Make these quick Chocolate Chip Banana Overnight Oats with bananas, rolled oats, chia seeds, and chocolate chips for a delicious breakfast. They are ideal for busy mornings when prepared the night before.

Quick overnight oats in a jar topped with banana and chocolate chips
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These overnight oats are nutritious, flavorful, and one of the simplest breakfasts you’ll ever make. This write-up will equip you with everything you need to know to make the best overnight oats!

I call this ”lazy breakfast” and whip it up when I have exhausted all my options and have absolutely no time to cook.

This is so easy that the kids can make it too. My daughter loves to make these for breakfast for everyone. This is the reason you see chocolate chips in this recipe. And you will get to see her make the oats in the video.

If you are a fan of bananas, just like my family, don’t forget to try banana bread pudding, avocado banana smoothie, and almond flour banana muffins.

Chocolate Chip Banana Overnight Oats in a jar

What Are Overnight Oats?

Overnight oats are raw oats that have been soaked overnight in liquid- preferably milk and/or yogurt.

When you leave the oats in the refrigerator overnight, they have time to absorb the liquid. This results in a soft, chewy, and creamy texture that can be eaten cold.

Mornings Made Better With Overnight Oats

Overnight oats are easy to make as this is a no-cook recipe and ideal for individuals who need a quick breakfast or snack, especially those who have busy mornings.

They are loaded with nutrients that keep you full and satisfied after breakfast. A healthy breakfast each morning makes a great start to the day!

All you have to do is grab a spoon in the morning, add your favorite toppings, and enjoy!

Why We Love This Healthy Breakfast Recipe

  • Easy to put together: Making a batch for the entire week takes me less than 10 minutes.
  • Full of nutrients: This recipe is high in protein, fiber, good fats, and calcium and will keep you satisfied for a long time.
  • Individual Portions: These can be easily prepared and served in individual portions.
  • Handy to take out: For hectic on-the-go mornings, this is ideal for grabbing and eating.
  • Customizable: Gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan versions of the Overnight Oatmeal base recipe are simple to make. Furthermore, the flavor possibilities are endless.

Are Overnight Oats good for weight loss?

Oats, in general, are effective for anyone looking to lose weight. Overnight-soaked oats are high in fiber, which keeps your stomach full for a longer period of time.

Oats contain beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber that helps reduce blood sugar and insulin response. Overnight oats also aid in the reduction of bad cholesterol (LDL) while increasing good cholesterol. Oats may help people with high blood pressure. (Source)

Overnight oats are a quick and easy meal to prepare. Not only are they nutritious, but they are also delicious.

Ingredients And Substitutions

Old-fashioned oats: Overnight oats are best made with old-fashioned rolled oats. They absorb the liquid overnight, resulting in a creamy (but not mushy) texture. If you don’t have any other options, use quick oats and reduce the amount of liquid to half the quantity. Steel-cut and quick-cooking oats don’t work too well with overnight oats recipes.

Milk: I prefer to make these oats with cow’s milk, but you can use any other milk or plant-based milk instead. If you’re going to use nondairy milk, go with unsweetened ones.

Banana: Banana is the star ingredient for banana overnight oats! The diced or mashed banana not only adds sweetness and flavor but also improves the thickness. Make sure to use a ripe banana. Since this is a banana oats recipe, the banana is a must, but if you are not a fan of bananas, you can use berries like blueberries or strawberries, kiwis, apples, mangoes, etc.

Chia seeds: While they are an optional ingredient, they add fiber, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. They swell up as they soak in the liquid, giving the oats a thicker texture. You can skip these if you don’t have them readily available.

Chocolate Chips: I like to use mini chocolate chips. You can use dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips. Add or skip based on your preference.

Flavorings: These are what make your oats taste so good. Ground cinnamon and vanilla extract are common additions.

Sweeteners: Honey is used in this recipe, and it adds a lot of flavors! You can also use agave or maple syrup or any other sweetener. You can skip the sweetener in these oats as we add sweet, ripe bananas, which makes the oatmeal sweet.

Ingredients you'll need to make quick Chocolate Chip Banana overnight oats

Which Milk Works Best for Overnight Oats?

You can use cow’s milk or any plant-based alternatives of your choice.

Soaking oats in water reduces their phytic acid level, and it appears that water, rather than cow’s milk, is most helpful at increasing iron absorption. Using water-based non-dairy milk like almond or cashew milk instead of dairy milk works great!

If you wish to keep this recipe nut-free, use oat milk or hemp milk.

Ratio for Overnight Oats

This recipe for overnight oats is extremely simple! The most difficult part, however, is determining the proper oats-to-liquid ratio.

For 1/2 cup of oats, I use 2/3 cup of milk. You can replace some milk with yogurt if you prefer (e.g. 1/2 cup milk + 1/4 cup Greek yogurt).

How to Make Banana Overnight Oats

Making banana overnight oats in a jar is super simple!

  • Add all the ingredients into a sealable jar or bowl and give it a stir until it’s all combined. I like to use 8oz glass containers to make these oats.
  • Close the jar and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. It is best to soak overnight for 8 hours for a creamier consistency.
Banana Chocolate Chip Overnight oats in the refrigerator
  • Remove from the refrigerator in the morning and stir. If the oats look dry, you can add a splash of milk before serving. 
  • Top oats with banana slices, nuts and/or chocolate chips, or any other toppings you like. Enjoy!
2 glass jar with Chocolate Chip Banana Overnight Oats topped with banana and chocolate chips

Pro-Tips

Use Old-fashioned oats: They are better than quick oats. When soaked in milk, quick oats become gooey and mushy. Also, avoid using steel-cut oats because they will not soften enough to eat just with milk.

