This is a variation of our overnight oats base recipe. Overnight oats are great for breakfast and can make busy mornings a breeze. This banana nut overnight oats recipe tastes like banana bread, but has a fraction of the added sugar and fat!
Learn How to Make the Base Recipe
Three Must-Know Cooking Skills
For recipe success, learn how to:
Culinary Tips for Banana Nut Overnight Oats
Want to make breakfast for the entire week or for the whole family? To speed up prep time, make a big batch in a bowl, then divide into individual servings.
Ingredient Substitutions
- Oats: use old-fashioned or quick oats. Old-fashioned oats create a firm, chewy texture; quick oats create a soft, mushy texture. Do not use steel cut oats, as these have to be cooked for optimal digestion.
- Milk: use regular or dairy-free milk. Don’t have milk? You can also make overnight oats with water, but they won’t taste as creamy.
- Greek Yogurt: can substitute regular plain yogurt. Choose a fat content that works for your overall diet. Choose sugar-free varieties and sweeten to your taste. Don’t have yogurt? Simply leave it out. Substitute a plant-based yogurt to make your overnight oats vegan.
- Maple Syrup: substitute agave, honey, or brown sugar. You can also use jam, juice, or pureed fruit in place of sweetener.
- Pecans: substitute any nut of your choice. For best flavor, toast the pecans. If using whole pecans, toast in the oven, then chop finely. If using chopped pecans, toast on the stovetop.
- Cinnamon: substitute any sweet spice – allspice, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, or nutmeg. Adjust to taste.
We love buying our spices from The Spice House. Click on the picture below to view & try out hundreds of flavorful spices and herbs!
Recipe Variations
Feel free to add other mix-ins: chia seeds, flax seeds, coconut flakes, cocoa powder, nut butter, flavor extracts, etc.
Need some overnight oats recipe inspiration?
Use our base recipe as a guide, or check out some of our favorite overnight oats variations!
Take a look at our stovetop oatmeal base recipe and its variations for even more ideas!
Equipment Recommendations
Use these kitchen tools for recipe success!
Banana Overnight Oats are a Healthy Breakfast
The first meal of the day can affect how you feel for the rest of the day. A balanced breakfast should contain complex carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. The featured ingredients in this healthy overnight oats recipe are oats, Greek yogurt, banana, and pecans. This recipe also contains natural sweetener, but far less than many breakfast cereals.
Oats
Oats are a whole grain and are a good source of fiber and complex carbohydrates. Fiber is important for digestion, satiety, stable blood sugar, good cholesterol, and healthy gut bacteria. Complex carbohydrates are important for steady energy and focus. (1, 2)
Greek Yogurt
Making overnight oats with Greek yogurt creates a creamy texture and taste. Plus, it adds a nutritional boost! Greek yogurt is a great source of vitamins, protein, calcium, and gut-friendly probiotics.
Banana
Bananas contain prebiotic fiber, vitamins, and minerals – important for digestion, steady energy, and metabolism. Greenish bananas are firm and are higher in prebiotic fiber. Brownish bananas are soft and are higher in sugar, making them a bit sweeter.
Pecans
Nuts of all varieties contain plant-based protein, fiber, and healthy fats that help you feel satisfied until your next meal. Pecans are a great source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats.
Less Sugar than Breakfast Cereal
Many breakfast cereals contain large amounts of added sugars that don’t support health. By making refrigerator oats, you get to control the amount of added sugar that you eat!
Learn how to make your own healthy cereal here!
Serving Suggestions
Overnight oats aren’t just for breakfast! They can also be a great snack or post-workout treat.
Serve hot or cold.
How to Store Banana Nut Overnight Oats
Store overnight oats in the refrigerator. They’ll be ready to eat the next morning but can be stored for up to one week. The longer the oats are held in the refrigerator, the mushier they will become.
Want more healthy breakfast recipes?
Check out these healthy base recipe breakfast ideas, then adjust to YOUR taste!
Whole Wheat Muffins Base Recipe
Greek Yogurt Smoothie Base Recipe
Whole Grain Pancakes Base Recipe
Baked Oatmeal Cups Base Recipe
Banana Nut Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- ½ cup old fashioned or quick oats
- ½ cup milk or milk alternative
- ¼ cup Greek yogurt (optional)
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup (or to taste)
- Dash cinnamon
- ½ medium banana, sliced (~½ cup)
- 2 Tablespoons toasted, chopped pecans
Instructions
- Mix oats, milk, yogurt, maple syrup, and cinnamon in a bowl. Top with bananas and toasted pecans, or add them in the morning.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- Enjoy cold!
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Awesome!