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This Banana Overnight Oats recipe is a healthy breakfast that you can make ahead of time for busy mornings. It is a flexible recipe that can easily be customised to suit dietary and flavour preferences.
As busy parents, we are often looking for easy, convenient breakfasts that are a healthy way to start the day.
Overnight oats fit the bill perfectly and they can be prepared in many ways. Some of our favourites include apple overnight oats, mango overnight oats, strawberry overnight oats and blended overnight oats. And, when you get fed up with oats, you can always give overnight Weetabix a try.
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Reasons to Love this Recipe
- Easy to Prepare: It takes minutes to prepare in the evening and makes your mornings a little more relaxed.
- Nutritious: These bananas overnight are fruit-sweetened and are a healthy breakfast option. They are high in fibre, a good source of potassium, vitamin C and other essential nutrients.
- Versatile: This is a flexible recipe that can easily be customised to suit dietary needs or taste. You can also make it your own by varying the toppings added.
- Portable: Prepare in a jar or container for a portable option.
Ingredient Information (and Alternative Suggestions)
For the full recipe, with ingredient amounts, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
- Oats - use old-fashioned / rolled oats for the best consistency. Quick-cook oats go too soggy and steal-cut oats do not soften enough.
- Chia Seeds are optional but I like to add them for extra nutrition (they are an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, rich in antioxidants, and they provide fibre, iron, and calcium), they also make the overnight super creamy and pudding-like.
- Cinnamon is also optional. Banana and cinnamon go so well together and the cinnamon adds natural sweetness and flavour.
- Banana - you can't make banana overnight oats without the banana! The mashed banana adds sweetness, thickness and flavour.
- Peanut Butter again is optional but adds a creamy texture and also boosts the protein content.
- Milk - the milk you choose is up to you. If the texture is too thick in the morning you can add a splash more milk.
Step By Step Instructions
You can prepare overnight oats in a regular bowl, glass jar or container. Cover and refrigerate. The next day just stir and enjoy!
Topping and Combination Suggestions
Toppings are optional but add extra flavour and texture to the dish. Let your kids have fun with the toppings and proving them with some fresh fruit, dried fruit, nut butters, nuts, seed and spices to choose from. Toppings should be age-appropriate, be mindful of the toppings you use for young children. (e.g. Nuts can be a choking hazard and should be missed out or finely chopped.)
Adding banana to overnight oats makes the oats lovely and sweet, without having to add any other sweeteners. Banana works with so many other ingredients so the combinations are endless. Why not try...
- Chocolate Banana Overnight Oats - omit the cinnamon and add 1-2 tablespoon of cocoa.
- Blueberry Banana Overnight Oats - replace the cinnamon with some vanilla and add a layer of blueberries on top.
- Raspberry Banana Overnight Oats - add a layer of whole or mashed raspberries on top.
Recipe FAQs
Overnight oats are basically a no-cook method of making oatmeal/porridge. Instead of heating oats on the cooker top (or microwave), you soak the oats overnight in milk. This allows the oats to absorb the liquid to produce a creamy pudding-like porridge.
Overnight oats are typically served chilled, straight from the refrigerator, making them perfect for warmer months and busy mornings.
Generally, overnight oats are eaten cold but if you prefer you can heat the oats up in the morning. Just place them in the microwave for one minute and be sure to use a microwave-safe container.
The oats are textured so they are a good step up from pureed baby food, helping babies to learn to move more textured foods in their mouths. Use the milk you would normally prepare your baby food with.
Other Oat Recipes
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Banana Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 40g (⅓ cup) Rolled Oats
- 1 tablespoon Chia Seeds
- ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon
- ½ Banana, mashed
- 1 tablespoon Peanut Butter
- 120ml (½ cup) Almond Milk (or milk of choice)
Instructions
- Add oats, chia seeds, cinnamon to a glass jar / Tupperware container / bowl and stir to combine.
- Add the mashed banana, peanut butter and a splash of the milk. Stir to fully combine.
- Add the remaining milk, stir, cover and refrigerate overnight (or for a minimum of 4 hours)
- Uncover and enjoy from the container/bowl the next day. Thin with a little more milk if desired and add toppings of choice.
Recipe Notes
- Oats - use old-fashioned / rolled oats for the best consistency. Quick cook oats go too soggy and steal cut oats do not soften enough.
- Chia Seeds are optional they make the overnight super creamy and pudding-like.
- Cinnamon is also optional
- Peanut Butter again is optional but adds a creamy texture and also boosts the protein content.
- Milk the milk type you choose is up to you.
Sarah
I’m about to start 16:8 fasting. Would this be a healthy option (without peanut butter) to start within the fasting window
Amy
Hi Sarah, sorry I have no experience with fasting but I'd say it would be a good option 🙂
Shannon
This is a simple, filling recipe perfect for those busy weekday morningsI I usually double it, so that my 3 year old and I can eat it for a couple of mornings. We both love it! The ripe banana adds a really lovely natural sweetness.
Amy
Lovely to hear, thanks Shannon 🙂
Wardah
Can i Use cow milk for my 11 month old?
Amy
Hi Wardah, you can cook / serve cows milk to your 11 month old when in recipes - just don’t serve as a drink yet. 🙂
Arianna
Wow I just made this recipe and love it! Thank you! Wondering how many days this will keep if I pre-make a few days worth? Or will the oats get too soggy after more than 24 hours?
Amy
Hi Arinanna, sorry for the delay in replying but I am travelling at the moment. The overnight oats would last for a few days in the refrigerator but I think the banana would brown so it may not look the best.
Pooja
Thanks for this recipe I am thinking to try with my toddler who no longer likes her weetbix! Quick question - can you warm the overnight oats or is it best to serve cold?
Amy
Hi Pooja, overnight oats are designed to eat cold but you can heat up if you prefer. I have a recipe for banana porridge (oatmeal) if you prefer a warmer breakfast. https://www.healthylittlefoodies.com/banana-porridge-oatmeal/
Carlzz
Very nice flavours, my baby enjoyed it. How long can I keep this in the fridge for before I shouldn't serve it anymore?
Amy
Hi Carlzz, I'm glad you enjoyed these. I'd keep this refrigerated for up to two days 🙂
Eileen Tarquinio
Love this recipe for my toddler but he only eats about 1/3 cup each morning. Think i can freeze it in small containers to store a few days longer?
Amy
Hi Eileen, you can freeze overnight oats but I haven't tested this recipe. The texture may change with the banana but I'm sure yout toddler will still enjoy it 🙂
Claire
So yum, great to make ahead. A family fave in our house 🙂
Amy
So happy you enjoy it, Claire 🙂
Mena G
So nice, my 2 & 4 year old boys loved it.
Amy
So glad they enjoyed it, Mena 🙂
Lorraine Abela Vassallo
I loved it but without the peanut butter as it makes me tummy ache. Keep it up !!
Amy
THanks Lorraine, glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Katy
My little one loved this (10 months old) but what seems like a hundred chia seeds came out in her diaper (haha!).
Amy
Ha ha! I can only imagine! Glad he liked it 🙂
Rach
Just made this for the morning, don't have chia seeds or cinnamon so popped some vanilla extract in it
Amy
Hi Rach, I hope you enjoyed the oats 🙂 Good choice with vanilla, that would add a lovely flavour 🙂