Busy mornings are much easier when breakfast is already waiting in the fridge. Some days I do not have five extra minutes to think about what to eat, let alone make it, and that is exactly why this recipe has become a regular in my kitchen.
This is the overnight oats recipe I shared on YouTube, prepared the night before so it is ready when I wake up. The video shows the process, but here you will find the exact quantities, the full instructions, and a few details the short version does not cover.
Watch the Video
Watch how I prepare these easy overnight oats the night before, then find the full measurements and instructions below.
Why I Like This Breakfast
- Prepared the night before
- Only a few ingredients
- Naturally sweetened with ripe banana
- Ready when you wake up
Simple, filling and practical.
Easy Overnight Oats with Yogurt and Banana
Ingredients (1 serving)
- 1/2 ripe banana, mashed
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 single-serve Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- Cinnamon, for serving
If you want a breakfast with this same combination that you eat right away instead of preparing overnight, my yogurt oats bowl uses oats, banana, yogurt and chia too, just assembled and eaten on the spot.
How to Make Overnight Oats
1. Mash the banana Mash half a ripe banana directly in the jar or container.
2. Add the oats Add the rolled oats.
3. Add yogurt and chia Add the yogurt and chia seeds.
4. Mix Stir everything thoroughly until combined.
5. Refrigerate overnight Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight.
6. Serve The next morning, stir again, transfer to a bowl if you like, sprinkle with cinnamon and serve.
Coffee on the side is what I served with it in the video, but it is not part of the recipe itself.
What I Use for This Recipe
You do not need any special equipment to make overnight oats, but a good glass jar with a secure lid makes overnight prep much easier.
Glass jar with lid: I prepare the oats directly in a glass jar, mix everything inside, close it and place it in the fridge overnight. I like being able to see what is inside and use the same container from prep to fridge.
Measuring cups and spoons: A 1/2-cup measure for the oats and a teaspoon measure for the chia make this recipe very quick to put together.
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Why Use a Ripe Banana?
A ripe banana mashes easily, blends smoothly into the oats and yogurt, adds natural sweetness, and helps give the whole bowl a creamier texture. Nothing fancy, it just works better than an underripe one.
What Kind of Yogurt Can I Use?
Plain yogurt: neutral and simple, lets the banana and cinnamon lead.
Greek yogurt: thicker and creamier, gives the bowl more body.
Flavored yogurt: works too, but it will change the sweetness and flavor of the final result.
For the version shown in my video, I used Greek yogurt.
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How Long Should Overnight Oats Stay in the Fridge?
I prepare mine the night before and eat them the next morning. That time in the fridge is what allows the oats and chia to absorb the moisture from the yogurt and banana and soften into the right texture.
How Long Do They Keep?
This recipe is best prepared the night before and eaten the following morning. Other overnight oats recipes can be batched for several days at once, but this version, with the banana already mashed in, was built as a one-night meal prep rather than a five-day batch.
Easy Variations
Add berries Top with berries in the morning.
Add crunch Add nuts or seeds just before eating.
More cinnamon Mix cinnamon into the oats as well as sprinkling it on top.
Adjust the texture If it feels too thick in the morning, stir in a small splash of milk.
These are optional variations, not part of the recipe shown in the video.
More Easy Breakfast Ideas
- Healthy Yogurt Bowl with Oats & Banana If you want a similar breakfast that you can assemble and eat straight away, try my yogurt oats bowl.
- Breakfast Meal Prep for Tired Mornings More on preparing breakfast the night before to take one decision off your morning.
- Free Breakfast Meal Prep Checklist This checklist uses the same oats, yogurt, banana and chia combination as this recipe.
- 2 Easy Meal Prep Jar Salads More meal prep, this time for lunch.
Want to Make Busy Mornings Easier?
Get my free Breakfast Meal Prep Checklist and prep tomorrow’s breakfast tonight.
FAQ
Can you make overnight oats with yogurt instead of milk? Yes. This recipe uses yogurt and does not require milk.
Do you have to cook overnight oats? No.
Can I use Greek yogurt? Yes. It will usually make the oats thicker and creamier.
Can I make overnight oats without chia seeds? Yes, although the final texture may be different.
This is the kind of meal prep that actually works for me: a few minutes the night before, then breakfast is already waiting in the fridge the next morning. Simple, filling and practical.
Grab the free Breakfast Meal Prep Checklist to make more mornings this easy.
