Banana Overnight Oats

Name: Banana Overnight Oats
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
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)

By Weatherly Becker-GottliebJun 26, 2024Jump to Recipe

This Banana Overnight Oats recipe is such a sweet and smooth way to start your day, you’ll dream about it all night long.

Table of Contents

I remember as a child waking up, getting ready for school, and going into the kitchen where my mother had prepared breakfast for me. 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. I had friends who would come to school having not eaten anything and it made me think my mother might have been on to something, as those friends spent the first half of the day looking forward to lunch time more than learning.

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. Those extra 10 minutes of sleep seemed more important than taking the time to make breakfast. I needed to find an alternative, an option I could prepare the night before and enjoy on the go the next morning. 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 in a skillet.

When it comes to overnight oats there are a few criteria I find make the perfect batch. Number 1, and most important, the recipe should be simple. The goal of overnight oats is to save time not just in the morning but in your life overall. Number 2, the recipe should be smooth and creamy when enjoyed the next day. Finally, number 3, your overnight oats should have a light sweetness to them so that they can be enjoyed cold or warm. This recipe hits all of those marks: it should take you no more than 10 minutes to prepare; it has a gentle creaminess, thanks to the blend of mashed bananas and almond milk; and a sweetness courtesy of the banana, vanilla, and cinnamon.

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 just that, healthy and delicious. A single serving of these banana overnight oats is only 350 calories. Not to mention the carbs from the oats are slow digesting, allowing you to stay full longer. Oats themselves are a great source of protein, fiber, and antioxidants, which not only help lower blood pressure and cholesterol, but also aid in weight loss and help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. In line with the oats, the bananas are a well-known source of potassium, are high in dietary fiber, help regulate blood pressure, and give you a natural mood boost. Oats and bananas are the perfect marriage for a delicious and healthy breakfast.

How do I know my bananas are ready for the recipe?

The perfect bananas are needed for the perfect banana overnight oats, so no green ones. Make sure your bananas are somewhere between bright yellow and pale yellow, and just starting to get brown speckles. Your bananas may have some slight bruising, but avoid that as much as possible as it means your banana is beginning to go beyond ripe. Your bananas should not be too firm—the softer your banana, the better—but avoid bruised ones.

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

Prepare then distribute bananas.

Combine

Add peanut butter, spices, vanilla, and milk.

Chill

Mix in oats and refrigerate overnight.

Adjust

Stir, adjust texture, and sweeten.

Devour!

FAQs & Tips

How do I prep and store these oats?

This, of course, is the whole point of the recipe. You can store your sealed jars of overnight oats anywhere from 6 hours to 4 days. I recommend not letting them sit for too long, as the longer they sit, the more the texture and consistency will change.

Can I substitute frozen bananas for this recipe?

While it is possible to substitute frozen bananas in this recipe, I would not recommend it. When bananas are frozen, they begin to brown and soften quickly. Frozen bananas are great for baking due to their elevated sweetness, but with this recipe you want a ripe banana, so fresh bananas are all I would recommend.

What if I want my overnight oats to be warm?

While this recipe for banana overnight oats can be enjoyed cold, some may enjoy warming their oats like a traditional oatmeal. Simply warm your overnight oats in a skillet at a low heat. If you do decide to warm your overnight oats, add a little milk or water to avoid drying them out.

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 almonds or walnuts. You can also garnish with fresh sliced bananas. As we have discussed, maple syrup adds a little bump of sweetness, as does honey, if you prefer it.

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