Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats (Easy Meal Prep Breakfast)

Name: Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 245 min
Ingredients: 2 medium ripe bananas (mashed); 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats; 2.5 cups milk of choice; ½ cup plain Greek unsweetened yogurt; 1/4 cup smooth natural peanut butter; 2 tbsp pure maple syrup; ¼ cup chia seeds; 2 tsp pure vanilla extract; ¼ tsp salt; ½ cup peanut butter powder or protein powder (optional); Sliced banana; Smooth natural peanut butter; Nuts: walnuts, pecans, etc

If breakfast is the meal you most often skip or settle for because there isn’t time, this recipe is the answer. Five minutes of mixing the night before, four hours or overnight in the refrigerator, and you wake up to a ready-made breakfast that is creamy, naturally sweet from ripe mashed banana, rich and nutty from real peanut butter, and satisfying enough to carry you through the morning without thinking about food again until lunch.

Overhead view of three jars filled with creamy chia pudding topped with chopped walnuts and a dollop of nut butter. A gold spoon and scattered walnut pieces are on the white surface. Sunlight casts soft shadows.

A Quick Look At The Recipe

Recipe Name: Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats
Ready In: 245 minutes
Serves: 5
Main Ingredients: ripe bananas, old-fashioned rolled oats, milk of choice, plain Greek unsweetened yogurt, smooth natural peanut butter, pure maple syrup, chia seeds, pure vanilla extract
Why You'll Love It: These peanut butter banana overnight oats are made with mashed banana, Greek yogurt, chia seeds, natural peanut butter, and maple syrup. A creamy, protein-packed make-ahead breakfast ready in 5 minutes.

Overnight oats work because the oats hydrate slowly in the milk and yogurt overnight, softening into something that has the texture of a thick, creamy porridge without any cooking. The chia seeds absorb liquid and swell into a slightly pudding-like consistency that adds body throughout. The mashed banana distributes into every bite and sweetens the oats naturally so the maple syrup only needs to do a small amount of work. And the peanut butter runs through the whole batch so every spoonful has that warm, nutty flavor that makes this particular combination one of the most beloved breakfast recipes for good reason.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

You make it the night before and breakfast is done. Five minutes of prep the night before means zero effort in the morning when time is short and energy is low. Open the jar and eat.

The banana sweetens it naturally. Very ripe mashed banana adds enough natural sweetness that the maple syrup is just a finishing touch rather than the primary sweetener. The riper the banana the better.

It’s genuinely filling. Greek yogurt, chia seeds, peanut butter, and optional protein powder give this breakfast a protein and fat content that keeps you full for hours, just like my High-Protein Blueberry Blended Overnight Oats.

– Lyuda

Ingredients Needed to Make Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats

Overhead view of ingredients on a white surface: bananas, chia seeds, milk, maple syrup, rolled oats, peanut butter, Greek yogurt, vanilla extract, and protein powder. White towel in the top right corner.

Ripe bananas, mashed (the riper the better; heavily spotted bananas are sweeter and more fragrant and make a noticeably better overnight oat base than under-ripe ones)
Old-fashioned rolled oats (the correct oat for overnight oats; quick oats become mushy and steel-cut oats don’t soften sufficiently overnight)
Milk of choice (dairy or non-dairy both work; whole milk produces the creamiest result; oat milk is an excellent non-dairy option that complements the banana flavor naturally)
Plain unsweetened Greek yogurt (adds creaminess, tang, and a significant protein boost)
Smooth natural peanut butter (the primary flavor and a source of healthy fat and protein; natural peanut butter with just peanuts and salt is the clean-ingredient choice)
Pure maple syrup (a small amount rounds out the sweetness without overpowering the banana)
Chia seeds (absorb the liquid and create a slightly thick, pudding-like consistency throughout)
Pure vanilla extract (adds warmth and depth that enhances the banana and peanut butter flavors)
Salt (sharpens and balances all the sweetness)
Peanut butter powder or protein powder, optional (boosts the protein content significantly without adding much volume or changing the texture noticeably)

See the recipe card below for exact ingredient amounts, nutritional information, and detailed instructions.

How to Make Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats

Step 1: Mash the Bananas

Peel both bananas and mash them thoroughly in a large bowl using a fork until almost completely smooth with just a few small lumps remaining. The more mashed they are the more evenly they distribute through the oats. Very ripe, heavily spotted bananas mash more easily and produce a sweeter, more intensely flavored result than firm yellow ones.

