These overnight almond joy oats are a much healthier breakfast version of the candy bar with lots of almond and coconut flavor.

If I didn’t fully convince you of my weirdness with these green bean fries when I said I never really crave french fries, let me take it a step further…
I can stand in front of the limo length candy selection in a drug store and not be tempted by a single one of them.
Except, the almond joy bar. There’s probably over one hundred to choose from and just one of them tempts me. It’s super weird because I have a huge sweet tooth but sugary suckers, gummy bears and candy bars do nothing for me. Nada.
Chocolate, coconut and almonds together however, that’s something that actually piques my interest.
So standing in line the other day at CVS to buy Ulysses a birthday card (happy 32 today!), I saw it. It spoke to me. It begged, pleaded and whispered sweet nothings in my ear and I rejected it. Not part of the 95%.
But it did give me an idea. A candy bar inspired breakfast.
Almond extract might be my favorite flavoring in the entire world. With one drop, it turns whatever it touches into something that tastes like straight up candy. I made these the “overnight” (aka: no cook) way but you could easily turn this into hot oats as well.
Almond candy oats, coconut milk and shredded coconut throughout, topped with cacao nibs.
Almost as good as an Almond Joy, so much better than a stupid Snickers.
Almond Joy Oats
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup steel cut oats
- 2 tablespoons almond flour
- 1 tablespoon vanilla whey protein powder, optional for protein boost
- 1/2 tablespoon chia seeds
- 3/4 cup coconut milk, from a carton
- 1 tablespoon plain greek yogurt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut
- 1 tablespoon sliced almonds
- 1 tablespoon cacao nibs
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients except cacao nibs in a small bowl and mix together.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Uncover, stir, add more milk if necessary until desired consistency is reached.
- Fold in cacao nibs.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Gina Matsoukas is an AP syndicated writer. She is the founder, photographer and recipe developer of Running to the Kitchen — a food website focused on providing healthy, wholesome recipes using fresh and seasonal ingredients. Her work has been featured in numerous media outlets both digital and print, including MSN, Huffington post, Buzzfeed, Women’s Health and Food Network.
Wow! Great recipe!
Now that I need to try! I love Almond Joys too :) I’ve actually never used almond extract before… I’ll have to find some at my grocery store!
I LOVE Cacao nibs!!! Have to get some more tomorrow. Almond oats look positively dreamy :)
I love a good Almond Joy or Mounds Bar! In the past few years, I have gone from liking coconut to adoring it!
Gorgeous food styling and pics on something that I know isn’t always the easiest to be “Creative” with. Love the blues you used!
1. I love that bowl. 2. This looks delicious. 3. I neeeeed those chalkboard labels!!
Agreed! Love the chalkboard labels!
I’m glad you both like the chalkboard labels. I can’t tell you how many family members have made fun of them saying “oh, Almonds…in case you forget what they look like, now you can read it!” or something to that effect! My response is obviously, “whatever, they’re cute.”
Candy bars and gummy bears and skittles do not tempt me at all… except for Reese’s cups. I am a sucker for that and maybe an occasional Snickers bar. The caramel in the candy bars hurts my throat for some reason. This looks so good, I will give it a try soon. Gina, I made the sweet potato and kale muffins and they were so good. It took a great amount of will power not to eat everything.
P.S. Happy 32nd Ulysses!
I agree with you, one of the only candy bars that would tempt me too! Not mounds, must be almondjoy.
You never cease to amazing me with the recipes!! You combined all of the most perfect ingredients right here to make one mouth-watering breakfast!
Have a great Sunday!
Haha, thanks Christina :) Enjoy your Sunday too!
I am in looooveee with almond extract. It gives it such a unique flavor, it’s amazing. I neeed this!
I never tried steel cut oats overnight. I’m going to make this recipe tonight, so I can take it to work tomorrow. I can’t wait to try it!
If you love the chew of them, you’ll love them overnight. You could totally do this with regular oats too though :) Have a great Sunday!