If your mornings usually look like a frantic scramble where breakfast is forgotten entirely, listen up! I have something that truly changed my routine. Seriously, it’s my holy grail for stress-free mornings. We are talking about the absolute best **Banana Coconut Overnight Oats** you will ever try.

This recipe takes about five minutes of work before bed, and boom—you wake up to a perfect, creamy, tropical bowl ready to eat. No stove, no pots to clean, just grab a spoon! I started making these five days a week because honestly, having that perfectly portioned, delicious fuel ready to go means I can actually sit down for two minutes before sprinting out the door. If you’ve been looking for that magical grab-and-go breakfast that rivals any baked good? You should definitely check out my recipe for quick oat bread too, but this one is faster! This is it. Trust me on this one; this is a game-changer for busy humans.

Why You Will Love This Banana Coconut Overnight Oats Recipe

I know, I know, there are a million overnight oats recipes out there. But this one? This one hits different. It’s the flavor combination that just screams vacation, even when I’m stuck at my desk at 7 AM. Here’s why this particular mix of banana and coconut is going to become a staple in your life, just like it has in mine.

It truly is five-minute prep. You absolutely cannot beat setting this up the night before and walking away. Zero morning effort required!
Hello, tropical vacation in a jar! The mashed banana melts into the oats, but that shredded coconut really brings in that bright, sunny flavor. It’s not overly sweet, either—it’s just balanced.
No cooking required—seriously! This whole recipe is assembled cold, mixed, and left to work its magic in the fridge. Perfect for summer when you don’t want to turn on the stove even for a second.
It keeps you full! Thanks to the chia seeds and the hearty rolled oats, this breakfast has staying power. You won’t be looking for a snack by 10 AM, I promise.
Incredibly adaptable. If you have dietary quirks like needing non-dairy milk or cutting back on sugar, this recipe handles swaps like a champ. You might want to check out my guide to simple overnight oats, 3 ways, for more ideas!
It’s so satisfyingly creamy. When the oats and chia seeds plump up overnight, they soak up all that banana and coconut goodness, creating this unbelievably smooth texture. It’s almost like pudding, but way better for you.

Essential Ingredients for Perfect Banana Coconut Overnight Oats

Now, let’s talk about what actually goes into making this magic happen. Honestly, there aren’t many moving parts here, which is why it’s so reliable! For one serving of the best **Banana Coconut Overnight Oats**, we need exactly one-half cup of good quality rolled oats. Don’t use the instant stuff; rolled oats are what give you that perfect structure.

You absolutely need a tablespoon of chia seeds—they are crucial for thickening this up overnight. For the wet side, we are pairing one-half cup of whatever milk you love (dairy or otherwise) with one-half of a ripe banana that you’ve taken the time to mash up really well. Don’t skip the mashing step!

Then we hit the tropical notes: you want one-quarter cup of unsweetened shredded coconut. The unsweetened kind keeps the overall sugar in check, which is important. Finish it with just a tiny pinch of salt—it wakes up all the sweet flavors! If your banana isn’t super sweet, I always keep a teaspoon of maple syrup on hand, though I skip it most days. For more sweet oat ideas, check out my banana peanut butter overnight oats!

Expert Tips for Making the Best Banana Coconut Overnight Oats

It seems simple, right? Just mix and chill. But if you want this to go from good to OMG, there are a couple of small things you absolutely have to keep in mind. My first big tip involves the banana—make sure it’s perfectly ripe, almost brown on the peel! That deep sweetness means you probably won’t even need the maple syrup, which keeps the sugar down without sacrificing flavor.

Secondly, when you stir everything together, really dedicate a second to ensuring those chia seeds don’t clump up at the bottom. I always mix the wet ingredients first, then slowly fold in the dry bits. If it seems too thick in the morning—and sometimes it does, depending on the humidity—just splash in another tablespoon or two of milk while you stir. It loosens up beautifully!

And don’t forget the finish! While the overnight chill does the heavy lifting, the real personality comes in the morning when you top it. I love sprinkling on toasted coconut flakes because the crunch contrasts with the soft oats, almost like a homemade granola.

Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Banana Coconut Overnight Oats

You have options here, so don’t stress if you don’t have dairy milk in the fridge. Almond, soy, or even oat milk work perfectly fine! The texture might change slightly, but the flavor holds up. If you’re skipping the sweetener completely, make sure your banana is spot-on ripe; that’s where all your sweetness comes from.

Speaking of substitutions, if you don’t have chia seeds, you can use a tablespoon of flax meal, but you might need an extra splash of milk because flax tends to soak up liquid quicker. For extra goodness, look into making a batch of my healthy chia pudding separately and layer it in!

Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Banana Coconut Overnight Oats

Okay, let’s get down to the action! Don’t let the word ‘overnight’ intimidate you; the actual work time is minimal, I promise. We start the process in a sturdy jar or whatever small container you prefer to meal prep in. First things first, let’s dry layer everything.

