Creamy and Spicy Mexican Hot Chocolate Protein Oats made with cacao and chocolate protein powder, and a hint of cinnamon and cayenne pepper. A protein breakfast bowl with warm spices that tastes like the authentic Mexican chocolate drink!

I don’t quite remember where I got the idea for this oatmeal flavor – I think I actually Googled “unique oatmeal recipes” or “proats ideas” or something this on one of the lists.

What is Mexican Hot Chocolate?

How is Mexican Hot Chocolate different from regular American Hot Chocolate?

My exact questions the first time I heard the name.

Answer: Mexican Hot Chocolate is milk based, and spicy. Not entirely hot spicy, but the spices spicy.

There is cayenne pepper here for the “hot” spicy, but just a bit. Please follow the recipe on that part; My first attempt had too much and I had to add a ton of other stuff to tone it down!

No food waste so…

Mexican Hot Chocolate Protein Oats Ingredients:

This high protein oatmeal recipe uses steel cut oats for a rich nutty flavor, but you can replace it regular rolled oats as well.

Here’s the full list of what you need to make this healthy chocolate oatmeal:

Steel cut oats
Water and Almond milk to cook the oats
Cauliflower Rice to bulk up the oatmeal, or just double the oats, water and almond milk
Raw Cacao Powder or Unsweetened Cocoa Powder for a deep chocolate flavor
A good Chocolate Protein Powder for a good high protein oatmeal. I love adding Quest Protein Powder to my oatmeal recipes
Cinnamon and Nutmeg for the warm spiciness
Cayenne Pepper for the hot spiciness – or some (extra quantity) chili powder
Almond Milk to thin out the oats after adding the dry ingredients, and keep it dairy free – no milk in here

If your protein powder is not sweet enough, add some sweetener – I recommend stevia for a sugar free chocolate oatmeal.

For a Gluten Free and Vegan chocolate protein oatmeal, use gluten free oats and a suitable protein powder.

Why Cauliflower Rice Oatmeal?

I always make riced cauliflower oatmeal since it adds in bulk without all the carbs and calories that the same amount of oats would add.

Another benefit of adding cauliflower to oatmeal is that you eat vegetables for breakfast without even tasting them!

How to cook Creamy Steel Cut Oats on the Stove?

There’s plenty of ways to do this (instant pot, crock pot, baked), but this recipe is for stovetop steel cut oatmeal.

For every 1 cup of dry oats, you want to add 3 cups of liquid.

Instead of just water, since this is a hot chocolate flavored oatmeal, we’re going to use a mix of water and almond milk.

So here’s steel cut oats stovetop directions:

Let the water and milk boil, then add the dry steel cut oats.
Let it boil again, reduce the heat, cover and let the oatmeal cook for about 20 minutes. Stir occasionally.

Try to use a non stick sauce pan, since the oats get thick really quick and tend to stick to the bottom while cooking.

Make sure to stir the mix every now and then so it doesn’t stick to the bottom – non stick pan or not.

How to make Hot Chocolate Oats with Cocoa Powder

This recipe for chocolate proats is super easy to put together once you have the cooked steel cut oats or rolled oats.

Warm the riced cauliflower in the microwave for about 1 and half minute so it gets tender and mixes completely with the oats.

Then all you need to do is stir together all the ingredients in a bowl: cooked oatmeal, cauliflower rice, cacao or cocoa powder, protein powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper and milk.

Can you store this Chocolate Protein Oatmeal with Cauliflower Rice?

Yes!

I always meal prep my steel cut oats, and you can do the same with regular rolled oats as well, for a quick breakfast.

Cook the oats, and let it cool. If you’re using fresh cauliflower, pulse it in a food processor to make the cauliflower rice.

Keep them both in the fridge, in separate airtight containers, for up to a week.

When you crave the hot chocolate oatmeal, microwave the oats for about a minute, add the cauliflower, then microwave for about 1 min 30-40 seconds.

Continue with the chocolate protein powder oatmeal as per the recipe, and add a little extra milk to thin.

Some more delicious Chocolate Oatmeal Recipes?