Be one step ahead of breakfast time with this vegan blueberry banana overnight oats. All you need are some oats, chia seeds, cinnamon, banana, fresh blueberries and some plant based milk of your choice.
I'm sure you have probably heard the hype right now, that is overnight chia seed oats . I have also hopped on the oatmeal wagon, to a lesser extent with this dairy free adaptation of blueberry banana overnight oats.
I have always enjoyed eating oatmeal but preparing them the night before with chia seeds and using a small handful of ingredients makes them oh so tempting.
I could easily eat this for breakfast everyday but since I like to diversify, I can't see myself doing so.
The importance of breakfast
As we all know breakfast is the most important meal of the day, while I am on the subject, let's be candid here, how many of you actually eat breakfast in the morning?
Do you lead a hectic lifestyle that warrants a non stop attitude? Are you too lazy to fix yourself something to eat in the mornings? Perhaps you're indecisive about what to eat?
I have broached this topic many times before throughout my life and have heard all of the excuses above. I'm not chastising anyone for their decision not to eat first thing in the morning, but I do want to point out the importance of commencing the day on a full stomach.
You see after sleeping for such a long period of time, while your body has had a chance to re-energise and restore its balance, it needs some substance to recover from not eating for several hours. This is where the term breakfast derives from because you are breaking the fast (breakfast).
I personally cannot leave the house without a bite to eat, I ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS eat breakfast, whether it's a bowl of fruit, smoothie, blueberry banana smoothie bowl or an omelette, Charla is eating before she heads out.
I need my energy levels optimised before I start the day, if I didn't my blood sugar levels would plummet leading to hypotension (low blood pressure).
It's not uncommon for people who skip breakfast to feel faint, tired or dizzy throughout the day and unbeknown to them these symptoms stem from not eating breakfast. It is so imperative to eat something in the morning , you owe it to your body.
Ingredients you will need
Oats - Oats are naturally gluten free but due to trace or cross contamination it is always best to buy oats that are labelled "Gluten free". Rolled or old fashioned oats work best for this recipe because the quick ones absorb the milk and become quite mushy. I actually like the "mushy" texture (yes, I'm weird) so this doesn't bother me at me.
Nut milk of your choice - Any plant based milk works for this recipe cashew, coconut milk, almond etc.. pick your poison!
Chia seeds - are quite gelatinous when they expand. Great for adding to your overnight oats if you want some additional thickness.
Cinnamon - spices always add flavour and warmth!
Coconut nectar - This is my favourite low GI sweetener, it has caramel butterscotch taste. A great for diabetics, agave and unrefined maple syrup are equally as nice
Fruit - You can add any fruit you want to these overnight bowls but I like a simple blueberry and chopped banana combination.
Prepare your oatmeal overnight
Bowl or mason jar - you can use either one of these to house the oatmeal. Jars come in handy if you are eating on the go or intend to take your breakfast for work, the gym or so fourth the next day. It's your choice as to whether a jar or bowl is suitable for this recipe.
Oatmeal prep - add the listed ingredients to the jar/bowl and mix together. The chia seeds and oats will work in unison to absorb most of the liquid. If your oats are too thick the next day add a splash of nut milk.
The good thing being there's zero prep work other than pouring the ingredients into a small bowl and mixing them together. It's so handy to take this out of the refrigerator, eat the next morning and repeat the entire progress again.
The steps
- Add all of the ingredients to a bowl or a jar and combine everything, give it a good stir.
- Place in the refrigerator overnight. The chia seeds and oats will swell and expand overnight. The next day you should be presented with some creamy oatmeal.
Reasons to make this recipe
- Full of fiber
- Complex carbohydrates are slow releasing helping to keep you fuller for longer
- Gluten free and free from dairy
- Super convenience for those hectic mornings
- low in fat
- You can add any ingredient you want to make tasty oatmeal to suit
Alternative to oats
- Millet flakes
- Almond meal
- Hemp hearts (seeds)
Overnight oats variations
- Chocolate and banana overnight oats - add 1 tablespoon of cacao
- Strawberry and banana overnight oats - add ½ cup of chopped strawberries
- Overnight oats banana and peanut - 2tbsp of creamy peanut butter
Are overnight oats fattening?
