Why you’ll love our Banana Pudding Overnight Oats!
A lot of Banana Pudding Overnight Oats recipes start with instant pudding mix. We went in a different direction. Instead of adding banana flavor from a box, we mash a ripe banana right into the oats. It sounds simple, but it makes a big difference. 🍌
As the oats chill overnight, the banana softens into the mixture and creates a naturally creamy, pudding-like texture. Combined with Greek yogurt, it gives you the richness people are usually trying to achieve with longer ingredient lists and specialty products.
What really makes this recipe work is the contrast of textures. Traditional banana pudding is soft, creamy, and layered, and these overnight oats capture that richness with mashed banana, oats, and Greek yogurt. We also add a sprinkle of crushed cookies on top for a little crunch and contrast, making every spoonful even more satisfying. ✨
Louise and I tested a few versions before settling on this one. It’s made with everyday ingredients, takes just minutes to prepare, and captures the flavor and texture of banana pudding surprisingly well. The fact that it’s also a nutritious breakfast is almost a bonus. 🥣
Ingredients
Full ingredients and substitutions are in the recipe box below.
- Banana: Use a ripe banana with plenty of brown spots for the best sweetness and creamy texture. Frozen banana, thawed and mashed, works well too. Since banana is the main flavor in this recipe, we don’t recommend substituting it.
- Rolled oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats create the best texture for these banana overnight oats. Quick oats work too, but they’ll soften more and have a less distinct texture.
- Milk: Any milk works here. Dairy milk makes the oats richer, while almond, soy, oat, or cashew milk keep this an easy make ahead breakfast you can customize to your taste.
- Greek yogurt: Adds creaminess and makes the oats more satisfying. Substitute low-fat Greek yogurt or Skyr for even more protein, or use a dairy-free yogurt if preferred.
- Maple syrup: Adds a little extra sweetness. Honey works well too, or you can skip it if your banana is especially ripe.
- Vanilla extract: Mixed into the topping, it brings the classic flavor associated with banana pudding. A small splash goes a long way.
- Graham crackers or digestive biscuits: Nilla Wafers, vanilla wafers, shortbread cookies, or crushed vanilla sandwich cookies. Banana pudding is traditionally soft and creamy, but a handful of crushed cookies adds a satisfying crunch that makes these overnight oats even more delicious.
How to Make Banana Pudding Overnight Oats
Step 1: Mix and Chill the Oats
In a medium bowl or storage container, mash the banana until mostly smooth.
Add the milk, Greek yogurt, and maple syrup and stir until combined. Add the rolled oats and stir again until evenly mixed.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or overnight. As the oats chill, the banana blends into the mixture and creates the thick, creamy texture that makes these overnight oats with banana taste more like pudding than oatmeal.
Step 2: Make the Vanilla Yogurt Topping
Shortly before serving, stir together the Greek yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth and creamy.
This simple topping adds richness and the classic vanilla flavor associated with banana pudding.
Step 3: Assemble and Serve
Give the oats a good stir. If they seem too thick, add a splash of milk.
Add half of the crushed graham crackers and some banana slices to the bottom of two jars or bowls. Spoon the oats on top.
Add the remaining graham crackers and a few more banana slices, then top with the vanilla yogurt mixture.
Serve immediately so you get the full contrast of creamy oats, silky yogurt, crunchy cookies, and fresh banana in every bite. This is what makes these healthy banana pudding overnight oats feel more like dessert than breakfast.
Tips
- Use a ripe banana: The brown-spotted bananas are sweeter, softer, and create the best banana pudding flavor and creamy texture.
- Mash the banana well: It doesn’t need to be perfectly smooth, but breaking it down helps it blend into the oats and creates a more pudding-like consistency.
- Use rolled oats: Old-fashioned rolled oats hold their texture overnight. Quick oats work in a pinch but produce a softer, less distinct texture.
- Choose plain Greek yogurt: It gives the oats richness and body without making them overly sweet. Low-fat Greek yogurt and Skyr work well too.
- Don’t skip the vanilla topping: Mixing vanilla into the yogurt topping adds the classic flavor people associate with banana pudding.
- Add the cookies just before serving: Whether you use graham crackers, digestive biscuits, or Nilla Wafers, adding them at the end keeps them crisp and creates a better contrast with the creamy oats.
- Adjust the thickness to your liking: If the oats are thicker than you prefer after chilling, stir in a splash of milk before serving.
- Let the oats chill fully: Four hours works, but overnight gives the oats the best texture and allows the banana flavor to develop.
- Taste before serving: Depending on the sweetness of your banana, you may want an extra drizzle of maple syrup.
- Store the topping separately: If making several days ahead, keep the vanilla yogurt topping and crushed cookies separate and assemble just before eating for the freshest texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to store Banana Pudding Overnight Oats?
Store the oats in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For the best texture, keep the vanilla yogurt topping and crushed cookies separate and add them just before serving.
Can I make these Banana Pudding Overnight Oats without Greek yogurt?
Can I use quick oats instead of rolled oats?
Can I use frozen bananas?
Can I make these oats sweeter?
Can I add more protein?
Why are my overnight oats too thick?
More Healthy Meal-Prep Breakfasts
These Banana Pudding Overnight Oats bring all the flavor of banana pudding to a wholesome breakfast made with oats, Greek yogurt, and ripe banana.
Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
Cook Time: 0 minutes mins
Chill Time: 4 hours hrs
Total Time: 4 hours hrs 10 minutes mins
Servings: –+ people
Course: Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine: American
Instructions
- Make the oats: In a medium bowl or storage container, mash 1 ripe banana until mostly smooth.Add ⅔ cup milk, ½ cup Greek yogurt, 1 tablespoon maple syrup, and stir until well until combined.Add 1 cup rolled oats and stir again until evenly mixed. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 4 hours.
- Make the topping: Shortly before serving, stir together ½ cup Greek yogurt, 1 to 2 teaspoons maple syrup, and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract in a small bowl until smooth and creamy.
- Assemble: Give the oats a good stir. If they seem too thick, add a splash of milk.Divide half of the crushed graham crackers and half of the banana slices between two jars or bowls.Spoon the oats on top, then add the remaining graham crackers and banana slices. Finish with the vanilla yogurt mixture.Serve immediately.
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