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    The Butter Half / Recipe Index / Breakfast and Brunch / Easy Banana Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

    Easy Banana Overnight Oats with Chia Seeds (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

    By Abbey Rodriguez • Published: Apr 23, 2019 • Modified: Apr 1, 2021 • 16 Comments • This post may contain affiliate links.

    JUMP TO RECIPE PRINT

    These easy banana overnight oats with chia seeds are vegan and gluten-free. Prep them in five minutes, and leave the rest of the work to the refrigerator. In the morning you have a delicious, nutritious breakfast waiting for you! Healthy and packed with fiber, this is an easy breakfast to take on the go.

    These easy banana overnight oats with chia seeds are vegan and gluten-free. Prep them in five minutes, and leave the rest of the work to the refrigerator. In the morning you have a delicious, nutritious breakfast waiting for you! Healthy and packed with fiber, this is an easy breakfast to take on the go. || The Butter Half #overnightoats #breakfast #vegan #glutenfree #thebutterhalf

    Items needed to make easy banana overnight oats that are vegan and gluten-free

    • Large glass bowl
    • Ripe bananas—the more ripe, the sweeter the oats will be!
    • Gluten-free quick oats. I buy this brand.
    • Chia seeds
    • Almond milk (or plant-based milk of choice)
    • Vanilla extract—learn how to easily make my homemade vanilla extract using an Instant Pot here.
    • Ground cinnamon
    • Toppings—I like using almond butter, coconut whipped cream, jam, berries and Bare Snacks fruit chips. 

    These easy banana overnight oats with chia seeds are vegan and gluten-free. Prep them in five minutes, and leave the rest of the work to the refrigerator. In the morning you have a delicious, nutritious breakfast waiting for you! Healthy and packed with fiber, this is an easy breakfast to take on the go. || The Butter Half #overnightoats #breakfast #vegan #glutenfree #thebutterhalf

    How to make banana overnight oats, step-by-step

    Step 1: Place two ripe bananas in a large glass bowl. Mash together with a fork until creamy and most of the lumps are gone.

    overhead shot of mashed bananas in clear bowl with fork

    Step 2: Add in gluten-free oats, chia seeds, almond milk, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Stir together until well blended, about 2-3 minutes.

    Overhead shot pouring milk into glass bowl with oats

    Step 3: Cover and place in refrigerator overnight (or a minimum of 3 hours) to let oats set up. Serve in small jars. Add jam in the bottom if desired, and add toppings.

    Overhead shot bowl of overnight oats with spoon in

    Top tips for making fail-proof banana overnight oats

    • Make sure the bananas are ripe. If they are too green, they don't mash well and the flavor and texture of the oats won't be as sweet and creamy. If you want it a tad sweeter, add 1-2 teaspoons of maple syrup. 
    • Quick rolled oats are what this recipe calls for. Making them with steel cut oats will NOT yield the same results. However, you can use any brand of rolled oats that you prefer or have on hand.
    • If the oats are too thick and not absorbing enough liquid, add more milk, ¼ cup increments at a time until desired texture and thickness. Alternately, if oats are too runny, add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds and ¼ cup rolled oats. These will absorb excess liquid and give it that creamy consistency
    • I find it easiest to make the oats in a large bowl, and then divide them into small meal prep mason jars once it is set in the morning. However, they can be transferred into separate jars directly after mixing all ingredients if preferred.
    • Store the overnight oats in airtight containers for up to 5 days, enough for a week's worth of meal prep. After that, they lose their flavor and color, and it's best to make a new batch.

    These easy banana overnight oats with chia seeds are vegan and gluten-free. Prep them in five minutes, and leave the rest of the work to the refrigerator. In the morning you have a delicious, nutritious breakfast waiting for you! Healthy and packed with fiber, this is an easy breakfast to take on the go. || The Butter Half #overnightoats #breakfast #vegan #glutenfree #thebutterhalf

    Do you eat overnight oats hot or cold?

    Great question! And the answer is: it's entirely up to you! Traditionally, most people eat them cold. Add on your desired toppings and go! However, if you can't handle cold oats first thing in the morning (totally get it), these easy banana overnight oats can be warmed up in the microwave for 30 seconds, then served.

