Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats Recipe| Wholefully (2024)

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I tend to be one of those people that has a tiny sweet tooth in the mornings. I want something just a little sweet, but you’ll almost never see me reaching for a donut in the A.M. It’s just a bit too rich for my blood that early (hit me up later though)!

That’s why I love the balanced richness of these Chocolate Chip Banana Overnight Oats. A little bit fruity, a little bit chocolatey—they are my favorite way to get a nourishing and satisfying breakfast fast! Welcome to the magic that is that is overnight oats!

Table of Contents

What are overnight oats?

You make overnight oats by mixing rolled oats with liquid and other mix-ins, and let it rest in the fridge for at least two hours, or preferably overnight (hence the name!). In the morning, you can grab it straight out of the fridge and eat it like a pudding—no cooking required. Or you can heat it up if you prefer. If you’re new to making overnight oatmeal and want a full primer (plus lots of other easy-to-make recipes), check out our Overnight Oats 101 post.

Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats Recipe| Wholefully (1)

What makes overnight oatmeal so great?

Overnight oatmeal has been part of my weekly food prep routinefor almost a decade now. Here is why it’s such a staple in our house:

  • You can make them your own. Make them vegan, gluten-free, or in whatever flavor combo strikes your fancy! It’s all doable because overnight oats are completely customizable. We’re covering Chocolate Chip Banana Overnight Oats in this post (which is a great, simple recipe to start with), but once you get the idea of overnight oats down, you can go wild making your own creations!
  • They can be as nourishing as you want them to be. You are in complete control of how healthy or decadent (or both!) these oats become. Reduce the added sweeteners, mix in some protein powder or collagen peptides, add in some superfoods like hemp seeds or chia seeds. The possibilities are endless!
  • They taste decadent and delicious! The oats soften up in the fridge to make a thick and sweet pudding that is totally yummy with a creamy texture.
  • Overnight oats are the perfect prep-ahead breakfast. Spend just a few minutes in the evening, and you’ll have a grab-and-go breakfast in the morning!
  • Overnight oats are easy to make in bulk. They are a staple of many meal prep menus for good reason—you can mix up an entire week’s worth of breakfast in just a few minutes.
Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats Recipe| Wholefully (2)

How long do banana overnight oats last?

For the best texture, flavor, and color, we recommend eating these banana overnight oats within 3 days.

When do you add the banana to overnight oats?

Add sliced or mashed banana to these overnight oats when you are mixing together all the other ingredients. Overnight, the banana will lend its natural sweetness and flavor to the overall mixture.

Can you make substitutions to this recipe?

Yes! Once you get the hang of making overnight oats, use your imagination and substitute away! Easily make these overnight oats vegan, gluten-free, low- or no-sugar by changing one or two ingredients. We cover all the substitutions you can make in our in-depth overnight oats post. Here are some specific swap ideas for these banana overnight oats:

  • Make it vegan or dairy-free: Use plant-based milk (we love this one with almond milk!), plant-based yogurt, and maple syrup for sweetener.
  • Make it sugar-free: Drop the sweetener, make sure to use unsweetened peanut butter, and add 1/2 mashed ripe banana. Or use stevia or monk fruit sweetener in place of the maple syrup or honey, if you prefer.
  • Make it gluten-free: Make sure to use certified gluten-free oats.

Can you heat up overnight oats?

Yes, you can absolutely warm up these chocolate chip banana overnight oats. Just heat them in the microwave for 30-60 seconds, stirring frequently or in a small saucepan on the stove until heated to your liking.

Where can you find more overnight oatmeal recipes?

We’ve got you covered when it comes to simple and easy overnight oats recipes! Here are some of the most well-loved recipes on Wholefully.

If you’re still skeptical, promise me you’ll at least try one batch before making judgment—it’s not an exaggeration to say that people have told me overnight oats have changed their life!

How to Make Healthy Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

How to Make Healthy Pumpkin Spice Overnight Oats

Cherry and Toasted Almond Overnight Oats

Chocolate Peppermint Overnight Oats

Mocha Overnight Oats

Chai Latte Overnight Oats

Lemon Poppyseed Overnight Oats

Key Lime Pie Overnight Oats

How to Make Overnight Oats (Plus 15 Easy and Delicious Overnight Oatmeal Recipes)

How to Make Healthy Tropical Coconut Overnight Oats

How to Make Healthy Strawberry Cheesecake Overnight Oats

How to Make Healthy Coconut Chocolate Overnight Oats

Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats Recipe| Wholefully (17)

Chocolate Chip Banana Overnight Oats Recipe

Yield: 1 large serving or 2 small

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Whip up these healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats for a speedy and nourishing breakfast—they are a little bit sweet, and a little bit decadent!

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt
  • 1/2 cup (heaping) rolled oats
  • 2/3 cup unsweetened milk of choice
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds or ground flax meal
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 0–2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup
  • 1/2 ripe banana, chopped or mashed
  • 2 tablespoons chocolate chips

Instructions

  1. Stir together all ingredients in a medium-sized mixing bowl. Spoon into a jar with a tight-fitting lid.
  2. Close and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight before eating.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 2Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 338Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 4gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 6gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 129mgCarbohydrates: 55gFiber: 6gSugar: 34gProtein: 11g

At Wholefully, we believe that good nutrition is about much more than just the numbers on the nutrition facts panel. Please use the above information as only a small part of what helps you decide what foods are nourishing for you.

