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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
- 1/2 mashed ripe banana
- 1/2 cup rolled oats, regular or gluten free
- 1/2 cup milk of choice
- 2 T chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- Dash of sea salt
- 1 T ground flax (optional)
- 2 tsp 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
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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I’ve tried a couple different overnight oats recipes and this is my husband’s favorite. I make two at a time so I can use a whole banana for his work day breakfasts. Thank you very much for the recipe!
So good to hear!! These are my absolute favorite and NEVER get old!
Hi Lorie, you mentioned doing the whole week jar on Sunday. Does the mashed banana not turn black? Or the oats too mushy? I’m definitely liking the idea.
I’ve kept these for several days with no problem. If any longer maybe just add the banana in the morning before serving. That should still be fine!
I’m chew chew chew chew cheeeeeewing this made with steel cut oats, and I wouldn’t recommend it. Had to microwave it 3 1/2 minutes with extra milk to soften slightly, and it overflowed in the microwave. I would not recommend others use the steel cut oats – I only did so because I have steel cut and quick oats (which I thought might get too mushy), but not rolled oats. Guess I’ll be investing in a third type!
I am right there with you. Some people swear by the steel cut oats, but I just don’t do them anymore for the same reason. I think I will actually delete them from the options because I feel like more people dislike them than like them. Sorry for your chewy experience!
Best to eat cold for the resistant starch. Heating destroys RS, which is one of the major benefits of overnight oats..
Can!orie or point content
I’m not sure what this says–the first word has a typo. Can you send it again Maggie? Thanks!
So, does this recipe make enough for one 16oz jar? Do you know what size the jar is in the picture? I was thinking it looked more like an 8oz. Thanks in advance!
Hey Kelly! It is an 8 oz container in the photo. One recipe takes up about 1/2 of a 16 oz. jar!
Can you make a weeks worth ahead of time? Do the jars in the later part of the week still do and taste yummy?
Hi Lora! I have made about 4 at a time with no problem. Every now and then I find that the one I eat on the 4th day seems just a bit dryer so I add in a little more almond milk and I am set to go! Enjoy!
Made yesterday! Great flavor. I made with the steel cut oats, and tried it cold, and found it to be a little hard still, but after popping it in the microwave to warm it up, it was much better, still had a bit of a bite, but I didn’t mind it. With using a really ripe banana and unsweetened vanilla almond milk, it was sweet enough without even have to have to add the maple syrup. And with a dollop of almond butter swirled in, it was perfection.
Btw, I just discovered your website, and you have so many great Recipes, I def will be trying. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Hi Nicole! I’ve only been using rolled oats anymore as I feel the steel cut just never seem to soften quite the way I like it. But this is one of my FAVIRITE recipes. Thanks so much!
Hi, I wonder if your recipe could be made overnight without storing them in the fridge? I live in a dorm which has no fridge (poor me), but I can use the microwave at the office. Is there any advice or alternative recipe for it? I wanna try this since it looks so delicious and fit to my healthy breakfast plan, but I’m afraid the storage issue will make it horrible. Oats are not so cheap in Indonesia 🙁
Hi! I’m not certain what the best solve for this is. Maybe if you used water instead of the milk and then add the banana in just before you eat. I imagine that may be the best way but I’m not sure how it will taste without the creaminess of the milk. Good luck!
I have never tried overnight oats. Can quick oats be used instead of old fashion oats?
Hi Cari! Sorry I am just now responding. The reason these are so heinous is because you can use rolled oats without having to cook them stove top. Overnight, the oats soften as they soak in the milk. You could use quick oats but I think they will absorb the liquid differently so just add more or less based on your preference!