Overnight Oats Banana Chocolate (Printable Version)

A creamy night-chilled blend of oats, banana, and rich dark chocolate for a quick start.

# What You'll Need:

→ Oats Base

01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup milk, dairy or plant-based
03 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt or plant-based yogurt
04 - 1 tablespoon chia seeds
05 - 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey
06 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

→ Toppings

07 - 1 large ripe banana, sliced
08 - 1 ounce dark chocolate, chopped or in chips
09 - 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or almonds, optional
10 - Pinch of sea salt, optional

# Directions:

01 - In a medium mixing bowl or large jar, combine oats, milk, yogurt, chia seeds, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are fully incorporated and no dry oats remain.
02 - Cover the container and refrigerate for a minimum of 6 hours or preferably overnight, allowing the oats to absorb the liquid and soften while flavors meld together.
03 - In the morning, stir the mixture well. If the consistency is too thick for your preference, add milk in small increments until reaching desired thickness.
04 - Divide the oat mixture evenly between two serving bowls or jars.
05 - Top each portion with sliced banana, chopped dark chocolate, and nuts if desired. Add a light sprinkle of sea salt to enhance flavor complexity.
06 - Serve the overnight oats chilled directly from the refrigerator.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Zero morning cooking means you can actually sit down and breathe before the day grabs you.
  • The chocolate and banana combination tastes indulgent but your body knows it's getting real nutrition.
  • It's forgiving enough to tweak based on what's in your fridge or what you're craving that week.
02 -
  • Don't skip the initial stir or your chia seeds will clump together instead of distributing evenly throughout.
  • If your oats seem too thick by morning, resist the urge to dump in a ton of milk at once—add it gradually and taste as you go because consistency preferences are deeply personal.
03 -
  • If your chocolate doesn't soften into the oats, chop it smaller or use melted chocolate drizzled across the top—it matters more that you enjoy the experience than that you follow some invisible rule.
  • Greek yogurt can be replaced with any creamy yogurt or plant-based alternative, but avoid flavored versions as they'll throw off your carefully balanced sweetness.
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