Overnight Oats Banana Chocolate (Printable Version)

Creamy oats blended with banana and dark chocolate, chilled overnight for a quick morning boost.

# What You'll Need:

→ Oats Base

01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup milk, dairy or plant-based
03 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or plant-based yogurt
04 - 1 tablespoon chia seeds
05 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
06 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Toppings

07 - 1 large ripe banana, sliced
08 - 1 ounce dark chocolate, chopped or chips
09 - 2 tablespoons chopped nuts, such as walnuts or almonds, optional
10 - Pinch of sea salt, optional

# Cooking Steps:

01 - In a medium bowl or large jar, combine oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup, and vanilla. Stir thoroughly until fully mixed.
02 - Cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least 6 hours to allow the oats to soften and flavors to meld.
03 - In the morning, stir the oats thoroughly. If the mixture is too thick, add a splash of milk to reach your desired consistency.
04 - Divide the oats between two bowls or jars.
05 - Top each portion with sliced banana, chopped dark chocolate, and nuts if desired. Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt for enhanced flavor if preferred.
06 - Serve chilled and enjoy immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Zero cooking means you can literally make this while half-asleep, then grab it on your way out the door.
  • Dark chocolate and banana together hit that sweet spot between indulgent and actually nutritious.
  • It tastes better the next morning than it does fresh, which is rare and wonderful.
02 -
  • Overripe bananas (the ones with brown patches everywhere) are actually perfect here because they're softer and sweeter, not a sign you waited too long to use them.
  • The mixture thickens significantly in the fridge as the chia seeds and oats absorb liquid, so what looks too thin when you make it becomes exactly right by morning—trust the process instead of adding more oats at night.
03 -
  • Toast your nuts in a dry pan for two minutes before adding them; it brings out their flavor and keeps them from getting soggy, which changes the whole textural experience.
  • If you're making multiple jars for the week, use glass containers because the oats will actually look appealing the next morning instead of taking on the slightly sad look they get in plastic.
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