Banana Overnight Oats
Creamy banana overnight oats are made with mashed banana, protein-rich Greek yogurt and nutritious chia seeds. This easy recipe has a delicious banana cream pie flavor and makes the perfect grab-and-go breakfast for busy mornings!
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I cannot get enough of these tasty banana overnight oats! They are perfectly rich with the most delicious banana cream pie flavor. Plus, they’re packed with 16 grams of protein and there’s no cooking required! Just mix everything together the night before and wake up to a dessert-inspired breakfast.
Having overnight oats prepped and ready for the week ahead is a game-changer for busy mornings! Just mix up a few batches, portion them into jars or containers, and let the fridge do the work. In the morning, you’ll have a nutritious, grab-and-go breakfast ready to enjoy. They stay fresh for 5+ days, making them perfect for meal prep. No cooking, no mess—just a delicious, wholesome start to your day all week long!
I made 4 servings of this oatmeal this week and I LOVED it! It’s super quick to throw together. I love how easy it is to grab and go during busy mornings. Just top it with almond butter and you’re out the door! I can see this becoming a staple in my meal prep routine. Thank you for the great recipe!
— Livi
Why this recipe works
- Quick and easy to make: You can have these prepped and in the fridge in a matter of minutes!
- Customizable: Use your favorite flavor of yogurt and add different mix-ins like nuts, seeds or chocolate chips for extra flavor.
- Filling and satisfying: Packed with fiber and wholesome ingredients to keep you full for hours.
- Delicious banana flavor: Tastes like banana bread in a jar, perfect for a cozy morning treat!
What you’ll need
This nutritious banana overnight oats recipe is so easy to make with just a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Rolled oats: A hearty and wholesome base that softens overnight, creating a soft, pudding-like texture. Use gluten-free if needed.
- Yogurt: I like to use greek yogurt for a boost of protein and a creamy texture. You can use plain or flavored yogurt to match your taste preferences.
- Milk: Helps soften the oats and adds extra creaminess. Unsweetened vanilla almond milk is a great choice, but any milk works.
- Banana: Naturally sweetens the oats and gives them a delicious banana flavor. Mashing it helps incorporate the sweetness throughout.
- Chia seeds: Optional but great for thickening the oats and adding fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
- Sweetener: Stevia, honey, or maple syrup can be added for extra sweetness, but the banana may be enough on its own.
- Toppings: Add crunch and flavor with granola, cereal, a drizzle of peanut butter or fresh fruit. Wait to add toppings until just before serving for the best texture.
Variations and substitutions
- Yogurt flavors: Mix things up by using different yogurt flavors. I used Chobani blueberry yogurt here—I just love a blueberry-banana moment! Dannon Light + Fit makes a banana cream yogurt that is also so good in this recipe.
- Flavor boosters: Stir in a dash of cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, or even cocoa powder for extra depth of flavor.
- Nut butter addition: Add a spoonful of peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter for extra creaminess and protein.
- Extra protein: Mix in a scoop of protein powder or collagen powder for a more filling breakfast.
- Crunchy toppings: I love having some crunchy toppings for a contrast to the creamy oats. Try a sprinkle of granola, chopped nuts, or cacao nibs.
How to make this recipe
Making banana overnight oats is as easy as mixing a few ingredients and letting the fridge do the work! With just a few simple steps, you’ll have a delicious, ready-to-eat breakfast waiting for you in the morning. Here’s the simple process:
Step 1. Add all ingredients (except toppings) to a jar, bowl or other dish that can be covered when stored in the fridge. I love mixing everything in an almost empty nut butter jar. It’s a great way to use up the last little bit of peanut butter and add great flavor to your breakfast.
Step 2. Stir all of the ingredients together, cover and refrigerate overnight or at least several hours.
Step 3. When you’re ready for breakfast, take the banana overnight oats out of the fridge, add a splash of milk (if you’d like) and favorite toppings and enjoy! I personally like to remove my jar of oats from the refrigerator about 20-30 minutes before I plan to eat, so they’re not quite so cold.
