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Banana Overnight Oats taste like banana bread, only easier! This healthy recipe makes an easy breakfast on the go, and you can eat it hot or cold.

banana overnight oats in 2 jars

This is the perfect way to use up any ripe bananas you have on hand, and you can prepare two breakfasts (or more) in less than 10 minutes.

Ingredients You’ll Need

To make banana overnight oats, you’ll need just 5 simple ingredients.

  • Banana (the riper, the better)
  • Old fashioned rolled oats
  • Milk of choice (see notes below)
  • Vanilla
  • Cinnamon

I also like to add in some healthy fat to make it more filling, like peanut butter, almond butter, or a handful of chopped walnuts, but that’s optional. You can customize this to your liking!

The banana adds a natural sweetness, but I also like to add a teaspoon or two of maple syrup, to boost the overall flavor. It really reminds me of banana bread!

Which Milk Works Best for Overnight Oats?

Soaking oats in water helps to reduce their phytic acid content, and it seems to be most effective at boosting iron absorption when water is used, rather than cow’s milk. That’s why I suggest using a non-dairy milk, such as almond milk or cashew milk, which is basically water-based. (Especially if you’re using a homemade milk!)

Use oat milk or hemp milk, if you want to keep this recipe nut-free.

How to Make Banana Overnight Oats

First, you’ll need to mash the ripe bananas. Mash them on a plate for the best texture (it’s easier to mash on a flat surface!) then transfer them to two jars that will hold your oats overnight in the fridge.

mashed banana on plate and in jars

Make sure the jars have lids, so you can keep them airtight.

Add in the nut butter, if using, cinnamon, vanilla, a pinch of salt, and the milk, and stir. It’s okay if the mixture isn’t perfectly smooth!

peanut butter and milk added to glass jars

Finally, add in the oats and give the mixture a stir. (I’ve linked to the ones I use in the recipe below!)

It helps if you use a jar that is 14-16 ounces in size, so you have some space to stir.

oats added to overnight oat jars

Cover the jars with the lids, then place in the fridge to thicken overnight!

In the morning, you can just give the oats a stir, and add an extra splash of milk, if you’d like to loosen up the texture. You can also add a splash of maple syrup, if you’d like a sweeter flavor.

banana overnight oats on spoon

More Oatmeal Recipes

banana overnight oats in a jar with a spoon

Banana Overnight Oats

4.88 from 16 votes
Banana Overnight Oats taste like banana bread, only easier! This is a healthy breakfast on the go, and you can enjoy them hot or cold!
prep10 mins cook0 mins total10 mins
Servings:2

Ingredients
 
 

Instructions

  • Peel and mash the bananas. I like to do this on a plate, so they will mash evenly. Transfer them evenly between the two glass jars.
    mashed banana on plate and in jars
  • To each jar, add in 1 tablespoon of peanut butter, 1/4 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla, and a 1/2 cup of milk. Stir well. (It doesn't have to be perfectly smooth!)
    peanut butter and milk added to glass jars
  • Add a 1/2 cup of rolled oats to each, and stir well. Place the lids on the jars and set them in the fridge to chill overnight, or for at least 6 hours.
    oats added to overnight oat jars
  • When you are ready to eat, grab a jar from the fridge, remove the lid and stir well. You can add an extra splash of milk to loosen the texture, and then add a splash of maple syrup, to taste. You can eat these cold right away, or transfer to a saucepan over medium-high heat and stir for 2 to 3 minutes, until the oats are warm. (In that case, add an extra splash of water, as the oats will thicken even more.) Oats can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.
    finished oats with sliced banana on top

Notes

Nutrition information is for 1 jar. This information is automatically calculated, and is just an estimate, not a guarantee.
Serve the oatmeal with extra sliced bananas on top, or a handful of walnuts or hemp seeds to make it even more filling.

Nutrition

Calories: 274kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 83mg | Potassium: 275mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 6g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 44mg | Iron: 2mg
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Keyword: banana overnight oats

If you try these Banana Overnight Oats, please leave a comment below and let me know what you think. And if you make any modifications, I’d love to hear about those, too! We can all benefit from your experience.

 

 

Megan Gilmore leaning on her white countertop.

Megan Gilmore

Hi, I’m Megan. A former fast food junkie turned best-selling cookbook author. I create healthy recipes made with simple ingredients to make your life easier.

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Comments

  1. This was amazing! I substituted the maple syrup for honey because I didn’t have any and I loved it. I also topped it with some granola because I love the crunch while having oatmeal.

  2. This is my new favorite overnight oat recipe! I used crunchy peanut butter and added chia seeds and 3/4 cup of milk to soak up the chia seeds and oats a little better and instead of maple syrup I added agave

  3. This has been my go-to breakfast lately!! I make it as the recipe states but without nuts or peanut butter. When I’m ready to eat, I will add some honey for a little sweetness and a small handful of blueberries. Delish!!!

  4. I’ve made this several times now to take to work for an easy nutritious breakfast. SO good! The ratios of oatmeal to liquid to flavorings is perfect. Easy to throw a few together at night and then grab and go in the morning. I sub some vanilla protein shake for half the milk to add some protein (I’m not a nut butter fan) and that’s sweet enough that I don’t need the syrup. I also add some chia seeds. It’s a great go-to that I’ll keep in rotation forever!

  5. Great recipe. I make soaked oats for the kids and had some older bananas. I opted for cashew flour for the nuttiness and added just a scrunch of salt and pepper.

  6. This is my favorite overnight oats recipe. I have a gingerbread almond butter I use instead of the PB and it’s perfect!

  7. I made one jar instead of two, and will definitely be making this again! It was a wonderful breakfast for me and I was able to eat off of it for three days. I love the flavor combination and the consistency was heavenly. Thank you so much!