Banana Bread Overnight Oats

These Banana Bread Overnight Oats are a healthy make-ahead breakfast with the flavor of banana bread, packed with protein, fiber, and natural sweetness from ripe bananas.

These Banana Bread Overnight Oats have all the cozy flavors of classic banana bread in an easy breakfast that takes just 10 minutes to prepare. Made with ripe bananas, warming cinnamon, oats, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, and protein powder, they're creamy, satisfying, and perfect for busy mornings.

As a registered dietitian, I love overnight oats because each serving contains a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats to help keep you full and energized throughout the morning. Since this recipe makes four servings at once, it's also a great addition to your weekly meal prep routine.

Why This Recipe Is Dietitian Approved

1. These banana bread overnight oats are high in protein and fiber, which can help support fullness and stable energy levels.
2. This recipe is perfect for meal prep and stays fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.
3. Ripe bananas naturally sweeten the oats, so only a small amount of maple syrup is needed.

Banana Bread Overnight Oats Recipe

Ingredients, Swaps and Tips

Oats: Quick oats, minute oats, and rolled oats all work well in this recipe. Avoid steel-cut oats, as they will get too chewy after soaking overnight (though try my steel cut overnight oats if you're looking for a recipe).

Bananas: The riper the bananas, the sweeter and more flavorful the oats will be. Overripe bananas with brown spots mash easily and create the classic banana bread flavor. If your bananas aren't very ripe, you can microwave them (unpeeled) for 30 seconds to soften them up.

Greek Yogurt: Plain Greek yogurt provides the most protein while keeping the flavor neutral. Regular or dairy-free yogurt can be used, though the texture may be slightly thinner. A higher fat (2% or full fat) Greek yogurt will give the creamiest result.

Milk: Any dairy or non-dairy milk will work well. Cow's milk and soy milk are great options for maximizing protein.

Maple Syrup: Only a small amount is needed since the bananas provide natural sweetness. Honey, agave, or no sweetener at all can be used depending on the ripeness of your bananas.

Chia Seeds: Chia seeds help thicken the oats and add fiber and omega-3 fats. Both white and black chia seeds work great, though white may mix-in slightly better color wise. Ground flaxseed can be used as a substitute, though the oats may be slightly less thick.

Protein Powder: Vanilla protein powder enhances the banana bread flavor while increasing the protein content. Whey, casein, or plant-based protein powders can all be used. Some plant-based protein powders can make the texture slightly thicker or grainier, so you may want to add a splash more milk. If you'd prefer to leave it out, simply omit it and reduce the milk by about ¼ cup to compensate for the lost volume.

The complete ingredient list with measurements can be found in the recipe card below.

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas using a potato masher or fork until smooth (some chunks are ok).
2. To the bowl, whisk in milk, greek yogurt, maple syrup and vanilla extract.

3. Once the liquid ingredients are mixed in. Add the dry ingredients including- oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, salt, protein powder, walnuts and chocolate chips. (I like to finely chop the walnuts and chocolate chips together before adding).
4. Cover the bowl and place in the fridge to thicken overnight.

5. In the morning, divide amongst 4x 10oz glass jars, top with additional walnuts, chocolate chips, banana chips and coconut if desired.

6. Once divided, the jars can stay in the fridge covered for up to 4-5 days! 

Substitutions

Variations

• Add diced apples and extra cinnamon for an apple banana bread flavor.
• Stir in shredded coconut for extra texture and sweetness.
• Replace the chocolate chips with raisins for a more traditional banana bread flavour.
• Add a spoonful of peanut butter or almond butter before serving for extra protein and healthy fats.

Equipment

• Mixing Bowls
• Jars

Storage

Store the overnight oats covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For the best texture, add fresh banana slices just before serving, as they will brown during storage. If meal prepping in jars, keep the toppings separate until ready to eat.

Frequently Asked Questions

More Meal Prep Breakfasts From a Dietitian

If you love these banana bread overnight oats, be sure to try:

• Yogurt Chia Pudding
• Baked Oats Without Banana
• Protein Pancake Muffins From A Mix
• Healthy Breakfast Muffins

📖 Recipe

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5 from 1 vote

Banana Bread Overnight Oats

These Banana Bread Overnight Oats are a healthy make-ahead breakfast with the flavor of banana bread, packed with protein, fiber, and natural sweetness from ripe bananas.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Chill Time3 hours hrs

Total Time3 hours hrs 10 minutes mins

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

Keyword: Breakfast, meal prep

Servings: 4

Ingredients 

1x2x3x

• 2 bananas
• 2 cups milk
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 2 teaspoon maple syrup
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1+⅓ cup oats (quick, minute or rolled all work great)
• 4 tablespoon chia seeds
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup vanilla protein powder (unflavored will also work great)
• 4 tablespoon walnuts, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoon chocolate chips, finely chopped

For topping:

• banana chips, walnuts, chocolate chips, unsweetened shredded coconut

Instructions

• In a large mixing bowl, mash the bananas using a potato masher or fork until smooth (some chunks are ok).
• To the bowl, whisk in milk, greek yogurt, maple syrup and vanilla extract.
• Once the liquid ingredients are mixed in. Add the dry ingredients including- oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, salt, protein powder, walnuts and chocolate chips. (I like to finely chop the walnuts and chocolate chips together before adding)!
• Cover the bowl and place in the fridge to thicken overnight.
• In the morning, divide amongst 4x 10oz glass jars, top with additional walnuts, chocolate chips, banana chips and coconut if desired and enjoy!

Notes

If you prefer to mix the overnight oats directly in the jars, feel free to divide everything by 4 and add the ingredients in each jar.

Protein powder can be omitted if you prefer.

*I have included an estimation of the nutrition information for this recipe below. However, always remember a recipe is so much more than just nutritional content and these numbers do not need to dictate your food choices. Please don't forget that both your body and soul need nourishment! The owner of this website is not liable for this estimation.

Nutrition

Serving: 110 oz jar | Calories: 651kcal | Carbohydrates: 88g | Protein: 32g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 9g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 0.03g | Cholesterol: 37mg | Sodium: 398mg | Potassium: 942mg | Fiber: 15g | Sugar: 21g | Vitamin A: 285IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 414mg | Iron: 5mg

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