Peanut Butter Overnight Oats are the best way to eat oatmeal! Made with oats, banana, peanut butter, flax seeds, brown sugar and milk and set in the fridge for the night. Great healthy breakfast idea for busy days!
We all know oatmeal is good for us but how many times do you dread the soggy, hot oats? Yes! Me too! The overnight oats idea is taking over the internets and I am here to tell you that you need to hop on this wagon ASAP. This is the best and healthy way to eat oatmeal.
This overnight idea of adding bananas, peanut butter and any other add-ons you like to a jar along with the oats and milk and letting them set and "cook" overnight - that is the best!
What are overnight oats?
Overnight oats are simply old-fashioned oats, mixed with milk (or yogurt) and add-ons of choice, all assembled in a jar, then set in the fridge for the night. It's a simple, healthy and delicious way to enjoy oatmeal without cooking.
The oats are actually ready in about 2 hours, but the idea of prepping the breakfast the night before and having a jar of delicious oats in the morning is a time-saver!
Instructions:
- Start by layering ingredients in a jar, with oats at the bottom.
- Add liquid last (milk, yogurt or water).
- Stir well, cover the jar and set in the fridge for at least 2 hours, to overnight.
Ingredients:
- old-fashioned rolled oats
- peanut butter
- banana
- brown sugar
- vanilla
- milk
- flax seeds (optional)
Do you eat overnight oats hot or cold?
You can eat the overnight oats straight from the jar or pour them into a bowl. You can eat them fridge cold or heat up to your likings, in the microwave.
Variations:
- yogurt in place of milk: for a creamier texture, use Greek yogurt (or any you like) instead of milk.
- honey: sweeten the oats with honey or maple syrup instead of brown sugar.
- vegan: use almond milk or even simply water to make a dairy-free version
- nut butter: you can use any nut butter you like in this recipe, even chunky peanut butter.
- chocolate version: add cocoa powder to oats and stir well with liquid before setting in the fridge.
More recipes with oats:
- Easy Baked Oatmeal Cups
- Oatmeal Carrot Cookies
- 3-Ingredients Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Instant Pot Oatmeal
- Oatmeal Smoothie
If you like this recipe and make it, snap a photo and share it on INSTAGRAM! Tag me @crunchycreamysweet so I can check it out! 😀
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- ¾ cup rolled oats old fashioned
- ½ banana sliced
- 2 teaspoons packed brown sugar
- 1 Tablespoon creamy or crunchy peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons flax seeds optional
- ¾ cup milk any kind you like with your cereal
Instructions
- Layer all ingredients in a mason jar, starting with the oats.
- Add milk last.
- Place lid on jar and shake well to combine the ingredients.
- Place jar in fridge for overnight.
- Enjoy in the morning!
Francesca says
Currently eating mine now and it is yummy scrummy and Flavoursome. I used linseed mix, as didn’t have flaxseed. Will definitely be making this again!
Anna says
I am so glad the oats were a hit! Thank you, Francesca!
Amber says
Have you tried it with the PB2(powder peanut butter) ??
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Amber! I have not but totally want to! I will update the post once I have a chance to try it with the powder PB. Thanks for the question!
Alesia says
I almost used PB2 tonight to make. But thought I would start with the regular recipe before doctoring it up. 🙂 Can’t wait to try this in the morning!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Alesia! I would love to try it with PB2 too! Let me know how you like it!
Ellen says
What if you don't have mason jars?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Ellen! You can use any containers that have lids and let you store food in fridge. You can even use a small cereal bowl and cover it with saran wrap and store in fridge overnight. I hope this helps!
Francesca says
I used a protein shake bottle and it was fine
Stephanie says
Can I use chia instead of flax?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Stephanie! YES! I do that too.
Julie says
I don’t normally eat oatmeal, it’s a texture thing, but I am always trying different ways to develop a taste for it. I made this and ended up eating it everyday for 2 weeks. I couldn’t wait till the morning to eat it again. I didn’t add the flax and I use 1% milk and a drop of vanilla. However, when I added up the calories individually it comes to more like 500. I had to stop eating it because it was consuming most of my calories for the day. I even tried to let it last till dinner with only an apple for lunch but it didn’t last that long. The calorie break down for me was 1/2 cup oats is 150, 1 cup of 1% milk is 100, tablespoon of peanut butter is 100, small banana 100, 2 tsp brown sugar is 30. I still believe this is a delicious, healthy breakfast but I only get 1200 calories a day.
