Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats

Overnight Oats Chunky Monkey Style! We're talking banana, nuts, chocolate & creamy oatmeal because everyone deserves to wake up to that combo! There is no cooking involved at all. Make up a batch in minutes, store them in the fridge & they are perfect for quick, healthy breakfasts on the go! 

Stressful mornings. Something no one likes. That's where Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats come in. Or if you prefer strawberries, head on over to my Strawberry Overnight Oats recipe.

Make up a batch in minutes on Sunday evening. No cooking involved. Pop them in the fridge and voila. Breakfast is ready when you need it the next day and for up to 3 to 4 days later if you want it to be. If you invest in some wide-mouthed mason jars you don't even need to put the oatmeal in a bowl. Just eat it straight from the jar or grab the jar from the fridge and take it to work with you for later!

Jump to:

• How to make overnight oats
• How to make Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats
• Do you eat overnight oats cold?
• How long do overnight oats last in the fridge?
• Hungry for more?
• 📖 Recipe
• Comments

I use these 16oz mason jars to make mine in. The shape is perfect and they are really easy to eat out of:

The flavour and texture of Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats is amazing. Banana, nuts, chocolate and a date that magically turns almost caramel-y are the perfect combo.

These oats are:

• quick and easy
• convenient
• refined sugar free
• kid friendly
• hearty
• healthy
• satisfying
• and they taste like dessert for breakfast!

How to make overnight oats

Making these overnight oats is a really quick and straightforward process. All you need are rolled oats, milk of choice and a drop of maple syrup or a chopped date for sweetness. I like to add some chia seeds too, both for texture and nutrition.

The measurements for a single portion are as follows:

• ½ cup rolled oats
• 2 teaspoons chia seeds
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or a chopped medjool date
• ¾ cup of milk

That's the basic recipe. Once you've got that down you can get inventive with the add-ins. You can stir in some cocoa powder to make chocolate overnight oats, stir in some nut butter, vegan yogurt, top with fresh fruit, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, more nut butter...Whatever floats your boat.

How to make Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats

(For detailed measurements and instructions, see the printable recipe card).

Making Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats is really easy! Here are the ingredients you will need:

And here's how it's done:

• Step 1 - Mash some banana and put into a jar or bowl
• Step 2 - Pour in some oats, chia seeds, a chopped date, a pinch of salt, some chopped nuts, some chocolate chips, vanilla, milk and optional maple syrup
• Step 3 - Stir or put the lid on and shake then place in the fridge and leave for at least 6 hours or up to 3 days

That's it!

Do you eat overnight oats cold?

Overnight oats are usually served chilled straight from the fridge. They are absolutely perfect for people who love oatmeal but don't want a hot breakfast in the summer.

Some people don't like the thought of eating their oatmeal cold, but it really isn't like eating cooked oatmeal cold. That's wouldn't be pleasant at all. Because overnight oats haven't been cooked, you don't get that thick, gloopy texture that would be off-putting with previously cooked oats.

If you are dead-set against it though, you can warm them up. If you make them in a mason jar you can pop them in the microwave while still in the jar, as long as you remove the metal lid first. They don't take long at all. To take the chill off but still eat them cool, I put them in on high power for 20-30 seconds. If I want them hot I heat them on full power for about 1 minute, maybe up to 1 minute 30 seconds.

How long do overnight oats last in the fridge?

Basic overnight oats last for up to 5 days in the fridge. Most add-ins will last that long too, with the exception of fresh fruit. It can get a little soggy if left too long, especially berries like strawberries.  I like to add them when I am about to eat the oatmeal or a few hours before is fine too if you plan on taking your oatmeal to work with you. You can still have the fruit washed and prepared in an airtight container so that you don't have to faff around with washing and chopping it in the morning.

That's it. They really are the most simple and delicious breakfast!

Because of the mashed banana in these Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats though, they don't last as long as 5 days like plain overnight oats would, but they are absolutely fine for up to 3 or 4.

Hungry for more?

For more oatmeal recipes, check out these great options:

1. Black Forest Overnight Oats
2. Healthy Chocolate Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats
3. Ginger Chocolate Overnight Oats
4. Bircher Muesli

📖 Recipe