Chunky Monkey Overnight Oats

You’re going to love these delicious and creamy chunky monkey overnight oats. Sweetened with mashed banana and studded with walnuts and chocolate chips, they’re easy to prep and are a healthy, wholesome, make-ahead breakfast.

Who says a nutritious breakfast can’t be a treat? I mean, waking up to something wholesome AND dessert-like? Yes, please! These chunky monkey overnight oats have got you covered.

With simple ingredients and a base of naturally sweetened banana oatmeal, we’ve added in chocolate chunks and crunchy walnuts to make it feel indulgent – kind of like the famous Ben & Jerry’s ice cream.

But here’s the thing, these oats are not only creamy and delicious, they’re healthy too. So go ahead, treat yourself to breakfast and start your day off right!

Jump to:

• What is chunky monkey overnight oats
• Ingredients you’ll need
• How to make chunky monkey overnight oats
• Recipe video
• Tips & recipe notes
• Variations, additions & swaps
• Serving suggestions
• Storage tips
• FAQs
• Recipe

What is chunky monkey overnight oats

If you’re not familiar with overnight oats, they’re uncooked oats left to soften in a liquid (milk, usually) overnight. They’re customizable, super easy to make, and will help keep you full and energized.

There are countless flavor options for overnight oats, making it easy to switch things up and enjoy a different taste sensation every day. From fruity variations like apple cinnamon and mango coconut to indulgent flavors like chocolate and almond joy, the possibilities are endless.

The chunky monkey overnight oats are inspired by the famous Ben & Jerry’s ice cream of the same name, but with a healthy twist. By incorporating oats, this recipe not only captures the mouthwatering flavors of banana, crunchy walnuts, and chocolate chunks, but also provides a satisfying texture and a filling and nutritious meal to power up your day. It’s the best of both worlds.

Ingredients you’ll need

For these chunky monkey overnight oats, you’re going to need a few easy-to-find ingredients.

• Banana: Mashed banana naturally sweetens the oats, as well as contributes to their creamy consistency. You need one small ripe banana, which should be spotted with brown as an indicator of ripeness.
• Old-Fashioned Rolled Oats: Rolled oats the best oats for overnight oats because they have a flat, oval shape that helps them soak up liquid easily. When you soak or cook rolled oats, they become pleasantly chewy. Quick-cooking oats are also an option, but they tend to become too mushy and lose their texture when soaked overnight. Use gluten-free rolled oats if needed.
• Almond Milk: I like using unsweetened almond milk for recipes like this because of its neutral flavor, but feel free to use any type of milk that suits your taste preferences. Use a dairy-free option (oat, cashew, coconut) to keep this vegan if needed. Soy milk is great for added protein.
• Chia Seeds: I always make overnight oats with chia seeds as they add a nutritional boost (omega-3 fatty acids and protein). They also help absorb some of the liquid, which gives the oats a thicker consistency.
• Salt: A tiny pinch of salt is a good flavor enhancer.
• Add-Ins: Since we’re talking chunky monkey, chopped walnuts and mini chocolate chips add some extra texture and flavor to these overnight oats, along with the ripe banana.

Full ingredient measurements and detailed instructions are located in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post. This section covers notes on ingredients and possible substitutions.

How to make chunky monkey overnight oats

Making overnight oats is as simple as stirring together the ingredients. I prefer to do it in three steps to avoid clumps:

1. Start by peeling a ripe banana and placing it in a bowl. Use a fork or potato masher to mash the banana until it is smooth and pureed thoroughly.
2. Next, add almond milk and a pinch of salt to the mashed banana. Stir everything together to combine.
3. Finally, add the rolled oats, chia seeds, chopped walnuts, and mini chocolate chips to the mixture. Stir everything well until all ingredients are combined.

After that, cover and refrigerate oats overnight (or for at least 4 hours). The oatmeal softens and thickens into a pudding-like consistency.

When ready to consume, uncover the container, stir the mixture again before serving, add toppings if you like, and enjoy!

Recipe video

Watch how to make this recipe:

Tips & recipe notes

• I find it easier to mix the ingredients in a big container or bowl. However, you can also make this recipe directly in an individual jar, such as mason jars or weck jars. For the amount of ingredients listed for this recipe, you might need 3 to 4 jars.
• You can adjust the ratio of liquid to oats according to your preference. If you prefer a thicker and creamier texture, use less liquid. If you prefer a thinner consistency, use more liquid. It’s always best to start with a smaller amount of liquid and add more as needed to achieve the desired consistency. This way, you can even adjust the consistency after oats are soaked.
• Avoid using steel-cut oats for this recipe. They have a longer cooking time compared to rolled or quick oats, and they require more liquid to cook. Soaking steel cut oats overnight may not be enough to soften them to the desired texture, which can result in a chewy and unpleasant texture.

Variations, additions & swaps

By experimenting with different swaps and variations, you can create your own unique version of chunky monkey overnight oats that suits your taste preferences and dietary needs.

• If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can add additional sweeteners, such as maple syrup or honey, to the mixture.
• You can make these chunky monkey overnight oats with yogurt for added creaminess.
• Easily add more protein to overnight oats by adding 1 scoop of your favorite protein powder. A high protein yogurt, such as greek yogurt and dairy-free soy yogurt, is also a great option for extra protein boost.
• If you don’t like walnuts or don’t have any on hand, you can use other nuts, such as almonds, pecans, or hazelnuts, to add crunch and flavor.
• To give the base a chocolatey kick, just add a tablespoon of cacao or cocoa powder to the ingredients when mixing your overnight oats.
• You can add different spices or flavorings, such as cinnamon or vanilla extract, to add extra depth to the recipe and complement the overall natural sweet taste.

Note: The amount of liquid needed for your overnight oats may vary depending on the other ingredients you use. My advice is to let the oats soak overnight, then adjust the liquid when you’re ready to eat them. That way, you can get the perfect consistency every time.

Serving suggestions

You don’t really need anything else to enjoy these chunky monkey overnight oats because they are already packed with a variety of flavors and textures. They are perfect just as they are!

However, topping your overnight oats with your favorite fresh fruit is always a great idea. I personally love additional sliced bananas and berries, such as strawberry, blueberry, and raspberry.

A dollop of greek yogurt or dairy-free yogurt can add extra creaminess and is also a delicious addition to these overnight oats.

If you’re feeling like indulging, go ahead and drizzle some walnut butter, peanut butter, almond butter, or any other nut butter of your choice on top of the oats. Don’t forget to add a few extra chocolate chips too for that extra sweetness and crunch. Trust me, it’s totally worth it!

Storage tips

After preparing your chunky monkey overnight oats, transfer them to an airtight container and store them in the fridge for up to 3 days. They’re the perfect make-ahead breakfast!

If you have leftover overnight oats that you don’t plan on eating within 3 days, you can freeze them. Place them in an airtight container and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before eating. Note that freezing and thawing may affect the texture of your oats. Freeze only if necessary.

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