Banana Chia Overnight Oats
Banana Chia Overnight Oats with wholesome oats, banana, maple syrup, chia seeds, and almond milk are a hearty, healthy breakfast with the cozy flavors of banana bread. Perfect meal prep breakfast for busy mornings.
Try Banana Carrot Muffins and Yogurt Chia Pudding next!
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I'm a huge fan of overnight oats, and I make a batch of them every week. My go-to formula is equal parts oats, almond milk, and yogurt, but when we have overripe bananas on the counter, they get subbed in for the yogurt. And this time, I threw in some chia seeds for a punch of protein and other good stuff.
Which brings me to this easy Chia Banana Overnight Oats recipe. It's a satisfying, nutritious breakfast filled with warm and cozy flavors of sweet bananas, rich maple syrup, and ground cinnamon. It's a simple recipe to stir together the night before for a fast, convenient breakfast the next morning.
Be sure to check out my other overnight oat recipes for classic Peanut Butter & Jelly Overnight Oats, Cinnamon Applesauce Overnight Oats, and Double Chocolate Banana Overnight Oats.
🍌Ingredients
See recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full list of ingredients and exact amounts.
- Mashed bananas. Use up those overripe bananas with brown peels -- they have the most delicious banana flavor and add natural sweetness.
- Maple syrup. Honey works, too. You can also skip the sweetener if you like. We never do :).
- Chia seeds. Chia seeds are a source of many health benefits. They expand in liquid and create a pudding-like consistency.
- Milk of choice. I use unsweetened almond milk. Any dairy or non-dairy milk will work.
- Rolled oats. Old fashioned oats and quick cooking steel-cut oats are my top choices for overnight oats. I don't recommend quick oats because they quickly turn mushy. You can read more about the best type of oats for overnight oats here. If you use quick steel cut oats, you may need to add a little more liquid before serving.
🫐Variations or Substitutions
This banana chia overnight oats recipe is just the beginning. Customize them to suit your taste. Here are some ideas!
- Chocolate. Stir in a tablespoon of cocoa powder. Serve topped with chocolate chips.
- Peanut butter. Peanut butter banana overnight oats are super yummy! Add peanut butter powder to the oat mixture and serve with a drizzle of peanut butter and chopped peanuts.
- Applesauce. Substitute the banana with applesauce -- you won't be sorry! Be sure to add plenty of cinnamon and top with chopped apples and crunchy granola.
- Mix-ins. Enhance the flavors of your banana oatmeal with a little maple, almond, or vanilla extract or spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger. You can also stir in your favorite protein powder -- you may need to add a little more liquid.
- Toppings. Fresh fruit, berries, toasted nuts or coconut, mini chocolate chips, a drizzle of almond butter, honey, or maple syrup are all good ideas!
🥣How to Make Banana Chia Overnight Oats
Step 1: Mash the banana in a small bowl. Stir in the maple syrup, then the chia seeds and almond milk. Let them sit for a few minutes, then give it a good stir to break up any clumps of chia seeds. Stir in cinnamon and salt, if using.
Step 2: Cover and refrigerate at least 4-6 hours up to overnight. Spoon into a small bowl or mason jar and top with yummy things like banana slices, toasted nuts, chocolate chips, and a drizzle of honey.
✅Top Tips
- Add an extra splash of milk as needed if the oats become too thick after soaking overnight.
- Use a ripe or slightly overripe banana for the best flavor and sweetness.
- To keep the toppings fresh, add them right before serving.
🎁Storage
Store chia banana oats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.
🗓️Make Ahead
Banana chia overnight oats are the perfect make ahead breakfast because they have to be made at least 6 hours ahead of time. They are best enjoyed within about 3 days.
❓FAQ
I typically use equal parts almond milk and oats in my overnight oats recipes, plus ½ cup yogurt or mashed banana.
Depends on what you have and what you like. Overnight oats need liquid, like milk, to hydrate the oats. The yogurt adds creaminess and yummy flavor. If all you have is yogurt, thin it with a little water until it's the consistency of milk and soak the oats in that instead. If you'd rather not use yogurt, add ½ cup mashed banana for creaminess.
Yes, usually. One of the benefits of the no-cook method is no cooking. But if you like your overnight oats warm, you can definitely warm them up in the microwave!
😋More Healthy Breakfast Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
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📖 Recipe
Banana Chia Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- ½ cup mashed banana 1 medium banana
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup, optional, to taste
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- ½ cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
- ½ cup rolled oats see notes, do not use quick oats
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
- pinch of salt, optional
Instructions
- Mash the banana in a small bowl. Stir in the maple syrup. Add the chia seeds and almond milk and stir well. Stir in the oats, cinnamon, and salt.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 6 hours or overnight. Serve with your favorite toppings like fresh fruit, nuts, granola, chocolate chips, and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup.
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Notes
- Add sweetener as needed. You may not need any if your banana is really sweet.
- Use a ripe or slightly overripe banana for the best flavor and sweetness.
- Rolled oats or quick steel-cut oats are best for overnight oats. If using quick steel-cut oats, you may need to add a little more liquid the next day.
- Add an extra splash of milk as needed if the oats become too thick after soaking overnight.
- To keep the toppings fresh, add them right before serving.