No, oats are low in fat and contain healthy complex carbohydrates.
What other oatmeal recipes do you recommend?
I don't consume nut milk so can I make overnight oats with water?
Yes, you can. use 1 cup of water in place of the nut milk. The chia seeds should still be able to help with expanding the oatmeal. Alternatively you can use oat milk or any type of seed milk instead.
Can you make oatmeal in the crockpot?
Yes, you can try my Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal recipe instead.
Notes and tips
- You can prepare the base of the recipe by mixing the chia seed, oats and plant based milk together then adding the fruit in the morning so they don't turn mushy.
- When adding the chia seeds be sure to thoroughly mix/combine with the rest of the ingredients
- Feel free to add some additional nuts or seeds .i.e strawberries, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, grapes etc..
- Oats are naturally gluten free but if you are sensitive to trace then use oats that are certified "gluten free"
Other breakfast recipes to try
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Vegan Blueberry Banana Overnight Oats
Ingredients
- ½ cup of gluten free oats old fashioned rolled oats work best, but rolled oats are fine
- 1 ¼ cup of almond milk can use coconut, cashew etc.. or other nut milk
- 1 tablespoon of chia seeds
- ¼ of cinnamon
- 1 banana
- of coconut nectar to taste can use agave, maple or another low GI sweetener
- blueberries to suit
Instructions
- Add all of the ingredients to a bowl or a jar and combine everything, give it a good stir.
- Place in the refrigerator overnight. The chia seeds and oats will swell and expand overnight. The next day you should be presented with some creamy oatmeal.
- Garnish with chopped banana, blueberries and a drizzle with sweetener
Notes
- You can prepare the base of the recipe by mixing the chia seed, oats and plant based milk together then adding the fruit in the morning so they don't turn mushy.
- When adding the chia seeds be sure to thoroughly mix/combine with the rest of the ingredients
- Feel free to add some additional nuts or seeds .i.e strawberries, pumpkin seeds, flaxseeds, grapes etc..
- Oats are naturally gluten free but if you are sensitive to trace then use oats that are certified "gluten free"
Nutrition
Lucia Bossano
Wow, I have to try this! Thank you for the inspiration)
Charla
Enjoy!
Ambur
Plan to try the recipe but haven’t yet - just an fyi I think you have a typo… hypoglycemia is not low blood pressure it’s low blood sugar. Fasting is also good for you =]. Of course each to their own! Thanks for the recipe!
Charla
Hi Ambur, my apologies! You are correct in spotting that typo, I was referring to hypotension but I have amended the recipe to reflect this and I hope you enjoy this recipe.
Ali
Tried it- was great. Doing it again tonight.
Charla
Thank you Ali
Sophie
These look delicious, Charla! I can't wait to give these a try. Banana and blueberry is definitely my favourite combination for overnight oats - sweet but still a little tangy.
Charla
Thanks Sophie. I love the combo too!!
Ann
Can anyone think of a sub for oats? My guy is allergic to all oats.
Charla
Sorry to hear that Ann try millet flakes instead they are naturally gluten free and the only substitute I can think of that will work in place of oats.
Ann
Thanks, I'll try cooked millet and see how that works. Love the idea.
Charla
You are welcome Ann. Let me know if you need any more assistance.
dooseet
mm, i Love chia seeds! definitely have to try this combo!
Charla
Thank you! I hope you like it.
Lucy
Wow!! What a bonus! Just the thing I needed in my kids life! I am sure they will go bonkers for it, hopefully!
am on this, you do make a good recipe dear. Now to get back on that Oat mission 🙂
Do you do a newsletter for this site?
Thanks.
Lucy. Peace
Charla
Thanks Lucy, I love making recipes that are child friendly. I hope they love this quick and convenient breakfast. If you type your email address in the subscription box in the right hand side of the page, you get access to my new recipes.
Petra (@BeHealthyFeelGd)
This looks good, I am definitely trying this!
Charla
Let me know how it turns out Petra