Strawberry Banana Overnight Oats (Printer View)

Creamy oats with fresh strawberries, banana slices, and chia seeds for a wholesome morning start.

# What you'll need:

→ Grains

01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats, certified gluten-free

→ Dairy and Alternatives

02 - 1 cup milk, dairy or plant-based such as almond or oat milk
03 - 1/2 cup Greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt

→ Fruits

04 - 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
05 - 1 medium ripe banana, sliced

→ Seeds and Sweeteners

06 - 2 tablespoons chia seeds
07 - 1 to 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey

→ Flavorings

08 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
09 - Pinch of salt

# Method:

01 - In a medium bowl or jar, combine oats, chia seeds, milk, Greek yogurt, maple syrup or honey, vanilla extract, and salt. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
02 - Gently fold in half the strawberries and half the banana slices into the oat mixture.
03 - Divide the mixture evenly between two jars or containers.
04 - Top each serving with the remaining strawberries and banana slices.
05 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours or overnight to allow oats and chia seeds to fully hydrate and soften.
06 - In the morning, stir gently. Add an extra splash of milk if desired for a looser consistency. Serve chilled.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Zero cooking means you can actually sleep those extra minutes instead of standing over a stove.
  • The chia seeds work like tiny flavor sponges that keep everything tasting fresh and perfectly textured even days later.
  • It tastes indulgent enough for a treat but your body knows it's packed with actual nutrition.
02 -
  • Overnight oats get thicker as they sit because the chia seeds keep absorbing moisture—this is not a mistake, just stir in more milk until you hit the texture you want.
  • The fruit on top stays fresher tasting than fruit mixed throughout because it's not soaking in liquid all night, which is why that second-layer trick became non-negotiable for me.
03 -
  • Always use ripe bananas because they blend invisibly into the mixture and add creaminess that unripe ones won't—I learned this by making batches that tasted thin and disappointing.
  • The overnight soak is non-negotiable because it transforms raw oats into something with the texture of pudding; anything less than 6 hours leaves you with crunchy disappointment.
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