Start your morning out on the right foot with this sweet and smooth Banana Overnight Oats recipe.
My mother was a firm believer that breakfast was the most important meal of the day. If you started your day with an empty stomach, she used to say, you would be less productive, you would be unable to focus, and you would be in a bad mood. As I grew up, I remained steadfast in the belief that breakfast was vital to leading a productive life. However, as life moves faster now than it did in my childhood, preparing breakfast was not always at the top of my to-do list.
To make my mornings a success, I needed to find an option I could prepare the night before. Overnight oats were the answer I was looking for. Though you can find hundreds of overnight oats recipes online, I believe this recipe is the best. It has everything you’ll want from your overnight oats and is delicious served cold right out of the refrigerator or warmed up on the stovetop or in a microwave.
When it comes to overnight oats, there are a few criteria I find make the perfect batch. For starters, the recipe needs to be simple. The goal of overnight oats is to save time not just in the morning, but in your life overall. Texture is another important factor, with smooth and creamy being of utmost importance to me. And finally, they should have a subtle sweetness. This recipe hits all of those marks!
Are Banana Overnight Oats Healthy?
I know it might be hard to believe that a recipe that tastes this good could also be healthy, but these banana overnight oats are a tasty addition to a healthy lifestyle. Oatmeal is naturally low in calories, high in fiber, and a good source of plant protein. With the addition of bananas, you’ll have added potassium and even more fiber.
Delectable Tweaks
While this recipe is great as written, there are plenty of ways you can make these overnight oats your own. Love chocolate? Go ahead and stir in one tablespoon of quality cocoa powder or a handful of unsweetened chocolate chips through the oats. If you’re not a fan of peanut butter, feel free to replace it with almond butter or walnut butter. I’ve even made these oats with pistachio butter and served them with a scattering of chopped, toasted pistachios. So delicious! For some tropical flavors, use coconut milk instead of almond milk and add in some dried pineapple. Scatter with coconut flakes before serving. Speaking of dried fruit, adding raisins or even cranberries is also delicious.
Can I Prep This Ahead?
Making ahead and storing is, in fact, the whole point of this recipe. You can store your sealed jars of overnight oats anywhere from 6 hours to 2 days. I recommend not letting them sit for too long, as the longer they sit, the more the texture and consistency will change.
Serving Suggestions
These overnight oats are perfect just as they are in the jar, but if you want to add a little crunch, turn to your favorite nuts. I recommend pecans, almonds, or walnuts. You can also garnish with fresh, sliced bananas.
Looking for more overnight oat recipes? Indulge your sweet tooth with these Black Forest Cake Overnight Oats or these autumnal Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats. Rather sink your spoon into something a little healthier? Try these Low-Calorie Overnight Oats or these Protein Overnight Oats.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 ripe bananas
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter optional
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 2 teaspoons maple syrup optional
Instructions
- Mash the bananas until smooth and divide them between two jars.
- To each jar, add half of the peanut butter, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and almond milk. Stir until just combined.
- Mix in the rolled oats, seal the jars, and refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours.
- Before serving, stir the oats, adjust the consistency with additional milk if desired, and sweeten with maple syrup to taste. Enjoy cold or warm by heating in a saucepan.
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