This dark chocolate chai baked oatmeal recipe is an easy make-ahead breakfast that tastes like dessert and is dairy free! has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #SameSilkySmoothTaste #CollectiveBias Originally published October 2017. Last updated November 2022.

Today we're diving into a 30-minute breakfast meal prep in just three steps: mix, spread, and bake. My chocolate chai oatmeal recipe is easy and delicious and bound to become a family favorite. Let's get into the details!

stack of three chocolate oatmeal bars on white plate for breakfast.

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What Does it Taste Like?

This flavored baked oatmeal has rich earthy, chocolatey flavor balanced with a bit of bitterness characteristic of dark chocolate. It's also nutty and sweet with warming, woodsy, and even slightly citrusy notes from the combination of chai spices. Texture-wise, chocolate baked oats are chewy and light but still filling.

I love a good chai latte in the mornings and and known to make a mean dark chocolate pancake but this recipe combines the best of both worlds!

measuring spoons with oats, dark cocoa powder, and almonds on wooden cutting board next to half gallons of Silk almond milk.

What You'll Need for this Recipe

For a chocolate oatmeal recipe kids will love as well as adults, here's what to add to your grocery list.

Almonds
Chai Spices
Coconut Oil
Maple Syrup
Cocoa Powder
Rolled Oats
Sea Salt
Silk® Unsweetened Vanilla Almondmilk
Unsweetened Applesauce

I use Silk® Unsweetened Vanilla Almondmilk, unsweetened applesauce, and coconut oil to create this easy chai chocolate oatmeal with no banana and am so pleased with the result. It's lightly sweet, full of flavor, and a filling and convenient start to the day.

Get all my favorite meal prep oatmeal recipes for busy mornings!

mixed ingredients for dark chocolate chai oatmeal in glass bowl.

Making the Chai Spice Blend

Simply combine the following spices in their proper proportions then scoop out a spoonful for this recipe. You'll want to have the mix on hand for future breakfasts, as well.

Allspice
Ginger
Black Pepper
Cardamom
Cinnamon
Clove
Nutmeg

You can also purchase pre-mixed chai spices as a shortcut.

chocolatey spiced oatmeal bars in round glass food storage bowl.

Tips & Tools for Easy Baked Oatmeal

Grab a mixing bowl and a silicone spatula for this recipe. If you're chopping the almonds, you'll also need a cutting board and a sharp knife. And everything bakes up in a square baking dish. What kind of pan to bake oatmeal in? I prefer glass or ceramic pans for baking oatmeal but metal pans work, as well.

Are baked oats the same as oatmeal? I make this chocolate and chai spiced oatmeal in the oven for convenience. In comparison to regular oatmeal, it's handheld and thus, more portable than a bowl of oatmeal. But you'll notice it has the same ingredients. the difference is in the proportions and the addition of a binding ingredient like applesauce or eggs to hold it together neatly.

How to keep baked oatmeal fresh? Cut into dark chocolate oatmeal bars and store refrigerated in an airtight container. Your oatmeal will keep up to 10 days this way.

Which kind of milk should I use for baking oatmeal? Silk® Unsweetened Almondmilk or Silk® Unsweetened Vanilla Almondmilk are my go-tos, which I grab from Walmart, because they're dairy and lactose free. It's my cereal's best friend and a smart swap for milk in my recipes. Check out more #PlantBasedGoodness recipe inspiration here.

I see a decadent make-ahead hot breakfast in your very near future. And sharing is caring so be sure to pin this chocolate for breakfast recipe for later and follow me over on Pinterest. Thanks for reading!

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