3-Ingredient Chocolate Oatmeal Cake Recipe

3.56 from 326 votes

This 3 ingredient chocolate cake recipe is vegan, gluten free, eggless, dairy free and no bake. This chocolate cake is low in sugar and it takes only 10 minutes to make it. The taste of this cake is surprisingly good. If you are looking for an easy, light and healthier cake you should give this cake a try.

3-ingredient chocolate oatmeal cake  with strawberries on top

With more than 2.7 million views and over a thousand comments, this chocolate oat cake is one of the most popular recipes on my , and for good reason! Full of rich, chocolatey flavor, it tastes similar to my chocolate cake recipe but is secretly nutritious.

Even better, you don’t even have to turn on the oven. Just melt the chocolate, combine the ingredients, and let them chill. In no time, you’ll have a sweet treat that you can enjoy as breakfast or dessert!


Video Recipe 📹

Watch the full video recipe to learn how to make the best chocolate oatmeal cake. This step-by-step tutorial simplifies the process, offering tips and tricks to guarantee perfect results every time.

YouTube video

Prefer the written recipe? Scroll down to the recipe box 👇


Why You’ll Love This 3-Ingredient Chocolate Oatmeal Cake

Here are a few reasons why this chocolate oak cake has remained popular for years:

  • 🍫Decadent: Made with dark chocolate, every bite is full of rich, sweet, chocolatey flavor.
  • 😍Nutritious: This recipe tastes like dessert but is a great source of fiber, nutrients, and healthy fats! It also meets a variety of dietary needs so everyone in your home can enjoy a slice.
  • 🥜Versatile: You can easily add different mix-ins and toppings to switch up the flavor.
  • 🙌Easy: With minimal ingredients and simple steps, this cocoa oat cake is basically failproof. You don’t even have to turn on the oven! The only hard part is waiting for the mixture to chill.
a piece of chocolate oatmeal cake

Recipe Ingredients

  • Dark Chocolate: Use high-quality dark chocolate for the best taste and texture.
  • Coconut Milk: This combines the ingredients and adds a sweet taste. Use full-fat coconut milk for the best results!
  • Quick Oats: Form the base of the cake. Do NOT substitute rolled oats or old-fashioned oats. If needed, make sure to use certified gluten-free oats to keep your cake gluten-free.

This is just a short review of the ingredients; for the complete recipe, including quantities, scroll down to the recipe card 👇

How to Make This 3-Ingredient Chocolate Oatmeal Chocolate Cake Recipe

Before you begin, grease a 7-inch (18-centimeter) round cake pan with butter or oil. Then, line the bottom with parchment paper, and grease it as well.

  1. Melt the chocolate: Bring the coconut milk to a simmer in a small saucepan on the stove. Then, pour the liquid over the chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Let the mixture sit to melt the chocolate, and stir to combine.
  2. Add the oats: Stir the oats into the chocolate mixture, coating them completely.
  3. Chill: Pour the cake batter into the prepared pan, and let it cool to room temperature. Transfer the cake to the fridge, and let it chill for at least 4 hours or until it’s fully set.

Variations

Feel free to experiment with different ingredients to satisfy all your cravings! Some tasty variations include:

  • Adding chopped nuts to the batter
  • Folding in chocolate chips or peanut butter chips
  • Including banana to make a chocolate oatmeal banana cake recipe
  • Replacing the dark chocolate with semi-sweet chocolate, milk chocolate, or even white chocolate
  • Using regular milk or plant-based milk in place of coconut milk
  • Swirling caramel sauce into the batter
  • Stirring honey, maple syrup, agave, or your sweetener of choice into the coconut milk as it simmers for a sweeter cake
A bitten piece of chocolate oatmeal cake

How to Store

Transfer the cake to an airtight container, and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. Then, serve it cold with your favorite toppings!

I don’t recommend freezing this chocolate oatmeal cake recipe, because it tends to become too soggy once thawed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does oatmeal do for cake?

Oatmeal acts as a binder, holding all the ingredients together. It also helps create a thick, moist texture rather than the light, fluffy texture you find in cakes made with flour. As a result, this cocoa oatmeal cake is rich and fudgy, similar to my brownies recipe.

Are oatmeal cakes healthy?

Unlike traditional cakes, this oatmeal chocolate cake recipe is free from added sugar and contains far less fat and carbs. In addition, it provides a good source of complex carbs, fiber, and antioxidants, which makes it a healthy recipe in my book!

Can I add frosting?

Sure! Once the cake has cooled and set, feel free to top it with your favorite homemade or store-bought frosting just before serving.

