Peanut Butter and Banana Overnight Oats is the best way to start the day! This easy recipe combines oats, peanut butter, banana, cinnamon, and maple into the most delicious oatmeal that takes only minutes to make. These oats can be enjoyed chilled, warmed, and on-the-go.
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Mornings are very busy and this easy, make-ahead breakfast recipe for Peanut Butter and Banana Overnight Oats has definitely simplified them.
I use one of my favorite go-to flavor combinations to create these oats. Peanut butter, bananas, maple, and cinnamon.
I actually first got this idea from a local sandwich shop called Purebread Deli. I re-created their Hound Dog sandwich (which is sadly no longer on the menu) into this Peanut Butter Banana Panini and then made this oatmeal recipe next.
Why This Recipe Works
It’s a super easy, make-ahead breakfast recipe. You can make jars or bowls of this oatmeal for the week and have breakfast practically ready for you as soon as you wake up. It definitely helps when mornings get crazy busy.
The combination of flavors is so good together and it is delicious right out of the fridge or warmed up.
Both kids and adults will love this oatmeal!
Peanut Butter & Banana Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- You can use old-fashioned rolled oats, quick oats, or even steel cut oats.
- Any type of milk should work just fine in this recipe.
- Flax seeds are optional. You can swap them for chia seeds, if you’d like.
The entire recipe and instructions can also be found in the recipe card at the bottom of this post. You can also print the recipe from the card, if needed.
Prep!
Prepare these oats the night before you want to eat them for breakfast.
You will need a mason jar or bowl. If using a mason or canning jar, I recommend the 16 ounce size. I do use the smaller 8 ounce jars, but it tends to overflow a little.
Create!
Mix the oats, flax seeds, and cinnamon in a mason jar or bowl.
Stir in the milk and maple syrup.
Chef’s Tip: if you prefer a thinner oatmeal, you can use up to 1 cup of milk.
Drop in the peanut butter and mix it around just a little.
Place the lid on the jar or cover the bowl with plastic wrap.
Refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
Present!
In the morning, remove the lid or plastic wrap. Top the oats with the banana slices.
You can drizzle on some extra maple syrup and add a pinch of cinnamon to the top of the bananas, for added flavor.
Chef’s Tip: if you prefer to warm your oats, do so before you add the banana.
Tips and Techniques
- You can use old-fashioned rolled oats, quick oats, or even steel cut oats.
- Increase ratio of milk to oats for thinner oatmeal. You can use up to 1 cup of milk.
- Overnight oats can be stored, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They are a great option for weekly meal prep.
FAQ’s
Are Overnight Oats Healthy?
Overnights oats can be considered healthy as oatmeal provides plenty of whole grains, protein, fiber and more.
Do You Eat Overnight Oats Hot or Cold?
Overnight oats are meant to be enjoyed cold, right out of the refrigerator, however, you can warm them up if you prefer.
Simple heat them in the microwave or on the stovetop.
What is the Ratio For Overnight Oats?
The ratio of overnight oats can vary.
For thicker oatmeal, use 1/2 cup of rolled oats with 1/2 cup of milk.
If you prefer a thinner oatmeal, use up to 1 cup of milk for a 1/2 cup of rolled oats.
Can You Use Quick Oats for Overnight Oats
Yes. You can use quick oats or even steel cut oats, sometimes called Irish oatmeal.
More Oatmeal Recipes
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Peanut Butter and Banana Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (see notes)
- 1 teaspoon whole flax seeds (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1/2 banana (sliced - wait until ready to eat)
Instructions
- Mix the oats, flax seeds, and cinnamon in a mason jar or a bowl.
- Add the milk and maple syrup and stir well.
- Drop in the peanut butter and mix it around just a little.
- Place the lid on the jar or cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 6 hours.
- When ready to eat, remove the lid or plastic wrap. Top the oats with the banana slices. Drizzle on extra maple syrup and add a pinch of cinnamon to the top of the bananas, if desired.
Notes
Tips and Techniques
- You can use old-fashioned rolled oats, quick oats, or even steel cut oats.
- Increase ratio of milk to oats for thinner oatmeal. You can use up to 1 cup of milk.
- Overnight oats can be stored, tightly covered, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. They are a great option for weekly meal prep.
Nutrition
This recipe was originally posted on June 22, 2017. It was updated with step-by-step instructions, new photos, tips, techniques, FAQ’s and video in December 2020.
Tisha Taylor says
Can you use instant oatmeal if that’s all you have on hand for the oats?
Lauren Vavala says
Yes! They should work out just fine.
– Lauren
Estella Osorio says
Looks delicious. Gotta try.
