Chocolate and bananas are mixed into overnight oats and topped with dried cherries, walnuts, coconut and more bananas for a quick and nourishing breakfast.
Overnight oats are not new, but I think they are a genius way to serve oatmeal on busy mornings. Breakfast is THE most important meal of the day, but it’s not the always the easiest when it comes to eating wholesome foods. Whip up a batch or two of overnight oats early in the week, store them in jars – and you are covered for breakfast for a few days!
The basic ingredients for my overnight oats are organic rolled oats, chia seeds, water or your favorite milk, almond butter and a mason jar or two. Not only do these little jars of awesomeness taste good, they are a very nutritious breakfast. They loaded with protein, fiber and a variety of vitamins and minerals.
These Banana- chocolate & walnut overnight oats are my go to when I want a sweet tasting breakfast. The banana sweetens the oatmeal just enough, but if you need a little extra sweetener add a chopped date or a teaspoon of real maple syrup.
Chocolate and bananas are mixed into overnight oats and topped with dried cherries, walnuts,… Click To Tweet
- ½ smashed banana
- ½ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup water or your favorite milk
- 1 tablespoon almond butter
- 1 tablespoon chia seeds
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder
- Optional 1 tablespoon maple syrup or diced medjool date
- TOPPINGS
- 1 teaspoon dried cherries or cranberries
- 1 teaspoon shredded coconut
- ⅛ cup chopped walnuts
- place ingredients into a pint sized mason jar
- cover the jar and shake gently until all ingredients are combined
- place in refrigerator overnight
- sprinkle with toppings just before serving and enjoy
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UPDATED September 28, 2016
What a great idea! I’ve never soaked oats overnight. It’s certainly a great way to organise breakfast a few days in advance. Thanks for posting 🙂
Once you try overnight oats you will be hooked, Zoe!
I am obsessed with overnight oats. This recipe sounds so awesome and I have all of the ingredients! I am definitely making this tonight.
Thank you Yolanda, these oats take care of my chocolate fix for the day!
Yum! I do the overnight oats occasionally, though I think they’re pretty yucky after a day or two. I’ve never liked chocolate+oatmeal together, but the bananas and almonds sound good…worth giving a try! Thanks for sharing!
I adore overnight oats – especially when chocolate and chia are involved! 🙂
Shashi and to think we used to put those seeds on clay statues – what a waste!
That looks absolutely wonderful! I’m always on the lookout for fast, healthy breakfasts, & having these already prepared the night before is perfect for those busy mornings. Thank you for sharing!
Soaking the oats overnight? Great idea! Sounds delicious and healthy as well. Thank you! 🙂
Thank you Pam, and they are delicious!
As a mother of three I am always looking for something nutritious to feed my kids in the morning.
One almost never eats more than a bite.
One loves oatmeal.
One hates oatmeal.
However they all like things made just for them. Perhaps if I let them help make these and choose what goes in there own, it might work. Worth a try in my book.
Thanks for the great idea.
My kids always liked it when they were involved in the food prep process. Now they are grown and both of them love to cook!
Yummy, easy, and healthy– that’s my kind of cooking. I’m going to try this. I love how mason jars have many uses.
I love my mason jars Rachel.
Oh that looks good. Especially the chocolate part. I’ve been looking for some new breakfast ideas.
I am always looking for new and simple recipes, glad I found you 🙂 This looks delicious 🙂
I am so in love with overnight oats. I’ve never thought to have banana for the sweetness though. I usually use a scant tsp of honey or molasses. I will have to try this out for sure.
That looks amazing! I’ve been meaning to try some of these overnight recipes…thanks for inspiring me!
Thank you!
I haven’t heard of overnight oats. That sounds interesting. I think I might try it.
Thanks April, you will love them!
Banana and Chocolate is always a good combination.
Well Done.
Thank you Bryce!
I’ll be honest. I am probably one of the few people who don’t eat oatmeal. But, my kids absolutely love it and this looks like a great time saver for me for breakfast. Didn’t even realize you can do these the night before. Pinning to use another time. Thank you.
Thrifting Diva
http://www.thriftingdiva.com
Anaya, your kids will love it!
Ohhhh 100% YUM. It is starting to warm up here (slowly) but what a perfect way to spend a Sunday morning in the sun…. with a large cup of coffee. These look amazing…!!
Looks very good, going to try it 🙂
Thank you Jessica!
Love overnight oat recipes and this one will be one to try. Thank you!
Enjoy Dena!
Mmmm. Mmmm. Mmm. I made my first overnight oats last week and they were good. I will definitely have to try these soon. Thanks for the recipe.
I love everything that is in this and I love how easy is to make. Now when I am in a hurry in the morning, I can take this along with me.
Pam, and the best part is they taste great cold!
I really like oatmeal but am allergic to bananas so this isn’t for me.
I swear I love food blogs I find things I never heard of.Overnight oats healthy and I bet is scrumptious I just have to try this one
http://sheismelrose.net/
This would be a perfect alternative to smoothies on busy mornings. Then my hubby could grab one to eat as he’s running out the door.
