Banana Pudding Overnight Oats {Gluten-Free| High Protein}
This banana pudding overnight oats recipe showcases the indulgent flavors of one of my favorite classic Southern desserts in a convenient make-ahead breakfast. Packed with protein and fiber, this twist offers a decadent healthy breakfast the whole family will love.
I’ve already captured the flavor of my favorite Italian dessert in these Tiramisu oats, and today, I’m sharing another one of my new favorites: Banana Pudding Oats. There’s something about the aroma of warm vanilla, the sweetness of ripe bananas, and the comfort of creamy textures that transports me back to cherished memories of my Grandma Beck’s southern-baked banana pudding. Her pudding was the BEST. I can still imagine the aroma of it baking in the oven when we’d come over for Sunday dinner after church.
Now, I’ve captured that delicious flavor in a jar of creamy overnight oats made with nutritious ingredients like ground golden flaxseed, rolled oats, real maple syrup, protein powder, and ripe bananas. If you love banana pudding like me, you’re going to love this no-cook healthier breakfast treat.
Why you’ll love this recipe
- Make-ahead. Mix the ingredients, pop them in the fridge overnight, and say goodbye to hectic mornings with a wholesome easy breakfast recipe.
- Nutritious boost. Ingredients like rolled oats, ground golden flax seeds, and protein powder are packed with protein and fiber to keep you feeling satisfied.
- Southern dessert-inspired flavor. Like my no-cook banana pudding, you get a taste of the South in every spoonful.
- Make it your own! You can adjust the sweetness level, swap almond milk for your preferred milk, experiment with mix-ins and toppings, and more!
Ingredients you’ll need
- Old-fashioned rolled oats. A staple ingredient in any overnight oats recipe! They provide a hearty texture and are rich in satiating fiber. Avoid instant oats, as they tend to turn mushy when soaked overnight. For gluten-free, make sure to use certified gluten-free oats.
- Ground golden flaxseed. They contribute to the thick and creamy texture when soaked overnight with the oats.
- Salt. Just a pinch to balance the sweetness.
- Vanilla whey protein powder. It increases the protein content while enhancing the sweetness and vanilla flavor (See ‘Recipe Tips’ below for brand recommendations).
- Maple syrup. Opt for high-quality, real maple to add natural sweetness.
- Milk. I used unsweetened almond milk for the creamy liquid base. It’s lower in calories than regular milk and adds a subtle nutty flavor to the dish, but you can use your milk of choice, including regular milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, soy milk, or oat milk.
- Whipped topping. I use Truwhip Skinny whipped topping, but go with your preferred brand here.
- Whipped cream cheese. For a rich and creamy banana pudding flavor.
- Vanilla Greek yogurt. For lower sugar and calories, I go with a high-protein and sugar-free option, like Oikos Pro.
- Banana. Ripe fresh banana slices are best for sweetness.
- Optional topping. Add a tbsp of shredded coconut on top, if desired.
How to make banana pudding overnight oats
Step 1: Combine the dry ingredients. Stir the oats, flaxseed, and salt in a glass jar or bowl.
Step 2: Blend the milk mixture. Add the almond milk, vanilla whey, and maple syrup to a shaker bottle (or a mason jar with a tight-fitting lid) and shake vigorously until well blended.
Step 3: Refrigerate overnight. Pour the milk mixture over the oats and stir well to mix. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
Step 4: Add toppings and serve. In the morning, stir the yogurt, maple syrup, and whipped cream cheese together until blended, then stir in the whipped topping until combined and no lumps remain.
Restir the oats and divide them between two small serving dishes or bowls. Top with a few slices of banana.
Smooth the whipped topping mixture over the top and top and add the remaining sliced banana. Enjoy immediately. You can add a little extra whipping topping or shredded coconut on top if desired.
Recipe tips
- Pick the perfect whey protein. Opt for high-quality vanilla protein powder brands, such as Puori Bourbon Vanilla Flavored Whey Protein Powder, Legion Whey + Vanilla Whey Protein Isolate Powder, or Earth Fed Muscle’s Vanilla Whey. These favorites are all third-party tested for purity and deliciousness in recipes.
- Adjust consistency. In the morning, if your banana protein overnight oats are too thick, stir in a splash of milk until you reach the perfect smooth and creamy consistency. You can also add 1-2 tbsp more whipped topping to the jars if you like more of the creamy topping.
- You can also add chia seeds (add a tad more milk) for an added fiber and nutrition boost.
Variations
Feel free to get creative with your banana overnight oats! Try different flavor combinations, mix-ins, and toppings to keep breakfast exciting:
- Flavor extracts and spices. You can swap the vanilla with rum extract. Sprinkle with ground cinnamon or nutmeg to add a touch of warmth to the classic banana pudding flavor.
- Alternate natural sweeteners. You can swap the maple syrup with honey, maple sugar, coconut sugar, or date syrup for natural sweetness. You can also use your favorite sugar-free sweetener to lower the sugar and carbs. Just know the flavor profile will be slightly different.
- Crunchy mix-in ideas. Before serving, stir toasted coconut flakes, nuts, chocolate chips, graham crackers, or vanilla wafers for extra indulgence and contracting crunch.
- Additional toppings. Top with sliced strawberries, bananas, or pomegranate arils for a pop of color and fruity flavor. Or, spoon a dollop of Greek yogurt on top for added creaminess and protein.
- If you want a protein boost, add an extra layer of Greek yogurt or swap the whipped topping combo with high-protein vanilla non-fat Greek yogurt, like the Oikos Pro vanilla, for a yogurt parfait with 30 grams of protein.
Storing
If stored properly, tiramisu overnight oats will last up to 5 days in the fridge. However, the longer they sit, the softer the oats will be, so it’s best to enjoy them within 2-3 days. Do not freeze.
FAQ
For the oats to soften and the flavors to fully meld, allow the oats to soak in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
While you can make overnight oats with quick oats, they won’t have the same texture. I highly recommend sticking to old-fashioned rolled oats for overnight oats.
More tasty oatmeal recipes
- Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
- Pumpkin Pie Baked Oats
- Baked Apple Pie Oats
- Easy Overnight Swiss Oats
- Blueberry Baked Oats
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Banana Pudding Overnight Oats
Equipment
- 2 Mason jars or pint size bowls with lids
Ingredients
- For the oats:
- ⅔ cup old-fashioned rolled oats for gluten-free, make sure to use certified gluten-free oats
- 2 tsp ground golden flaxseed
- pinch of salt
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk or milk of choice
- 30 g vanilla whey protein *see notes for recommendations
- 2 tsp real maple syrup
- 1 small ripe banana sliced
- For the topping:
- 1 tsp real maple syrup
- 2 tbsp whipped cream cheese
- 3 tbsp vanilla Greek yogurt I used Oikos Pro vanilla
- ½ cup Truwhip Skinny whipped topping
Instructions
- In a glass jar or bowl, stir together the oats, flaxseed, and salt.
- In a shaker bottle, combine 1 cup of almond milk, vanilla protein powder, and maple syrup. Shake well to mix and pour over the oat mixture and stir well to mix. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
- In a small bowl, stir the yogurt, maple syrup, and whipped cream cheese together until blended, then stir in the whipped topping until combined and no lumps remain. Stir the oats and divide them between two small serving dishes or bowls.
- Top the overnight oats with a few slices of banana. Smooth the whipped topping mixture over the top and top and add the remaining sliced banana. Enjoy immediately. You can add a little extra whipping topping on top if desired.
Notes
Nutrition
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