These banana cinnamon overnight oats are dairy-free, vegan, and easy to make gluten-free. They have a delicious banana bread flavor without being too sweet! They are made with almond milk, chia seeds, and cinnamon to create a healthy breakfast that is packed with fiber to keep you full throughout the day.
Banana cinnamon is one of those flavor combinations that taste delicious no matter what time of year it is. You can enjoy these overnight oats for breakfast, lunch, a midday snack, or even an after-dinner dessert! They are so versatile, healthy, and so easy to prepare. Even your kids will love these oats!
If you're a fan of easy oatmeal recipes, I have a lot more for you to try after this. This vegan birthday cake overnight oats recipe is one of the most popular on the blog!
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Why You'll Love These Oats
- Banana Cinnamon Flavor - The perfect flavor pairing without being too sweet.
- Super Easy - It only takes 5 minutes to mix the ingredients in one bowl.
- Convenient - Busy mornings are no problem when you can grab oats and go.
- No-Cook Oatmeal - Again, these are easy oats. No cooking required!
- Dairy-Free & Vegan - The oats are completely vegan (dairy-free and egg-free). They are oil-free and refined sugar-free, too!
- Easy to Make GF - Use gluten-free oats and this recipe becomes gluten-free.
Ingredients
You only need 6 healthy ingredients for this oatmeal recipe. You probably have most of them in your pantry already! This is a great way to use up spotty bananas you have laying around.
- Bananas - Use ripe, spotty bananas for the best flavor. Spotty, brown bananas are sweeter than green-yellow bananas that are not as ripe.
- Oats - Use old-fashioned rolled oats or quick oats, not steel-cut oats. Use certified gluten-free oats if you want to make the recipe gluten-free.
- Cinnamon - Any ground cinnamon works well. In a pinch, you can use nutmeg, allspice, or pumpkin pie spice instead, but the flavor will be a bit different.
- Chia Seeds - Chia seeds add fiber and protein to the oats and absorb some of the liquid, helping them become thicker overnight. You can also use ground flaxseed.
- Plant Milk - Any unsweetened plant milk works well. I use almond milk, but oat milk, coconut milk, and soy milk are great options. Use sweetened plant milk if you like sweeter oatmeal.
- Vanilla Extract - A splash of vanilla brings out the delicious flavors in the recipe.
Remember to see the recipe card at the end of the post for ingredient quantities.
Step-by-Step Instructions
You only need one large mixing bowl to make the oats. No mixer is required; just a fork for mashing the bananas and a spoon to stir the rest. Here are step-by-step instructions for making the recipe:
STEP 1: Add the bananas to a large bowl and use a fork to mash them into a creamy mixture. Some banana chunks are expected and okay to have, but the bananas should change from firm chunks to a soft mixture, like the picture shows.
STEP 2: Add the rolled oats, almond milk, chia seeds, cinnamon, and vanilla extract to the bowl with the banana.
STEP 3: Use a spoon to mix all the ingredients together until evenly combined. The oatmeal will be creamy and thin before chilling.
STEP 4: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in the fridge to chill for at least 4 hours to thicken. Overnight is best.
STEP 5: Once chilled, give the oats another stir and add a splash of milk if the oats are too thick for your preference. Then, transfer the oats into individual serving jars.
STEP 6: Add toppings as desired, like fresh banana slices, peanut butter, nuts, raisins, or simply enjoy the oatmeal plain. It is delicious either way!
TIP: If you are not planning on eating all of the oatmeal at once, it's best to not add the toppings until right before serving to keep things fresh.
Topping Ideas
There are so many yummy toppings you can add to your oats. Here are a few ideas!
- Banana Slices - My favorite topping to add to enhance that rich banana flavor!
- Peanut Butter - This makes for a delicious peanut butter banana taste. You can use almond butter too. Natural, creamy varieties are best.
- Chopped Nuts - If you like a little crunch, add some walnuts or pecans on top.
- Dairy-Free Whipped Cream - A dollop of coconut whipped cream makes these quite the treat, but still dairy-free!
- Ground Cinnamon - A sprinkle of cinnamon over the oatmeal is the perfect touch.
Easy Flavor Variations
- Sweeter Oats - If you like your oatmeal a little bit sweeter, mix in 1-2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup before chilling the oatmeal. You may also add 1 tablespoon of coconut sugar instead of maple syrup.
