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These Banana Bread Overnight Oats are breakfast you can wake up to--5 minutes to prep, vegan and easily made gluten free. Ready right when you wake up! A perfect hearty and healthy breakfast!
~Same recipe from 2015, photos updated July 2020~
I love banana bread and just about in any form. But a 5 minute prep oatmeal version of banana bread? That's exactly what this banana overnight oats recipe is!
Overnight oatmeal is such an easy way to fuel up in the morning. And since the prep is so minimal, it just makes sense. Get a few jars ready tonight, and have breakfast ready and waiting for you in the morning.
Why you will love these:
- They are so simple to make. To make these banana overnight oats, you just mash the banana and then toss the other ingredients into a jar or bowl and mix. There is really nothing else to it.
- Super kid friendly. My picky toddler is a fan of these oats. Some days he is cool with one flavor, others he is not. So I can easily tweak them to jazz them up with some white chocolate chips or a few berries and he is happy again.
- Great for weekly meal prep. Make an entire week's worth of this banana overnight oats recipe in one sitting. It won't take you more than about 10 minutes or so. Then you are set for the whole week!
- Simple to modify to meet dietary needs. Easily make these vegan overnight oats, gluten free or even nut free. Whatever you may need to adjust should still have a delicious breakfast as the result.
If you are new to Overnight Oatmeal, check out this post here for a great place to start!
Ingredients and Substitutions:
- Oats: That obvious?? But what kind of oats is the question. I use rolled oats. I have also made these, adjusting the milk slightly to taste, with quick oats and have found they work really great when I want the same recipe but right now. Some people like steel cut oats, but I am not a fan. They are much too chewy for my taste.
- ripe bananas. This makes them super Mashable and sweet.
- maple syrup: sweeten to taste and feel free to substitute for your preferred sweetener.
- cinnamon: what is a banana bread inspired recipe without the cinnamon, right?
- pecans: you can use sliced almonds or chopped walnuts if preferred. The nuts can also be skipped completely.
- Fun add-ins: flax meal for a bit more fiber, chia seeds, a dollop of yogurt when serving, and hey, more bananas! Some coconut might be great as well.
How to make banana bread overnight oats:
- Mash the banana in a small bowl or jar that can be sealed later.
- Add in all other ingredients with the banana.
- Stir up the banana overnight oats, cover and chill for at least 4 hours.
That is it--literally as easy as 1, 2, 3!
Notes and Tips:
- Sweeten these banana bread overnight oats to your liking. The banana already adds a decent amount of sweet. I go back and forth on the maple--sometimes I just add a drizzle in the morning when serving.
- I find that overnight oats with banana are best if eaten within 3 days. If you want to make these for the week, add the mashed banana in just before serving for any servings that won't be eaten until day 4 or 5.
- You can easily make these banana overnight oats vegan by using a dairy free milk. For gluten free, make sure the oats are certified gluten free.
Do you have to eat your oats cold?
Absolutely not! These banana overnight oats are so delicious warmed up in the morning. Some people enjoy them cold, or are always eating on the run so they eat them cold, but it is not something you have to do.
I eat my oatmeal warmed up at least 75% of the time.
More overnight oats recipes:
- Peanut Butter Greek Yogurt Overnight Oats
- Apple Pie Overnight Oatmeal
- Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats
- Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oatmeal
- Triple Chocolate Overnight Oats
- Blueberry Lemon Overnight Oats
- Vanilla Cold Brew Oatmeal
- Chocolate Peanut Butter
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Banana Bread Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- ½ mashed ripe banana
- ½ cup rolled oats regular or gluten free
- ½ cup milk of choice
- 2 T chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon
- Dash of sea salt
- 1 T ground flax (optional)
- 2 teaspoon 100% pure maple syrup
Instructions
- Mash the banana in the bottom of a bowl or jar that can be sealed. Combine all other ingredients and stir well to combine.
- Refrigerate overnight or at least about 4 hours. Serve hot or cold.
- Garnish with some sliced banana or more nuts if desired.
Notes
- Sweeten these banana bread overnight oats to your liking. The banana already adds a decent amount of sweet. I go back and forth on the maple--sometimes I just add a drizzle in the morning when serving.
- I find that overnight oats with banana are best if eaten within 3 days. If you want to make these for the week, add the mashed banana in just before serving for any servings that won't be eaten until day 4 or 5.
- You can easily make these banana overnight oats vegan by using a dairy free milk. For gluten free, make sure the oats are certified gluten free.
Nutrition
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courtney says
Can you just use water instead of milk to make it low calorie
Lorie says
Hi! You should be able to as it will still soak into the oats. The creaminess and flavor will surely be very different but it will definitely still work!
Denise says
Do you cook the oats before putting them in the jar?
Lorie says
No need to cook, just add them raw!
Jackie Schnicke says
This recipe is fantastic! I have been struggling to find breakfast options due to my dietary restrictions including gluten and eggs, so I finally decided to give overnight oats a shot. And this recipe does not disappoint! It’s simple and easy to make in only a few minutes to then let sit overnight in the fridge. I prefer to heat mine up before enjoying for 1 min, stirring after 30 seconds. Plus I make 2 at a time. I highly recommend this recipe and can’t wait to try the rest of Lorie’s overnight oat recipes!
Lorie says
Yay Jackie!!! This is the best news!!
Stacy says
Swapped the ground flax for chia seeds and added some lily's dark chocolate chips... so good! I will definitely make this again!
Lorie says
Yummmmm! That sounds like my next batch right there!
Dion says
The best overnight oats ever! I couldn’t eat oats cold before but these are so yummy! I wake up craving it!😊 We use banana milk which makes the flavor even better.
Lorie says
Our favorite as well. Banana milk?? I’m so intrigued!
Jessica says
This was super easy to make, and both my toddlers loved it! We made it with vanilla soy milk and swapped in mini chocolate chips for the nuts in the kids' servings. My kids ate up every last bit of it, and my 3yo is asking when we can make it again.
Lorie says
So amazing to hear this one is kid approved!!! Thanks for sharing!
Jennifer says
Hi! Made as written except used vanilla almond milk and skipped the nuts because I did not have any - super delicious!
Lorie says
Yes! Vanilla almond milk is amazing in this recipe!!