This page contains some affiliate links. Please review my disclosure policy.
Prep your breakfast in 5 minutes or less with these Banana Nut Overnight Oats. Pop them in the fridge overnight for an easy, healthy and nutritious breakfast waiting for you in the morning.
I feel like people are in two camps when it comes to oatmeal – they either love it or despise it. I’m willing to bet if you’re not in love with oatmeal, you likely aren’t adding enough fun flavors in!
Over the years my morning oats have made quite the transformation. They started off pretty basic with just some bananas and nuts before I dove into some crazier flavors like this mocha version or this pumpkin spice latte version. Likewise, my overnight oats photo styling has seemed to have gotten a little fancier…Can you blame me?
But sometimes you gotta go back to the basics! I created these Banana Nut Overnight Oats and they were too good not to share.
Why Overnight Oats?
I love overnight oats for a few reasons:
- Number one has got to be how easy they are! Just mix and set it in your refrigerator! Will close to no effort, you get to wake up to a delicious breakfast.
- The second reason is the temperature! I know that sounds weird but I love that it’s cold oatmeal! I don’t crave a hot bowl of oatmeal in the summer usually so this is my fix.
- Lastly, I love that the flavor combinations are truly endless. Once you feel comfortable making this recipe, try some fun additions like nut butter or fresh berries!
Banana Nut Overnight Oat Ingredients
- rolled oats – grab gluten-free oats if necessary.
- chia seeds – adds fiber, protein and healthy fats! It also helps thicken the overnight oats.
- banana – adds sweetness and obviously the banana flavor!
- chopped walnuts – I toasted these for extra flavor. Walnuts are also packed with healthy fats.
- unsweetened almond milk – you can use any dairy-free milk.
- optional – add extra maple syrup or honey for extra sweetness.
How to Toast Walnuts
If you haven’t toasted walnuts before, it’s super simple! Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat for easy clean up. Spread raw walnuts on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake at 350ºF for about 8 minutes. Keep an eye on them and toss as needed! They’re done when they are golden brown and fragrant.
How to Make Overnight Oats
STEP 1: Add your mashed banana, rolled oats, chia seeds and toasted walnuts to an airtight container. I like using a mason jar!
STEP 2: Top the mixture with almond milk, maple syrup and extra sweetener if using. Stir to combine.
STEP 3: Put the lid securely on the container and give it a good shake to make sure everything is well combined. Place in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 6 hours.
STEP 4: When you’re ready to enjoy, you can add a little almond milk to thin it out (if desired), top with sliced bananas and walnuts and enjoy!
PrintBanana Nut Overnight Oats
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 6 hours
- Total Time: 6 hours
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: No-Bake
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 cup rolled oats
- 2 tsp chia seeds
- 1 large, ripe banana, mashed
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts, toasted*
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk (+ more for adding in morning)
- optional: added maple syrup or honey for extra sweetness**
Instructions
- To an airtight container or mason jar add your mashed banana, rolled oats, chia seeds and toasted walnuts.
- Top with almond milk, maple syrup + added sweetener (if using) and stir.
- Close top and give it a good shake to ensure everything is well-mixed.
- Place in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 6 hours.
- In the morning add additional almond milk to thin out (if desired) and top with additional sliced banana and chopped walnuts.
*I highly recommend toasting your walnuts for added flavor. I toast mine in the oven at 350 for around 8 minutes
**whether or not you add this will depend on your tastebuds and how ripe your banana is.
Like this post? Here are more overnight oat recipes to try:
Can I use a frozen banana?
for sure!
I think this recipe is missing something in step 2. Are you not supposed to add milk in this step? Because nowhere in Step 1 or 3 does it say to add milk except in the morning for thinning the oatmeal if you desire to do so in Step 5. Can someone clarify this please.
Yes- you are correct! Add almond milk in Step 2. I’ve fixed in the instructions. Enjoy!
These look delish!! Can overnight oats sit for longer than overnight? i.e. could I make a batch for the week on Sunday? Thanks for my new breakfast inspiration!
For sure! I wouldn’t use a super ripe banana though since it may get a little yucky tasting after five days in the fridge but if your oats would be totally fine. Just stick to a just-ripe banana for the best results. Enjoy!
Thanks!
This recipe is definitely not basic. It’s exactly what breakfast should be. Easy, simple, healthy. Love it.
And no! You are not crazy for wanting to go back in time! I am what I guess you’d call a newbie blogger and even though I can be impatient with some of the aspects of this blogging business at times, I do love things being so new, hitting new milestones, and learning/trying new things all the time. I will totally miss these early days, so I get what you are saying. Nostalgia always sucks me in, so I can see myself feeling like you when I get to where you are. Happy birthday THM! 🙂
Aw thanks Gwen! I’m glad you understand! There’s something so special about everything being new. I love where I’m at but I definitely do miss being a newbie 🙂
Raw oats kiiiiiiiiiiiinda scare me, but I will cook them before making this recipe!
Blogging while working 9-5 is tough! That’s when it turns into blogging once per month like it’s been for me lately haha. Oh well, at least overnight oats like this recipe makes the working life a little bit easier! 🙂
So true Chelsea! *sighs* But I guess it’s the sentimentality/nostalgia of things 🙂
I’d love to be able to shoot midday (especially in these dreary gray winter months), but I’m left with either weekends or week day mornings, when the light is still so flat and gray.
Anyway this BananaNut Overnight Oats looks sunny and yummy! (please excuse my sleep-deprived brain’s thoughts of funny…) I love toasted nuts! I usually toast them in a skillet for a few minutes, otherwise I might burn them in the oven.
Grass is always greener 😉
I miss you!!! But it’s quality over quantity and every single one of your posts is amazing so it’s no biggie when you can’t pop in more often!
You too! I need to get my butt over to Toronto sometime for a catch up sesh!
yes please! That would be wonderful!
So inspiring since I’m somewhat of a new blogger trying to also balance a full time job. And I always have a fear of posting a recipe because it’s so ‘basic’ I think no one will like it. But this recipe is perfect! I love the idea of toasting the walnuts, I’m sure it definitely makes a huge difference. I haven’t made overnight oats in awhile but you have me craving them now!
Aw thank you Patricia! Keep up the amazing work. Hope you enjoy the recipe 🙂
Well just found my overnight oat recipe for tomorrow! Toasting the nuts is a great idea – seems like it would bring SO much more flavor. I’ll probably have to add peanut butter too, since that’s a given!
Always a given 😉
This is actually my favorite way to make them! I have been wanting to reshoot my overnight oats pictures because they were back in the iPhone + fluorescent light days…enough said. 🙂 Overnight oats >>>>> any other kind!
Happy BDay month to THM! *insert balloons and cake emojis*
hahahahah yup! Serious throwback to those days. They kind of make me cringe but I also love seeing the progress and how far I’ve come!
I adore overnight oats! I discovered them when I was travelling through Australia, but over there it’s known as bircher muesli. This Banana Nut version looks great! You’ve inspired me to make some for breakfast tomorrow! 🙂
I also love bircher muesli! I find the texture to be slightly different between the two (Overnight oats are a bit thicker) but both taste amazing 🙂