Overnight Oats | Banana Bread

This overnight oats banana bread recipe is creamy and doughy, loaded with sweet banana, cinnamon, and hints of maple—a satisfying and healthy breakfast! 

If you’re like me and love the cozy, comforting flavors of banana bread, you’re going to fall in love with these Banana Bread Overnight Oats! 

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They’ve got all the warm cinnamon and sweet banana goodness of your favorite homemade loaf, but in a quick and easy breakfast that’s ready to grab as you head out the door. I love how just a few minutes of prep the night before means I wake up to a creamy, satisfying meal that feels a little like a treat—but it’s still packed with the nutrition I need to start the day off right. 

And trust me, those extra banana slices and crunchy walnuts on top? Total game-changer. You also can’t beat a drizzle of creamy almond butter or peanut butter on top for a satisfying boost just before serving! 

Rotate this recipe with my blueberry overnight oats, apple cinnamon overnight oats, carrot cake overnight oats, and cinnamon roll overnight oats to start every day with a quick and easy nutritious breakfast!

Whether you’re prepping for a busy week or just want something delicious waiting for you in the morning, these oats are the perfect solution!

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• 🛒 Key Ingredients
• 🥣 Step by Step Instructions
• 🗯 Tips and Tricks
• ↔️ Customize it
• 🍽 Equipment
• 🍲Make ahead and storage instructions
• 📖 Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• You only need 9 simple ingredients and just a few minutes to whip up this recipe, making it perfect for easy meal prep the night before.
• It’s like enjoying a slice of banana bread for breakfast—without any of the baking! The warm cinnamon, sweet banana, and crunchy walnuts bring all the comforting flavors you love.
• Packed with whole grains, protein, and healthy fats, this breakfast will keep you full and satisfied all morning long.
• It’s so easy to customize! Add more banana slices, a sprinkle of extra cinnamon, or swap the walnuts for your favorite nuts or seeds instead. 
• Make a big batch and have breakfast ready for the entire week! These oats store well in the fridge, so they’re perfect for busy mornings when you need something quick and delicious.

🛒 Key Ingredients

• Rolled oats: These are the heart of the recipe. Whole grain rolled oats give these overnight oats a hearty texture and keep you feeling full and satisfied. For gluten-free overnight oats, use certified gluten-free oats. 
• Milk: This adds that creamy texture we all love and helps the oats soften overnight. Use whatever type of milk you like—dairy, almond, oat, or even coconut milk, it’s up to you.
• Plain Greek yogurt: Greek yogurt makes the oats rich and creamy while giving you a nice protein boost to start your day. If you’re in the mood for something a little sweeter, try using low-sugar vanilla yogurt instead.
• Banana: Mashed banana brings natural sweetness and that classic banana bread flavor. You’ll get the best banana nut bread flavors if you use ripe bananas that have a few brown spots on them, as they’re much sweeter with more banana flavor. I always save a few fresh banana slices for topping because it’s just too good to skip.
• Chia seeds: Just a tablespoon of chia seeds helps thicken up the oats, and some fiber and omega-3s are added. They’re a great way to make your breakfast even more satisfying.
• Cinnamon: This warm, cozy spice gives the oats that unmistakable banana bread flavor we all know and love.
• Maple syrup: A touch of pure maple syrup adds just the right amount of sweetness and a subtle maple flavor. Feel free to adjust it to your liking or swap it out for your favorite sweetener.
• Walnuts: Chopped walnuts add that perfect bit of crunch and some healthy fats to keep you going. They’re the ideal topping to mimic the texture of banana bread.
• Vanilla extract: Just a splash of vanilla ties all the flavors together and adds a hint of sweetness. If you’re using vanilla yogurt, you can totally skip this step.

See recipe card for quantities.

🥣 Step by Step Instructions

1. Combine all of the ingredients into a mixing bowl or mason jar. 
2. Shake or stir until well combined, then cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. 
3. The next morning, stir the oat mixture and eat as is or top with a handful of sliced banana, and a sprinkle of cinnamon and walnuts. 

🗯 Tips and Tricks

• Let them soak overnight: For the creamiest, most flavorful oats, let them soak overnight. If you’re short on time, they’ll be ready in about 4 hours, but overnight really lets the flavors meld, and the oats soften.
• Adjust the consistency: If your oats are too thick in the morning, just stir in a little extra milk until you reach the consistency you like. Everyone’s preference is different, so feel free to make it just right for you!
• Use the right oats: Rolled oats (also known as old-fashioned oats) are ideal for overnight oats. They absorb liquid well and soften nicely without getting mushy. If you only have quick oats or instant oats, reduce the milk slightly, and for steel-cut oats, add more liquid and let them soak longer.
• Top just before eating: To keep your toppings crunchy and fresh, add them right before you eat. This way, nuts, seeds, and granola stay crisp and add a wonderful flavor contrast.
• Batch prep for multiple mornings: Make mornings easier by prepping a big batch of overnight oats at once. You can mix everything in one large bowl and then divide it into individual jars or containers for easy grab-and-go breakfasts. Unlike most of the other overnight oats recipes, which taste good for up to 5 days, these are best eaten in 3 days or less since the bananas start to overripen if stored for too long. 
• Taste and adjust sweetness: Start with the recommended amount of sweetener, but don’t hesitate to adjust to your taste. You can always add a little more in the morning if you want a sweeter start to your day.

↔️ Customize it

Use these substitutions and variations to make this easy overnight oats banana bread recipe your own! 

• Make it high protein: Boost the protein content by adding a scoop of protein powder or using a protein shake instead of the milk. Mix the powder with the milk before adding it to the oats, or swap it for a ready-to-drink protein shake.
• Go plant-based: For a vegan or dairy-free version, use your favorite plant-based milk (like almond, oat, or coconut) and swap the Greek yogurt for a dairy-free alternative. The result is just as creamy and delicious!
• Try different sweeteners: Maple syrup adds a wonderful flavor, but you can easily substitute it with honey, agave, or even a zero-calorie sweetener like stevia or monk fruit. Adjust the amount to suit your taste.
• Optional add-ins: For a fun twist, add a handful of chopped dates, chocolate chips, a drizzle of honey, or dried fruit like raisins to the oat mixture. 
• Add extra crunch: If you’re a fan of texture, try topping your oats with a handful of granola, a sprinkle of seeds like flax or hemp seeds, or even a dollop of crunchy nut butter for added richness and crunch.

🍽 Equipment

Making banana bread overnight oats is so simple that you won’t need anything more than a bowl and spoon. Here are a few tools that might make the process easier if you often make overnight oats!

• 12-ounce jars with plastic lids for easy breakfast on the go
• Silicone spatula set for mixing
• Large glass bowls for making these oats in batches

🍲Make ahead and storage instructions

Make Ahead: These Banana Bread Overnight Oats are perfect for meal prep! You can easily whip up a big batch in one go, making your mornings stress-free and delicious. Mix all your ingredients together in a large bowl, then portion the oats into individual jars or containers. This way, you’ll have a grab-and-go breakfast ready to enjoy throughout the week.

Storing: Once prepped, store your overnight oats in an airtight container or jar in the refrigerator. They’ll stay fresh and tasty for up to 3 days. If you’ve made a larger batch, just scoop out your desired portion each morning, give it a good stir, and add any fresh toppings like banana slices or nuts right before eating.

Tip: If the oats thicken up too much in the fridge, just stir in a splash of milk to loosen them up to your desired consistency. This makes them just as creamy and delicious as when you first made them!

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📖 Recipe