- Overnight Oats With Yogurt - Mix in ⅓ cup dairy-free yogurt for super creamy banana oats. Vanilla or banana-flavored yogurt is a great choice.
- Banana Nut Overnight Oats - Mix in ½ cup of chopped walnuts and 2 tablespoons ground flaxseed to the oatmeal.
- Maple Cinnamon Overnight Oats - You can give these oats a maple cinnamon flavor by adding 1 teaspoon maple extract and 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup to the mixture.
- Banana Raisin Overnight Oats - Add ½ cup raisins to the oatmeal and sprinkle some extra raisins on top!
- Banana Almond Overnight Oats - Use almond milk and mix in 1 teaspoon pure almond extract. Stir in ⅓ cup sliced almonds if desired.
These protein overnight oats are another great vegan breakfast option to try!
Expert Tips for Success
- Don't shorten the chill time - It's important to allow the oats to thicken for at least 4 hours in the fridge. Not chilling them (or chilling them for a shorter time) means the oats will be quite thin and runny instead of thick and creamy.
- Customize to your liking - These banana cinnamon overnight oats are very versatile, so don't be afraid to get creative and add your favorite toppings and mix-ins!
- Add toppings right before serving - The oats will stay fresh and last the longest if you add the toppings right before you eat them.
- Store in jars with lids - I recommend keeping the oatmeal in single-serving jars with airtight lids. This makes it super convenient to grab and go on busy mornings!
Frequently Asked Questions
Not really. The mashed banana mixed into the oatmeal does not noticeably turn brown since it is combined with other ingredients. If you top the oats with fresh banana slices, they may turn slightly brown over time. This is why it's best to add toppings right before serving.
There are approximately 358 calories in one serving of oats if you separate the mixture into two serving jars. If you use smaller jars and make 4 servings, there are approximately 180 calories in each serving.
Yes! No cooking or baking is required to make this recipe. After you combine the ingredients, the oatmeal chills in the fridge to set up overnight. Very easy!
Yes! Cinnamon has lots of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Oatmeal has lots of fiber and healthy carbohydrates to give you energy throughout the day. When mixed together, oatmeal with cinnamon is a delicious, healthy meal!
You can keep overnight oats in the fridge for 2-3 days. They are best enjoyed immediately, but taste good as leftovers, too.
Storing & Freezing
It's best to store oatmeal without any toppings to keep it fresh as long as possible. Store leftover oats in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Glass jars with lids are perfect for this! Stir the oatmeal upon reserving. If the oats become too thick, add an extra splash of almond milk or water to "freshen it up."
Can you freeze overnight oats?
Yes, you can freeze overnight oats, but the flavor is best when enjoyed immediately. You can freeze the oats in an airtight container (individual servings are easiest to thaw), but be mindful that the banana may become soft and lose some flavor during the freezing process. Freeze oats without any toppings for the best results.
More Healthy Vegan Oatmeal Recipes
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Recipe
Banana Cinnamon Overnight Oats (Vegan)
Equipment
- 1 Large Mixing Bowl
- 2 Small Jars for serving
Ingredients
- 2 medium bananas ripe and spotty
- 1 cup rolled oats gluten-free if desired
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or other plant milk
- 2 tablespoons chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, use a fork to mash the bananas until a creamy mixture forms. Some banana lumps are okay.2 medium bananas
- Add the oats, almond milk, chia seeds, cinnamon, and vanilla extract to the bowl with the mashed banana.1 cup rolled oats, 1 cup unsweetened almond milk, 2 tablespoons chia seeds, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are completely combined.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place in the fridge to chill for 4 hours, or overnight.
- Once chilled, stir the oats again and transfer the mixture to small, individual serving jars.
- Add desired toppings such as banana slices, cinnamon, peanut butter, nuts, or raisins. Serve and enjoy!
Autumn says
I'm always looking for good overnight oat recipes. This one is delicious! I had some for lunch at work and sent a jar with my son to school. He loved it! The banana cinnamon flavors are great together but it's not too sweet. It doesn't leave me feeling slumped like a lot of the other sugary oatmeal recipes. I'll be making this again! Thanks for the vegan and gluten-free options!