These easy peanut butter banana overnight oats are one of my favorite make-ahead breakfast recipes when I know I’m going to have a busy week. All the ingredients combine in minutes and stay fresh in the fridge for days. So, I can just grab a jar for myself or the kids to enjoy a healthy breakfast or snack before we head out the door!
Recipe Highlights
Here are just a few reasons why I love these peanut butter banana overnight oats:
- With minimal prep time and absolutely no cooking required, the ingredients only take a few minutes to mix up
- Best left to chill overnight, it’s great for meal prep and lasts up to 3 days in the fridge
- You can easily mix and match different ingredients to switch up the flavor so you never get bored
- A good source of complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, nutrients, and fiber, it keeps you full for hours
- It’s so easy even the kids can make it
Health Benefits
This overnight oats recipe is not only delicious but also nutritious, too! For instance, bananas are a great source of potassium, and the combo of carbohydrates from the oats and the natural sugars from the bananas makes for a fantastic natural energy booster to start your day off on the right foot. Pair that with the healthy omega fats from the chia seeds and natural peanut butter, and you’ve got a well-balanced meal that your picky eaters won’t even realize is healthy.
Note: While oats are naturally gluten-free, many are made in facilitates with other gluten-containing ingredients. So, if you need these peanut butter overnight oats to be gluten-free, make sure to look for certified gluten-free oats!
Ingredient Highlight: Oats
Clearly, oats are the star of this recipe. Not only are they budget-friendly and versatile, but oats are also a nutritious food source. For instance, the rolled oats in this recipe:
- Are a good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber, which supports digestive health, regulates blood sugar levels, and promotes satiety
- Contain beta-glucan, which can help support heart health
- Provide complex carbs, which help support energy levels
For A Dose Of Probiotics, Add Kefir
Most overnight oat recipes are made with milk, but I love to use kefir instead. Not only does it make the flavor richer, but kefir is rich in diverse probiotics and offers quite a few health benefits like improved digestion and blood sugar management. A fermented beverage often compared to Greek yogurt, kefir has a tangy, slightly sour taste on its own, but don’t worry. The use of sweeteners like the maple syrup in the recipe helps provide a sweet flavor to balance it out.
Make It Nut Free
To make a peanut-free or nut-free version of these peanut butter banana overnight oats, swap the creamy peanut butter with cashew butter, almond butter, sunflower butter, or any other nut or seed butter you like best.
How To Store
Once assembled, you will want to seal and refrigerate your overnight oats for at least 4 hours or up to overnight. This allows the oats plenty of time to absorb the liquid, softening and expanding. As a result, the oat mixture becomes easier to digest and creates a creamy consistency. It’s best to enjoy the recipe within 3 days, or it can tend to become a bit soggy. For easy prep and storage, I like to use single-serving 15.2 fluid ounce mason jars. Then, I can just grab one and enjoy a pre-portioned meal the next morning.
How To Serve
Overnight oats are typically served cold straight from the fridge, but you can easily warm them up in the microwave if you have the time. Then, enjoy them on their own, or pair them with some of our favorite gluten free breakfast options, a fresh fruit smoothie, or avocado toast.
I like to serve my oats with a side of hard boiled eggs, turkey sausage, or egg muffins for extra protein. Or, if I’m short on time or am out and about, I simply stir in a scoop of protein powder.
Don’t forget to add your favorite toppings and mix-ins, too! Some of my favorite options include:
- Maple syrup
- A drizzle of nut butter
- Dark chocolate chips
- Chia seeds
- Cinnamon
- Vanilla
- Sliced bananas
- Blueberries or Raspberries
- Plain Greek yogurt
- Granola
Video: How to make peanut butter overnight oats
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Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats
Make these Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats for a nutritious and easy breakfast. Made with only 7 ingredients, they’re a great higher-protein and and high-fiber breakfast option that are great for meal prepping.
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup milk of choice (kefir, almond milk, regular milk, etc.)
- 1 ripe banana, mashed (⅓ –½ cup)
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon flax meal or chia seeds (or ½ tablespoon of each)
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Pinch of fine salt
- For optional toppings: sliced bananas, peanut butter, chopped nuts, etc
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients except for the toppings.
- Divide among three jars or containers.
- Seal and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Add toppings just before eating.
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Nutrition Information
- Serving Size: 1/3 of recipe
- Calories: 290
- Fat: 10 g
- Sodium: 65 mg
- Carbohydrate: 40 g
- (Fiber: 7 g
- Sugar: 12 g)
- Protein: 12 g
Dietary
The photos in this post were taken by Megan McKeehan.
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I see many overnight oats recipes that look good. Are they meant to be eaten cold or warm?
Hi Becky, overnight oats are meant to be eaten cold. The oats refrigerate overnight in liquid (typically milk, yogurt, or kefir) plus other ingredients, which softens the oats to an oatmeal-like consistency. Then you eat them cold with a spoon.
Love overnight oats and these are delicious! Easy and high in protein! Love to have a healthy way to use my last banana! I substituted almond butter for the peanut butter because that is what ai had in hand. I added walnuts and sliced bananas and a drizzle of some almond butter on top. I will be making this again!
We are glad this will be a repeat Marci!
If i wanted to add some vital proteins powder, how much would you recommend?! Cannot wait to make this!
Hi Madilyn, we’ve used 1-2 scoops of protein powder in this recipe with good tasting results.
Thanks so much!!
I have tried several different types of overnight oats being very disappointed. These are amazing!!! Best I’ve ever had!!! Thanks so much for the recipe. Will definitely be making again!!!
Fantastic Shelley! Thanks for the 5-star review!
Really good feedback! Thank you.
Easy, convenient, and tasty.
Perfect Annette!