More Oatmeal Recipes You Might Like

A slice of a chocolate cake is being lifted from a full cake on a white plate. The image has overlaid text that reads "3 INGREDIENT VEGAN EGGLESS NO-BAKE.

3-Ingredient Chocolate Oatmeal Cake Recipe

Make this 3-ingredient chocolate oatmeal cake recipe with just ten minutes of prep time for a decadent dessert secretly full of nutrients!
3.56 from 326 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
DIFFICULTY Easy
Course Dessert
Cuisine World
Servings 8 yields
Calories 264 kcal

Ingredients
 

  • 6 oz (170 g) Dark chocolate high quality
  • 375 ml (375 ml) Coconut milk full fat
  • cups (220 g) Quick oats

Instructions
 

  • Grease a 7-inch (18cm) round cake pan with butter/oil, line the bottom with parchment paper. Grease the parchment as well. Set aside.
  • Chop the chocolate and lace in a heat proof bowl.
  • In a small saucepan bring the coconut milk to a simmer, then pour over the chocolate. Let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until melted and smooth.
  • Add quick oats and stir until combined.
  • Pour the batter into the pan. Let cool to room temperature, then Refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours.
  • Serve with fresh fruits.

Video

YouTube video

Notes

  • FAQs: Make sure you read the FAQs for this recipe which are located above the recipe box for additional tips and troubleshooting! For extra tips and variations read the article.
  • Watch the Video: For a better understanding of the recipe, I always recommend watching the video recipe, which includes a step-by-step guide to help you succeed.

Nutrition

Calories: 264kcalCarbohydrates: 30gProtein: 5gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 38mgPotassium: 252mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 8IUCalcium: 29mgIron: 4mg
Nutrition information is automatically generated and thus we can not guarantee it is 100% accurate.
Keyword healthy

22 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Thanks for sharing. I will love to try this out and see how it works

    June 30, 2020
  2. Can I sub with oat bran instead?

    July 23, 2020
  3. 5 stars
    I added some chopped walnuts. It was very nice and light cake. Next time I will try to make it with pistachios and will add a bit sugar. Thank you for the recipe!

    July 30, 2020
  4. Why is there a need to lace the chocolate? I don’t see anything decorative about this cake.

    September 11, 2020
    1. * place

      September 14, 2020
    2. I see this more of a base layer for a cake, you can add whatever you want on top or in the cake. You don’t have to follow the exact recipe every time. 🙂

      December 21, 2020
  5. 5 stars
    I would probably add some honey or sugar and vanilla extract.
    Jane, adding nuts is good idea, thank you 😉

    September 23, 2020
  6. Can you sucessfully substitute coconut milk with another 1 or even 2 dairy free milk/ingredients?

    October 5, 2020
  7. can we replace the coconut milk with dairy milk ?

    November 4, 2020
  8. Can I use regular milk instead of coconut milk?

    December 18, 2020
  9. Can I use normal milk instead of coconut milk ?

    January 13, 2021
  10. Can I use low-fat coconut milk?

    February 5, 2021
  11. I made this with a bit of honey. Very nice and filling too!

    February 11, 2021
  12. Joice Adam says:

    5 stars
    I tried to make this and it turned out to be so wonderful. The taste is just right, love the coconut milk flavor. I tasted the dark chocolate first before using it to make sure the sweetness is just right for our taste. And it’s super duper EASY w only 3 ingredients.This is a HEALTHY dessert. We can eat as much without the guilt. Do not compare it to regular flour cake, it’s totally different.

    March 6, 2021
  13. Karubakee says:

    5 stars
    this turned out soooo great, my mother normally doesn’t enjoy healthy cakes but this recipe was such a star!

    May 10, 2021
  14. 5 stars
    It’s really easy and love how chocolatey it turned out to be. I added some walnuts and raisins in the mixture. Serve with strawberry and whipped cream ( if u need more sweetness) 🙂

    October 9, 2021
  15. 5 stars
    I made this in the original proportions and added dried cranberry to it and served it for a gathering. Folks enjoyed it, even the kid who hates oats ate it. I personally loved it and will definitely make it again.

    July 8, 2022
  16. 5 stars
    I made this cake, my son and I loved it, my husband thought it was awful.

    June 23, 2023
  17. [email protected] says:

    5 stars
    Good recipe, use high quality chocolate!

    August 7, 2023
  18. 5 stars
    Delicious!

    January 7, 2025
3.56 from 326 votes (315 ratings without comment)

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