Banana Chia Seeds Oats

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 4 hours (or overnight)
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 1

Intensity: Low. This is a “mix and rest” recipe. The most intense activity is mashing a banana!

Ingredients

• ½ cup rolled old-fashioned oats

• 1 tablespoon chia seeds

• ¾ cup milk of your choice (add an extra 1-2 tablespoons for a thinner consistency)

• 1 medium very ripe banana

• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

• 1 teaspoon maple syrup or honey (optional)

• Pinch of salt

For Topping (Optional, but Recommended)

• Sliced banana

• Handful of walnuts or pecans

• Drizzle of peanut butter or almond butter

• Sprinkle of cinnamon

• Fresh berries

Instructions

1. Mash the Banana: In a medium-sized bowl or directly in the jar you plan to use, add the peeled ripe banana. Use a fork to mash it thoroughly until it’s a smooth, paste-like consistency with no large lumps. This ensures the banana flavor is distributed evenly throughout the oats.

2. Combine the Base Ingredients: To the mashed banana, add the rolled oats, chia seeds, milk of your choice, vanilla extract (if using), maple syrup (if using), and a tiny pinch of salt.

3. Mix, Mix, Mix! This is the most important step! Whisk or stir all the ingredients together vigorously for at least 1-2 minutes. Make sure the chia seeds are evenly distributed so they don’t clump together, and that everything is well incorporated with the mashed banana.

4. Transfer to a Jar: If you mixed in a bowl, pour the mixture into a mason jar or any container with a tight-fitting lid.

5. Refrigerate: Seal the jar with the lid and place it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, but preferably overnight. This resting time is crucial for the oats and chia seeds to absorb the liquid and soften.

6. Enjoy! In the morning (or after 4 hours), give the oats a good stir. If they seem too thick for your liking, stir in an extra splash of milk to loosen them up. Add your favorite toppings and enjoy it cold straight from the jar!

Nutrition Information

The following nutrition information is an estimate and will vary based on the specific ingredients and milk used. Calculated using unsweetened almond milk and without optional sweeteners or toppings.