There’s something so comforting about banana bread, right? Now imagine that flavor packed into a creamy jar of overnight oats you can grab straight from the fridge in the morning. Yep, that’s what I made here Banana Bread Overnight Oats that taste like dessert but feel like breakfast. It’s cozy, naturally sweet, and so easy to prep the night before. I used some of my favorite staples (like @bobsredmill protein oats and @teddiepeanutbutter), and let me tell you, it’s a combo I’ll be making on repeat.

Method

1. Mash & Mix

Begin by peeling and mashing half of a ripe banana in a small mixing bowl or jar. This step is important because it brings out that soft, naturally sweet banana bread flavor that blends beautifully into the oats. Once mashed, add the rolled oats, chia seeds, ground cinnamon, maple syrup (or honey), a splash of vanilla extract, and your preferred milk. Whether you go with almond, oat, or dairy milk, make sure to pour it in last so everything gets evenly coated.

2. Stir It Up

Next, take a spoon or spatula and mix everything thoroughly. You want to make sure the chia seeds and oats are well distributed in the liquid so they can soak properly. Stir all the way down to the bottom of the jar to avoid any dry pockets of oats or clumped chia seeds. A good, even mix now will save you from a weird texture later.

3. Chill & Set

Once everything is mixed, seal your container tightly with a lid or cover. This helps keep the flavors in and prevents fridge odors from sneaking into your oats. Place the jar in the refrigerator and let it sit for at least 3 hours. For best results, I recommend leaving it overnight. The oats will soften and thicken, and the chia seeds will work their magic, turning the mixture into a creamy, pudding-like breakfast.

4. Top & Enjoy

In the morning, give your oats a quick stir and check the texture. If they’ve thickened a little too much for your liking, splash in a bit more milk to loosen them up. Then, pile on your favorite toppings. I like to slice up the other half of the banana and add coconut yogurt, chopped walnuts, chocolate gems, a sprinkle of hemp seeds, and a spoonful of peanut butter. Serve it straight from the jar for a no-fuss breakfast, or transfer to a bowl if you’re feeling fancy.

Necessary Tools

A small mixing bowl or jar
A spoon or spatula
Measuring spoons
An airtight container (mason jars work great)
Refrigerator space

Banana Bread Overnight Oats

Recipe by Justin SelkCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

servings

Prep time

minutes

Cooking timeminutes

Total time

minutes

Ingredients

½ cup rolled oats (I used @bobsredmill organic gluten-free protein oats)
1 tsp chia seeds
¼ tsp ground cinnamon
½ banana, mashed (save the other half for topping)
½ cup milk of choice (almond, oat, dairy your call)
1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
A splash of vanilla extract
Toppings (optional but recommended)
@cocojune_organic coconut yogurt
Sliced banana (from the other half)
Walnuts
@hukitchen chocolate gems
Hemp seeds
@teddiepeanutbutter smooth peanut butter

Directions

Mash & Mix
Start by mashing half a banana in your jar or bowl. This gives the oats that soft, sweet banana bread flavor. Then add in the oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, maple syrup (or honey), a splash of vanilla, and your milk of choice.
Stir It Up
Give everything a good mix so the oats and chia seeds are fully soaked in the liquid. No dry bits hiding at the bottom!
Chill & Set
Pop the lid on your jar (or cover your container), and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Overnight is ideal, it gives everything time to get thick and pudding-like.
Top & Enjoy
In the morning, top with whatever makes your taste buds happy. I added coconut yogurt, banana slices, walnuts, chocolate gems, hemp seeds, and peanut butter. So good.

Notes

Don’t skip mashing the banana. It helps sweeten the oats naturally and gives that banana bread vibe.
Make sure everything is mixed well before chilling. If not, the chia seeds might clump.
Use a jar or container with a tight-fitting lid to avoid fridge smells creeping in.
If your banana is underripe, the flavor might be too bland. Go for one that’s nice and spotty.
Avoid using steel-cut oats they won’t soften the same way as rolled oats.

Serving Suggestions

Eat straight from the jar with a spoon for an easy grab-and-go breakfast.
Warm it up in the microwave for 30 seconds if you want that cozy banana bread feel.
Add extra milk in the morning if it feels too thick.
Pack it in a lunchbox with a cold pack it makes a great midday snack too.

Fun Fact

Chia seeds might be tiny, but they can absorb up to 10 times their weight in liquid. That’s what helps give overnight oats that dreamy, pudding-like texture. Plus, they’re full of fiber and omega-3s. Magic in a spoon!

Conclusion

These Banana Bread Overnight Oats are like a cozy hug in a jar. They’re creamy, comforting, and totally meal-prep friendly. I love making them at night so my future self can wake up to something delicious, healthy-ish, and ready to eat. It’s got all the joy of banana bread, minus the baking time. Try it out and thank your sleepy morning self later!