I have needed this recipe in my life for sure. I have yet to try overnight oats, but have been curious how it really works and making sure I had a flavor that I would love.
Just Yumed your recipe! I was sitting thinking what to make for breakfast tomorrow, and here is your post! Thank you for the idea 🙂 I will sub the chocolate (not a fan) for some dried fruit, but the rest is perfect! This will save so much time tomorrow morning!
Thank you for the recipe! This will be my family favorite.
Thanks maria!
Easy and it sounds yummy. This is my type of recipe. Thanks for sharing.
How nice it will be to wake up to this oatmeal! I can’t wait to make this recipe at home.Thank you so much for sharing your Banana-Chocolate & Walnut Overnight Oats with us at the Healthy Happy Green and Natural Party Blog Hop. I’m pinning and sharing.
What a clever idea! I’ve never tried overnight oats before. Perhaps I’ll have to add it to my list of things to try! 🙂
I’ve not tried overnight oatmeal year but your combination of banana chocolate walnuts sounds like a real winner! So glad you shared your post on Our Simple Homestead Blog Hop. As one of the co-hosts I am going to feature your post Thursday! Hope to see you again on Thursday!
– Nancy Nancy On The Home Front
I love over night oats and chia. This looks like a wonderful breakfast! I will have to try this sometime soon.
Yummy!! This looks so good!! I have always wanted to do overnight oats and see a lot of recipes and people talking about them but I still haven’t done it… maybe now I will have to, your recipe looks really easy and tasty!
My kids love Oatmeal, but I’ve never tried Overnight soaked Oatmeal. I’ll have to pick up the ingredients and give it a try, sounds perfect for school mornings!
I’ve never tried overnight oats, but they seem like they would be good. Do you eat them cold, or are you supposed to heat them up in the morning?
Natalie, You can heat them if you prefer, but they also taste great cold!
Looks yummy. I’ve always wanted to try making overnight oats. I have all of the ingredients. I really should give this a try.
I love oatmeal and this sounds wonderful!
Thank you!
Thank You Amanda
Yum yum yum! Such a great idea to have it ready to grab and eat in the morning. Thank you for sharing!
I was just thinking that the weather turning is the perfect time to do overnight oats…especially with two kids who I need to rush off to school in the mornings. (I do like to warm mine a bit in the microwave before I eat them in the morning). This combo sounds delicious. I’ll be pinning and trying this tomorrow!
Thank you!
Oh very nice I love this idea, I have even shared your article on my facebook page, will try it out definitely
This looks delicious. I love the idea of making oatmeal the night before, this would help free up some of my morning time.
Thank you Malorie, make up a few for the week!
I use to make overnight oatmeal all the time. I love your mixture of banana, walnuts and chocolate. Thanks for the recipe.
Overnight oats are so easy to make. I love not having to think about what I’m going to eat for breakfast when I get up in the morning. The walnuts give a nice boost of Omega 3’s to start the day with as well.
I’ve “been meaning to” do overnight oats for years. Your recipe is easier than others I have come across. I might just mix up a jar! (I love the mason jars, too!) I’m bookmarking your site to come back and find more yummy recipes. Thanks! ~Adrienne
Heading to the kitchen right now to make this for tomorrow. So often I don’t have time for breakfast, and making it in a jar is priceless! I can just grab it and leave the house! Yey! Yummy 🙂
Thanks Lana they are yummy!
Thank you for explaining this concept of overnight oats! I would think they’d be mushy, though, by the morning, no? I will definitely put this on my list to try and bookmark your blog! 🙂
Jill, if you used old fashioned rolled oats they will not be any more mushy than oatmeal is normally.
That looks delicious. I wish i could eat it….allergic to banana’s though :/
Liz You can put just about anything in the oats. . it can be as simple as a little cinnamon and raisins.
Over night oats are my new best friend! I make a similar, non-chocolate version with blueberries and then I top with pecans in the morning. No need to ever buy those envelopes of instant oats again 😛
Monica.
Thanks Monica, and the ingredients in those little packets aren’t the best!
This may be a stupid question BUT, I have the Quaker Oats that come in the canister. You know, the red and blue can with the Quaker on the front. Can those be used for overnight oats or no?
Lelia – I usually use Bob’s Red Mill Oats but the Quaker old fashioned oats will work too!
I had no idea that you could prepare oatmeal like this! What a huge time saver on busy mornings.
It is a huge time saver just grab and go!
What an ingenious idea! I would of never thought of this before. I LOVE oatmeal and probably eat it 5 days a week. Thank you so much for this blog post! You made my day!!!
Thanks Maureen. Enjoy!
That looks so good!! What a yummy snack or breakfast idea! 🙂
a great idea for those of us who are experiencing cold wet weather this weekend
Thanks Andi, and that would be me in New Jersey!
This looks really good! Breakfast indeed in so important to get in the am! I would have to replace the nuts n seeds (allergic), but I could definitely add in some honey n dried fruit instead 🙂
thank you Karen! Honey and dried fruit are awesome in overnight oats!