Prep the ingredients the night before: Overnight oats are extremely simple to make. However, you should allow the oats to fully absorb the milk and yogurt, which is best done the night before.

Measure the ingredients: Don’t just guess and add.

Experiment: After you’ve tried this recipe (or more) and discovered what you like, experiment with different combinations. These overnight oats are easily customizable – experiment with different fruits, nuts, or seeds, and don’t be afraid to swap out any ingredients. Alternatively, if you want to add some superfoods like hemp seeds, go ahead.

Make a big batch: Make plenty for the week. Because overnight oats can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days, prep and make a batch for the entire week. Add fruit just before eating.

How to Store?

Overnight oats can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, actually, till the time dairy tastes fresh. I recommend no more than 3 days if you have fruit toppings or other mix-ins because the fruit tends to spoil faster.

Can You Heat Up Overnight Oats?

Overnight oats are typically consumed cold. But I understand that this may seem strange if you’re used to eating them warm.

Yes, you can heat them in a microwave-safe container for about a minute. Mix well, and add some milk if needed.

Variations

Here are some fun mix-ins and toppings to add to your base overnight oats recipe to get your creative juices flowing:

  • Vegan – Use any plant-based milk of your choice and enjoy a dairy-free breakfast!
  • Sugar-Free – Skip honey, maple syrup, or any other sweetener and make it sugar-free. The milk, fruits, and nuts provide natural sweetness and flavors.
  • Fruit – Strawberries and blueberries are always a hit, but other fruits like mangoes and kiwis work deliciously well too.
  • Chocolate Chips/ Chunks – this is a great option, especially for the kids. My daughter loves to add them. You can use white, milk, or dark chocolate ones.
  • Peanut Butter, Almond Butter or Nutella – Mix in some nut butter or just add it as a topping.
  • Dried fruits/ nuts – Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, peanuts, hazelnuts, pecans, Brazil nuts: your options are endless.
  • Granola – Granola adds crunch to the overnight oats. You can use homemade or store-bought as a topping.
  • Greek Yogurt – Greek yogurt not only makes overnight oats more filling as it’s high in protein but also gives the oats a rich, creamy texture. Substitute an equivalent amount of plant-based yogurt for the oats if you are vegan.

More Oats Recipes to Try

Enjoy a few of our other oats recipes:

Common Questions

Where To Buy Overnight Oats?

Old-fashioned rolled oats, like Quaker oats, can be found in the cereal section in grocery stores like Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, etc. You can also find them online at Amazon.

Are Overnight Oats Healthy?

Because of their high fiber and protein content, overnight oats provide various health benefits. They are also rich sources of vitamins and minerals, including manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron, and zinc. Overnight oats are beneficial to your gut health as well as your overall health and well-being.

Can You Make Overnight Oats With Yogurt?

Yes, greek yogurt is a great addition to overnight oats. It lends a rich, creamy texture if that’s what you’re after!

How Long Do Overnight Oats Need to Soak?

The oats tend to thicken nicely after about 2 hours. I’d suggest keeping it for at least 4 hours for the best consistency. But I just recommend overnight because it’s simple to put it together the night before and then wake up to a delicious, quick breakfast. While you sleep, the oats are getting ready 🙂

When do you add the banana to overnight oats?

Diced or Mashed banana is added while mixing the ingredients.
You can add more diced or sliced bananas as a topping before you eat the overnight oats in the morning.

Do You Warm Overnight Oats?

Overnight oats are typically served chilled. However, If you like warm oats, simply heat them in the microwave. You can use a microwave-safe jar and frequently stir while warming them. Also, I suggest adding toppings only after you have warmed up your oats.

More Recipes You’ll Love

5 from 8 votes

Chocolate Chip Banana Overnight Oats

Make these quick Chocolate Chip Banana overnight oats with bananas, rolled oats, chia seeds, and chocolate chips for a delicious breakfast. They are ideal for busy mornings if prepared the night before.
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1

Ingredients 

  • 1/2 cup Rolled Oats, old fashioned
  • 1/2 tablespoon Chia seeds
  • 1/2 Banana, medium, diced or mashed
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon Vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon Honey, or agave, adjust to taste
  • 2/3 cup Milk, unsweetened, regular dairy or almond milk
  • 1 tablespoon Chocolate Chips

Instructions 

  • Add all the ingredients into a sealable jar or bowl and give it a stir until it's all combined.
  • Close jar and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. It is best to soak overnight for 8 hours for a creamier consistency.
  • Remove from the refrigerator in the morning and stir. If the oats look dry, you can add a splash of milk before serving.
  • Top oats with banana slices, nuts and/or chocolate chips, or any other toppings you like. Enjoy!

Video

Notes

Storing: Overnight oats can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, actually, till the time dairy tastes fresh. I recommend no more than 3 days if you have fruit toppings or other mix-ins because the fruit tends to spoil faster.
Milk: You can use cow’s milk or any plant based milk of your choice. You can replace some milk with yogurt if you prefer (eg. 1/2 cup milk + 1/4 cup greek yogurt). 
Note: Nutrition facts are without the toppings.
 

Nutrition

Calories: 423kcalCarbohydrates: 65gProtein: 13gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 6gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0.04gCholesterol: 22mgSodium: 76mgPotassium: 632mgFiber: 8gSugar: 28gVitamin A: 340IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 285mgIron: 3mg

Additional Info

Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian
Tried this recipe?Mention @pipingpotcurry or tag #pipingpotcurry!

About Meeta

I strongly believe that each one of us has a chef inside us, we just need to explore the ingredients and create great food. My passion is to share easy, healthy, and wholesome recipes made using Instant Pot & Air Fryer, that are well tested, so you can cook with confidence.

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