Helpful tips
Here are some helpful tips for making the best overnight oatmeal:
- Use ripe bananas: A ripe banana adds natural sweetness and blends smoothly into the oats for the best flavor.
- Adjust the consistency: If you prefer thicker oats, add more chia seeds or reduce the milk slightly. For a thinner texture, add a splash of extra milk before serving.
- Sweeten to taste: The banana naturally sweetens the oats, but you can add a drizzle of honey or maple syrup if you like it sweeter.
- Give it enough time to soak: Let the oats chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours, but overnight is best for the perfect texture.
- Wait to add toppings: Add crunchy granola, fresh fruit, or nuts just before eating to keep them from getting soggy.
- Make it ahead for the week: Prep multiple jars on Sunday for an easy grab-and-go breakfast all week long!
Frequently asked questions
Yes! Quick oats will work, but they will have a softer, mushier texture compared to rolled oats. Steel-cut oats are not recommended unless they are the quick-cooking variety.
No, chia seeds help thicken the oats, but you can leave them out or swap them for ground flax or hemp seeds.
Yes! Just microwave for 30-60 seconds, stirring halfway through. Add extra milk if needed to loosen the texture.
Storage recommendations
- Refrigerate: Keep your oats in an airtight container or mason jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. Stir before serving and add more milk if needed.
- Freezing: You can freeze overnight oats in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before eating.
- Toppings: Add fresh toppings (like blueberries or nuts) right before serving to keep them fresh and crunchy.
More overnight oats recipes
If you try this, let me know! Leave a comment and if your family loves it as much as mine does, be sure to give it a five star ⭐️ rating! Also, tag @kimscravings on Instagram with a picture of your creation. Be sure to subscribe to our mailing list to receive more healthy delicious recipes straight to your inbox.
Banana Overnight Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, gluten-free, as needed
- 1/3 cup Greek yogurt or regular yogurt, use your favorite flavor or plain, I used Chobani blueberry Greek yogurt
- 1/3 cup milk, unsweetened vanilla almond milk is my favorite
- 1/2 of a ripe banana, mashed (you can reserve the other half for slicing and topping the oats before eating, if you'd like)
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds, optional, but helps to thicken oats
- stevia or other sweetener like honey or maple syrup, optional
- toppings of your choice, I really love this topped with crunchy granola or cereal and fresh blueberries *wait to top your oats until your ready to eat, not before refrigerating
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Instructions
- Stir all ingredients (except toppings) together in a jar or other covered dish.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight or at least several hours.
- When you're ready for breakfast, take oats out of the fridge, add a splash of milk and favorite toppings and enjoy!
Notes
- Refrigerate: Keep your oats in an airtight container or mason jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. Stir before serving and add more milk if needed.
- Freezing: You can freeze overnight oats in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before eating.
- Toppings: Add fresh toppings (like blueberries or nuts) right before serving to keep them fresh and crunchy.
Did you make this recipe?
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I love this overnight oats recipe! It was the first overnight oats recipe I tried and I’ve been making it ever since! I usually meal prep 4 of these at time so I can have breakfast ready to go Monday- Thursday. I store them in mason jars and they stay good for 4-5 days in the fridge!
This is absolutely delicious!!!
I made it for the first time last week, it was a total hit for my family!!
Very good, easy to make and creamy! This is one of my all-time favorite overnight oats recipes!
I made 4 servings of this oatmeal this week and I LOVED it! It’s super quick to throw together. I love how easy it is to grab and go during busy mornings. Just top it with almond butter and you’re out the door! I can see this becoming a staple in my meal prep routine. Thank you for the great recipe!
Love this recipe! It’s what got me into overnight oats!
I loved this recipe, made for a fantastic pre-workout breakfast today. I used agave instead of stevia. I would also recommend trying it without the banana (the fruit topping is enough for sweetness) and adding some vanilla whey or soy protein powder for more protein. Thanks for posting it!
Great idea, Justin! I’ll have to give that a try.