Banana Overnight Oats That Stay Creamy

Ingredients

• 1 medium ripe banana, blended (120 g)
• 1/2 medium banana, sliced for garnish (60 g)
• 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats (90 g)
• 1 cup milk, dairy or plant-based (240 g)
• 1/3 cup plain Greek yogurt (80 g)
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds (12 g)
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (20 g)
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (10 g)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (2 g)
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt (1 g)
• 2 tablespoons chopped toasted walnuts, optional (15 g)
• 2 tablespoons blueberries, optional (20 g)

Instructions

1. Blend base. Add the whole banana, milk, yogurt, maple syrup, lemon juice, vanilla, and salt to a blender. Blend until completely smooth and pale, scraping down the sides once if needed. No banana pieces should remain, because exposed pieces darken fastest during the overnight rest.
2. Stir oats. Pour the blended mixture into a medium bowl. Stir in the rolled oats and chia until every grain is moistened and no dry pockets remain. Let it stand for five minutes, then stir again to distribute chia before it begins thickening.
3. Fill jars. Divide the mixture between two lidded 12-ounce jars, leaving room for toppings and stirring. Wipe the rims clean, seal tightly, and refrigerate level jars for at least six hours. The oats are ready when thick enough to mound slightly on a spoon.
4. Adjust texture. In the morning, stir each jar from the bottom upward. If the mixture is firmer than you prefer, add milk one tablespoon at a time, stirring after each addition. If it is loose, cover and chill it for another hour before deciding.
5. Garnish and serve. Top each portion with banana slices, walnuts, and blueberries immediately before eating. Toss the visible banana with a few drops of lemon juice if it will travel. Serve cold from the jar or spoon into a bowl.

Notes

• Choose a yellow banana with freckles; heavily spotted fruit darkens the base and makes chilled oats taste sweeter and feel more pudding-like.
• Keep lemon juice at two teaspoons for gentle brightness. Use only a few drops on garnish slices when packing breakfast.
• Store sealed jars up to three days, adding banana and walnuts immediately before eating. Freezing separates the oat base and leaves thawed banana watery.

Nutrition Facts