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If chocolate and banana is one of your favorite flavor combinations, this Chocolate Banana Overnight Oats recipe is about to become a weekly staple. It’s rich, chocolatey, naturally sweet, and satisfying – the kind of breakfast that truly curbs a chocolate craving.
This is also one of my favorite 5-minute meal prep recipes. In under five minutes, you can prep breakfast for the entire week using simple pantry ingredients. It’s an affordable way to use up ripe bananas, avoid food waste, and have a healthy, portable breakfast ready to grab every morning.
Quick Look at This Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: None
- Total Time: 5 minutes (+ overnight soak)
- Servings: 1 (easy to scale for the week)
- Method: No-cook
- Flavor & Texture: Rich, chocolatey, creamy, naturally sweet
Chocolate for Breakfast? Sounds Good to Me!
Overnight oats are one of my favorite ways to enjoy dessert-like flavors without all the processed sugar and junk. If you have a morning sweet tooth, a jar of creamy overnight oats can be a total game-changer.
Some of my favorite chocolate-inspired overnight oats include Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats (hello Reese’s fans), Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oats, Salted Turtle Overnight Oats, Chocolate Overnight Oats with Yogurt, Almond Joy Overnight Oats, and of course this Chocolate Banana Overnight Oats recipe.
There’s just something about chocolate and bananas together. It feels indulgent, but when you combine them with wholesome oats, chia seeds, and almond milk, you get all the comfort with real nutrition behind it. This recipe is naturally sweetened with banana, requires no refined sugar, and still delivers that rich chocolate flavor.
It’s also a great option if you’re using overnight oats to support weight-loss goals. When built with fiber, protein, and healthy fats, overnight oats help keep you full and satisfied, making it easier to skip the drive-thru donut or mid-morning snack crash.
Ingredient Notes
You’ll find the full ingredient list in the recipe card below. These notes will help you get the best results.
- Rolled oats (old-fashioned oats) are the foundation of overnight oats. Don’t use instant oats — they turn mushy — and skip steel-cut oats, which stay crunchy. Rolled oats are naturally gluten-free, but if you’re sensitive, choose certified gluten-free oats.
- Cacao powder gives these oats a deep chocolate flavor while providing the benefits of a superfood. You can also use unsweetened cocoa powder if that’s what you have.
- Cinnamon adds warmth and enhances the natural sweetness of the banana.
- Chia seeds are a staple in all of my overnight oats recipes. They add fiber, protein, omega-3s, and help create a thick, pudding-like texture.
- Pure vanilla extract adds depth and rounds out the chocolate flavor.
- Unsweetened almond milk keeps the recipe dairy-free and low in added sugar, but any milk works.
- Banana naturally sweetens the oats and makes this a perfect recipe for using up ripe bananas. If you only use half, you can freeze the rest for later — I share how to do that in my how to freeze bananas tutorial, and frozen bananas are great for healthy smoothie recipes or even healthy banana bread.
- Pure maple syrup is optional if you want extra sweetness.
- Cacao nibs add crunch and extra chocolate flavor without refined sugar.
Looking for the ingredients and supplies I use most often? Be sure to check out my Amazon storefront, where I share all of my favorite recommendations for overnight oats — from pantry staples to superfoods to jars and meal prep tools.
Supplies
- 16-ounce mason jars (wide or regular mouth)
- Plastic mason jar lids
How to Make Chocolate Banana Overnight Oats (Step-by-Step)
- In a 16-ounce mason jar, add the rolled oats, cacao powder, cinnamon, and chia seeds. Stir well to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.
- Add the almond milk, vanilla extract, and mashed banana. Stir until everything is fully combined.
- Cover with a lid and refrigerate overnight.
- In the morning, stir the oats. Add maple syrup if needed for extra sweetness.
- If the oats are too thick, stir in a splash of milk until creamy. Top with cacao nibs if desired and enjoy.
