Easy Banana Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds

I can’t be the only one searching for healthy, quick and filling breakfast options, right? Overnight oats in a jar are made the night before, seriously in like 5 minutes or less, then refrigerated overnight.

Banana, honey, vanilla almond milk, rolled oats and chia seeds turn sweet, creamy and satisfying by morning. Slice some fresh berries on top and ta da! Your breakfast is ready.

The Best Overnight Oats in a Jar (Banana, Honey and Chia)

I’ve created several fast, easy and yummy in my tummy breakfast options, such as my Banana Apple Oatmeal Smoothie, Multigrain Waffles and my Creamy Oatmeal. LOVE them! However, this morning I wanted to experiment with something a little different.

Don’t overlook breakfast anymore! Especially not when amazingly scrumptious options like this are available. Go ahead and hit snooze one more time, because your breakfast will be ready and waiting whenever you decide to wake and arise.

Oh, did I also mention my Breakfast Quiches? They can also be waiting in the refrigerator for you. Bake some ahead and they make an incredible quick, healthy and filling breakfast. See?! There is no reason to skip on nutrition or taste for breakfast. These sweet, satisfying and creamy overnight oats are just waiting for you to devour! They’re also pretty tasty topped with banana or apple slices.

Blending the banana right into the milk is what makes these different. Every spoonful is naturally sweet with banana flavor, and the creamy base soaks into the oats and chia overnight for a thick, pudding like breakfast.

Chia Seeds are these tiny little powerhouses. They’re really mild in flavor, and you actually don’t even notice the taste in recipes, but they’re packed with omega 3s, fiber, antioxidants and protein. I’m definitely infatuated with chia seeds!

Why You’ll Love These Overnight Oats

• Five minute prep. Blend, stir, pour and refrigerate. The fridge does the rest.
• Naturally sweet. A whole banana and a little honey sweeten every spoonful.
• Grab and go. Made in a jar, so breakfast is ready the moment you wake up.
• Creamy without cooking. The oats and chia soften overnight into a thick, pudding like texture.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Exact amounts are in the recipe card below.

• Vanilla almond or coconut milk: The liquid the oats and chia soak up overnight. Vanilla milk adds sweetness and flavor without any extra steps. Unsweetened milk works too; you may want a bit more honey.
• Banana: Blended right into the milk, it sweetens the oats naturally and makes them extra creamy. Riper bananas with brown spots are sweeter and blend more smoothly.
• Honey or organic agave: Two tablespoons add a little more sweetness. Start with less if your banana is very ripe and your milk is sweetened.
• Ground cinnamon: Optional, but it adds warmth and pairs perfectly with banana. Blend it in with the milk so it is evenly spread instead of floating on top.
• Rolled oats: Use old fashioned rolled oats, not instant or quick cooking. Measure them level so the ratio of oats to liquid stays right. Rolled oats are thick enough to soften overnight while keeping a pleasant chew. Instant oats turn mushy, and steel cut oats stay too firm without cooking.
• Chia seeds: They absorb liquid and swell into a gel, which thickens the oats into a spoonable, pudding like consistency. They’re really mild, so you won’t notice the flavor.
• Toppings: Fresh berries, banana slices or apple slices. Add them right before eating so they stay fresh and the fruit doesn’t get soggy.
• A jar with a lid: A pint size mason jar or any airtight container. A tight lid keeps the oats from picking up fridge flavors and makes them easy to grab on your way out the door.

A blender makes quick work of pureeing the banana into the milk. I use my Vitamix, but any blender that can puree a banana works. If you don’t have a blender, mash the banana very well with a fork and whisk it into the milk.

How to Make Overnight Oats in a Jar

1. Blend the base. Add the almond milk, banana and honey to a blender (and the cinnamon, if using). Blend until completely pureed and smooth, with no chunks of banana left.
2. Stir in the oats and chia. Use a spoon or whisk rather than the blender for this step, so the oats stay whole and keep their texture. Pour the mixture into a bowl or straight into your jar. Add the rolled oats and chia seeds and stir until well combined. Make sure no clumps of chia are stuck together, since clumps won’t soften evenly.
3. Refrigerate. Pour into an airtight container or jar, seal and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 6 to 7 hours. The mixture will look thin at first, but the oats and chia will absorb the liquid and thicken as they chill.
4. Stir and check. In the morning, give the oats a good stir. They should be thick and creamy. If they seem too thick, stir in a splash more milk.
5. Serve chilled. Top with fresh berries and enjoy straight from the jar, or pack it to go. Bring along a spoon and keep it cool if you’re eating it later in the morning.

Ways to Customize Overnight Oats

• Switch the fruit. Top with strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, banana or apple slices.
• Add protein. Stir in a scoop of protein powder or a spoonful of Greek yogurt.
• Add crunch. Sprinkle chopped nuts or a few pumpkin seeds on top in the morning.
• Try coconut milk. Swap it for the almond milk for a richer flavor.

Overnight Oats FAQs

• What do chia seeds taste like? Chia seeds are really mild in flavor, and you don’t even notice the taste in recipes.
• Do you eat overnight oats cold? Yes, they are served chilled. You can warm them in the microwave if you prefer, adding a splash of milk.
• Can I use quick oats or steel cut oats? Stick with rolled oats. Quick oats get mushy, and steel cut oats stay too hard without cooking.
• How long do overnight oats last? Covered in the refrigerator, they keep for up to about 3 days. The banana may darken slightly, but they are still good.
• Can I add yogurt? Yes. Stir in a few spoonfuls of Greek yogurt with the oats for extra creaminess and protein. Add a splash more milk if it gets too thick.
• Can I make several jars at once? Yes. Multiply the recipe and divide it among jars for grab and go breakfasts for a few days.
• What kind of jar should I use? Any airtight container works. A mason jar with a lid is easy to shake, stack and carry.
• Why are my oats runny? They may need more time, or the oats may have been too few for the liquid. Give them the full 6 to 7 hours, and stir in an extra spoonful of chia or oats next time.
• Are overnight oats gluten free? Oats are naturally gluten free but often processed with wheat, so use oats labeled certified gluten free if you need them to be.
• Can I leave out the honey? Yes. The banana and vanilla milk add plenty of sweetness on their own.

Overnight Oats with Almond Milk

Overnight oats with almond milk, a blended banana, honey, rolled oats and chia seeds, chilled for at least 6 to 7 hours. Sweet, creamy and ready to grab in the morning.

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Ingredients

  

• 1 and 1/2 cups vanilla almond or coconut milk
• 1 banana peeled
• 2 Tbs honey or organic agave
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon optional
• 1/2 cup rolled oats not instant or quick cooking
• 2 Tbs chia seeds

Instructions

 

• In a Vitamix blender, add almond milk, banana, and honey. Blend until pureed.
• Add rolled oats and chia seeds and stir until combined well.
• Pour into airtight container and refrigerate overnight or at least 6 to 7 hours. Serve with fresh berries chilled.

Made these overnight oats? Leave a star rating in the recipe card and tell me in the comments what you topped yours with. I love hearing your favorite add ins.

More Recipes You’ll Love

• Banana Apple Oatmeal Smoothie
• Creamy Oatmeal
• Breakfast Quiches
• Multigrain Waffles
• Healthy Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies