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These Peanut Butter Overnight Oats are the creamy, protein-packed breakfast I make in five minutes the night before so mornings are completely hands-off. They are just as easy as our oatmeal smoothie bowls, and they taste like a peanut butter banana treat you get to eat for breakfast.
You only need a few pantry staples and a jar, then the fridge does all the work while you sleep.
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats Quick Look
- 🕒 Prep Time: 5 minutes
- 🌡️ Cook Time: 0 minutes
- ⏳ Total Time: 5 minutes
- 🍽️ Serving: 1 large serving
- ⚡ Calories: 858kcal
- 🌶️ Flavor Profile: Creamy, nutty, and lightly sweet with peanut butter and banana
- ✋ Difficulty: Easy, on par with our oatmeal smoothie bowls
Quick Answer
Stir milk, peanut butter, maple syrup, and a pinch of sea salt together in a jar, then add rolled oats and stir until the oats are pressed into the liquid. Seal the jar and refrigerate overnight until the oats soften. In the morning, top with extra peanut butter, banana slices, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup for the creamiest Peanut Butter Overnight Oats.
Jump to:
- Peanut Butter Overnight Oats Quick Look
- Quick Answer
- Why This Recipe Works
- Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Key Ingredients
- Variations and Substitutions
- How to Make Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
- Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Serving Ideas and Suggestions
- Peanut Butter Overnight Oats FAQs
- Other Recommended Breakfast Recipes
- Easy Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Why This Recipe Works
Click to see the technique science
- No cooking required. The oats soften overnight in the fridge, so there is zero stovetop or microwave time involved.
- It is true meal prep. Make one jar or a whole batch, and breakfast is ready to grab and go for days.
- Peanut butter keeps you full. The protein and healthy fats in peanut butter make this a satisfying breakfast that holds you over until lunch.
- It is endlessly customizable. Swap the milk, sweetener, and toppings to fit any diet or craving.
- It tastes like dessert. Peanut butter, banana, and a little chocolate make this feel like a treat you can eat first thing in the morning.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It is a fast, make-ahead breakfast that is ready when you wake up, perfect alongside our oatmeal smoothie bowls for busy mornings.
- Peanut butter and oats keep you full for hours, so it is a satisfying, protein-packed start to the day.
- One jar, no cooking, and barely any cleanup make it the easiest meal prep breakfast around.
Key Ingredients
Just a few pantry staples make the creamiest make-ahead breakfast. Here is what each one brings.
- Rolled Oats: Old fashioned rolled oats soak up the liquid overnight and turn soft, creamy, and spoonable by morning.
- Peanut Butter: The star of the bowl, adding rich, nutty flavor and a boost of protein and staying power.
- Milk: Any milk works, from dairy to almond or oat, to soften the oats into that signature creamy texture.
- Maple Syrup: A touch of natural sweetness that balances the salty peanut butter without refined sugar.
- Banana and Chocolate Syrup: Sliced banana and an optional drizzle of chocolate make every jar taste like a treat.
See recipe card for exact quantities.
Variations and Substitutions
These Peanut Butter Overnight Oats are easy to make your own. Here are a few favorite twists.
- Use any milk you like, from dairy to almond, oat, soy, or coconut.
- Swap the peanut butter for almond butter, cashew butter, or sunflower seed butter for a nut-free version.
- Stir in chia seeds or a scoop of protein powder for extra staying power.
- Top with fresh berries, sliced banana, granola, or a drizzle of honey the way we do with our banana nut muffins.
How to Make Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
- Add the milk, peanut butter, maple syrup, and a pinch of sea salt to a mason jar or sealable container. Stir to combine, and do not worry if the peanut butter is not fully incorporated.
- Add the rolled oats to the jar.
- Stir to combine, then press the oats down so they are fully covered in the liquid.
- Seal the jar and refrigerate overnight, or until the oats are softened. When ready to serve, top with more peanut butter, banana slices, and a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
Recipe Tips & Tricks
- Use rolled oats. Old fashioned rolled oats give the best creamy texture; quick oats turn mushy and steel cut stay too firm.
