This Secret Ingredient Chocolate Oats is the richest, creamiest, and most chocolatey oatmeal you’ll ever eat but it doesn’t use cocoa powder, chocolate bars, or chocolate chips! Topped with Greek yogurt for some tang & extra creaminess. Ready in under 5 minutes.
Secret Ingredient Chocolate Oats
Today I’m sharing with you another breakfast favorite: Chocolate Oats!
Not any chocolate oats though… look at all that creaminess & chocolate! This oatmeal recipe comes with a secret ingredient which is what makes it extra rich, creamy, and decadent!
No cocoa powder, no chocolate bars, no chocolate chips involved which is what makes them different from my festive Chocolate Orange Oatmeal.
The secret ingredient behind this recipe is using hazelnut spread, like Nutella but any brand will work provided it’s good quality! Using a spread makes this oatmeal recipe quicker, easier, richer, creamier, and more flavorful… so why going back to chocolate or cocoa powder, right?!
Ingredients
- Oatmeal. I used old-fashioned oatmeal but any will work, you may need to adjust cooking time if using other types. Make sure to select certified gluten-free oatmeal for gluten-free eaters.
- Milk. You can use any type of milk for this recipe: cow’s or plant-based. I usually use soy or almond but that’s just my personal preference.
- Hazelnut spread. Again, any brand will work provided it’s good quality, high in fats, and smooth. The most common brand to use would be Nutella but feel free to use your favorite. I typically skip any type of sweetener as I find hazelnut spread to be sweet enough but you may add honey or sugar if you’d like a sweeter version.
- Greek yogurt. This is optional but highly highly recommended. Greek yogurt has a nice tart flavor that really takes this chocolatey oatmeal to the next level by breaking up the sweetness with a hint of tang. I usually just add a dollop of yogurt to the oatmeal right before digging in and then proceed to swirl it in as I eat it. YUM!!!
Optional Add-Ins
Here are some fun add-ins to spice up your breakfast bowl!
- Hazelnuts
- Strawberries
- Walnuts
- Fresh or poached pears
- Cherries
- Pistachios
- Raspberries
- Peanut Butter
- Bananas
- Peanuts
- Jam
- Chopped Raffaello or Ferrero Rocher
- Raspberries
- White chocolate shavings
- Toasted coconut

Secret Ingredient Chocolate Oats
Ingredients
- 1 cup (90 g) oatmeal
- 1 cup (250 ml) any milk
- 1/4 cup (75 g) hazelnut spread like Nutella any will work provided it's high in fats, smooth, and good quality
- 2 tbsp (34 g) Greek yogurt or to taste, optional but highly recommended, for topping
Instructions
- Place a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the oats, milk, and hazelnut spread to the saucepan. Mix and bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium/low and cook for about 4-5 minutes or until thick and creamy, then turn off the heat.
- Top with cold Greek yogurt for some tang, swirl it in, and serve immediately.
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