Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

These creamy peanut butter overnight oats combine a base of oats, banana, and chia seeds with a decadent peanut butter chocolate ganache topping. Prep this recipe in just minutes and enjoy it as breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack for the rest of the week!

Creamy Peanut Butter Banana Overnight Oats

Chocolate, banana, and peanut butter overnight oats perfectly toe the line between a healthy and decadent breakfast treat. They’re made with just a handful of inexpensive ingredients, prepped in just minutes, tastes like dessert, but are loaded with ingredients to keep you satisfied until your next meal. If you suffer from busy mornings (guilty!), then these meal-prep-friendly vegan overnight oats are a savior (alongside options like chocolate granola bars and chocolate chia pudding). Plus, they’re child-approved too!

What are Overnight Oats?

Overnight oats are simply a dish made with oats and a liquid (milk, juice, water. Many options also add a sweetener and chia seeds or yogurt for a creamier, thicker base) that are left to ‘soak’ and thicken overnight, with no cooking necessary. Then, the following morning, you can grab the jar from the fridge and dig in with a spoon.

While similar to oatmeal, overnight oats require no cooking and retain more of the oats ’chewy’ texture and individual ‘grain’ consistency while still becoming thick and creamy. Even better, overnight oats recipes take just minutes to prep enough portions for a week of healthy breakfasts and have almost endless flavor versatility!

For this peanut butter overnight oats recipe, I’ve combined three of my favorite flavors to make creamy but decadent overnight oats without yogurt, using banana to naturally thicken and sweeten the oats with no added sugar necessary. I then topped that off with a rich peanut butter chocolate ganache topping – to enjoy as a decadent meal prep breakfast, mid-day snack, or dessert!

And if you want to try more oat-based vegan breakfast dishes, you might enjoy these healthy oatmeal chocolate chip bars, strawberry oatmeal bars, or baked banana oatmeal!

The Ingredients

The Banana Overnight Oats

• Rolled oats: Old-fashioned oats/rolled oats are best for overnight oats (not steel-cut oats). Use certified gluten-free oats if necessary.
• Chia seeds: Overnight oats with chia seeds are thicker, and have added protein, fiber, and omega-3s.
• Mashed banana: Use a ripe or slightly over-ripe banana. This will thicken, flavor, and naturally sweeten the vegan overnight oats.
• Plant-based milk: Use your favorite dairy-free milk (almond, soy, cashew, coconut, rice, etc.). For a lighter option, you could use water, but the peanut butter overnight oats won’t be as creamy.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Ganache

• Peanut butter: Use creamy peanut butter, it can be smooth or crunchy. If preferred, substitute it with another nut/seed butter, like almond butter, hazelnut butter, or sunflower seed butter.
• Coconut milk: This will make for the creamiest results over other plant-based milks. You can use full-fat or light canned coconut milk.
• Dairy-free chocolate: Use either semisweet or bittersweet chocolate. Use a sugar-free/keto chocolate, if preferred.
• Vanilla extract: Natural, pure vanilla will have the best flavor.
• Salt: Just a pinch enhances the flavors in the chocolate peanut butter overnight oats.
• Sweetener: (optional) Add a few drops of stevia/your liquid sweetener of choice.

Optional add-ins and recipe variations:

• Yogurt: For creamier vegan overnight oats, use 50/50 of dairy-free yogurt (Like vegan greek yogurt) and milk.
• Zucchini: Finely shredded, drained zucchini will ‘hide’ in the flavorful banana overnight oats while adding extra nutrients. Add around ¼ cup (or more!).
• Coconut: Use unsweetened shredded coconut/flakes in the banana overnight oats mixture for texture, or sprinkle over the top as a garnish. Use ½-1 tbsp.
• Cacao nibs: For added crunch and an antioxidant boost, add a sprinkle of cacao nibs – around 1/2 tbsp.
• Banana slices: To top the chocolate peanut butter banana overnight oats.
• Fresh berries: Raspberries, blueberries, or strawberries would work to top this breakfast. I prefer to add them just before serving.
• Protein powder: Add ½ a scoop of your favorite unflavored, vanilla, banana, or peanut butter flavored protein powder to the chia seed oatmeal mixture. You’ll likely need additional liquid to make up for the absorbent powder.
• Cinnamon: Just a pinch to taste (added to the chia seed oatmeal mixture).
• PB&J: Swap out the ganache topping and instead add 1-2 tbsp of peanut butter to the oats and top with a berry compote.

Please read the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, measurements, complete recipe method, and nutritional information.

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Step 1: Prepare the banana overnight oats mixture

Alternatively, you can use a small blender/food processor.

Step 2: Prepare the peanut butter chocolate ganache

• Add the peanut butter (or nut/seed butter of choice), coconut milk, and dairy-free chocolate to a small heat-proof bowl. Either microwave for 30 seconds OR use a double-boiler to melt all the ingredients, stirring well to combine.
• Then, remove the ganache from the heat and optionally stir in the vanilla and salt.

• Finally, pour the ganache over the chia oat mixture and leave the overnight oats to thicken for at least 2 hours or overnight. Optionally top with some peanuts or your favorite toppings, and then enjoy!

How to Store?

Store: These vegan overnight oats make for a fantastic meal-prep breakfast or snack. Once prepared, you can store these jars of peanut butter overnight oats in the refrigerator (covered) for up to 5 days.

