Banana Overnight Oats

Ingredients

• 125 g (½ cup; about 1 small banana)mashed banana
• 50 g (½ cup)old-fashioned or rolled oats
• 10 g (1 tbsp)chia seeds
• 2 g (½ tsp)ground cinnamon
• 160 g (⅔ cup)water or milk of your choice
• 55 g (¼ cup)plain Greek yoghurt or dairy-free yoghurt
• More than 1 g (⅛ tsp)fine salt
• 10 g (1 tbsp)brown sugar or honey
• 4 g (1 tbsp)chopped nuts
• 16 g (1 tbsp)peanut butter or nut butter

Instructions

1. 1

   Mash the banana

   In a bowl, mash one small banana with the back of a fork.

2. 2

   Add the banana

   Spoon 125 g (½ cup) of the mashed banana into the bottom of a jar or bowl.

3. 3

   Add the ingredients

   Add 50 g (½ cup) rolled oats, 10 g (1 tbsp) chia seeds, 2 g (½ tsp) ground cinnamon, 160 g (⅔ cup) water, 55 g (¼ cup) Greek yoghurt and a pinch of salt.

4. 4

   Stir and chill

   Stir thoroughly to combine, then cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight.

5. 5

   Adjust the texture

   When ready to eat, take the oats out of the fridge. The mixture will have thickened as the oats absorb liquid; stir in a little more water or milk if you prefer it looser.

6. 6

   Add the toppings

   Serve cold, topped if you like with 4 g (1 tbsp) chopped nuts, 10 g (1 tbsp) brown sugar or honey, and a spoonful of peanut butter.

7. 7

   Keep leftovers

   Store the overnight oats in the fridge for up to 4 days.

What are banana overnight oats?

Overnight oats are a no-cook preparation in which rolled oats soak in liquid until they soften. They are a popular American-style make-ahead breakfast, and this version gets its sweetness and flavour from mashed banana and cinnamon.

Banana: Mashing it into the mixture helps distribute its flavour through the oats. Chia seeds and yoghurt add body, while the optional toppings bring extra crunch and richness.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 512 calories, 13g protein, 24g carbs, 44g fat.

The oats and banana provide most of the carbohydrates, while the yoghurt contributes some protein. The peanut butter, nuts and chia seeds are the main sources of fat in the listed ingredients; serve the oats with fresh fruit or a savoury side if you want to balance the plate with another food.

Choosing the ingredients

Oats: Old-fashioned or rolled oats are called for here; they soften while keeping some texture. Instant oats may become much softer during the same chilling time.

Liquid and yoghurt: Water keeps the mixture simple, while milk gives it a richer taste. Greek yoghurt makes it creamy; dairy-free yoghurt is an alternative.

Getting the texture right

Mixing: Stir well so the chia seeds and cinnamon are spread through the oats rather than sitting in clumps. Scrape the bottom and sides of the jar or bowl as you mix.

Consistency: The oats thicken as they chill. Stir in a splash of water or milk just before serving if they are thicker than you like.

Chilling and serving

Chilling time: Give the mixture at least 3 hours in the fridge, or leave it overnight for a convenient breakfast. Keep it covered while it rests.

Toppings: Add the nuts, sweetener and nut butter when serving for a contrasting crunch and a richer finish. The oats are intended to be eaten cold.

What to serve with it

This is a filling breakfast on its own, but you can serve it with fresh fruit if you want another bright, fresh element. Berries or sliced apple work well alongside the banana and cinnamon.

For a more substantial breakfast, pair it with a boiled egg or another savoury side rather than adding more sweet toppings.

Making it ahead

The basic mixture can be made the evening before and kept covered in the fridge. Add the crunchy toppings just before eating so they retain their texture.

For batch preparation, divide the ingredients between individual jars or containers and chill them promptly.

Recipe notes & tips

• Use a ripe banana for easy mashing and a sweeter flavour.
• Stir the mixture thoroughly before covering so the chia seeds do not gather in one spot.
• Taste the oats before adding the optional sweetener, as ripe banana may be sweet enough for you.
• Add extra liquid a little at a time just before serving to avoid making the oats too thin.
• Keep the nuts and peanut butter aside until serving if you want to preserve their texture.

Variations

• Use milk: Replace the water with dairy or plant-based milk for a richer mixture.
• Add berries: Scatter fresh or thawed berries over the oats just before serving.
• Change the nut butter: Use almond or another nut butter in place of peanut butter.
• Make it dairy-free: Choose dairy-free yoghurt and a plant-based milk or water.
• Boost the spice: Add a small pinch of nutmeg alongside the cinnamon.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Uneven mixing: Stir thoroughly so the chia seeds and cinnamon are distributed throughout.
• Too little chilling: Allow at least 3 hours for the oats and chia seeds to absorb liquid.
• Over-thick oats: Stir in a little water or milk before eating to loosen the mixture.
• Soft toppings: Add chopped nuts at serving time to keep their crunch.
• Over-sweetening: Taste the banana mixture before adding brown sugar or honey.

How to store

Keep covered in the fridge for up to 4 days. Stir before serving and loosen with a little water or milk if needed; these oats are served cold, so reheating is not necessary.

Frequently asked questions