Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

When time is limited in the morning, peanut butter overnight oats are a life saver!

Delicious oats that are nutritious and satisfying, ready to eat when you need them.

Once you try these overnight oats, you’ll understand why so many rely on them for a great start to the day. You can customize the tastes and even switch it up day to day to suit your mood.

2 bowls of peanut butter overnight oats, one with bananas and the other with raspberry jam.

Why I love this recipe

I have a bit of a tradition with my granddaughter, that when she is visiting me or I her, we have oatmeal for breakfast. But sometimes the timing for that isn’t perfect.

That’s where overnight oats are a great solution. Just throw the ingredients together in the evening and your breakfast is ready by morning. The easiest meal prep ever!

And because these oats are so easy to customize, we were able to dial in the taste to make the oats kid-friendly and still have all the nutrition of old-fashioned oatmeal.

Now, I make overnight oats for myself whenever I know I won’t have time to make a breakfast the next day. This breakfast is kid-friendly AND grandma-friendly!

Ingredients

How to make peanut butter overnight oats

One serving of oatmeal begins with ½ cup of oats. Keep in mind that you may or may not want a full serving. A 4- or 5-year-old is unlikely to eat that much, especially if you add a bunch of fruit the next morning. So in those cases I start with ⅓ cup each of oats and almond milk.

I like to use a jar, but a bowl works just as well. Add the oats, almond milk, brown sugar, chia seeds, and peanut butter to the jar and give it a stir. This is mostly to get the oats evenly “wet” and the peanut butter into the mix, instead of just sitting on top.

Now, cover the container and stick it in the fridge. Leave overnight and in the morning your oats are ready to go!

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Variations for Peanut Butter Overnight Oats

For some, just the peanut butter might provide enough flavor in these oats. But why not take it one more step? Add a little fruit or jam and it’ll be truly great!

I have found that about half a banana works well. The proportions are right with the oatmeal and peanut butter flavors, and you get an overall balance in texture.

How about P B & J overnight oats? Just add a little jelly or jam and stir (or not) as preferred. I don’t think it can get much more kid-friendly than that!

True confession: I’ve had my peanut butter overnight oats with banana AND raspberry jam. That's a combination I highly recommend!

Expert Tips/FAQ

Can you add the fruit and/or jam at the beginning?

I tried this, with sliced banana. And my granddaughter, with the absolute honesty of a 4 year old, told me it was “a little bit disgusting”. LOL. Basically what happens is the banana gets kind of slimy as it sits in the liquid overnight. So if you are picky about textures (which is everyone in my family) then I recommend you add the fruit at the time you are going to eat the oats.

If using jam, you can add it as you are making the oats. Just layer it on top of the oats before covering with the lid. Then mix it in the following morning.

Can you make overnight oats without the chia seeds?

Yes, of course. I have done this and I can tell you that the chia seeds help the mixture thicken and attain a creamier texture, almost like it would be if you were to cook the oatmeal. Without the chia seeds, the oats absorb the milk but you’ll also sometimes have some milk unabsorbed, with kind of a watery texture. If this is unimportant to you, the chia seeds are not necessary.

Are chai seeds healthy?

Chia seeds are high in fiber, which helps with digestion and metabolic rate. In addition, they contain an antioxidant that could reduce your risk of developing some health conditions, including heart disease.

What if you forget to make these the night before?

Oh, I’ve been there! Just put your ingredients in a jar (or other microwave-safe container), microwave for one minute, uncovered. Then cover your container and take it with you to work. Carry the fruit or other toppings separately and stir everything together when you’re ready to enjoy.

What kind of oats do you use to make overnight oats?

This might come down to personal preference, but I only use old-fashioned rolled oats. Not steel-cut, not quick-cooking. Quick-cooking oats get too mushy for me. Steel-cut oats would probably work, but I've never tried them. They're just not my thing. 😀

peanut butter and banana overnight oats in a bowl with a P B & J overnight oats behind it.

Check out some of these other fun breakfast ideas

And if you want to enjoy these flavors and crave something crunchy, try some peanut butter granola for a healthy and delicious snack!

📖 Recipe

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P B & J or peanut butter overnight oats with jam or bananas.

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