Banana Overnight Oats Recipe (2024)

By Laura Fuentes on Updated

5 from 55 votes

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This easy banana overnight oats recipe tastes like bananas foster! Full of flavor and alcohol-free it is the most epic way to start your day.

Can you imagine eating Bananas Foster for breakfast and calling it healthy? With this banana overnight oats recipe, you’ll be ready to eat a delicious and filling meal first thing in the morning!


One of my favorite restaurants in New Orleans, Brennans, makes the most amazing bananas foster dessert. Ordering it, is an experience on its own. The waiter brings a cart next to the table and combines the bananas, brown sugar, butter, liquor, cinnamon, and rum right on the skillet. Then, cooks it and flambés the dessert prior to serving it over vanilla ice-cream.

It sounds amazing, right? I won’t even tell you how delicious it tastes. Let’s just say… that if you ever come to New Orleans, Brennans is definitely a place you want to experience.

Banana Overnight Oats Recipe (1)

These oats are clearly super easy to make but still have all the “wow” factor in the taste department. Check out this quick video to see how easy they are to make.

Banana Overnight Oats Recipe (2)

Banana Overnight Oats Ingredients

It doesn’t take much to make a batch of delicious oats for breakfast; here is what you’ll need:

  • Coconut oil:to sauté the bananas. Butter is also welcome!
  • Bananas:with deep yellow color and a few specks.
  • Vanilla:really revs up the banana foster flavor.
  • Cinnamon:will make your kitchen smells A-M-A-Z-I-N-G.
  • Maple syrup:helps the bananas caramelize.
  • Old-fashioned oats:the optimal choice this recipe.
  • Ground flax:a great source of healthy fats and thickens the mixture.
  • Milk:use regular or your favorite non-dairy option.

*Ingredient measurements are provided in the recipe card at the end of this post.

The recipe works best with steel-cut oats and with old-fashioned oats. Using quick or instant oats will yield a cup of delicious runny mush. The measurements are a little bit different if you want to make Banana Overnight Oatmeal with Steel Cut Oats.

Banana Overnight Oats Recipe (3)

How exactly did I decide to make a healthier version for breakfast? Well, my husband loves oatmeal. He used to buy oatmeal packets with the different flavors, bring fruit with him and mix it all up at work with milk. Feeling bad about the high content of sugar and fake flavors, I began pre-mixing his oatmeal in single-serve jars.

Banana Overnight Oats Recipe (4)

After a while, I had to get creative making overnight oats… so I began adding fruits, cream, maple syrup… and recreating some of our favorite desserts right in the jar. The entire process is so easy and comes together rather quickly; so this is one breakfast staple you’ll often find in my fridge.

Making the Banana Topping for Overnight Oats

The caramelized bananas are what take these oats to the next level, and it’s so easy to make.

  1. Heat the coconut oil in a small saucepan. Add the bananas, vanilla, and cinnamon.
  2. Saute for 2 to 3 minutes or until the bananas become golden brown and begin to soften.
  3. Drizzle on the maple syrup, cook for an additional minute, and remove from heat.
Banana Overnight Oats Recipe (5)

Easy, right? By now, your kitchen should smell A-M-A-Z-I-N-G, and you are ready to make these overnight oats.

How to Make Banana Overnight Oats

Once you give overnight oats a try, you will have a hard time going back to the stove-top version. The oats practically cook themselves overnight, and in the morning, you know you are waking up to a delicious and satisfying breakfast.

Grab your ingredients, glass jars, and let’s get to it!

  1. Make the Bananas Foster
    Prepare the bananas foster on the stove-top.
  2. Make the Oat Base
    In a glass jar, combine the oats, ground flax, and milk. Stir to combine.
  3. Combine
    Top each jar with the bananas foster and seal.
  4. Chill out
    Refrigerate overnight or up to 5 days.

And that’s all there is to it. When you’re ready to eat, give the oats a good stir, and enjoy chilled or warm up in the microwave- there’s no wrong way to eat them!

Assembly is fast and the fridge does the rest. While I like to make these overnight oats when bananas are at their prime, you can also use theoverly ripe bananas you meant to use to make banana bread but somehow never got to baking. The mixture will be a bit more saucy, but just as delicious.

Make next: Easy Banana Waffles!

Banana Overnight Oats Recipe (6)

How Long to Soak Overnight Oats

Instead of cooking, overnight oats get their creamy, thick texture from slow soaking in milk. It takes about 4 hours for the oats to absorb the liquid and soften, but they can sit a lot longer, which is why you can make them the night before and eat the next morning.

Hot Or Cold Overnight Oats

Overnight oats can be enjoyed straight from the refrigerator or reheated. It’s entirely up to your taste and preference. Personally, I love them chilled, straight out the jar. It’s refreshing and just as hearty as oats cooked on the stove-top.

How Far Ahead Can You Make Overnight Oats

Once you make the overnight oats, you have up to 5 days to enjoy them. That’s a long time and another reason this is the perfect breakfast meal prep recipe.

Just combine the ingredients, refrigerate, and you have satisfying, delicious breakfasts on hand for the week. I often grab a jar after a run or pack them with me to the office for lunch; they are good any time of day!