Expert Tips & Variations
- Use ripe bananas. The riper the banana, the sweeter your oats will be — often eliminating the need for added sweetener.
- Stir the dry ingredients first. Mixing the cacao powder and cinnamon with the oats before adding liquid prevents clumping.
- Adjust thickness in the morning. Chocolate banana overnight oats thicken as they sit. Add 1–2 teaspoons of milk to loosen them up.
- Boost protein if needed. Stir in collagen powder, protein powder, hemp hearts, or Greek yogurt.
- Hide in superfoods. Flaxseed, coconut oil, or chia seeds blend in easily without changing flavor.
Storage Tips
For the week: You can prep up to 5 jars of these banana chocolate overnight oats on Sunday for the week. Keep in mind the oats will thicken the longer they sit — just add a splash of milk before eating.
For the freezer: Freeze the dry ingredients and banana together in a freezer bag or jar. When ready to use, add milk and refrigerate overnight. This is one of my favorite ways to stay stocked with easy breakfasts. See more overnight oats freezer meal prep tips.
Chocolate Banana Overnight Oats (Easy 5-Minute Meal Prep)
If chocolate and banana is one of your favorite flavor combinations, this Chocolate Banana Overnight Oats recipe is about to become a weekly staple. It’s rich, chocolatey, naturally sweet, and satisfying – the kind of breakfast that truly curbs a chocolate craving.This is also one of my favorite 5-minute meal prep recipes. In under five minutes, you can prep breakfast for the entire week using simple pantry ingredients. It’s an affordable way to use up ripe bananas, avoid food waste, and have a healthy, portable breakfast ready to grab every morning.
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Course: Breakfast, breakfast recipe
Cuisine: American
Keyword: banana chocolate overnight oats, chocolate banana overnight oats, chocolate banana overnight oats recipe
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 8 hours
Total Time: 8 hours 5 minutes
Servings: 1 person
Calories: 309kcal
Equipment
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1 16-ounce mason jar
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1 mason jar lid
Ingredients
- ½ cup rolled oats
- 1 tablespoon cacao powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- ¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup unsweetened coconut milk
- 1/2 banana peeled and chopped
- 1-2 teaspoons of pure maple syrup if needed
Instructions
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In a 16-ounce size mason jar stir together the rolled oats, cacao powder, cinnamon, and chia seeds.
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Stir in the coconut milk, pure vanilla extract, and banana.
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Put the lid on and place in the refrigerator overnight.
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In the morning, give stir the oats. Stir n pure maple syrup, if needed, for additional sweetness. Add a little more coconut milk, if needed, to loosen it up until you get the consistency you want.
Notes
How to Store the Recipe
To meal prep
You can make up to 5 jars of this banana chocolate overnight oats recipes on Sunday to enjoy for a healthy breakfast during the week. Please note that the longer the oats sit in the liquid, the thicker the consistency will be when you go to eat them. As I said, stir in a couple of splashes of milk, and that will get it back to a creamy consistency.
To freeze
You can freeze together in a quart-size freezer bag or mason jar the dry ingredients and banana. When you plan to make the recipe, add the ingredients to a jar (if not already) and add the liquid. Continue with the recipe.
Nutrition
Serving: 1g | Calories: 309kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 7g | Sodium: 26mg | Fiber: 10g | Sugar: 14g
Did you make this recipe?
If you tried these Chocolate Banana Overnight Oats, I’d love to hear how they turned out. Leave a comment and a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ rating – it helps other readers find the recipe and gives them confidence to try it too.
About Tammy Overhoff
Hi, I’m Tammy Overhoff, a busy mom, wife, and entrepreneur. I am the owner, author, and recipe developer here at Organize Yourself Skinny. Since 2011 Organize Yourself Skinny has become a trusted resource for clean eating recipes to meal prep, reviews, and lifestyle hacks to help you fit healthy habits and routines into your busy schedule. Check out my online shop Reset & Flourish for all of my eBooks, Guides, and Bundles!
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