You will feel like a kid again when you grab a spoonful of gluten free chocolate steel cut oats. Plus, eating a bowl of stovetop steel cut oats is a fantastic way to warm up on a chilly winter day. Even my kids will ask me to make this recipe time and time again because it has become a household favorite.

When I was growing up, we would always eat oatmeal for breakfast. Once we started eating gluten free, I was worried I would have to give up the breakfast that I grew up enjoying.

Every bite of this chocolate oatmeal is filled with chocolaty steel-cut oats slightly sweetened with coconut sugar. The texture is chewy, goodness that you can’t get enough of. If you love breakfast as much as we do, you may want to check out my delicious gluten free breakfast recipes.

Why you need to try this recipe:

Well, my kids would say because it is chocolate for breakfast, LOL. Honestly, a big, warm bowl of warm chocolate steel-cut oats is so good…and this is a healthy breakfast recipe! Kids love it, and it is ready in about 20 minutes!

While eating gluten-free, I have found that you don’t have to give up your favorite foods; you just have to adjust how they are made. Here is a guide to help you through the process as well. Gluten Free Pantry Essentials and Equipment Recommendations will get you started.

Ready to make this easy gluten free healthy chocolate oats breakfast? First, you will need to go shopping and get the ingredients.

Ingredient notes:

Photos of the gluten free steel cut oats ingredients.
  • Gluten free steel cut oats – I knew how easily oats could be cross-contaminated with wheat. It is super important that you buy certified gluten free oats! There are several brands that sell certified gluten free oats; I like Bob’s Red Mill and the ones at Trader Joe’s. Eating oatmeal has me beyond thrilled that I could still enjoy this comfort food.
  • Cocoa powder – Most brands are gluten free, but always check the ingredients to be sure.

Recipe step-by-step directions:

Grab your bag of steel-cut oats, a pot with a lid, and water. 

Chocolate steel cut oats in a pot cooking.

Step 1: Bring 4 cups of water to a boil.

Step 2: Add 1 ¾ cups steel-cut oats, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, ¼ cup maple syrup, vanilla, and a dash of salt. Stir it all together.

Step 3: Turn the temperature down to low, cover, and simmer for 20-25 minutes. Stir occasionally so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan.

Two bowls filled with chocolate steel cut oats. Both are topped with slivered almonds.

Expert Tips and Recipe FAQ:

Are oats naturally gluten free?

Oatmeal can be one of those foods that can be very confusing when you eat a gluten free diet. I wanted to go over a few essential tips and answer some questions people often have about eating oats.

Yes, oatmeal is naturally gluten free. The issue is that the oatmeal can easily be contaminated with wheat, barley, and rye. They are often made in the same facilities as foods that contain those items, so it makes sense that they can come in contact with each other. To stay safe, you should only purchase oats that have been certified gluten free.

Can you make this oats recipe ahead of time?

Yes, you can make steel-cut oats ahead of time and eat them at a later day. If you plan to make extra steel-cut oats, just store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. You can eat them throughout the week, making the texture even creamier.

How long will cooked oats last?

Cooked oats will last about four days in the fridge. Freezing steel-cut oats is another option. Flash freeze them in a muffin tin for one hour, then when they are solid, pop them out and place them in a freezer bag.

Can you make this recipe dairy-free?

You can make these vegan chocolate steel-cut oats dairy-free by adjusting the milk. You can use almond, flaxseed, cashew, or soy milk. Many oat milk will also work, but you need to make sure they are certified gluten free to ensure it was not made with regular oats.

More easy gluten free breakfast ideas:

a close up shot of a bowl of choclate steel cut oats topped with slivered almonds

Chocolate Steel Cut Oats

Sandi Gaertner
Easy gluten free chocolate steel cut oats breakfast recipe
4.75 from 4 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Gluten Free Breakfast Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 4 bowls
Calories 335 kcal

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups water
  • 1 ¾ cups steel cut oats
  • 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
  • ¼ cup maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • dash of salt

Instructions
 

  • Bring the water to boil in a pot.
  • Add in oats, cocoa, syrup, salt, and vanilla. Cover and cook on low.
  • Simmer for 20-25 minutes, stirring frequently.
  • Top with your favorite nondairy milk and almonds.

Notes

  1. If you are Celiac, it is critical that you use certified gluten free oats.
  2. If you like your oatmeal creamier, feel free to add more liquid while cooking the oats.

SPECIAL NOTE

Please know that every gluten free flour blend has a different starch to grain ratio. If you use a blend I didn’t test, you may need to adjust your moisture levels in your baked goods.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 335kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 11gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gSodium: 15mgPotassium: 102mgFiber: 8gSugar: 12gCalcium: 69mgIron: 3.4mg
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Nutrition Disclaimer

Nutritional information is an estimate provided to you as a courtesy. You should calculate the actual nutritional information with the products and brands you are using with your preferred nutritional calculator.

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Recipe Rating




20 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    My husband and I really enjoyed the chocolate oatmeal. This worked great with all of my dietary restrictions and was a tasty treat!

  2. Okay – so I might make these right now! They look delicious and my chocolate loving family will be all over it! Can not wait to give them a try!

  3. Now this is how I could get my husband to eat oats! This looks like dessert, but I certainly wouldn’t feel guilty devouring it in the morning.

  4. I love steel cut oats, I’ve never made them with chocolate but I bet it’s going to be delicious! Can’t wait to try them!