Overnight Oats with Banana (Printable version)

A no-cook breakfast blending oats, banana, dark chocolate, and creamy yogurt for a nutritious start.

# Ingredient list:

→ Oats Base

01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup milk, dairy or plant-based
03 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or plant-based yogurt
04 - 1 tablespoon chia seeds
05 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
06 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Toppings

07 - 1 large ripe banana, sliced
08 - 1 ounce dark chocolate, chopped or chips
09 - 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or almonds, optional
10 - Pinch of sea salt, optional

# Step-by-step guide:

01 - In a medium bowl or large jar, combine oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir thoroughly until fully incorporated.
02 - Cover the mixture and refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours to allow the oats to soften and flavors to meld together.
03 - In the morning, stir the oats well. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash of milk to reach your desired consistency.
04 - Divide the prepared oat mixture evenly between two bowls or serving jars.
05 - Top each portion with sliced banana, chopped dark chocolate, and nuts if desired. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt for enhanced flavor.
06 - Serve the overnight oats chilled and enjoy immediately.

# Expert tips:

01 -
  • Zero morning effort means you can actually sit down to eat instead of standing at the counter scrolling your phone.
  • That chocolate-banana combination tastes indulgent enough to feel like a treat, but it's genuinely nutritious and filling.
  • You can prep two days worth in the time it takes to make one bowl of hot oats.
02 -
  • Don't skip the overnight chilling period thinking you can just add extra liquid and eat it warm; the texture is completely different and not in a good way once you've tasted the real thing.
  • Adding toppings the night before is a trap that will leave you with soggy nuts and chocolate that's bled its color everywhere; save all garnish for the morning.
03 -
  • Use full-fat Greek yogurt even if you usually reach for lower-fat versions; the richness is what makes this feel indulgent enough to actually be satisfying.
  • Taste the chia seeds after they've soaked overnight and if they taste slightly off, your milk may have been starting to turn; freshness matters here because there's no cooking to mask flavors.
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