Teja says
I made overnight oats for the first time following this recipe and I had no idea if I’d like them, since I’ve never had them. They are absolutely delicious! I think I like them better than oatmeal. I did sub honey for maple syrup and it was just fine.
Winnie says
This by far is my favourite breakfast. I make it almost everyday! I also add 1 tsp chia seeds and 1 tsp hemp hearts. Few more calories but healthy ones. I also put a whole banana on top in the morning lol!
Lauren says
So glad to hear that you love it!
– Lauren
Brittany says
This sounds delicious! Has whole milk been used instead of almond milk?
Lauren says
Hi Brittany! You should be able to use whole milk, no problem 🙂
Esther M. says
OMG…so delicious!
I had it for breakfast this morning and even forgot about the peanut butter in there. Just put it in the microwave to warm up for a few seconds. It was so good and so filling.
I also sprinkled a few walnuts on top.
Thanks for a great recipe 🙂
Lauren says
So glad you liked it! I like it warmed up too!
Lauren says
Glad you enjoyed it! I like it warmed up a little too 🙂
amy says
Baby approved!!
Thank you for the recipe! Breakfast is tricky with my picky 12 month old. she’s anti-eggs. She absolutely loved this. So did her father and myself 🙂
Lauren says
Haha – that’s awesome! You’re having better luck than me! My son is allergic to egg and won’t way anything except crackers and dry Cheerios! Glad everyone likes it!
Dina says
I love this recipe….I am a long distance runner and all these ingredients are my favorite! I make my own granola to put in my yogurt and it comes out amazing..
Lauren says
Awesome! I am so glad you love it!!!
Debbie says
Can you use steel cut oats or quick oats for this recipe?
Lauren says
Hi Debbie!
My guess is that either of those types of oats will work for overnight oat recipes, but I’m not sure that the oat to milk ratio would be exactly the same. I haven’t tested this recipe with anything except rolled oats so I can’t tell you 100% for sure. Sorry I can’t be more help!
Tabitha says
Hello! Just curious as to what your thoughts would be with adding some plain Greek yogurt? I don’t get enough yogurt since I don’t like the texture without it being in something else like a smoothie.
Lauren says
Hi Tabitha! I know there are recipes out there that use both Greek yogurt and milk, but I haven’t done it myself so I am not sure hat ratios would work. I also don’t know if the tangi-ness of the yogurt would taste as good with peanut butter and bananas as it does with fruit. You could always add more peanut butter to try to mask the taste – you can never have too much peanut butter 🙂
Brianna Hoag says
Could I make a big batch of this and have it for a few days in a row? It sounds so delicious.
Lauren says
Hi Brianna! I’ve honestly never kept it longer than a day, but imagine it would get mushier as the days go by. I’d try maybe 2 and see how it goes before making too much 🙂
Kristin says
I’ve never had overnight oatmeal like this and excited to try and this recipe sounds awesome. So do you just eat the oats straight from the frig, cold or do you warm it up?
Lauren says
Hi Kristen, thank you! With these oats I usually just eat them cold, right out of the fridge. You can warm them a little if you prefer, they should be just fine 🙂 Hope this helps!
Youssef says
Do you cook them at all (oats)
Lauren says
Hi Youssef! Nope, no need to cook the oats. They will soften up plenty after sitting in the milk all night 🙂 Hope you enjoy them!
Alexis says
Hi! Can you tell me what size jar you use? I want to be sure I have the right size!!
Lauren says
Hi Alexis! I used 8oz canning jars. Everything just fit 🙂 Hope you love this recipe as much as I do!
Ayesha says
Hi lauren! can you give nutritional value of this.. counting calories now a days :/
Lauren says
Hi Ayesha! I’m working towards getting a program that adds all the nutritional info to each recipe, but in the meantime I put all the ingredients into the calorie counter on http://www.myfitnesspal.com and got a total of 456 calories using the exact ingredients in the recipe. There are also 51 carbs, 21g fat, 16g protein, 183mg sodium, and 12g of sugar. Hope this helps – Lauren
Victoria says
I was wondering if you or anyone in your family has had difficulty digesting flaxseeds. I’ve read it’s not recommended not only for digestion purposes, but also to ensure you receive all the nutrients by eating them ground instead.
Lauren says
Hi Victoria! We have no problems at all with flax seeds, but you are right – you get more benefit from ground flax seeds, especially if they are ground immediately before eating them. I like to add them whole for texture and some benefit (plus it’s easier than breaking out the grinder 🙂
Joanne |No Plate Like Home says
This looks yummy. I should use up my rolled oats.
Lauren says
Thanks Joanne! You’ll have to run out to buy more – this oatmeal is so addicting!