Banana Overnight Oats Recipe (7)

More Overnight Oat Recipes

If you are eager for more tasty breakfast ideas, you’ll definitely want to check out my recipe for Honey Almond Butter Overnight Oats. This is another great one to make ahead so you have a healthy and hearty breakfast every day of the week!

I have many more healthy overnight oats recipes, and I’ve shared a few favorites in the list below. You’ll find ones made with old-fashioned oats as well as steel-cut.

  • Cinnamon Apple Overnight Oats
  • Strawberry Overnight Oats
  • Pineapple Upside Down Overnight Oats
  • Strawberry Overnight Steel Cut Oats
  • Pumpkin Pie Overnight Oats

Banana Overnight Oats Recipe (8)

Banana Overnight Oats Recipe

Laura Fuentes

This easy banana overnight oats recipe tastes like bananas foster! Full of flavor and alcohol-free it is the most epic way to start your day.

5 from 55 votes

Servings 4

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 8 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 teaspoon butter or coconut oil
  • 3 very ripe bananas, sliced
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla
  • ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup
  • 2 cups old-fashioned oats
  • 2 teaspoons ground flax
  • 3 cups milk*

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan, heat up butter or coconut oil over medium heat. Add the bananas, vanilla, and cinnamon to the heated pan and begin to sauté until they begin to break down and juice out their natural sugars – about 2 minutes.

  • Add the maple syrup, stir to combine, and cook for another minute, remove from heat.

  • Inside each jar, place ½ cup oats, ½ teaspoon ground flax, and ¾ cup milk. Divide the cooked bananas evenly over each glass jar

  • Stir to combine, place the lid on, and refrigerate overnight.

Notes

  • You can use butter instead of coconut oil and your favorite dairy-free milk as well.
  • You can eat your oats cold right out of the fridge or warmed in the microwave.

Nutrition

Serving: 1 jarCalories: 306kcalCarbohydrates: 56gProtein: 7gFat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 3mgSodium: 249mgPotassium: 498mgFiber: 7gSugar: 18gVitamin A: 88IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 266mgIron: 2mg

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Banana Overnight Oats Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What not to add in overnight oats? ›

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

Are overnight oats still healthy? ›

While overnight oats are a nutritious, convenient, and substantial breakfast alternative, they can also aid in weight loss. When you eat oats, you won't overeat because they have beta-glucan, which makes you feel full.

How long do banana overnight oats last in the fridge? ›

They're so versatile and because you can stack them they don't take up too much space in the fridge. How long do banana overnight oats last? Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

What is the secret to overnight oats? ›

Add Twice as Much Milk as Oats

Whether you prefer whole milk, rice milk or coconut milk, you can use it. Just make sure to add twice as much milk as oats. Note: You can also use whey, buttermilk or thinned yogurt for a tangier flavor.

Why do overnight oats go bad? ›

Overnight oats will begin to deteriorate after the 2nd or 3rd day in the fridge, mostly due to the other ingredients added to the batch; and, they usually lose their texture and go bad after the fourth day. Make sure that you're storing them in an airtight container in the fridge.

Do overnight oats spike blood sugar? ›

Oats are rich in carbohydrates and a fibre called beta-glucan, which helps in the slow release of glucose into the bloodstream. However, consuming oats in isolation and in the morning may lead to a spike in blood sugar levels due to the Dawn effect.

Can I eat overnight oats every day? ›

Overnight oats are perfectly safe to be eaten every day. You may even eat them every morning if you like. However, some say that they feel oats give them digestive issues; overnight oats are not unsafe for those without medical conditions that affect digestion.

Are overnight oats good for your gut? ›

Oats improve gut health

The Beta-Glucan in oats promotes bile-acid excretion which transports toxins out of your gut. The resistant starches found in oats also provide a rich food source for the friendly bacteria that live in your gut, which helps keep your microbiome in good balance.

How long do you soak overnight oats for? ›

Or do I have to wait overnight? Waiting overnight allows the oats and chia seeds to fully hydrate and soften the oatmeal. We recommend waiting four to five hours for the best experience, but some customers do enjoy eating it immediately for a more textured, chewy oatmeal.

Can you make overnight oats wrong? ›

5 Mistakes to Avoid When Making Overnight Oats

Using the wrong oat-to-milk ratio: If you don't add enough milk, some of the oats will soak up all of the liquid before the rest of the oats can absorb any, creating an uneven texture. Some oats will be very soft while others might still be chewy.

Why do oats overnight say not to use water? ›

Can I use water? No. Adding enough water to make your oats drinkable will greatly damage the taste. Think of it like eating cereal with water, don't do it!

Why are my overnight oats not working? ›

If you don't add enough liquid, your oats will be dry and clumpy in the morning, making them less enjoyable to eat. Make sure to add enough milk or yogurt to fully cover your oats and give them a creamy consistency.

What makes overnight oats taste better? ›

You only need two ingredients to make overnight oats, which are, of course, milk and oats. But it probably won't taste very good, and by adding in Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and a drizzle of your favorite sweetener, you're really creating a well-rounded breakfast.

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