There is nothing better than waking up in the morning knowing there is a giant serving of overnight oatmeal waiting in the fridge that combines three of my favorite things - chocolate, peanut butter, and banana. These peanut butter cup overnight oats are easy to make, super filling, and seriously delicious.
My obsession with oatmeal runs deep with everything from this microwave oatmeal, baked oatmeal, and even Oatmeal Smoothies. I love oatmeal for breakfast or a mid-day snack because it is packed with whole grains, affordable, and filling. It's a breakfast that will keep you full and energized all morning long.
As things get busy with school starting, whether in person or virtually, having overnight oats ready to go in the fridge is a game-changer. It means that there is no cooking, no prep work, and everyone can serve themselves. It's the ultimate grab and go breakfast in my opinion. Plus you can mix it up and flavor it any way you like. Add fruit, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, and more.
Plus since these overnight oats are sweetened with banana, the riper the better, they are free of refined sugars and a healthier option than premade packets.
Best Way to Make Overnight Oats
Overnight oats are a staple in our house, especially when things get busy. Having them prepped and ready to go in the fridge saves me so much time in the morning. Everyone can eat them how they like with whatever toppings or add-ins they like. Here is the base recipe I use pretty much every time I make overnight oats. The only change I sometimes make is adding some yogurt for protein, richness, and flavor.
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 2 tsp chia seeds
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch salt
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- Sweetener to taste (or 1/2-1 mashed banana, my favorite option)
Can I cook these oats?
If you prefer cooked oatmeal, this recipe will work great on the stove or in the microwave. For the stovetop version, simply add everything to a small pan and cook for about 5 minutes or until oats are softened. Add extra milk if needed as it cooks.
For the microwave, mix everything in a large bowl or mug. Cook for 3-4 minutes until oats have softened. Microwave oatmeal does sometimes bubble over if not in a large container, so make sure to use a big enough bowl or place some paper towels underneath, just in case.
Recipe Ideas and Add-Ins
Like all overnight oatmeal recipes, these are easy to customize with all different add-ins and toppings.
- Chocolate chips take this to the next level since it really starts to mimic the flavor of a peanut butter cup with bursts of melted chocolate chips. A drizzle of chocolate syrup can also work.
- The same goes for peanut butter chips.
- Fresh berries slike strawberries or blueberries make this a mash-up between a peanut butter cup and peanut butter and jelly. So good!
- If you want some texture in your oats, consider adding some sliced or chopped nuts for crunch.
- When I am low in fresh fruit, I like to add jams, jellies, preserves, or these yummy chia seed jams. Look for a low sugar option.
Storage and Meal Prep
These oats can be prepped in advance and kept in the fridge all week for a grab and go breakfast. They can be eaten cold, room temperature, or warmed up in the microwave or on the stove-top.
Overnight oats last 4-5 days in the fridge when stored in an airtight container. When prepping in advance, think about the ingredients you are using. If you are adding things like fresh berries or other delicate fruit, it may be best to add it at the time of serving so it doesn't break down and get mushy.
For this Peanut Butter Cup oatmeal recipe, it can be fully prepped in advance and kept in the fridge for 4-5 days.
Can I use instant oats or steel-cut oats for overnight oatmeal?
Overnight oats come out best with rolled oats since they maintain a nice texture after soaking in liquid overnight. With that said, instant oatmeal will work in overnight oats but the texture will be much softer and mushier. In my opinion, if you make your oats this way, they are best warmed up in the morning.
If you want to use steel-cut oats, you will need to pre-cook them first since they will not soften in the liquid overnight. Follow the instructions to cook the steel cut oats first in water. Then add the remaining ingredients and let them soak overnight. They will continue to soften and soak up the flavors.
What to use instead of bananas?
If you aren't a big fan of banana, you can swap in pumpkin puree, applesauce, or butternut squash puree. With all of those options, you may need to add some additional sweetener since they aren't nearly as sweet as bananas,
Another option is to simply leave out the banana. The banana adds sweetness (without added sugar) and creaminess to the oats. If you don't use it, plan on adding some sweetener otherwise the cocoa will be too bitter.
More oatmeal recipes
- Microwave Apple Oatmeal with Peanut Butter
- Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
- PB&J Overnight Oats
- Frozen Oatmeal Cups