Introducing one of my most popular overnight oats variations: chocolate peanut butter overnight oats with banana! This overnight make ahead breakfast only takes five minutes to prep, and is made with wholesome, filling ingredients that will keep you satisfied all morning long.
It might sound like a dessert, but it’s actually a healthy, fiber-rich breakfast (that also happens to taste amazing). Basically, if you like chunky monkey ice cream, you’ll love this creamy oatmeal, too.
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Why make overnight oats?
Overnight oats are the holy grail of meal prep breakfast recipes. They’re super versatile (you can add your favorite ingredients and mix & match as much as you want!) and they take about 5 minutes of prep time at night to make.
Simply pop them in the fridge and the next morning breakfast is ready and waiting for you – awesome!
One of my readers, Ellen, says: “This was so good. Good thing I made it the day before cuz my 3 grandkids had a sleepover, and with all the chaos and mess they created, I didn’t have to cook. So nice to grab a spoon and pull something out the fridge. No fuss, no mess.”
The key to making oatmeal that actually keeps you full for more than 5 seconds is adding enough healthy fat and protein (vs. only carbs). This recipe features peanut butter and ground flax to add protein and healthy fat, plus you’ll get protein from the milk, too.
(Love overnight oatmeal? Be sure to also try my chocolate strawberry overnight oats, tropical mango overnight oats, and almond milk overnight oats with berries!).
You can even store these overnight oats in a grab-and-go container for easy transportation! I recommend a mason jar or glass snapware, but anything works. I’ve even made large batches in a mixing bowl with a reusable plastic cover.
Keep reading for how to make your own scrumptious oats with chocolate, peanut butter, and banana. The whole family will love this easy breakfast recipe.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats with Banana
The full recipe details with measurements are in the recipe card at the end of this post. But, here is an overview!
Step 1: Start with basic overnight oats.
To start, make the basic overnight oats recipe. All you have to do is combine rolled oats (gluten free certified if necessary), ground flax and milk (dairy or nondairy) in a jar and shake. Or, stir together in a bowl. Simple as that!
You can use this as a starter for any combination of flavors and toppings.
Step 2: Flavor your overnight oats base with peanut butter and cocoa powder.
There are lots of ways to add natural sweetness and flavor to your overnight oats. Cocoa powder, honey, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and cinnamon are some of my favorites. But feel free to experiment!
For this particular recipe, we’re adding cocoa powder for the chocolate flavor plus peanut butter for creaminess and staying power, and honey as a natural sweetener. If you don’t have honey on hand, pure maple syrup would also be delicious.
Have extra peanut butter? Try this chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie!
Step 3: Refrigerate
Once the base recipe is completed, you’ll need to refrigerate your oats for at least 3-4 hours, or just leave them in the fridge overnight. This allows the milk to soak into (and soften) the oats, and the flavors to mingle.
Step 4: Add your toppings and enjoy
When you’re ready to eat, add your toppings! For this recipe, that means optional chocolate chips, chopped peanuts, and sliced banana.
Normally, fruit would be added in the previous step. But since bananas get brown so quickly, I recommend waiting to slice and add your bananas until you’re ready to eat! Same with the chopped peanuts – you could stir them in before refrigerating, but they may get soggy. So for crunch factor, add those last, too.
Other toppings that would be tasty here: coconut, strawberries, and/or Greek yogurt.
And that’s it: you’ve got a delicious breakfast in a jar! The full peanut butter overnight oats recipe (with banana) is below.
What’s your favorite overnight oats flavor combination?
Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats (5-Minute Prep)
Introducing one of my most popular overnight oatmeal flavor combinations: chocolate peanut butter overnight oats with banana! This healthy, delicious make ahead breakfast is super quick and easy to grab-and-go.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats (certified GF if needed)
- 1 tablespoon ground flax
- 3/4 cup milk (dairy or nondairy)
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1/3 of a sliced banana
- Handful of chopped peanuts (optional)
- Handful of chocolate chips (optional)
Instructions:
1. Combine oats, flax, milk, and cocoa powder in a one-pint jar (or bowl). Screw on the lid and shake if using a jar; if using a bowl, whisk ingredients together with a fork.
2. Add peanut butter and honey. Stir until mixed in.
3. Put the lid back on or cover, and refrigerate overnight (or at least 3-4 hours).
4. Add sliced banana, optional chocolate chips and chopped peanuts on top when ready to eat, and enjoy!
