Banana Bread Overnight Oats
In the old days, when we had bananas that went past everyone in our household’s personal point of ripeness it was time to bake a banana bread or muffins. But now, we simply turn those freckled gems into smoothies or this overnight oat recipe! A 196-calorie serving of Banana Bread Overnight Oats is a healthy, filling breakfast or snack that mimics the flavors of a slice of your favorite banana bread! Plus it’s quick and easy to make!
Ingredients (Serves 4)
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cup unsweetened original almond milk
- 4 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 tbsp raisins
- 1/8 cup (2 tbsp) unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
Start with the Oats
This a “build from the ground (oats) up kind or recipe, no need to prepare anything in advance and no cooking required. So to begin, for each of your four servings start with the dry ingredients: 1/4 cup of oats and 1/4 tsp of cinnamon.
To that add 1/4 cup plus two additional tablespoons of almond milk. Mix well. Add one tsp of vanilla extract to each of the four bases, and again mix well. Set aside for a moment.
Start with 1/4 cup of oats plus 1/4 tsp cinnamon 
Add 1/4 cup (plus 2 tbsp) almond milk 
Finish your base with 1 tsp of vanilla extract. Mix well.
Go Bananas
Now the bananas. You can handle this in whichever way feels more comfortable to you: you can mash up the two bananas and then evenly divide them into four servings. Or you can cut each banana in half and then mash each half individually. My OCD kicks in on this recipe and I tend to go for the latter, making sure my banana pieces are even before I mash. But do whatever you like.
The key, however, is to get the bananas good and mashed. If you’re accustomed to making regular banana bread then you know what you’re looking for – a slightly lumpy (at most) banana paste. Once you’ve got it, carefully stir each portion into your oat bases until well mixed. You might not be able to put all the banana in at once in order to mix it well. It really depends on what kind of storage container you use.
I prefer to mash 1/2 banana per serving 
What’s most important is the smooth texture. Mashing with a fork works well. 
Add to the oat base and gently stir in 
Do so until well mixed
Topping Time
People put a lot of different things in their banana breads, and those very same options exist when it comes to overnight oats. I picked the items I used based on three main tests: 1) does it taste like a traditional banana bread; 2) will it help me stay within my calorie goals and 3) will it be easy for someone else to replicate.
Taking all that into account, I finish my banana bread overnight oats with the very easy to remember trio of: 1/2 tablespoon each of raisins, coconut flakes and maple syrup.
Put each on top and then either gentle mix them in before sealing overnight. If you prefer to leave the toppings unmixed until the morning, that’s fine, as long as you mix well before eating.
Either way, refrigerate for 5-6 hours at minimum, but ideally overnight. I strongly encourage you to warm this up in the microwave for 45-60 seconds and mix one last time before enjoying. Because who doesn’t like warm banana bread?
1/2 tablespoon of two toppings works quite well. 
Finish with 1/2 tablespoon of maple syrup
Notes
If you’re someone who doesn’t like raisins or doesn’t like coconut in your banana bread, the final steps in this recipe allow you some creativity to try new things.
Just be aware of the calorie differences and/or the water content changes as they could impact texture. But needless to say if it’s something you like in banana bread, it’s probably worth trying here. Most likely you’ll want to adhere to the 1/2 tablespoon of two different items ratio, as well.
I would suggest trying this original first, though. I think it’s pretty good.
Banana Bread Overnight Oats
Notes
The toppings of raisins and coconut could be swapped for other banana bread-type fillings of your liking. I would recommend that you stick to the two topping at 1/2 tablespoon each ratio, however. I also recommend trying the original before making substitutions, but up to you!
Nutritional information is based on estimates from MyFitnessPal app. Exact numbers may change based on variables in specific ingredients and brands.
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cup unsweetened original almond milk
- 4 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 medium ripe bananas, mashed
- 2 tbsp raisins
- 1/8 cup (2 tbsp) unsweetened coconut flakes
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- In each of your four servings start with the dry ingredients: 1/4 cup of oats, and 1/4 tsp of cinnamon.
- To that add 1/4 cup plus two additional tablespoons of almond milk. Mix well.
- Add one tsp of vanilla extract and again mix well. Set aside.
- Mash the bananas until basically smooth (as you would for a banana bread) and divide into four portions.
- Carefully stir each portion into your oat bases until well mixed.
- Top each mixture with 1/2 tablespoon of raisins, flaked coconut and maple syrup.
- You can either gently stir to combine, or just seal the container as is and plan to mix well before eating.
- Seal and refrigerate for a minimum of 5-6 hours, but ideally overnight.
- To serve, I would recommend warming in the microwave for 45-60 seconds and mixing before enjoying.
Nutrition Facts
Banana Bread Overnight Oats
Serves: 4 Servings
| Amount Per Serving: | ||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 196 | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 4 g | 6.2% | |
| Saturated Fat 1.5 g | 5% | |
| Trans Fat 0 g | ||
| Cholesterol 0 g | 0 | |
| Sodium 67 mg | 2.8% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 39 g | 13% | |
| Dietary Fiber 5 g | 20% | |
| Sugars 17.5 g | ||
| Protein 4 g | ||
| Vitamin A 5 % | Vitamin C 5 % | |
| Calcium 21 % | Iron 9 % | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Lighten Up!
