Why You’ll Love This Overnight Oats with Nutella and Banana

• It’s ridiculously easy. We’re talking five minutes of active prep the night before. No cooking, no fancy techniques—just a bit of stirring and you’re done.
• It feels like a decadent treat. Swirling Nutella into your breakfast transforms the humble oat into something truly special. It’s a chocolate-hazelnut delight that satisfies your sweet tooth in the best way possible.
• The texture is pure comfort. The oats become incredibly creamy and soft, almost like a rice pudding, while the banana slices add little pockets of sweetness and a lovely, yielding texture.
• It’s completely customizable. Once you’ve got the base down, you can play around. Add a pinch of cinnamon, swap the banana for berries, or throw in some chopped nuts for crunch. It’s your perfect breakfast, your way.

Ingredients & Tools

• 1/2 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup milk of your choice (dairy, almond, oat)
• 1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
• 1 tbsp chia seeds
• 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt
• 1-2 tbsp Nutella
• 1 ripe banana

Tools: A 12-ounce (or similar) jar with a lid, a small spoon or spatula for stirring.

The chia seeds are the secret weapon here—they plump up and help create that wonderfully thick, spoonable consistency. And don’t skip the pinch of salt; it really makes the chocolate and banana flavors pop.

Serves: 1 | Prep Time: 5 minutes | Chill Time: 4 hours (or overnight) | Total Time: 4 hours 5 minutes

Before You Start: Tips & Ingredient Notes

• Use old-fashioned rolled oats. Quick oats will turn to mush, and steel-cut oats won’t soften enough without cooking. Rolled oats give you the perfect, substantial texture.
• The ripeness of your banana matters. A banana with some brown spots will be sweeter and softer, blending more seamlessly into the oats. A firmer, less ripe banana will hold its shape better for a topping.
• Don’t skip the chia seeds. I know it’s tempting, but they really are essential for thickening the mixture. They act like a natural pudding mix, giving you that perfect creamy-but-not-soupy result.
• Give your Nutella a quick stir. If it’s been sitting, the oils can separate. A good stir in the jar before you scoop will ensure you get a smooth, easy-to-swirl consistency.

How to Make Overnight Oats with Nutella and Banana

Serving Suggestions

Complementary Dishes

• A side of crispy bacon — The salty, savory crunch is an incredible contrast to the sweet, creamy oats. It’s a surprisingly perfect balance of flavors.
• A simple fruit salad — Some fresh berries or orange segments on the side add a refreshing, juicy element that cuts through the richness.
• A warm, buttery croissant — For those mornings when you need a truly indulgent, café-style breakfast experience.

Drinks

• A strong cup of black coffee — The bitterness of the coffee complements the sweetness of the Nutella and banana beautifully, waking up all your taste buds.
• A cold glass of milk — It’s a classic for a reason. The cool milk is the perfect partner for this creamy, dessert-like breakfast.
• A hot chai tea latte — The warm spices in chai, like cinnamon and cardamom, add a lovely aromatic depth that pairs wonderfully with the hazelnut notes.

Something Sweet

• A dark chocolate espresso bean — Enjoy one after your last bite for a sophisticated, bitter-chocolate finish that lingers.
• A small, warm chocolate chip cookie — Because sometimes, doubling down on chocolate for breakfast is the only right answer.
• A spoonful of lemon curd — A tiny bit on the side provides a sharp, tangy burst that brilliantly offsets the sweetness.

Top Mistakes to Avoid

• Mistake: Using quick oats. They absorb liquid too quickly and will result in a mushy, pasty texture that’s not very appealing. Stick with old-fashioned rolled oats for the best consistency.
• Mistake: Stirring the Nutella in completely. If you mix it in until it’s fully incorporated, you’ll lose those delightful chocolatey streaks and the flavor will be more muted. Swirling is the key!
• Mistake: Not using a ripe enough banana. An underripe banana won’t be very sweet and can have a slightly starchy taste. A spotty, ripe banana will give you the best natural sweetness and soft texture.
• Mistake: Skipping the salt. It might seem insignificant, but salt is a flavor enhancer. Without it, your oats might taste a little flat. That tiny pinch makes a world of difference.

Expert Tips

• Tip: Make a double or triple batch. These oats keep beautifully for up to 3 days in the fridge. Prep a few jars on a Sunday night, and you’ve got breakfast ready to grab-and-go for the first part of your week.
• Tip: Layer it for a parfait effect. For a pretty presentation, try layering: add half the oat mixture to the jar, then a layer of sliced bananas and a drizzle of Nutella, then the rest of the oats. It looks fantastic when you dig in.
• Tip: Add texture right before serving. For a bit of crunch, top your oats in the morning with some chopped toasted hazelnuts, cacao nibs, or even a sprinkle of granola. It adds a wonderful contrast to the creaminess.
• Tip: Warm them up if you prefer. While typically eaten cold, you can gently heat these oats in the microwave for 30-60 seconds if you’re craving a warm breakfast. It makes them taste like a warm chocolate-banana porridge.

FAQs

Can I make this recipe vegan?
Absolutely! It’s very easy to adapt. Simply use a plant-based milk like almond, oat, or soy milk. Choose a vegan yogurt (coconut yogurt works well) and ensure your maple syrup is vegan (it almost always is). Just double-check your Nutella label, as while it is generally vegetarian, some strict vegans avoid it due to the skim milk powder; there are vegan chocolate-hazelnut spreads available as alternatives.

How long do these overnight oats last in the fridge?
They are best within 2-3 days. Because we’re using fresh banana mixed right in, it will start to brown and soften considerably after that. The oats themselves are fine, but the texture and appearance of the banana will change. For longer storage, you could prep the base oat mixture without the banana and just slice and add it in the morning.

My oats are too thick/soupy. What did I do wrong?
This is usually a simple fix! If they’re too thick, you probably just need to add a splash more milk and stir it in until it reaches your desired consistency. If they’re too soupy, you might not have used enough oats or chia seeds, or they might not have chilled long enough. Let them sit a bit longer, or add a extra teaspoon of chia seeds and wait another hour.

Can I use something other than Nutella?
Of course! Any nut or seed butter will work. Almond butter or peanut butter would be delicious. For a chocolate fix without Nutella, you could stir in a tablespoon of cocoa powder with the other dry ingredients and a touch more sweetener. You could even use a chocolate protein powder for a boost.

Is it okay to eat overnight oats every day?
As part of a balanced diet, sure! They’re a fantastic source of fiber from the oats and chia seeds, and you’re getting protein from the yogurt. To keep things varied and nutritionally diverse, you can easily switch up the add-ins—try different fruits, nuts, and spices so you’re not eating the exact same thing every single day.