About this recipe
Banana and nuts are a timeless breakfast pairing — sweet, nutty, and comforting. With overnight oats, you get all of that flavor in a creamy, ready-to-eat jar you prep the night before. Rolled oats and chia seeds soak in milk overnight. In the morning, you add sliced bananas, crunchy walnuts (or pecans), and a drizzle of maple syrup or honey.
Why you will love this recipe
- Classic combo: Banana + nuts is always a win.
- Customizable: Use walnuts, pecans, almond butter, or peanut butter.
- Nutritious: A good balance of carbs, protein, and healthy fats.
- Perfect meal prep: Make 3–4 jars at once and breakfast is ready all week.
- Naturally sweetened: Bananas + a drizzle of honey or maple syrup = no refined sugar needed.
Ingredient notes
- Rolled oats: Old-fashioned oats work best. They soak up liquid without turning mushy.
- Chia seeds
- Milk: Any plant-based milk works — almond, oat, soy, or coconut. Regular milk is fine too.
- Vanilla extract
- Sweetener: Maple syrup, honey, or agave — adjust to taste.
Banana (½ mashed + ½ sliced): You can either mash half into the oats for added sweetness and creaminess, or cut the rest for a topping.
Nuts (2 Tbsp): Walnuts are traditional; pecans work just as well. Toasting them brings out flavor.
How to make banana nut overnight oats
- Mix the base: In a jar or container.
- Chill: Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight.
- Finish + serve: In the morning, top with sliced banana, 2 Tbsp chopped walnuts or pecans, and a drizzle of maple syrup or honey.
Variations
- Nut-free: Use pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for crunch.
- Extra creamy: Stir 2 Tbsp yogurt into the base before chilling.
- Nut butter version: Add a spoonful of peanut butter, almond butter, or cashew butter.
- Fall twist: Sprinkle with cinnamon and nutmeg before serving.
Home-cook to home-cook tips
- Nuts last minute: Add nuts just before serving so they stay crunchy.
- Toast the nuts: A quick toast in a dry skillet or oven makes them extra flavorful.
- Banana freshness: Add the sliced banana in the morning to avoid browning.
- Make ahead: Store jars for up to 4 days, but add toppings fresh.
Banana Nut Overnight Oats
Equipment
- 1 overnight oats container
Ingredients
- ¼ cup oats
- 2 tsp chia seeds
- ¾ cup plant-based milk
- ½ ripe banana mashed
- ½ ripe banana sliced (for topping)
- 2 Tbsp chopped walnuts or pecans toasted if you like
- 1 –2 tsp maple syrup or honey
- Optional: yogurt or nut butter for serving
Instructions
- In a jar, mix oats, chia, milk, mashed banana, vanilla, and sweetener. Stir well.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours).
- In the morning, top with sliced banana, walnuts or pecans, and a drizzle of maple syrup or honey.
Notes
Nutrition
information
Nutritional information of this recipe is only an estimate, the accuracy for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.
- About the Author
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I’m Ale Graf, a Mexican living in Texas and the creator of AleCooks and Piloncillo&Vainilla. I share easy, family-friendly recipes—some Mexican, mostly plant-based—that can be enjoyed all day, every day. My focus is on recipes that bring people together around the table, making mealtime simple, delicious and meaningful. I’m also the co-author of Yo Cocino Latino, and my recipes have been featured in numerous online magazines and publications.
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