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Julie! I completely understand. I always encourage to use calorie counters you are familiar with. I run this recipe through several ones and got different results. Maybe you will like the Chocolate Peanut Butter Overnight Oats recipe more. It's lower in calories and still delicious! Here is the link: https://www.crunchycreamysweet.com/chocolate-peanut-butter-overnight-oats-recipe/
Mrsbestmommy says
I'm not a fan of cold oats. Would it be okay to stick it in the microwave to take the chill out?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Absolutely! I do that too! Enjoy!
teresa says
I made it last night and forgot to eat it this morning. Can I eat it tomorrow morning? So it would sit in the refigerator for a little less than 48 hours??
Craig says
Any ideas on what the minimum time for it all to soak in would be? Want to try this as a mid morning snack, around 10:30. So would making in morning be enough time for it to combine or is it best done night before?
CINDY says
Hi , how long can it last if it is refrigerated? since i had mix well with banana inside in a jar
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Cindy! I do not recommend keeping the oats in the fridge for more than overnight. You can also add the banana right before eating. I hope this helps!
Meghan says
How many calories are in this?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Meghan! It depends what milk you use in this recipe. If it's 2% milk than the total calorie count (without the optional flax seeds) is 373. I hope this helps!
Meghan says
Thank you! And sorry I just noticed that is listed in the recipe notes, I missed that the first time! This is by far my favorite overnight oats recipe that I have tried, absolutely delicious! Thanks for sharing
Paige says
My husband and I made these and they both turned out absolutely delicious! Mine reminded me immensely of Banana Pudding, but my husband insists that his did not taste like banana pudding. The only difference between ours is that I added 1/3 cup more milk than the recipe called for, AND I used honey instead of brown sugar. Which I highly recommend if you're more health conscious.
Note: It makes a LOT of oatmeal. I couldn't finish it all, and I am still stuffed!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Hi Paige! That's awesome! I am so glad both you and your husband enjoy this recipe. Also, I love it with honey too! 😀 Have a beautiful day! -Anna
Catness1 says
Making it tonight and will let you know how it goes. Looking very forward to it.
But, can you make it more than 8 hours in advance? 12 or 14? Any problems with that?
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
That's fantastic! As long as it's in the fridge, it should be good. Let me know what you think! Have a beautiful day! -Anna
Kenton Kibbee says
I added some oat bran, coconut butter, and raisins and substituted almond butter and cashew butter for the peanut butter and they are absolutely delectable!
Shelley says
This looks so good! My kiddos also sometimes eat oatmeal with cold milk, but I had never really been a fan ... until now! This recipe looks delicious, and is quite the time saver, too! I love the banana/peanut butter flavor combo!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Yep! It's all about making mornings easier! 😀 Thanks, Shelley!
Jen says
I would love to wake up to this! Love the flavors! 😀
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Thank you, Jen!
Valerie says
I have yet to try overnight oats. Crazy! Your recipe has me ready to give it a try. Just love this flavor combo!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Yay! You will love it, Valerie! Thank you! 😀
Meg says
Peanut Butter Banana is a great combination!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Yes it is! Thanks, Meg!
Angie says
I really need to make some of these to have in the mornings when I'm getting ready to run out the door!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Exactly! Thanks, Angie!
Michelle says
Would you believe I still have not tried overnight oats?! I need to get on the bandwagon. It definitely would make life easier in the morning and your recipe looks so yummy!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
You will love it, Michelle! So good and saves time! 😀
Erin says
We're totally on the overnight oats bandwagon in our house, too. Oatmeal is actually one of my favorite pre-run meals, but it's so hard to eat it hot in the summertime. Clearly, this is a better way. And while I cannot eat this (because of a banana allergy - le sigh!), I know my husband and toddler would LOVE this recipe. And I wonder if I can make a rendition of it for myself sans banana. That wouldn't be too hard. 😉
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet says
Totally skip the banana and add berries or nuts! Hope you guys will have a chance to try it! Thanks, Erin!
Medha says
I seriously can't get enough PB and I love the addition of flaxseed here!