Blueberry banana overnight oats – prepare your gluten free oatmeal in the day before consumption with this banana blueberry with chia seeds recipe.

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 blueberry banana overnight oats. I have always enjoyed eating oatmeal but preparing them the night before with chia seeds 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 oats 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 hypoglycaemia (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 for overnight oats

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”. 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 bowl but I like a simple blueberry and chopped banana combination

How to make blueberry banana overnight oats

Bowl or mason jar – you can use either one these to house the oatmeal. Jars come in handy if you are eating on the go or intend to take your breakfast for work, 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 you 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.

Are overnight oats fattening

No, oats are low in fat and contain healthy carbohydrates.

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

Overnight oats benefits

Full of fiber which helps to aid the digestive system
Complex carbohydrates are slow releasing helping to keep you fuller for longer
Gluten free and vegan friendly
low in fat

Alternative to oats

Millet flakes
Almond meal
Hemp hearts (seeds)

Overnight oats variations

Chocolate and banana overnight oats – add 1 tbsp of cacao

Strawberry and banana overnight oats – add 1/2 cup of chopped strawberries

Overnight oats banana and peanut – 2tbsp of creamy peanut butter

Other breakfast recipes to try

Almond butter chocolate oatmeal

Coconut mango overnight oatmeal

Quinoa porridge

Blueberry and apple oatmeal

Creamy millet porridge recipe

Roasted almond porridge

Yellow plantain porridge