    Health benefits of banana overnight oats with chia seeds

    As a holistic nutritionist and herbalist, I aim to make food that is not only DELIGHTFUL to the senses, but is also packed with nutrition. Oats and chia seeds are loaded with fiber, which is essential for good gut health, along with other vitamins and minerals such as copper, magnesium, iron, and selenium (source). They are also a good source of omega-3 fatty acids, which support optimal heart health and have been suggested to reduce inflammation in the body (source).

    Choosing fresh toppings like berries provide a significant dose of antioxidants, which support the body's ability to combat free radicals and oxidative stress on the cellular level because they contain phenolic compounds. These compounds are responsible for various health benefits of berries, such as prevention of inflammation disorders, cardiovascular diseases, or protective effects to lower the risk of various cancers (source). These banana overnight oats are also a good source of plant-based protein when adding dried fruit chips and nut butter, to keep the body feeling satisfied and energized for the day!

    Make it even more nourishing by adding in supplements

    For an extra dose of nutrition, I like to sprinkle in some supplements to my overnight oats, like adaptogenic herb powders ashwagandha or astragalus. Adaptogens are herbs that exhibit neuro-protective, anti-fatigue, antidepressive, and central nervous system stimulating activity. In addition, a number of clinical trials demonstrate that adaptogens exert an anti-fatigue effect that increases mental work capacity against a background of stress and fatigue, particularly in tolerance to mental exhaustion and enhanced attention (source).

    In other words, banana overnight oats + adaptogenic herbs = best day EVER.

    These easy banana overnight oats with chia seeds are vegan and gluten-free. Prep them in five minutes, and leave the rest of the work to the refrigerator. In the morning you have a delicious, nutritious breakfast waiting for you! Healthy and packed with fiber, this is an easy breakfast to take on the go. || The Butter Half #overnightoats #breakfast #vegan #glutenfree #thebutterhalf

    More easy gluten-free breakfast and brunch recipes you might like!

    • Quick & Healthy Chocolate Banana Muffins (made in a blender!)
    • Easy Baked Frittata with Spinach
    • Metabolism-Boosting Strawberry Smoothie Bowl
    • Chocolate Cinnamon Chia Seed Pudding
    • Healthy Brown Rice Breakfast Bowl with Eggs & Spinach

    If you try this banana overnight oats recipe, please let me know how you like it in the comments below. I absolutely love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook, for more nourishing recipes like this, and behind the scenes cooking and holistic wellness tips!

    Big glass jar with overnight oats, red jam, and raspberries

    Easy Banana Overnight Oats (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

    By: Abbey Rodriguez
    PRINT PIN RECIPE
    Easy banana overnight oats with chia seeds (vegan and gluten-free) are a healthy and easy meal prep breakfast to take on the go.
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 5 minutes
    Resting time 3 hours
    Total Time 3 hours 10 minutes
    Servings: 4
    Calories: 272kcal

    Ingredients

    • 2 bananas ripe
    • 2 cups quick rolled oats gluten free
    • 3 tablespoon chia seeds
    • 2 ½ cups almond milk
    • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • 1 tsp vanilla extract

    Toppings

    • Almond butter
    • Raspberries
    • Coconut whipped cream
    • Bare Snacks dried fruit chips
    • Ashwagandha powder
    • Astragalus powder

    Instructions

    • In a large bowl, mash together ripe bananas with a fork until creamy and most of the lumps are gone.
    • Stir in gluten-free oats, chia seeds, almond milk, cinnamon and vanilla extract. Mix until all ingredients are well combined. Cover and set in the refrigerator overnight (or a minimum of 3 hours).
    • To serve, dish into bowls or jars. Top with almond butter, cream, fruit, dried fruit chips, or any other favorite toppings of your choice. Optional: add in jam to the bottom of the jar for more sweet flavor.