- Press the oats down. Make sure every oat is submerged so they soften evenly overnight.
- Chill at least 4 hours. Overnight is ideal, but a few hours in the fridge will soften them in a pinch.
- Adjust the thickness. Add a splash more milk in the morning if you like your oats looser.
- Add toppings fresh. Stir the oats together, then add banana and chocolate just before eating so they stay fresh.
- Batch it. Make several jars at once for a full week of grab-and-go breakfasts.
Serving Ideas and Suggestions
These Peanut Butter Overnight Oats are a complete breakfast on their own, but they are even better topped with fresh banana, berries, granola, or a sprinkle of mini chocolate chips.
For a bigger spread or a brunch, serve a few jars alongside our French toast or a warm overnight breakfast casserole so everyone has a sweet and savory option.
Since they keep for days, make a batch on Sunday and grab a jar each morning, or pack one for an easy breakfast at work or school.
Peanut Butter Overnight Oats FAQs
Old fashioned rolled oats are the best choice. They soak up the liquid and turn creamy without going mushy. Quick oats break down too much, and steel cut oats stay too chewy unless soaked much longer.
Stored in a sealed jar in the fridge, they keep for up to 4 to 5 days, which makes them perfect for meal prep. Add fresh toppings like banana just before eating so they stay fresh.
Yes. Although they are designed to be eaten cold straight from the fridge, you can microwave them for 30 to 60 seconds if you prefer a warm bowl. Add a splash of milk first to loosen them.
Absolutely. The banana is a topping, not a requirement. Leave it off or swap in berries, apple, diced peaches, or just extra peanut butter and chocolate.
Use a lighter milk, reduce the peanut butter to one tablespoon, cut back on the maple syrup, and skip the chocolate drizzle. Powdered peanut butter is also a great lower-fat swap that keeps the flavor.
No. The whole point of overnight oats is that the oats soften in the fridge with no cooking. Just stir, seal, and chill, and they will be creamy and ready to eat by morning.
Want another easy make-ahead morning? Whip up a batch of our oatmeal smoothie bowls for a fresh, fruity start.
Prep breakfast ahead with our easy peanut butter overnight oats.
Easy Peanut Butter Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter crunchy or creamy is fine, plus more for serving
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 banana thinly sliced
- Chocolate syrup optional
Instructions
- Place the milk, peanut butter, maple syrup, and sea salt in a glass, I like to use a mason jar or sealable container.1 cup whole milk, 2 tablespoons peanut butter, 2 tablespoons maple syrup, Pinch of sea salt
- Stir to combine, don’t worry about completely incorporating the peanut butter.
- Add the oats and stir to combine, press down the oats to make sure they are covered in the liquid.1 cup old fashioned rolled oats
- Place the top on and refrigerate overnight, or until the oats are softened.
- When ready to serve, top with more peanut butter, banana slices, and chocolate syrup.1 banana, Chocolate syrup
Notes
- Ensure all the oats are submerged in the liquid for even soaking.
- Don’t worry about the lumps- it’s okay if the peanut butter isn’t fully mixed; it will meld overnight.
- Taste and add more maple syrup if you prefer it sweeter.
- Use ripe bananas- they add natural sweetness and are easier to digest.
- For a grab-and-go option, layer the oats and toppings in jars.
- Feel free to mix in a splash of almond milk or adjust the milk quantity for desired consistency.
Nutrition
Love This Recipe?
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Yes, it makes one large serving, but I believe it would make 2 sensible servings so you could cut that in half. This is definitely NOT a low calorie recipe.
I want to make better choices for breakfast in this New Year. I love peanut butter but just 1 helping of this PB Overnight Oats is 858 CALORIES!! Yikes! This is just about 1/2 the total of calories for my entire day! Am I reading this correctly??? IlLook forward to your response.