Healthy Banana Chocolate Chip Overnight Oats Recipe| Wholefully (2024)

FAQs

What is the secret to overnight oats? ›

Add Twice as Much Milk as Oats

Whether you prefer whole milk, rice milk or coconut milk, you can use it. Just make sure to add twice as much milk as oats. Note: You can also use whey, buttermilk or thinned yogurt for a tangier flavor.

What are the healthiest oats to use for overnight oats? ›

Old-fashioned rolled oats.

Old-fashioned rolled oats are the best choice for overnight oats. They soak up the liquid overnight, leaving you with a creamy (but not mushy) texture. Save steel-cut and quick-cooking oats for another time. Milk: You can make overnight oats with any kind of milk — dairy or non-dairy.

Do overnight oats boost metabolism? ›

Overnight oats is a true power breakfast that provides plenty of strength and energy. This is because of its high natural protein and fiber content that stimulate metabolism. They're complex carbohydrates break down slowly and keep you full for longer.

What makes overnight oats healthy? ›

Overnight oats offer a range of health benefits, due to their rich fibre and protein content. They also contain a number of vitamins and minerals, some of which include manganese, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. This makes overnight oats healthy for your gut, as well as for overall health and well-being.

What not to add in overnight oats? ›

As Best points out, "some of the worst ingredients that are mistakenly added to healthy overnight oat recipes include chocolate sauce, sugar, syrup, and dried fruit."

What happens to your body when you eat overnight oats everyday? ›

The Bottom Line

Making oatmeal a regular part of your menu can potentially lower your disease risk, help your gut health thrive, make bowel movements easier and keep you feeling fuller for longer. If you're ready to start your morning with a bowl of oats, try our Cinnamon-Roll Overnight Oats.

What milk is best for overnight oats? ›

Overnight Oats are great with all kinds of milk, dairy (pasteurized) or non-dairy. Feel free to use your favorite! We do not recommend making Overnight Oats with water because it will result in an overly liquid texture. Did this answer your question?

What can I use instead of yogurt in overnight oats? ›

No, yogurt adds a creamy texture but it isn't mandatory. You can use nut butter, banana, applesauce, or coconut milk instead. Can I make overnight oats without chia seeds? Chia seeds add a nice thick and creamy texture.

Are overnight oats better for you than oatmeal? ›

The intensity of heat while cooking is the contributing factor, lower the heat better the nutrient availability. When you soak the oats overnight, it's almost like you're cooking them, but the process is much longer and slower, and it's done without heat. Hence, it is more nutrient rich than cooked version.

Does overnight oats help lose belly fat? ›

Weight management: Oats have high fiber content, which can make you feel fuller for longer. This helps to control your appetite, naturally reducing your calorie intake. Over time, this can help you lose weight and maintain a healthy body mass.

Why put chia seeds in overnight oats? ›

Why Do You Put Chia Seeds in Overnight Oats? Chia seeds up the nutrition content in overnight oats. They're loaded with good-for-your-gut fiber and omega-3 fatty acids, which help calm inflammation in your body and may protect you from chronic disease. They also add a nice protein boost to this recipe.

What can I mix with oats to lose weight? ›

Fresh fruit: berries, bananas, apples, peaches, mango, or pears. Spices: cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or nutmeg. Natural sweeteners: a dash of maple syrup or honey. Unsweetened or lightly sweetened chocolate: shaved dark chocolate (with a cocoa content of 70% or more)

Can I eat overnight oats for weight loss? ›

For those looking for a fiber-rich, protein-filled breakfast that requires little to no effort at all to help with their weight loss goals, overnight oats are the ideal solution. Unlike regular oatmeal, which is cooked in boiling water on the stove or zapped in the microwave, overnight oats are not cooked at all.

Is overnight oats better with milk or yogurt? ›

Greek yogurt, for example, is a good choice as it is high in protein and lower in sugar compared to other types of yogurt. Low-fat or non-fat milk can also be used in moderation to reduce the overall fat content. Yes, combining yogurt and milk to make overnight oats is a healthy choice for your body.

Why didn't my overnight oats work? ›

If you don't add enough liquid, your oats will be dry and clumpy in the morning, making them less enjoyable to eat. Make sure to add enough milk or yogurt to fully cover your oats and give them a creamy consistency.

How do you make overnight oats not soggy? ›

Yogurt: Give your oats an extra boost of protein with a scoop of your favorite Greek yogurt. Tip: While you can add the mix-ins the night before, I like to portion them out separately as pictured, but wait to add them until right before serving. That way my oatmeal is extra fresh and not soggy!

What is best to soak oats in overnight? ›

Soak in milk

Go with regular or choose an alternative milk if you prefer the flavour, or if you're vegan. Soak the oats overnight until soft and creamy.

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