Banana Overnight Oats (Easy Breakfast Idea)

Name: Banana Overnight Oats
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 ripe banana, mashed; 1/2 cup rolled oats (old fashioned); 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt; 3/4 cup unsweetened oat milk (or milk of choice); 1 tablespoon chia seeds; 2 teaspoons honey (or to taste); 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

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This Banana Overnight Oats recipe is the perfect make ahead breakfast (or snack). Creamy, delicious, made from real food ingredients and only takes 5 minutes to prep! A healthy breakfast option that is ready to eat when you wake up – perfect for busy mornings!

Mason jar of banana overnight oats with honey, banana slices and some rolled oats scattered next to it.

Do you see that overripe banana sitting on your counter? Use it to make yourself a healthy simple breakfast in just 5 minutes! Let me introduce you to banana overnight oats.

This easy and delicious overnight oats recipe is sweetened with mashed banana and a bit of honey. Greek yogurt and chia seeds are used to create a creamy pudding-like texture.

It’s so quick and easy to prep the night before. In the morning, the oats will have softened and everything will be thick and creamy. Get creative with toppings if you like and dig in – YUM!

Reasons To Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How To Make Banana Overnight Oats
Meal Prep + Storage
Recipe FAQ
Possible Variations
More Easy + Healthy Breakfast Ideas
Banana Overnight Oats Recipe

Reasons To Love This Recipe

Easy to make: Only 5 minutes of prep and no cooking required
Perfect for busy mornings: It’s made ahead of time and ready to go when you wake up
Healthy breakfast option: Made with real food ingredients and refined sugar-free
Great for meal prep: Make multiple servings for the next few days
Easy to customize: Easily make it gluten free, dairy free or vegan
Delicious: The most important reason!

Line up of honey, banana slices, rolled oats and a jar of overnight oats against a white background.

Ingredients You’ll Need

You will need the following ingredients to make this banana overnight oats recipe…

Rolled Oats (Old Fashioned Oats): Use old fashioned rolled oats for the best texture. Instant (quick) oats and steel cut oats don’t absorb the liquid the same way.
Banana: Overripe banana is best since it is sweet and mashes easily.
Greek Yogurt: This give the overnight oats a rich and creamy texture while also adding some protein. I like to use a plain, full fat variety.
Oat Milk: Unsweetened oat milk or your milk of choice
Chia Seeds: The chia seeds provide extra nutrition and also help to thicken the overnight oats into a pudding-like consistency.
Vanilla Extract: For flavour.
Honey: Adjust to taste.

Overhead shot of the ingredients needed to make banana overnight oats.

Detailed ingredient list and directions located in the recipe card below.

How To Make Banana Overnight Oats

This breakfast recipe couldn’t be easier. Simply…

Add all the ingredients to a jar. I’m using a wide mouth 16-oz mason jar. You could also use a container or a bowl.
Stir together until combined.
Cover and place in fridge overnight (or at least 3-4 hours).
Add on some toppings before serving or just grab a spoon and dig in!

Topping Ideas

Not only do toppings look cute but they also add some additional taste and texture. Here are a few topping ideas that would taste delicious with these banana overnight oats:

Freshly sliced bananas
Chopped walnuts or pecans
Peanut butter or almond butter
Chocolate chips or cacao nibs
Coconut flakes or shredded coconut
Granola or granola clusters
Spices like cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, etc.

A mason jar of banana overnight oats garnished with fresh banana slices and a spoon sticking out.

Meal Prep + Storage

Meal Prep: This recipe is perfect for meal prep. You can either make one the night before or make multiple servings for the next few days all at once to save time. A larger batch can be made in one large container or separated out into single serving jars/containers.
Storage: Store in a jar or airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. Tip: Store in single serve containers or jars for an easy to grab breakfast in the morning.

Containers For Overnight Oats

You will want to use something with a lid so they stay covered in the fridge. I love using mason jars or glass containers. 16-oz wide mouth mason jars are perfect since they provide enough room for the oats to soak up the liquid and to add toppings in the next day. The wide mouth also makes it easy to add all the ingredients and stir together directly in the jar.

I usually use these Ball mason jars with plastic storage caps. Smaller 8-oz (1 cup) jars or containers like these Weck jars are also great if you prefer to split the overnight oats up into two smaller portions. This is a great idea for snacks or a small breakfast.

Recipe FAQ

What are overnight oats?

Overnight oats are a no-cook method for making oatmeal. Rolled oats are mixed with liquid and other mix-ins and then left to soak in the fridge until soft and thickened.

How long do overnight oats need to soak?

The name would suggest overnight which is my recommendation for the best texture. However, they can also soak for as little as 3-4 hours if you don’t have the time to wait.

What does soaking oats overnight do?

The soaking process allows the oats to soften and break down so they can be eaten uncooked.

Do you eat them hot or cold?

Overnight oats are meant to be eaten cold but you can heat them up if you prefer them warm.

Does the banana go brown in overnight oats?

There is not any noticeable discoloration since the mashed banana is mixed into the overnight oats mixture. A topping of freshly sliced banana will discolor though so it is best to add toppings like this once you are ready to eat.

How long do banana overnight oats last?

Up to 5 days in a sealed jar or container in the fridge.

What kind of oats are best for overnight oats?

Old fashioned rolled oats provide the best texture.

Is this a healthy breakfast option?

It’s made from a few real food ingredients, whole grain and packed with fiber. So I would say yes!

Two jars of banana overnight oats garnished with banana slices with a honey dipper and some rolled oats beside them.

Possible Variations

This recipe is really easy to customize. Here are a few options…

Make it gluten free: Make sure to use certified gluten free oats. Even though oats are naturally gluten free, they are often processed in the same facility as grains containing gluten.
Make it dairy free: Use a plant based yogurt instead of Greek yogurt.
Make it vegan: Use a plant based yogurt and swap the honey for maple syrup.
Adjust sweetness: Make is sweeter or less sweet by adjusting the quantity of honey to suit your tastes.
Add more protein: Top with nuts and seeds, nut butter or additional Greek yogurt. Or mix in some protein powder or collagen powder when making the mixture.

More Easy + Healthy Breakfast Ideas

Here are a few more easy to make, healthy breakfast options…

Did you try this banana overnight oats recipe? Let me know in the comments!