This post may contain affiliate links.
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
HUNGRY FOR MORE? Subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for all the latest!
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
Shop This Post
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Buy Now →
Stephanie says
By far my most favorite overnight oats I have had!
Lorie says
Thanks so much Stephanie! This is my absolute favorite so that means so much!
Laura says
This is my favorite overnight oat recipe! Thank you for a delicious and nutritious breakfast. My daughter and I love it 🙂 We follow the recipe and add the flax.
Lorie says
Yay!!! Thanks so much for sharing—this one is my absolute favorite overnight oats recipe of all!!! ❤️
Shannon says
Has anyone ever tried freezing overnight oats? I am a teacher and looking for some ideas that I can prepare now, when I am on holiday, so I just need to pull them out fo the freezer either the night before or in the morning and heat up in the term time...mostly for me, but maybe the kids could be prepared too.
Lorie says
This is a great question!I read up on it and found a few forums where people have said they have frozen them with no issue. I may try this soon to see and report back!
Leona says
I can't wait to try I made 2 jars of the oats I used honey used almond milk and add flax and chia never tried I can taste it now thank you
Lorie says
Hope you love them Leona! This is my very favorite!
Tammie says
This is the one I come back too time after time! It's very adaptable. I sometimes use a whole smallish banana, almond milk, I sub chia seed for the flax sometimes, honey for the syrup. Walnuts would be great! I like mine heated. It is great for mornings when I'm on the run!
Lorie says
Yay! I love hearing my fave is someone else’s as well!!!!! ??
Kari says
I just have to say that love this recipe. I have made other overnight oatmeal and it's always been bland and gross to me but this is perfect. I will probably use a little less milk because I like mine thicker but I definitely love the taste in this.
Lorie says
Kari! Thanks so so much for literally making my day!!!
Emily Kyle says
You are the QUEEN of delicious overnight oats - these were so yummy!!
Lorie says
You are so sweet ?
Lindsey says
Overnight oat recipes are super popular lately and these flavors sound like absolute perfection!!
Lorie says
They are seriously the most popular on my site. This flavor especially!
Liz says
You had me at. banana! I need to share this with my mom, she is the queen of everything banana!
Lorie says
My sis hates bananas. I don’t get it!!! ?
Meme says
Who doesn't love banana bread!? This is so much easier and less time consuming too compared to baking a loaf of bread in the morning there is no excuse someone couldn't make this!
Lorie says
Agree!
Yolanda says
I just made a double batch. I can't wait to try this in the morning. I used to eat a lot of overnight oats but got out of it, so this is perfect for moi! Thanks for the great recipe!
Lorie says
Hope you love these Yolanda!! They are my FAVE!
Shirley says
I plugged the ingredients into a calorie counter. Not sure if you aware but it's over 400 calories...of course the type of milk used will affect the count a little but for me a diabetic it's a lot of calories for this breakfast
Lorie says
Always make any modifications based on your own needs for sure!