Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oatmeal

These easy Overnight Oats packed with fresh banana and peanut butter are the perfect breakfast to have ready to go in the fridge for busy mornings. Packed with protein and fiber, they will keep you full all morning. 

Somehow in the past few weeks, our mornings feel just as busy even though we aren't racing out the door like we used to. On those days, preparing breakfast from scratch can feel overwhelming. That's why I always have at least a few jars of overnight oats in my fridge. Everyone in the family loves them, they are easy to customize, and they keep you full and content for hours.

Over time, a few favorite flavors of overnight oats have emerged and this one is definitely at the top. It's hard to beat the combination of peanut butter and banana, plus if you are using a really ripe banana, you don't need to add any extra sweetener. If you do need sweetener, you could add some maple syrup, honey, or Stevia to keep it free of refined sugars. 

However, the thing I love most about these oats is that not only do they feel indulgent with the creamy oats and peanut butter, they also will seriously keep you full for hours with 10 grams of protein, 10 grams of fiber, and 11 gram of healthy fat. 

How to Make Overnight Oats

After lots of experimenting, I have found what I consider to be the perfect combination for making overnight oats that are thick, creamy, and delicious. For a single serving, start with 1/2 cup of old fashioned oats, 1/2 cup milk of your choice, and 2 teaspoons chia seeds. The chia seeds add a thickness that makes the oats really delicious plus they are packed with nutritional benefits. 

Now let's talk about ways to customize this recipe since you will definitely want to add some flavor to your oats. Always start by mixing any liquid or liquid-like ingredients (nut butter, yogurt, mashed fruit, vanilla extract, sweetener) together so that it combines and the flavor will be distributed throughout the oats. You can also add any spices during this step.

Next, add in the oats and give them a really good stir. Again you want to make sure everything is well combined so that you get an even flavor and texture throughout the oats. In terms of oats, old fashioned rolled oats work best but instant or quick cooking oats also work. The texture will just be much softer. 

Then refrigerate the oats for at least 4 hours, ideally overnight so that the liquid can naturally soften the oats. Then it's time to eat! Overnight oatmeal can be eaten cold, at room temperature, or warmed in the microwave. 

Recipe Ideas and Variations

• Use chocolate almond or soy milk to create a chocolate version of this recipe. You could also use cocoa powder or add some chocolate chips.
• Swap in a different nut butter for a slightly different flavor. It's delicious with almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower butter and I even like it with tahini for a fancy option.
• Finish the dish in the morning with some extra fresh fruit like berries, apples, pears, or dried fruit. 
• Add crunch and texture with some sliced or chopped nuts. You could also add seeds, hemp hearts, or any other add-ins you like.
• For a truly gluten free version, make sure to use certified gluten free oats. 
• Add a punch of protein and calcium by adding 1/4-1/2 cup of yogurt to the oatmeal mixture. This is also a great way to add flavor and sweetness.
• For a thicker overnight oat mixture, add some extra chia seeds or use less milk. For a thinner, more porridge like consistency use a little extra milk.

Common  Questions About Overnight Oatmeal

Can I use instant oats to make overnight oats? What about steel cut? Quick cooking?

Both quick cooking and instant oats can be used for overnight oat recipes but the texture will be much softer. You can remedy that by using a little less liquid or just enjoying the softer oats, they will still taste good. Steel cut oats don't work well for overnight oats unless they are par-cooked before since they don't absorb liquid in the same way.

Can these be made without chia seeds?

Absolutely! The chia seeds help to thicken the oats since they absorb liquid and also pack in some extra nutrients and fiber. However, the oats will turn out just fine without the chia seeds. You could also swap in flaxseed meal since it is another nutrient dense, natural thickener.

How do you eat overnight oats?

Basically any way you like! These can be eaten cold right out of the fridge, which is nice during hot summer months. They can be eaten room temperature by letting them sit out for a bit before serving. You can also heat them up for 45-60 seconds in the microwave for a more traditional oatmeal taste. If the oats seem too thick, just add a little bit of extra milk.

How long do they last in the fridge?

Overnight oats will last for 4-5 days in the fridge but you need to be aware that some fruits may not last quite as long. Normally I find with bananas, I don't like to prep them more than 3 days in advance. Berries sometimes also don't last as well in the fridge. You can always add the fruit right before serving.

More oatmeal recipes

• Strawberry Banana Baked Oatmeal
• Best Microwave Oatmeal
• Frozen Oatmeal Cups
• Baked Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Muffins
• Oatmeal Smoothies