Step 2: Add and Whisk Everything Together

Add the rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, peanut butter, maple syrup, chia seeds, vanilla extract, salt, and peanut butter or protein powder if using to the bowl with the mashed banana. Whisk everything together until completely combined and the peanut butter is fully incorporated throughout rather than sitting in clumps. The mixture will look thin at this stage, which is normal. It thickens significantly as the oats and chia seeds absorb the liquid overnight.

A person pouring milk into a glass jar, filled with the banana peanut butter overnight oats ingredients in it

A glass measuring cup filled with a thick, bubbly brown mixture, sits on a white surface.

Step 3: Divide and Refrigerate

Divide the mixture evenly among four meal prep jars or airtight containers. Seal tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight. The longer they sit the more the oats soften and the more developed the flavors become.

Step 4: Add Toppings and Eat

In the morning, give each jar a quick stir. If the oats seem thicker than you’d like, stir in a small splash of milk to loosen them to your preferred consistency. Top with sliced banana and a drizzle of peanut butter immediately before eating.

Four glass jars filled with chia pudding are on a white surface. The front jar is topped with banana slices, walnuts, and nut butter, with a gold spoon and scattered walnut pieces nearby.

!If you are looking for more delicious breakfast recipes, you’ll love my Healthy Breakfast Cookies and Veggie-Loaded Chocolate Muffins (Healthy, Kid-Friendly & Easy!)!

How To Store Overnight Oats

Store sealed jars in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The texture is best within the first 2 to 3 days when the oats are fully hydrated but still have a slight chew. By day four and five the oats are softer but still very good. If topping with fresh banana slices, add them right before eating rather than storing them in the jar since they brown quickly once sliced.

Serving Suggestions

Eat them straight from the jar cold for the most convenient breakfast experience, which is the whole point. Alternatively, warm them in the microwave for 60 to 90 seconds if you prefer a warm breakfast version, adding a splash of milk before heating to prevent them from drying out.

For toppings beyond the classic sliced banana and peanut butter drizzle, granola adds a crunchy contrast to the creamy oats. A handful of chopped dark chocolate, a sprinkle of cinnamon, a few blueberries, or a drizzle of honey all work beautifully. Crushed peanuts on top add a textural crunch and double down on the peanut flavor.

For a full high-protein breakfast spread, pair with my High-Protein Sheet Pan Breakfast Burritos for a brunch that covers both a cold make-ahead option and a warm, substantial egg-based dish.

Frequently Asked Questions About Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats

Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned rolled oats?

Quick oats will work but they absorb liquid faster and produce a softer, mushier texture than old-fashioned rolled oats since they’re more finely processed. Old-fashioned rolled oats retain a slight chew even after a full night of soaking, which most people prefer for overnight oats. Steel-cut oats are too dense and don’t soften adequately overnight without pre-cooking. Old-fashioned rolled oats are the recommended choice and worth using specifically for this recipe.

Do I have to use ripe bananas?

Very ripe bananas are strongly recommended. A ripe banana with brown spots has significantly more natural sugar than a firm yellow banana because the starches have converted to sugar during ripening. This means the oats taste noticeably sweeter and more banana-flavored with ripe bananas than with under-ripe ones. If you only have firm bananas, add an extra teaspoon of maple syrup to compensate for the lower natural sweetness.

Can I use a different nut butter?

Yes. Almond butter adds a slightly milder, more subtle flavor that pairs beautifully with banana. Cashew butter adds a creamier, sweeter profile. Sunflower seed butter is an excellent nut-free alternative with a slightly earthy, slightly sweet flavor that works well in this recipe. Whatever nut or seed butter you use, make sure it’s a natural variety without added sugar or hydrogenated oils for the best flavor and the cleanest ingredient list.

What milk works best?

Whole dairy milk produces the richest, creamiest overnight oats. For non-dairy options, oat milk is the most natural pairing with overnight oats and has a creamy consistency similar to whole milk. Full-fat coconut milk from a can produces an extremely rich, slightly tropical result that pairs beautifully with banana. Almond milk is lighter and produces a thinner overnight oat. Whatever milk you use, the oats will be good. The fat content of the milk primarily affects how rich and creamy the finished texture is.

More Delicious Breakfast Recipes

High-Protein Egg Bites

High-Protein Avocado Egg Salad

High-Protein Sheet Pan Breakfast Burritos

Brown Butter High-Protein Banana Bread (Refined Sugar-Free)

If you make this, I’d love to hear how it turned out – a star rating or a note in the comments helps others find the recipe and helps me know what’s working in your kitchen. Tag me @gracefilledkitchen in your photos on social media so I can see your creations.