Freeze: I prefer to make overnight oats fresh since they take no time at all to prep. However, if you want to freeze them, do so in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Then, allow them to thaw in the refrigerator overnight before topping with additional toppings and serving.

If you freeze overnight oats within a few hours of preparing them, then you can store them in the fridge for a further 3-4 days after thawing,

FAQs

Should I eat overnight oats hot or cold?

Overnight oats are best enjoyed straight from the fridge. However, microwave them (for between 1-2 minutes) if you’d prefer a warm version.

Can I omit the chia seeds?

Absolutely. The overnight oats recipe won’t be as thick or hearty, but will still taste great. I recommend reducing the milk by a couple of tablespoons, too.

Are these peanut butter overnight oats healthy?

This overnight oats recipe toes the line between healthy and indulgent while packing in a good deal of health benefits thanks to the ingredients used. The oats will provide gut-healthy fiber (to keep you satisfied for longer) along with several vitamins, minerals, and even antioxidants. Meanwhile, the chia seeds are packed with plant-based protein, antioxidants, minerals, fiber, and omega-3 fatty acids. These, combined, can support gut health, heart health, cholesterol levels, blood sugar levels, and bone health!

More so, you can use natural peanut butter with no added sugar or unnecessary vegetable oils/trans fats, to take advantage of the high amounts of plant-based protein, antioxidants, and vitamins and minerals it contains.

If you are worried about the sugar content in the chocolate portion of this recipe, then feel free to use sugar-free (keto) chocolate instead!

Are overnight oats good for weight loss?

When eaten in moderation and alongside a healthy diet, overnight oats can keep you satisfied until your next meal and help to cut down on snacking.

Recipe Notes and FAQs

• For crunchier/ tougher overnight oats: Either soak them for less time (the 2 hours minimum rather than overnight) OR use a little less liquid in the recipe.
• If the oats aren’t sweet enough: I find that overnight oats with banana are sweet enough for me. However, if you have a sweeter tooth, feel free to add some of your favorite liquid sweetener: maple syrup, brown rice syrup, date syrup, liquid stevia drops, etc.
• For more peanut butter flavor: Add a spoonful of the nut butter to the banana overnight oats mixture, too. If it’s quite hard/solid, microwave it first.
• The optimal soaking time: While I recommend a 2hr minimum soaking time, overnight oats are best (and at their ‘proper’ consistency) with at least 7-8 hours of soaking time!
• For a lower fat version: You can experiment with using peanut butter powder instead of regular peanut butter.

More Vegan Oat Recipes

• Raspberry oatmeal crumble bars
• Banana oat flour pancakes
• Chocolate oat breakfast bars
• Homemade nut-free granola
• Strawberry parfait
• Lemon Cheesecake Bars

If you try this chocolate peanut butter overnight oats recipe, I’d love a comment and ★★★★★ recipe rating below. Also, please don’t forget to tag me in re-creations on Instagram or Facebook with @elavegan #elavegan—I love seeing them.

Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Author: Michaela Vais

These creamy peanut butter overnight oats combine a base of oats, banana, and chia seeds with a decadent peanut butter chocolate ganache topping. Prep this recipe in just minutes and enjoy it as breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack for the rest of the week!

5 from 6 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 minute min

Total Time 6 minutes mins

Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack

Cuisine American

Servings 1

Calories 341 kcal

Ingredients

 

1x2x3x

Overnight Oats

• 1/2 ripe (60 g) banana
• 2 tbsp (20 g) chia seeds
• 1/2 cup (45 g) oats (gluten-free if needed)
• 2/3 cup (160 ml) dairy-free milk (see notes)

Ganache (optional)

• 1 1/2 tbsp (24 g) peanut butter
• 2 1/2 tbsp (30 g) canned coconut milk
• 8 g dairy-free chocolate
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• 1 pinch of salt (optional)
• A few drops of stevia to sweeten (optional)

Instructions

 

• You can watch the short video for visual instructions.

  In a medium bowl, mash the banana and add it to a glass jar. Then add in chia seeds, oats, and plant-based milk. Stir with a spoon until well combined. Transfer the jar into your fridge.

Ganache:

• Add the peanut butter, coconut milk, and dairy-free chocolate to a small bowl and melt the ingredients in a double boiler or microwave for 30 seconds. Stir to combine, remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract and salt.
• Pour the ganache over the chia oat mixture and place the jar back into the fridge overnight or for at least 2 hours. Optionally, top with some peanuts and enjoy!

Notes

• Dairy-free milk: Any milk is fine such as almond, coconut milk, oat milk, etc. If you are a celiac sufferer, make sure that your oat milk is gluten-free. 
• The recipe makes just one serving (1 glass jar). If you want to make several servings for the whole week, adjust the serving size accordingly and prepare the recipe in a bowl, then divide the mixture into different glass jars.
• The total time doesn't include chill time.

Nutrition Facts

Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

Amount per Serving

Calories

341

% Daily Value*

Fat

 

13

g

20

%

Saturated Fat

 

2

g

10

%

Sodium

 

85

mg

4

%

Potassium

 

468

mg

13

%

Carbohydrates

 

43

g

14

%

Fiber

 

13

g

52

%

Sugar

 

4

g

4

%

Protein

 

14

g

28

%

Vitamin A

 

632

IU

13

%

Vitamin C

 

12

mg

15

%

Calcium

 

393

mg

39

%

Iron

 

4

mg

22

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically

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