In goes your rolled oats, the chia seeds (don’t let them hide!), that lovely shredded coconut, and just a whisper of salt. Give those dry things a quick swirl with a fork so they are evenly distributed. This prevents everything from settling into one gummy layer later on.

Next up is the wet stuff. Add your cold milk and that mashed banana right on top. This is where you need to stir vigorously! You have to make sure that mashed banana gets broken up into the milk and that the chia seeds aren’t sticking to the bottom of the jar. I stir for a solid minute until it looks like a uniform, slightly chunky batter.

If you are adding maple syrup, mix it in now until it disappears. Lid goes on tight! Pop it straight into the fridge. You need a minimum of four hours, but honestly, overnight is where the texture transforms! When you pull it out in the morning, give it one last good stir before digging in. If it seems too firm, just splash in a little extra milk until it feels perfect for you. Check out these delicious and healthy overnight oats for Easter if you want some holiday flair!

Customizing Your Banana Coconut Overnight Oats with Variations

While this base recipe for **Banana Coconut Overnight Oats** is fantastic just the way it is, I love that you can totally trick it out depending on what you need that day! It’s got a great tropical vibe, but sometimes I need something heavier for a long hike, or maybe something extra sweet for a treat.

Don’t be afraid to treat that jar like a mini canvas! I’ve found three ways to completely change the profile without messing up the creamy oats and banana base. You might even find a new favorite way to eat them. For more fun variations, you absolutely must sneak a peek at my recipe for spiced carrot cake overnight oats—it’s totally shocking how good it is!

Protein Power Boost: If you’re using this for post-workout fuel or just know you have a long day ahead, stir in one scoop of your favorite vanilla or unflavored protein powder right with the dry ingredients before you add the milk. You might need an extra tablespoon of milk since the powder sucks up moisture like a sponge! It mixes surprisingly well and barely changes the flavor.
Spice It Up (Winter Vibe): Okay, coconut is sunny, but what if you want cozy? Swap out that tropical thinking for a minute and add a solid half-teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a tiny pinch of nutmeg right in with the oats. It transforms the banana flavor into something reminiscent of banana bread. It is amazing how well that spice combo works with the coconut underneath!
Texture and Crunch Time: We already use chia seeds, but if you want more texture—maybe you’re eating this right away instead of chilling it—add in a half tablespoon of crushed pecans or walnuts. Or, better yet, throw in a tablespoon of hemp hearts for a little extra healthy fat boost without changing the texture too much.

It’s so easy to stick to the basics, but playing around with these tiny additions makes sticking to your healthy breakfast habit way more fun!

Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions for Banana Coconut Overnight Oats

The best part about these **Banana Coconut Overnight Oats** is they are the ultimate make-ahead meal! You can happily mix up a batch, screw the lid on tight, and leave them in the fridge for up to three days. I find they are creamiest on day two, but day three is still delicious.

If you’re meal prepping big time, go ahead and double or triple the recipe. Just make sure you are using individual jars or containers for each serving, though. It just makes morning grab-and-go so much simpler! If you’re looking for other grab-and-go solutions, my breakfast cookies are lifesavers too!

Serving Suggestions for Your Banana Coconut Overnight Oats

Once that jar has chilled overnight and the oats have plumped up into creamy perfection, it’s time for the grand finale: topping it off! Remember, these **Banana Coconut Overnight Oats** are designed to be eaten cold, straight out of the fridge. Don’t even think about heating these up—that texture is sacred!

The best serving suggestion is to always bring back that coconut crunch. I always keep a small jar of toasted coconut flakes nearby. Toasting them just slightly brings out the nuttiness and gives you that satisfying contrast against the soft, cool oats underneath. Plus, a few fresh slices of slightly under-ripe banana on top look gorgeous!

If you want to turn this into a full, proper breakfast spread, pair it with something acidic or bright to cut through the richness of the coconut and banana. A strong, black coffee works perfectly to balance things out. Or, if I’m feeling extra virtuous, I’ll have a small side serving of tart berries, like raspberries or strawberries. They add a vibrant color and a sharp flavor that plays so nicely against the tropical sweetness. Check out my coconut berry oatmeal breakfast bowl for another great tropical pairing idea!

Honestly, though, the beauty of this jar is that it’s complete all on its own. But a little extra crunch never hurt anybody!

Frequently Asked Questions About Banana Coconut Overnight Oats

I always get so many questions when I share this recipe because people want to make sure they get that perfect, creamy texture the first time around. Here are the things I hear most often about nailing these quick, make-ahead oats!

Can I make Banana Coconut Overnight Oats without chia seeds?

That’s a great question! While I highly recommend them because they are what give these oats that pudding-like thickness, yes, you *can* skip them in a pinch. Chia seeds are essential for soaking up moisture and binding everything, though. If you skip them, you will need to increase your milk quantity slightly—maybe by two tablespoons—and be aware that the texture will be looser, more like a runny bowl of oatmeal rather than that thick, spoonable, dessert-like quality.

