Strawberry Banana Overnight Oats (Printer View)

Creamy oats with fresh strawberries, banana, and chia seeds, prepared overnight for quick morning enjoyment.

# Components:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (certified gluten-free if necessary)

→ Dairy and Alternatives

02 - 1 cup milk, dairy or plant-based such as almond or oat milk
03 - 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt

→ Fruits

04 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
05 - 1 medium ripe banana, sliced

→ Seeds and Sweeteners

06 - 2 tablespoons chia seeds
07 - 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey to taste

→ Flavorings

08 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
09 - Pinch of salt

# Method:

01 - In a medium bowl or jar, combine oats, chia seeds, milk, Greek yogurt, maple syrup or honey, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix well until thoroughly combined.
02 - Gently fold in half the strawberries and half the banana slices into the oat mixture.
03 - Divide the mixture evenly between two jars or containers.
04 - Top each serving with the remaining strawberries and banana slices.
05 - Cover and refrigerate overnight for at least 8 hours to allow oats and chia seeds to soak and soften.
06 - In the morning, stir gently. Add an extra splash of milk if desired for a looser consistency. Serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Zero cooking required, which means your kitchen stays cool and you're not standing over a stove when you should be sleeping.
  • The chia seeds do all the work overnight, transforming oats into something creamy that tastes almost indulgent for a breakfast.
  • Fresh strawberries and banana keep things bright and naturally sweet, no need to oversweeten the whole thing.
02 -
  • If your overnight oats turn out too thick, it's not a failure—just add milk a splash at a time in the morning until it reaches the consistency you like; some people prefer it almost pudding-thick, others want it looser.
  • The fruit on top will keep the rest from browning, which is why that step matters more than it seems; learned that the hard way when I mixed everything together and ended up with grayish-looking oats by morning.
03 -
  • Use slightly overripe bananas that are almost too soft to eat whole—they're sweeter and blend easier if you want a smoother final texture.
  • If you're making these dairy-free, oat milk works better than almond milk for creaminess; it already has a natural thickness that mimics what yogurt brings to the party.
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