    Notes

    • Make sure the bananas are ripe. If they are too green, they don't mash well and the flavor and texture of the oats won't be as sweet and creamy. Add 1-2 teaspoons of maple syrup if you want it sweeter.
    • Quick rolled oats are what this recipe calls for. Making them with steel cut oats will NOT yield the same results. However, you can use any brand of rolled oats that you prefer or have on hand.
    • If the oats are too thick and not absorbing enough liquid, add more milk, ¼ cup increments at a time until desired texture and thickness. Alternately, if oats are too runny, add 1 tablespoon of chia seeds and ¼ cup rolled oats. These will absorb excess liquid and give it that creamy consistency
    • I find it easiest to make the oats in a large bowl, and then divide them into small meal prep mason jars once it is set in the morning. However, they can be transferred into separate jars directly after mixing all ingredients if preferred.
    • Store the overnight oats in airtight containers for up to 5 days, enough for a week's worth of meal prep. After that, they lose their flavor and color, and it's best to make a new batch.
    • I like to add adaptogenic herb supplements like ashwagandha and astragalus to my oats for an added dose of nutrition. Adaptogens are plants that have an anti-fatigue effect that increases mental work capacity against a background of stress and fatigue, particularly in tolerance to mental exhaustion and enhanced attention. Perfect for breakfast!

    Nutrition

    Serving: 4oz | Calories: 272kcal | Carbohydrates: 45g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 7g | Sodium: 207mg | Potassium: 394mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 7g | Vitamin A: 40IU | Vitamin C: 5.1mg | Calcium: 272mg | Iron: 2.6mg

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Jamie Tarence says

      November 04, 2019 at 2:36 pm

      These look beautiful and sound delicious; I can't wait to try! Thank you for sharing!!!

      Reply
      • The Butter Half says

        November 15, 2019 at 7:59 am

        Thanks, Jamie! 🙂

        Reply
    2. Dawn @ The Kitchen and a Latte says

      June 11, 2019 at 9:42 pm

      I have to wait a couple days to make this, but it sounds delicious 🙂 My bananas are not ripe enough yet for this. Love how quick it can be in the morning tho! My tough struggle is the mornings with rushing around.

      I usually have to doctor up my oatmeal and this should be perfect for it! I don't like it plain.

      Reply
      • The Butter Half says

        June 18, 2019 at 4:17 pm

        This will definitely come in handy! I love making it ahead for the week and throwing on toppings. Hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    3. Wendy says

      May 31, 2019 at 4:08 pm

      Quick question, I have a large family. How many people will this feed?

      Reply
      • The Butter Half says

        June 03, 2019 at 11:46 pm

        The serving size listed will feed about 4-6.

        Reply
    4. Kathryn says

      May 16, 2019 at 1:50 pm

      5 stars
      Great tips, Abbey! Breakfast is something we really struggle with over in this house, so this is a great recipe to add into the rotation to mix it up!

      Reply
      • The Butter Half says

        May 17, 2019 at 8:14 am

        This one is a keeper!

        Reply
    5. Lori says

      May 01, 2019 at 5:40 pm

      5 stars
      Love the tips and layout of your site. The Bare chips are some of my favs! Great idea for a new use for them!

      Reply
      • The Butter Half says

        May 04, 2019 at 7:53 am

        Bare Snacks make everything better, for sure!

        Reply
    6. Kaylee says

      April 26, 2019 at 11:56 pm

      5 stars
      I’ve had overnight oats before and felt like they were just blah and weird textured but decided to give these a chance anyway and they’re amazing! I’ve eaten them 3 days in a row and shared some with my mom and sister who are visiting this morning and they both loved them. I like a spoonful of jam, a drizzle of peanut butter, and coconut flakes on top.

      Reply
      • The Butter Half says

        April 29, 2019 at 12:08 pm

        Oooo, love those suggestions, Kaylee! Thanks for sharing and leaving a review!

        Reply
    7. Sarah says

      April 25, 2019 at 4:51 pm

      5 stars
      Aside from the stunning photos, I am SO happy to see that these overnight oats can be eaten warm! I'm one of those people who tried cold overnight oats once and never tried them again. This recipe is about to change that!

      Reply
      • The Butter Half says

        April 29, 2019 at 12:07 pm

        Yay! I'm so happy that's helpful! 🙂

        Reply
    8. Chandice Probst says

      April 25, 2019 at 1:16 pm

      5 stars
      Ok the photos made me drool but the recipe is even better!! So easy and great to prep ahead of time to wake up to, thank you!

      Reply
      • The Butter Half says

        April 25, 2019 at 2:56 pm

        You're welcome! It's a staple at our house, for sure!

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Abbey! Certified Holistic Nutritionist & Herbalist | I healed my body using holistic nutrition and herbs. And I believe you can, too. Here you will find nourishing recipes and wellness tips for the family, as well as my herbal cookbook, Root & Nourish. Because you can achieve your ultimate wellness goals using plants and whole foods.

    More about me →

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