and pressed through a roller to flatten them—hence the name. Because of this they absorb liquid more easily, making them the perfect candidate.

You can also use quick oats. I don't find these as hearty but it does make for an even smoother, creamy texture. And it's even faster for soaking than rolled oats! You could have delicious overnight oats ready in just one hour instead!

I do not recommend steel-cut oats for this as they will not become soft enough. However, you could precook them to soften them for this, but then that just defeats the purpose of having convenient overnight oats, right? Or, if you want a crunchy texture, just add them as is without precooking but give them at least 8 hours to soak.

Are oats gluten free?

Oats are naturally gluten-free but people with Celiac's Disease should select varieties that are certified gluten-free to avoid those that may have been contaminated with gluten during processing.

I always tag my recipes made with oats as gluten-free but I wanted to clarify that in case anyone is gluten intolerant or has Celiac's. Always check with the brand because this will vary.

Ingredients you will need for Almond Joy Overnight Oats

These oats are actually quite simple and only require 8 ingredients:

certified gluten-free rolled oats
unsweetened non-dairy milk - I used almond milk
chia seeds
canned coconut milk
unsweetened cocoa powder
pure maple syrup
unsweetened shredded coconut
almonds
dairy free chocolate chips (optional but highly recommended for a nice chocolate drizzle)

You do get enough of the chocolate flavor with the cocoa powder but there's just something about a drizzle of chocolate on top that makes it extra special.

If you're looking for more healthy breakfast ideas the Health My Lifestyle Meal Planner is full of them! You can easily narrow down exactly what you’re looking for with the extensive filtering options, plan out your week in seconds or grab a pre-made plan, track your calories and goals, and more! Right now it’s 40% off your first month! Check out the Meal Planner here.

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