How long can I keep Banana Coconut Overnight Oats refrigerated?

This is one of my favorite things: the fridge life! You can safely store sealed Banana Coconut Overnight Oats for up to three days. I personally find that day two is the absolute pinnacle of deliciousness, but they are perfectly fine on day three. After that, the banana starts to break down a little too much, so I always recommend prepping only what you’ll eat in that 72-hour window. If you like making things ahead of time, you should check out my recipe for banana oatmeal muffin bites for another great freezer option!

Are these truly quick to make on a busy morning?

Absolutely, yes! That’s the whole point of overnight oats! The actual active prep time is less than five minutes the night before when you’re putting everything in the jar. In the morning, you just take the lid off, maybe add an extra tiny splash of milk if it’s too thick for your liking, give it a stir, and you are out the door. Total morning time commitment is about 60 seconds!

Can I substitute the banana? What about using maple syrup only?

The banana provides both sweetness *and* essential moisture here, so swapping it out completely changes the texture. If you absolutely must skip it, you’ll need to replace that half cup volume with something else moist—maybe unsweetened applesauce or a few extra tablespoons of milk and a bit more maple syrup. But honestly, the banana and coconut combination are what make this recipe sing, so I always encourage using that ripe banana!

Estimated Nutritional Profile of Banana Coconut Overnight Oats

Now, I have to give you the big disclaimer right up front: because we all use different brands of milk and maybe use a little more or a little less maple syrup, these numbers are a best guess! This is just an estimate based on the standard ingredients list I gave you, assuming you used unsweetened almond milk and omitted the optional syrup. Don’t treat this like a strict meal plan number, but it gives you a good idea of what you’re eating!

For one standard serving of this delicious make-ahead breakfast, you are looking at roughly 350 calories. That’s really reasonable for something that keeps you full until lunch, right?

Key Macronutrients Per Serving

Fats: Total fat clocks in around 10 grams. Most of that is healthy fat coming from the chia seeds and the coconut itself. We use zero trans fat here, which is a win!
Carbohydrates: You’re getting about 58 grams of carbs, but this is a good thing because 10 of those grams are pure dietary fiber. That fiber helps slow down digestion and keeps your energy steady.
Protein: We see about 12 grams of protein in this mix, mostly thanks to the oats and the boost from whatever milk you choose to use.
Sugar: The baseline sugar content is around 15 grams. Most of that is natural sugar from the ripe banana, not added sweeteners!

It’s a really well-rounded bowl, especially considering how easy it is to make. It proves you don’t need complicated cooking to get good numbers first thing in the morning!

Share Your Experience Making Banana Coconut Overnight Oats

Alright, now that you’ve got the inside scoop on my favorite way to start the day, I really want to hear from you! I put all my best tips and tricks into this recipe for **Banana Coconut Overnight Oats**, but I know you creative cooks out there always have your own magic touches.

Did you try it plain? Did you add a dash of cinnamon or maybe toast your coconut flakes until they were perfectly golden brown? Please, don’t keep those brilliant ideas to yourself! This is all about building a kitchen community here.

If you made this recipe, would you take a quick second to drop a star rating down below? It really helps others who are trying to decide if this is their next breakfast adventure. Seriously, a rating clicks down in seconds! And if you want to look at another interesting breakfast that takes a little more effort but is totally worth it, have a peek at my recipe for the breakfast braid with sausage and eggs for a weekend treat.

Tell me, what was your favorite topping? Did you stick to just banana and coconut, or did you mix in some nuts or seeds? Drop all your thoughts, modifications, and success stories right in the comments below. I read every single one, and I can’t wait to see what you come up up with!

Banana Coconut Overnight Oats

Author: memorecipes.com
Total Time: 5 min
Yield: 1 serving 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Simple recipe for make-ahead breakfast oats with banana and coconut flavors.

Ingredients

Scale

1/2 cup rolled oats
1 tablespoon chia seeds
1/2 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
1/4 cup unsweetened shredded coconut
1/2 ripe banana, mashed
1 teaspoon maple syrup (optional)
Pinch of salt

Instructions

In a jar or container, combine the rolled oats, chia seeds, shredded coconut, and salt.
Add the milk and mashed banana.
Stir all ingredients well until fully mixed.
If using, stir in the maple syrup.
Cover the container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight.
In the morning, stir the oats before serving. Add extra milk if the consistency is too thick.

Notes

Top with fresh banana slices or toasted coconut flakes before eating.
You can use any type of milk you prefer.

Prep Time: 5 min
Cook Time: 0 min
Category: Breakfast
Method: No Cook
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 350
Sugar: 15
Sodium: 50
Fat: 10
Saturated Fat: 6
Unsaturated Fat: 4
Trans Fat: 0
Carbohydrates: 58
Fiber: 10
Protein: 12
Cholesterol: 0

Keywords: banana, coconut, overnight oats, breakfast, quick, make ahead