Banana Chia Overnight Oats

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This banana chia overnight oats recipe is incredibly easy to make-just mix up the ingredients, then let it sit overnight in the fridge. The result is a filling and delicious no-fuss breakfast that tastes like banana bread!

jar of banana chia overnight oats with maple syrup being poured on top.

This recipe for banana chia overnight oats is very simple. You can prep everything in only a few minutes, and then when you wake up the next morning, breakfast is taken care of!

With a hearty serving of fiber-full chia seeds, sweet mashed banana, old-fashioned rolled oats, milk, and (optional) Greek yogurt, this wholesome breakfast will keep you fueled until lunchtime. And, maple syrup, cinnamon, and vanilla extract give that ~special something~ that will make you think you are eating banana bread in oatmeal form!

If you need more quick and easy breakfast recipes, please check out my recipes for raspberry oatmeal, easy home fries, and raspberry blueberry smoothie!

(I would also like to thank my lovely 8 year old for her help in developing this recipe. And, for her services as my hand model in the step by step photos 🙂 <3)

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Recipe ingredients
Step by step photos
Double (or triple!) the recipe
Greek yogurt in overnight oats - is it for you?
Tips and tricks
Chia seed safety tip!
Overnight oats topping ideas
Recipe FAQs
Related recipes
📖 Recipe

Recipe ingredients

ingredients for banana chia overnight oats with text labels.

Ingredient notes

milk: you can use any type of milk you like, including non-dairy milk.
mashed banana: this is the perfect use for that overripe brown banana you have sitting in your fruit bowl! Overripe banana will make the oats sweeter.
Greek yogurt: the Greek yogurt is optional; I discuss more about the difference adding the Greek yogurt makes further down in the post.

Step by step photos

Here's how to make the banana chia overnight oats, step by step!

Step 1: Mash the banana with a fork in a small bowl, set aside.

hand adding cinnamon to a glass jar filled with chia and oats.

Step 2: Combine all the dry ingredients into a glass jar or small food storage container. Stir together to combine.

milk being poured from a bottle into a glass jar with oats inside.

Step 3: Add the milk, maple syrup and vanilla to the glass jar.

mashed banana being added to container of overnight oats.

Step 4: Also add the mashed banana (and optional Greek yogurt, if using).

spoon stirring overnight oats together in glass jar.

Step 5: Stir the ingredients together to combine everything.

Step 6: Add the lid and place the container in the fridge overnight, or at least 6 hours. When ready, stir the oats and add your favorite toppings.

Double (or triple!) the recipe

To make a double or triple batch of these delicious banana chia overnight oats, save time by mixing up one big batch in a large bowl, rather than making each jar individually. If you want to pre-portion the oats, you can then scoop the mixture into individual containers.

Quick tip: The recipe card has a "scale" button that will automatically double or triple the ingredient amounts for you!

Greek yogurt in overnight oats - is it for you?

The Greek yogurt is optional in the recipe, but I prefer it with the yogurt! My daughter, who helped me create this recipe (and is my hand model here :)) much prefers it without. I will give you some impressions from my husband (aka the NAD official food taster) to give you an idea of the differences:

My husband described the banana chia overnight oats without the Greek yogurt as "a celebration of banana and chia." He said the sweetness was more pronounced, and there was more of a chia pudding vibe in terms of texture. Basically, the flavors and chia texture shine a bit more in this version.

He also said that the overnight oats with the Greek yogurt tasted more decadent and gave an "ice cream experience" in regards to the creaminess. And of course, there is a hint of tanginess that is added to the mix of flavors.

two jars of overnight oats, one with yogurt on the left and without yogurt on the right. — Overnight oats with Greek yogurt on the left, and without on the right.

So, I'll leave it for you to decide. Greek yogurt or no? Some days I feel like, it just comes down to what you have in the house and if you feel like doing one extra step.

If you make the recipe either way, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment. That would really make my day!

Tips and tricks

It's very convenient to mix up the oats in 16-ounce glass jars. But, if you don't have these, you can make the oats in any food storage container with a lid that is roughly 16 ounces (about 500 ml) in size.

To get the sweetest oat experience, save your overripe bananas for this recipe! I always freeze my overripe bananas and pull them out for recipes like this. See more about how I like to freeze bananas in my banana kiwi smoothie post. Let the frozen banana thaw on the counter for a couple hours, or in the fridge overnight, before using.

Make sure all the chia seeds are mixed into the milk before placing the oats into the fridge. If a little clump of chia has formed at the bottom, try using the spoon to mash the chia clump against the side of the jar to break it up.

This recipe makes enough for one very generous portion, or two lighter portions. I like to eat my fill of the oats in the morning, then I put the lid back on and store the rest in the fridge, until I feel like an afternoon snack!

Chia seed safety tip!

While it's generally considered safe to sprinkle a small amount of dry chia on moist foods (as it is used here for a garnish), it is not advisable to consume larger amounts of unsoaked, dry chia seeds, especially on their own (not added to moist foods). Once the dry chia comes in contact with liquid, it swells very quickly and this can pose a choking hazard or potential digestive issues.

Overnight oats topping ideas

Let's be real, adding toppings to oatmeal (or any dish) is the most fun part! Here are some toppings ideas for your overnight oats:

sliced banana
chopped nuts
a sprinkle of dry chia (see above safety tip about eating unsoaked chia!)
granola
fresh or frozen berries
raisins or other chopped dried fruits
peanut butter or almond butter
jelly or preserves, or apple butter
honey, maple syrup, or brown sugar

Recipe FAQs

How long should I keep overnight oats in the fridge?

Ideally you should soak the oats in the fridge for a minimum of six hours. But, my ideal time would be between 10 - 12 hours. Even up to 24 hours will work well for this overnight oats recipe. When soaked long enough, the oats in the recipe become soft but not mushy, and the oatmeal itself is creamy and thick (even more so if using Greek yogurt). That being said, your "ideal" time may be different due to your own personal preference. Start with 6 - 8 hours and go from there!

When stored for longer than 24 hours, the oats will continue to soften further and the texture will be a bit mushy. This is not necessarily a bad thing, I still find the oatmeal enjoyable a bit mushy (it is oatmeal after all!). You can enjoy the overnight oats for an additional 2 - 3 days after the initial 24 hours in the fridge (3 - 4 days total).

Can I make these overnight oats vegan?

Yes, you can easily make the banana chia overnight oats vegan. Simply use non-dairy milk, and non-dairy Greek-style yogurt (if you want to include the optional yogurt).

What kind of oats are used for overnight oats?

To make overnight oats, you need to use old-fashioned rolled oats. It's a bit like Goldilocks; quick oats will become too mushy, and steel-cut oats won't become soft enough. Old-fashioned rolled oats are just right!

spoon dipping into jar of banana chia overnight oats.

If you've tried this recipe, please leave a star rating and/or review in the comments section below, I would love to hear from you! You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest. And sign up for my weekly newsletter to get recipes delivered straight to you!