Caramelized Banana Overnight Oats

by Mackenzie Burgess, RDN | Jan 17, 2024

There’s something incredibly comforting about waking up to a ready-to-go breakfast, especially when it’s as delightful as Caramelized Banana Overnight Oats. It’s seriously as easy as: prep, grab, and go – perfect for busy mornings. Plus you get to customize with milk, yogurt, and sweetener of your choice.

Hand holding a jar of banana overnight oats topped with walnuts

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Why you’ll love it

Overnight oats are so simple and convenient. Just mix, set in the fridge overnight, and you’ll wake up to a creamy, delicious bowl ready to eat! They are truly a meal prep dream.

Breakfast jar of banana-flavored overnight oats with a walnut crunch

Are overnight oats healthy?

This overnight oats recipe is healthy for a number of reasons. Oats are known for their fiber-rich content, particularly beta-glucan, which can help lower cholesterol and improve heart health.

The bananas offer natural sweetness. This means even though they provide naturally occuring sugar–there’s no added sugars. One medium banana provides just over 100 calories, 3 grams of fiber, and 442 mg of potassium (this is 9% the daily value).

Oats and bananas are both carbohydrates sources that give us energy. Then, when you combine these with the protein from Greek yogurt and the nourishing omega-3s fat from chia seeds, this breakfast easily becomes a balanced start to your day.

What ingredients do you need?

Rolled Oats: These are whole oats that have been flattened and steamed. They offer a chewy yet creamy texture after sitting overnight.
Milk: Choose any milk that fits your dietary preferences.
Greek Yogurt: Adds creaminess and a good amount of protein.
Chia Seeds: These tiny seeds are packed with omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and antioxidants.
Bananas: You can use either under ripe or ripe bananas – we prefer slightly ripe bananas for a sweeter flavor and soft texture.
Coconut Sugar: This sugar is made by extracting the sap of the coconut palm tree, which is then heated and dried to produce a granulated form that is similar in texture to brown sugar. It also retains small amounts of nutrients found in the coconut palm.
Cinnamon: Adds a warm, sweet spice that goes great with banana. Cinnamon is known for its healthy antioxidant properties.

How do you make these banana overnight oats?

Prepare the Oats Base: In a mason jar, combine rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, sweetener, vanilla extract, and cinnamon.
Let it Rest Overnight: Stir the mixture well and let it sit in the fridge overnight or at least 2 hours.
Caramelize the Bananas: You can do this step either the night before or morning of. Toss banana slices in coconut sugar and cinnamon, then cook them in a skillet with oil until golden.
Assemble and Enjoy: Add the caramelized bananas over the oats and top with your choice of toppings.

Can I use ripe bananas?

Along with recipes like collagen banana bread and cheesecake “nice” cream, this recipe is a great way to use up ripe bananas. In this recipe, ripe bananas are naturally sweeter and tend to become soft and compote-like in texture when cooked, perfect for those who enjoy a richer sweetness and softer consistency in their oats.

On the other hand, if you use unripe bananas they will be less sweet and maintain their shape better when heated, offering a firmer texture to your breakfast.

Recipe tips and tricks

Serving Tips: Pair these oats with a cup of coffee or herbal tea for a cozy breakfast.
Troubleshooting Tips: If the oats mixture is too thick in the morning, adjust the consistency by adding a little more milk.
Scaling Tips: This recipe can be easily doubled or tripled. Just make sure you have enough jars to store the oats. You can also combine it all together in a large bowl and portion into a bowl out each morning.

Customize it your way

Like all of our other recipes, this Caramelized Banana Overnight Oats is completely customizable. You get to choose what milk, yogurt, and sweetener you want to use.

Milk of your choice: Whether it’s almond, soy, cow’s, or oat milk, pick one that suits your taste and dietary preferences.
Yogurt of your choice: We always like to choose Greek yogurt for extra creaminess and protein. You can also sub a plant-based yogurt like almond or coconut for a dairy-free alternative.
Liquid sweetener of your choice: Go with classic honey, maple syrup for a rich flavor, agave for a vegan option, or date syrup for a no added sugar option. Whatever you choose – you can’t go wrong!

Taking spoonful of creamy overnight oats with banana slices and walnut topping

Can you make caramelized banana overnight oats ahead of time?

Absolutely! Overnight oats are meant to be prepared ahead of time, making your morning routine quicker.

How do I store leftovers?

Store any prepped oats in an airtight container for up to 4 days in the fridge. Note: The bananas will start to get softer as they sit.

Need more help with recipes for your busy schedule?

In my coaching + cooking program, I help busy people with beginner cooking knowledge become confident in the kitchen so that they can enjoy nourishing foods they love and stress less about mealtime. Click here to learn more about this virtual program led by a dietitian.